Hundreds Of Miners Rally At Capitol

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Posted: 1:48 PM Mar 13, 2008
Last Updated: 6:40 PM Mar 13, 2008

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Hundreds of coal miners held a rally at the state capital.

The miners are upset about a bill that would end the process of mountain top removal. It's called the stream saver bill.

The practice of mountain top removal involves using explosives to remove rock on mountains. The debris, or overburden, is then pushed into a nearby valley or hollow.

Opponents say the practice contaminates the environment.

The stream-saver bill was killed in a committee, but could be resurrected.
The miners say this bill would eliminate hundreds of jobs in Kentucky.

Nearly 2000 miners showed up for the rally, making this one of the biggest rallies in Frankfort in recent years.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Casie Location: Lancaster on Mar 31, 2008 at 01:16 PM
God created all, mountains too! But he gave us the knowledge to utilize the resources he put in the ground(oil,coal, gas). Reclaimation brings opportunity to the land not doom. The wildlife enjoys it as well. I haven't heard anything about the Thriving ELK herd being run off by MTR, bet they hate the grazing and ponds provided by MTR.Fact is many people thru-out the nation are dependent on coal in one way or another. By driving strip mining out of east. KY you not only take away many families livelihood but also increase the demand for foreign fuel. If you are opposed to coal, switch your utilities to gas & boycott any business that uses electric from coal. Money isn't everything, but you sure can't get far in this country without it. Eastern KY doesn't offer many good paying jobs not involved with coal in some form.Those opposed to strip mining:how about the destruction brought by those highways and expansions of such?I don't recall great efforts reclaim that land,Oh and car exhaust!ew

Posted by: Shellie Location: Letcher County, Kentucky on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:49 PM
In response to the so called comment about being proud of so and so. I am proud of my family. Not jsut the coal miners but everyone. But I have a question for you. When was the last time you seen a driver crawl two or three miles underground with very little protection to keep the earth above you from caving in on your head. Knowing that if you die there, you may stay there. When was the last time that someone you knew risk their life to provide energy for this country and make a living for their family. I agree that a lot of professions are dangerous but those people get acknowledged for their services. Coal miners risk their lives everyday and it is only when someone gets hurt or killed that they are talked about and not in the best way. Safety has come a long way but like you say, no job is 100% safe. Lets leave well enough alone and say thank you and be proud of each other and our miners. I am sure you say thank you to your postman when you get mail 6 days a week

Posted by: Shellie Location: Letcher County, Kentucky on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:39 PM
I have a response to the comment about God making the mountains and the valleys. I believe that God made this world how he wanted it. I agree with you on that point. But have you stopped to think that God did not intend for many things to happen to this earth. What about the land that has been moved to make malls, parking lots and gas stations. Nothing is built, constructed or worked on that the earth is not moved in some form. I agree that while a MTR job is in process it does not look good, but go look at land that has been reclaimed. It is beautiful and useful. I know that coal mining destroys some homes and water wells, but how many millions of dollars is coal severance tax bringing into our counties to provide city water. And for the comment about safety. My husband is a foreman for a coal company that just went to Washington DC to accept an award for Safety. They worked more hours than any other coal operation in their division with the least accidents. I am proud.

Posted by: Kendra Location: Kite on Mar 17, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I am proud of my coal mining heritage...My grandfather was a coal miner,my father,and my husband are coal miners..You tell me what kind of jobs that could be brought to eastern Ky that could provide us the same salary that the coal mines bring home...Like that one person said You better thank a coal miner every time you turn the light switch on or when you turn your stove on to fix your family a meal.We have to survive and we are doing it the only way we can..My husband is 30 years old if they shut our mines down,we'll lose everything we have..he can't go out and find another job,because there isn't any..

