Growing up in WV, I feel that you are given a rare opportunity, one that comes with laid back atmosphere with beautiful mountains as the back drop. Growing up there you can’t wait to leave, to find yourself, to chase your dreams, but usually we always come back with a longing that is very strong. If you’re lucky you grow up being able to take long walks in the woods, go fishing on the river, know your n’bor, smell fresh mountain air, and be able to enjoy the wonderful outdoors. There is nothing like it when you look up and see the massive mountains surround you…you are safe…you are home.
I also grew up a Coal Miner’s daughter, a man that is proud and stubborn whose traits many say I now have. When you grow up a child of a coal miner you learn fear, you learn safety, and you learn to be proud very early on. You learn to know the pace your mother does when your father is 10mins late. You learn to know the peeking through the front door blinds as she tries to tell you just looking outside. You also know the fear that grips you when your loved one is hurt under ground and is pulled out. You also learn to trust in God and thank him when your loved one is ok. You learn to put a bit back because who knows when the mines will play out and your dad will work day and night jobs to keep food on the table.
It takes a strong person to be a coal miner; it’s not an easy job at all. Not many people would like to work under ground. We owe it to them to keep them safe, even though I know many go days without a thought to the workers underground. Not until a tragedy strikes do most remember. Then for a day or two when they go to flip on their lights they may say a little prayer, but when you grow up with it you don’t forget.
That is why when some scum of the earth comes along and sees miners as profit and not as humans I get so irked up. They don’t care about the people they have working for them all they care about is how much money they have to fill their wallets and if they can buy the next Judge’s seat when it comes up. To bad right now, WV has one of these and the company cost my dad his job, most of his retirement, and his insurance. Who am I talking about? Massey Energy. I have no sympathy for the owners and the big man who likes to take his pictures with the judge he pays off.
About 6yrs ago my dad’s mine was facing a rough time, and Massey was going to be the hero to save them. Oh yeah, you will keep your job and your retirement with insurance. We will work with the Union you are under even though we are not. Well guess what they didn’t. Eighty Five men were promised jobs, they were good enough to work for Massey and one of them even holds a letter to prove it, but you see Massey can shoot stuff off cause who will come after them if they don’t keep their word? The judge they pay? Nah…he laughs
We finally thought we were getting somewhere when the new trial declared the 85 men had to be hired and be paid the back pay, but Massey knew they could hold this off. My dad is still waiting for his phone call and why hasn’t he gotten it? Well the final paper sets on a Judge’s desk to be signed…think he will sign it anytime soon? I doubt it he is prolly on vacation with Blankenship as we speak.
So why the angry post now? Nightline did a special on Massey Energy last night and it seems that the wonderful supreme court justices decided to let Massey win the appeal on the 70 million they lost in the first hearing (with another mines they did the same way as my dad's)…funny how one of those Judges had Blankenship’s help in raising 3.5 million dollars- read as a bought seat.
Hopefully, one day my dad will get his full retirement and be able to retire for good, WV will run Massey Energy out of their state, and the coal miners will be safe once again.
Till then let me just say my dad can lay his head down at night and rest peacefully, but I wonder if the Supreme Court justices and Massey Energy can do the same? Karma folks it has to happen one day right?
Next entry I’ll get back to my cheery ol’ self this stuff just annoys me, but the sun is out so I’m going to enjoy the day.
I hope you all have a great day of knitting : )
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. The big guys often seem to come out on top and it's too bad.
It was fun, however, to read about your being a coal-miner's daughter!
You're very lucky to have such a fine role model as your father obviously is.
I hope your Dad, and all the other hard working miners get justice. I'm a believer in karma too, and what goes around comes around.
Thank you Gina and Suzy! : )
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