History Lesson for today

[tech3149]

Enjoying the lives we have today without knowing how they were achieved dishonors those who fought for a better life. The "Battle of Blair Mountain" stands out as a turning point for working people demanding respect and fair wages.

We are coming to the same state of affairs that preceded the Battle of Blair Mountain. We need to know our history to avoid repeating the same errors. Be informed and be prepared and don't expect those who are in power to concede in any fashion.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcoal/red.html
http://www.room135.com/media/Hi_Battle.html
http://www.newyouth.com/archives/usa/west_virginias_mine_wars.html

Read, learn, and be prepared

[pnorman]

1. "Enjoying the lives we have today without knowing how ....."

Thanks for this posting. I've read the book,and done similar web search on it. I also have the "Matewan" DVD, which is based loosely on it. Actually, it wasn't all that "loose" in the important aspects.

"Enjoying the lives we have today without knowing how they were achieved dishonors those who fought for a better life". My union (I'm retired now) contains more than a few Scissorbills who feel they can do that enjoying (to the full!) while espousing beliefs that are essentially ANTI-union. I frequently get under their skins over that on our Members BBS. Our present tragedy is still ongoing, and I've been posting there pretty heavily on that. In short order though, I'll return to unionism and make a posting on Blair Mountain, and the issues mentioned in those links. That sentence I quoted is as good as I've ever seen, and I'll quote it verbatim. Once again, thanks.

pnorman

[Mikimouse]

2. Do I remember this correctly?

Was this not the incident in which there were a number of Hatfield family members involved in driving off the union busters? Of course, these would have been a later generation (the children of the feuding adults).

[pnorman]

3. Sheriff Sid Hatfield was of those famed "Hatfields",

while another Hatfield (cousin I think) was on the coal company's side. Here's the Amazon description of that book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0813340969/102-1074955-1398546?v=glance

pnorman

[Mikimouse]

6. Thanks, I thought that was the incident...

I read a book years ago, published in 1948 probably as someone's dissertation, about the real families and the reasons behind the feud. In the last chapters, it detailed the paths of various family members in later generations. Seems that the Hatfields did quite well in local government. I will look at the amazon link too, thanks for that.:hi:

[WCGreen]

7. One of my all time favorite movies.....

I recommend that movie to anyone who wants a good political movie to watch.....

Through in Grapes of Wraith and you really capture the plight of the american workers.....

[usrbs]

4. Thanks for posting this.

I had actually never heard of this particular event. With your permission, I'll quote your opening sentence, and send with links to my "educational" email list. (A bunch of non-involved, formerly uninformed coworkers that now are at least informed, and several of whom have made the leap from tired Libertarianism "All politician are the same" to recognizing the GOP as the party of the rich.)

The way the labor history is taught (NOT), it's no wonder people think they were given their rights, instead of having to fight and shed blood for them.

But doesn't this epitomize the story of Labor? Defeat after crushing defeat, leaders who didn't lead, and the fruits of the struggle coming into being long after those who fought and lost could enjoy them.

[acmejack]

5. The problem with a government financed education

is that the government controls the content.

[pnorman]

8. "is that the government controls the content."

Granted. I'm from a left-libertarian standpoint (aka: "Chomsky socialist"), so I can relate to that. But at least it's subject to public scrutiny & oversight, if only de jure. That's a LOT more than could be said of theocracy-based education, whether or not it gets government funding.

pnorman

[acmejack]

9. Exactly, education based on religious dogma is undesirable.

To me at least. They are free to send their children to a private parochial school if they so desire. Just don't inflict that education on my children on my dime.