Posted by: Bryan Location: Frankfort on Mar 17, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I am the son of a coal miner. Coal is what paid the bills and fed my family when I was growing up. No, it was not the best living but it was comfortable. I am proud to say that I am the son of a miner as well as I am from the mountains of Eastern KY. Politicians need to work with the miners as they do the politicians and solve the problem without hurting the industry and the families that it provides a living for.

Posted by: ROBERT Location: LONDON, KY on Mar 16, 2008 at 08:47 PM
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!

Posted by: April Location: London, KY on Mar 16, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I am all for protecting the enviroment and the animals that live in it.But I also like to protect the things that we as humans have to have to make it in this world we live in.We really have to use our heads on matters such as these.What would we do, how would we live, everyone doesn't have the money to change their lives and homes into solar powered everything. My dad has worked in the coal business for a long time in the past. I remember so many times him coming home with his face solid black from the dust and dripping sweat.You could see the effort that he put into his job and yeah the job sight might not have been that pretty to look at, but after it was all said and done it would be a beautiful place to look at.There would be tree's planted and grass sewn and you would never know that just a few years before there was enough coal taken out of there to fuel electricty to thousands of home. Think about that the next time you flip on that light or open the fridge to get a cold drink

Posted by: Electricity Lover Location: KY on Mar 16, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Hey Fred, fire up that wind turbine in your back yard! I believe Coal Miner's Wife was making the point that without the electricity produced by coal, those that use electricity that is produced from coal would be sittin in the dark. The other 51% that you want to thank are from wind turbines, hydroelectric and so forth. I don't recall seeing many of those here in KY. She was referring to someone from out of state making an uninformed comment.

Posted by: A Coal Miner's Wife Location: Pineville, KY on Mar 16, 2008 at 04:01 PM
To Fred in Lexington: Where does your electricity come from Fred? No, I wasn't implying that all electricity comes from coal, I was just informing you of how much electricity is produced by coal.

Posted by: Life-long resident of Leslie County on Mar 16, 2008 at 03:45 PM
If God wanted these mountains flat, they would have been flat to begin with. He created the mountains and valleys. If you can’t build something on the hillside like we’ve been able to do for centuries, you can always move to the level country like many of the coal operators from Eastern Kentucky did after they made it rich.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Mar 16, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Elizabeth - How do you steal property? I would like to add a couple acres to my lot...

Posted by: truck drivers son Location: floyd county ky on Mar 16, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I started riding with my dad hauling coal when I was three and kept on until he retired. from what I have seen on here there is one type of coal mining that has not been mentioned deep mining it does not do damage like MTR. I hauled with my dad from both and my Dad never did like MTR he preferred deep mining. I have heard people say that it would cost jobs but actualy if MTR even completely stop mine companys would deep mine the coal so there would still be the jobs. And we might get the money from strip mining now but what about our children the mountains gone the water polluted. And where I live there was a strip mine.(MTR) They filled a hollow up. It has been about a year and a half since they pulled out. We have not had a flood since they pulled out if we were to have a big flood every bit of that hollow fill could come down our hollow. The strip mines here reclaims grass and other seeds but no trees. what will be left for our kids. Deep mining will keep jobs and prevent the damage.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Mar 16, 2008 at 11:24 AM
A Coal Miner's Wife: "The next time you flip your light switch on, thank a coal miner who put his life on the line so you can have electricity" This implies that all electricity comes from coal. Otherwise we could thank one of the other 51% that produces electricity. That was my point.

Posted by: Me! Location: Ky on Mar 16, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I for one do not live in the coal mining area.But I do want to thank all those that mine.I appreciate you every time I flip the light switch or every time my heat kicks on. My dad worked in strip mines when I was a child. He came home on Friday nights filthy and worn out. We used to go visit him thru the week.The mountains were a mess while they were there working, but after they were done the ground looked better than when they started.Trees were planted ditches established for flow of water.Grass was sown and it looked like a park had been built.I understand some of the concern of drinking water ect. But this has been the way of life in E. Ky for years.There is always an answer to problems that will benefit all involved.

Posted by: A Coal Miner's Wife Location: Pineville, Ky on Mar 16, 2008 at 04:12 AM
To Fred in Lexington: No Fred, all electricity everywhere is not produced by coal, however, nearly 49% of the electricity produced in the US is produced by coal. The US Department of Energy has that information. So, what was your point?

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Letcher County on Mar 15, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Shellie, I really appreciate your comment. Many of my friends are miners I know how hard they work to provide for their families. However, people's homes and way of life are also being threatened because a lot of coal companies are not following the law. I know a lot of people whose homes and property have been damaged (and even stolen); people who want to protect their homeplaces. Others have had their drinking water degraded or their wells sunk. In Lynch, they are proposing to expand a strip job to come really close to the Portal 31 Exhibition coal mine, which is an important way to diversify the economy. Who is going to want to come to Eastern Kentucky when there are no mountains left? Who is going to want come to Carr Fork Lake with a MTR job right next to it? I worry about miners too. 90% of the mine fatalities in the last 10 years were from safety violations. I believe coal companies need to be held accountable to protect our workers and our quality of life.

Posted by: confused Location: Harlan on Mar 15, 2008 at 03:16 PM
It was suggested I go to websites such as kftc.org and see that they are not aganist coal they only want coal mined responsibly. Well...on the website KFTC continues to talk about ending MTR...NOT forcing mining to be "responsible" but ending the dependence the area has on coal. A better future beyond coal.... it's also mentioned that we should seek more "green" and renewable sources of energy to replace the burning of coal. Call me crazy but that doesn't sound as if KFTC is interested in coal at all to me, period.

Posted by: Rob Location: London on Mar 15, 2008 at 01:07 PM
How about we just close all the mines and put up horse farms in East Ky!! I bet thousands from Central Ky would protest because we would be taking their living and put a stop to it.Mining isn't as bad as you make it out to be.My farms value increased double when I had the coal mined.The reclamation was near perfect and all the topsoil was put back I did have some hollows filled in,but they were not farmable any way.I have land that was never used that is now.If the coal leaves,so do the jobs,the electricity,and the fuel!!Electricity isn't just made from coal,but most of it is.How about backing up more creeks with huge lakes to generate electricity and take all of your land that you seem to think so much about!!!The people of East Ky are hard working and honest.We may not be the smartest,but take something away and we can survive.Can you??I doubt it.We know how to live off the land and know how to make ends meet.Get out of your high-rise office and see what you can do.Not much!!

Posted by: King Coal Location: Lexington on Mar 15, 2008 at 11:50 AM
According to the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth's website, the Stream Saver Bill would require "mine waste" to be put back on the mine site not in a hollowfill. People need to understand if this bill would ever pass that would outlaw any form of coal mining expect the re-mining of pre-law benches. The coal industry does not construct hollowfills for the heck of it. When any form of dirt or rock is dug up it swells and it is this excess material that goes in the hollowfill. The only place to put the material is in a hollowfill but the majority of hollows contain ephemeral streams since ephemeral streams by definition are streams that briefly flow after a rainfall event. If the coal industry can not put material off the mining bench then all forms of coal mine would cease even underground coal mining, and this is the mission of the KFTC.

Posted by: ex-miner Location: ea KY on Mar 15, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Surely there were some comments that didn't praise the coal industry. Is WYMT so beholden to big coal that they are afraid to print any comment that may be perceived as anti-coal? This is why we need the Stream Saver Bill.

Posted by: Amanda Location: Rockhouse on Mar 15, 2008 at 05:24 AM
Well what I cant figure out is how come the water lovers, love the water so much that they can set and gripe about the coal mines destroy it, but yet there are several major cities including some in KY that ended up with DRUGS in the clean water supply!!!!!

Posted by: Wow Location: RIchmond on Mar 14, 2008 at 11:05 PM
WHy is it that people think they are so special in this world? "Im proud of my such and such." Coal mining is a job. Much like a policeman or interstate truck driver. DO the math sometime on the odds of dying in a mineshaft VS dying on the interstate. My mailman is my hero! He gets my mail to me 6days a week even if theres ice on teh ground and the house next doors on fire. Im also proud of the engineers at the water plant that provide clean safe water to everyone daily. After all without these people the world would collapse just the same as if you pulled any other of its select threads.

Posted by: Shellie Location: Jenkins, Letcher County, Kentucky on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:54 PM
I am the daughter, grand daughter, great grand daughter and wife of coal miners. If you live in Eastern Kentucky this is the only way of life we know. My husband provides a home and food and clothing for my family by working at a coal mines. We are not on welfare, we do not do drugs and if you live in this area you basically work in or around a mines or live the secondary choice. I am very proud of my family. They do a very dangerous job and risk theirs lives everyday that they step foot on their job. I understand that people who do not have to depend on this industry may see things differently, but I am asking you one question. Put yourself in our shoes. What if your job or your husbands job was in jeopardy. How would you feel if you thought your home and way of life was in danger. I think we should stand behind our way of life and the men and women who do this dangerous job day in and day out. I thank God for my husband and family and the risk he takes to provide for me.

Posted by: carmie Location: lexington on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:12 PM
My husband and brother work in the coal industry and i know they come home everyday glad of the work they have done and look forward to doing it again the next day. The mining industry is regulated by more agencies than any other business and do everything required under the law. The industry supports their local communities and charities, and i for one applaud them for their hard work and dedication. Thank you for everything you guys do.

Posted by: Llloyd Location: Hazard, Ky on Mar 14, 2008 at 08:57 PM
The representative from Louisville that commented last night on the evening news, let most knowledgeable people know how uninformed he is. If we should stop mining it will not only affect the jobs of people in East Ky, it will close Whayne Supply across the state and the home office in Louisville. I suggest someone forward this to him and listen to another well thought out response. I suggest he look at all the problems he has there and leave the mining and reclamation to us. We know what we can use the land for.

Posted by: Lea Location: Jackson on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I tell you what, any time that all of you people want to give up your electric and money to keep up all the families that depend on the coal for a living instead of welfare. Then I will give you a list and I surely will not care for you to pay for all of bills and keep food on my table, while you are working your heart out with no returns. Then go ahead and make the coal miners day. We would love not having to get up at 2:00 in the morning and coming home at 9:00 at night. All of us can sleep most of the day and play the rest. Think about it? What's more important? People trying to make a living the right way or doing nothing?

Posted by: ann Location: ky on Mar 14, 2008 at 06:17 PM
I am very thankful that the coal miners and truck drivers get out early every day to provide coal for everyone to have electric.They risk their life every day to provide their families a honest living.They are not out here selling drugs to people.They get out way before a lot of people do and they get home later than most.You don't realize how hard that these fine people work until you have been in their shoes and it is a big shoe to fill. All these people need to work but everyone needs to try to work together instead of against each other.Try not to be so rude toward the miners and families because we all are human beings we have feelings too.

Posted by: Archie R. Fields Location: Whitesburg on Mar 14, 2008 at 05:29 PM
We're just trying to protect our streams and make sure that we have clean drinking water for us in the mountains and those downstream. It's ridiculous that the industry is saying people will lose their jobs. Every time the coal industry is asked to do better for people and be more responsible; they holler, "they're going broke." I haven't seen it yet. The Stream Saver bill will make the companies more responsible. With the chair of the Natural Resources Committee, Jim Gooch, saying that this bill won't get a hearing, it's taking away our freedom of speech. We need more dialog about this issue because coal is going to be here for many more years. We're also going to need to transition to other forms of energy that could be provide jobs in Eastern Kentucky too. We won't be able to create new jobs if we destroy all of our mountains and our water. First of all, we need good water to run factories. If we don't have good water, how are we going to create jobs and keep people healthy

Posted by: russell Location: Hazard on Mar 14, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Massive amount of the coal reserves in E.KY are low seam coal....only a foot too three foot high....and this coal will have to be gotten out by steam water turning the coal to a liquid. Large coal companies work on percentage of profits....and when they will stop making large profits they will leave E. KY. Area with mining have a lot of people with health problems. But too prove that the health problems are coal related is hard to prove in a court system which supports large corporations like the coal industry. The coal industry is a bully whose money has given it the power to mistreat E.KY people. King coal is losing its power to bully as people become better educated and have environmental groups helping them too stand up for for their rights and human dignity. When coal leaves E.KY they will pack up someday and say good bye to no one. There big corporations will go somewhere else and make big money. When the last block of coal is taken out then other industry can com

Posted by: russsell Location: Hazard on Mar 14, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Water is the most important resource in E. KY and coal mining is polluting the water and causing health problems and blasting. Filling streams is reducing the amount of water in KY. Coal is not the future of E. KY....and king coal is hiring less miners Some mining experts say at the current rate of mining and the current economy that E. KY may have between 10 and 20 more years of mining left/or less. Laws have been changed so that coal companies don't have to pay coal severance tax on low seam coal. Coal companies can cheat and lie that higher seam coal is low seam coal and get out of paying coal severence money: which is criminal. wymt should check and see what laws have been passed with low seam coal and other laws passed by mountain lawmakers so that coal companies don't have to pay coal severance tax on certain coal and how the coal companies are taking advantage of these laws. Peabody's coal to liquid plant will not have to pay any coal severance tax.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Mar 14, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Posted by: Coal Miner's Wife Location: Pineville, KY on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM All electricity everywhere comes from coal?

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Letcher County on Mar 14, 2008 at 03:20 PM
I am proud of our coal mining heritage in this region. Miners do incredibly hard work, and I am thankful. I also proud of our mountain heritage, and I would like to live in an area where I have clean drinking water and my property isn't damaged from a lack of enforcement of the laws. I stood at the capital a couple weeks ago with 1,500 fellow Kentuckians at the I love Mountains rally, and I also stood beside miners and miners' widows last year at the rally in support of better mine safety. Coal mining is an important part of the economy now. However, if things continue as they are, our streams, our homes, our miners, and our future will be eliminated.

Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on Mar 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM
You can't laugh at or discredit 2000 people at a rally at the State Capitol. Those are some impressive numbers in comparison to recent groups who have protested in Frankfort with a few hundred! Whether you agree or disagree, they made a statement by numbers alone.

Posted by: Casie Location: Lancaster, KY on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM
I thank God for the coal industry for many reasons. It has given my family and many others a steady job with steady income. It has given the communities income, land with potentional after being stripped, and helps welfare by keeping people employed and paying into the system, not taking from it. I am the proud daughter of a coal miner. These men put in hard, long days to provide for their families, supply fuel to the Nation, and don't ask much of anyone. I think that flatlanders not from communities providing coal need to revisit the stand and respect our right to have jobs, affordable utilities, and opportunies in life that the factories bring to their communities. As far as people who have "fallen victim" to Mountail Top Removal, I am sorry, but most coal companies are responsible and will survey damage and fix it or give you compensation. There are many other ways homes can be damaged by "acts of man." Don't take away someone else's livelyhood. We wouldn't wish that one anyone.

Posted by: JW Location: Ivyton on Mar 14, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I don't understand, if the people pushing the stream saver bill are against coal miners, how come they were the ones in Frankfort last year pushing for a stronger mine safety law -- the law that now requires more medical people and better methane detectors in the mines. Why weren't these coal companies that want us to think they care so much about their workers busing people down to Frankfort to rally for that bill -- because along with Robin Webb and Jim Gooch they were trying to kill the bill!

Posted by: Jeb Location: KY on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
To those of you who commented on the post from Emily Litella from New York; The name Emily Litella was a character on Saturday Night Live back in the 1970's played by Gilda Radner. She would dress as an old woman and be the guest commentator on Weekend Update (Saturday Night Live's spoof on the news). They once had her comment on "free elections" but she called it "flea erections." Her character was hard of hearing. It was very humorous. I can't believe some of you fell for it. But then again, I'm an old fart who used to watch that show faithfully. Too funny some of you have been had. Now, I think miners are a very important part of our nation. It's a dirty, hazardous job that provides a much needed source of energy. I don't particularly agree with mountain top removal but I am not versed enough on the processes involved to obtain coal. And, to the person who posted as Emily Litella, I thought your post was hilarious and I really miss those good old days of Saturday Night Live!

Posted by: Tina Location: letcher co Ky on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
The last time i checked minning is a way of life for most eastern ky and west va familys. if you wont minning stopped then BRING IN MORE JOBS. where are all our factorys. you talk about a depression hitting look at the familys with out there jobs and that means a long unemployment line and i dont thing the Gov wonts that. Whats more important a tree or a human life. The ones that wont minning stopped you change jobs with a minner and lets see how long you last..if you wont a hard shift of WORK you do a minners job. now everytime you use that hot water and use them lights you think of that man or woman that put there life on the line.stop your complaining and let the real people do the work.if you dont like how things are done TURN YOUR LIGHTS OFF..May God Bless You..

Posted by: Coal Miners Location: Lexington on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Thank you for your work. Now miners, thank President Bush for the strong increase in coal production during his administration. I remember what happened to KY's mining industry under clinton and it was not good. Remember this in November when you vote, a vote for a Republican is a vote to help your job. Good luck! NOBAMA-NOCLINTON.

Posted by: Miner's Daughter Location: Hyden on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Mining has always been a way of life for my family. I was at the rally and I'll be at more if needed. I'm proud of all the miners and the people that went to support them. The people that have a problem with mining needs to turn their lights off. If they don't want us getting that coal then they shouldn't use the energy that comes from it!

Posted by: ky Location: ky on Mar 14, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Everyone laugh, Emily from New York made a funny.

Posted by: LorraineHolland Location: Hazard KY on Mar 14, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Great job today guys lets give our miners a great round of applause for THE statement they made at the capital today.Coal mining creates alot of jobs especially right here in Ky.It also makes our lives alot easier by being able to flip a switch and we have light and also we can flip a switch and have heat what do you people think makes this possible ILL TELL YOU WHAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE COAL.The jobs that this bill would be affecting are good job these jobs not only provide a pay check but most of these jobs also provide good insurance for the miners families such as health,dental,and vision,also alot of these jobs provide retirement plans also.What do they propose these jobs be replaced with the last time I checked McDonalds doesnt offer a good salary and health and retirement benefits or maybe they dont think the unemployment rate is high enough.STAND UP BE HEARD SUPPORT OUR COAL MINERS OR THE NEXT TIME YOU FLIP THE SWITCH YOU MAY BE COLD AND IN THE DARK!!!!!

Posted by: jUANITA ADAMS Location: CORNNETTSVILLE Ky on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:35 AM
We should be proud of our coal miners!We also need to think about how this will affect our country the taxes that are paid in by our miners every year the jobs that these mines create what this money does for our state and country I dont think alot of people have stopped to think how this bill will affect everyone.We need to take a stand and support our coal miners!

Posted by: chandra turner Location: vicco ky on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:23 AM
I am a coal miners wife and my dad also worked in the coal mines for years and I am very proud of our Ky coal miners.Coal mining is a way of life in these parts,alot of the people who are raising a stink adout surface mining had never even seen a mine until all this started ,they think they can come around and visit these mines for a few hours in day and know all about it.This bill would not only effect the coal miners but also what about the people who manufacture the equipment,service the equipment,and make the parts such as Whayne SupplY right here in Hazard KY.This really hits home for me because I know a few of the people who support this bill right here in my area and I really dont understand it because I know that some of them made their living in the coal mining industry they may not have worked on asurface mine some of them worked in the underground mines and some of them may have just hauled the coal BUT THEY STILL MADE THEIR LIVING FROM COAL.

Posted by: jennifer Location: KNOTT on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:52 PM
WE are proud of our miners ,, strip miners and deep miners ,, they jepordize their lives every day ,, its easy to sit back and say they are destroying the land, my husband is a miner and i am very proud of him, for years our dads, grand dads mined and its something we are proud of they earn their money by the sweat of their brows, what time we sit inside with heat or air conditioning,, its easy for people to sit back and look at it and say yea destroying and raping the land,,, but its thru their eyes ,, come here and look at what great results we have in eastern ky , also our husbands work hard to send our children to school and to collage ,, hoping they can get a pencil pushing job so that they dont have to work in the mining industry, but when you turn on a light or open your refrigerator remember the miners that work for this, lets give them some credit ,, they are the real men

Posted by: ann Location: perry co. on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:51 PM
it's about time the coal miners get some recognition for the jobs they put their lives on the line for every day. without them the nation would not have a very easy life. we can't go one day without electricity without life as we know it coming to a sudden halt. more than a few bad words are used on thse days, but no one ever thinks about thanking the people who make it possible for everyone to have electricity on a daily basis. we live in the mountains, work in the mountains and will die in the mountains. even when some are flattened due to mining,tere will always be mountains, along with new home sites, business, hospitals, recreation sites among hundreds of other possibilities. reclaimed mine land is beautiful, too. just ask anyone from all over the country who pays big money just for a chance to see or better yet, kill one of our many elk--on a strip job! we want the opportunities the rest of the state has, nice homes, business and industry.let us live in peace and work in peace!

Posted by: Erica Location: Pike Co. on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I just want everyone to know that we do not oppose mining and that the stream saver bill would not have cost all miners their jobs, not unless the coal companies want it to happen. We are not taking jobs we are trying to protect our homes and our families. My husband was a miner and his Grandfather and most of the men in his family were miners. The coal industries are telling lies about what we are trying to do. We are from Kentucky. We do not do drugs or go around hugging trees (although I do love trees)and we are not hippies. We are concerned residents of KENTUCKY. We are not out to destroy anyones life. I have had my life ruined by MTR and I would not want to ruin anyone elses. Don't be angry with us. Talk to us. Listen to our stories and try to not let the coal industry mislead. Thank you

Posted by: Phyllis Location: Booneville, KY on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I am proud of all of the men, women, and children that poured onto the capital steps today!! You all hopefully reminded all of the politician how vibrant and willing you are to stand up for the coal industry. It is the small town people that are forgotten when they have the meeting of the minds. Coal not only provides for me and my family but it keeps AMERICA going. Those big time politicians are forgetting were a huge part of the coal severance tax goes. It sure isn't Eastern Kentucky. We must all remember that these are the same great politicians that have single handedly drove gas to unimaginable prices. If they have there way with the coal industry we will be paying ungodly prices for electricity, as if it isn't high enough already. I am the proud daughter of a former miner, and the proud wife of a miner. I thank all of the miners that risk their lives everyday, to help me have a more confortable life. Keep up the good work. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Wow Location: RIchmond on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:25 PM
@mike, Faye, Yeah we love electricity but if it wasnt for WATER youd never need your TV. Dont forget while you say we need one thing we really only need the things it destroys. After all how many days can you survive with power vs wihtout water. There is better ways of gettin the coal without cheaply ripping the top of the mountains. It also provided more job since we dont use huge mountian movers to do the work. My dad was in a coal mine collapse in the late 70's he lost a kneecap. If he hadnt quit I wouldnt be here. SO thank those that quit an survive to have kids!

Posted by: Robin Location: Pike County on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I'm a coal miners daughter & a coal miners wife and proud of it! Glad to see people are going to the capital to stand up for what they believe in. Things would be a lot different in KY if everyone would stand up for what they believe in - as the miners did & the people protesting the casinos. Coal is the livelihood here and without it....this could be a very low populated state. Just some food for thought!

Posted by: Coal Miner's Wife Location: Pineville, KY on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM
To Emily Litella: The next time you flip your light switch on, thank a coal miner who put his life on the line so you can have electricity. You are not from this area and have no business sarcastically commenting on something you know nothing about. When my husband goes to work everyday, I hope and pray that he comes back home so MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Booneville,Ky on Mar 13, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Coal is what makes kentucky what it is.Minning coal gives people jobs..Coal makes electric and that makes a lot more jobs for people to have work as well,What would kentucky be without the coal mines? We need the coal mines to keep not only Kentucky but other states going.Thank what all coal is used for.

Posted by: Lasylvia Ritchie Location: Hindman on Mar 13, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I am so proud of the coal miners. They should keep up the good work. I hope that they choose not to shut down the coal mines. my dad is a coal miner he works at ICG and he was apart of the protest his name is Pearl Ritchie. and i am his daughter and proud of it! so for the people who want to shut down the coal mines you are making a bad mistake.

Posted by: Bridget Location: kentucky on Mar 13, 2008 at 06:11 PM
any of you all saying they should go with the bill, need to think about my daddy's job. we wont have any money and you will be taking away from my brother and sister and me. so stop worrying about just yourself and think about poor kids thats dad is a coal miner and they need money and they barley have any as it is. so just stop it.

Posted by: miners wife Location: letcher county on Mar 13, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I am proud to say that I am the daughter, grand daughter and a wife of a coal miner !! I am deeply touched by all the people that took the time today to attend this rally to support the coal industry , which is our way of life in eastern,ky. I want to say thanks!! for all your efforts!!! to each and everyone that took part in this event!! God Bless you All!!

Posted by: Crystal Location: Corbin on Mar 13, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Wow, congratulations on a great turnout! That is what the Capitol needed to see and hear was the support that the mining industry has!

Posted by: mike Location: pikeville,ky on Mar 13, 2008 at 03:54 PM
without the money generated from coal, and coal jobs this nation would come to a standstill. coal people spend money across this country on food,cars,cloths,in shopping malls,vacations do i need to keep going? it has kept this country going for hundreds of years. we must support the coal industry across this nation not only in ky. be proud of the people at capital today.....

Posted by: Faye Location: Pikeville on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:59 PM
So glad to see so many people are at the capital in support of the mining industry. Not only does mining provide jobs.....it makes our life easier by providing electricity. Go a few days without electricity when there is a power outage (due to the weather) and see if you miss it or not. That's what it would be like with no mining. NO coal...NO lights! I'm a coal miners daughter and PROUD OF IT!

Posted by: Emily Litella Location: New York on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:35 PM
What's all this fuss about minors at the Capitol? Where are their parents? Minors shouldn't be allowed to roam around the city by themselves. My gosh, they could get hurt or kidnapped by some weirdo. The parents of the minors need to be held responsible. What's that? Oh, MINERS not Minors!!! NEVER MIND!

Posted by: Theresa Location: Virgie, Ky. on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:07 PM
My husband would be one of the people to loose his job if this bill is passed. First of all, most of the people tryiong to get this passed doesn't know or understand what strip minning is about. Most of these people are from out of state and has nothing to do with Kentucky and its main resourse to make money. The high school kids don't know what they are talking about and trying to get people to believe about mining. God put coal ion the earth to give man an job to support his family and by the sweat of his brow, the minner does this. Where do you think your "bum" checks comes from? It comes from taxes the hard working miner works and pays in so you can (edited) about men that puts their lives in danger every day to keep you going. I am very proud of where I live. Coal minning is a part of this area. If you don't like it, go somewhere else to live. Coal and minning was here first!

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