United Mine Workers of America Endorses Edwards: Upper Appalachian/Border/Purplish States...

[CorpGovActivist]

... have http://www.umwa.org/index.php?id=602&action=show_item&item_id=204">lots of politically-active UMWA members and retirees, too. I busted my thumb with a hammer, nailing one of the homemade plywood campaign signs that a UMWA local created for a statewide candidate in WV. Years later, AG McGraw hired me - and still remembered about the thumb.

A http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-10-08-3865972823_x.htm">list of union endorsements, compiled by USA Today/ABC News.

As a http://www.umwa.org/scholarship/">Lorin E. Kerr/UMWA Scholarship recipient, and as the beneficiary of UMWA Funds medical coverage after my dad was permanently disabled in a mining accident, I am forever grateful - and deeply indebted - to the UMWA.

By MapQuest, UMWA headquarters: 10.9 miles away.

By MapQuest, AFL-CIO headquarters: 9.93 miles away.

With the Richard Trumka-autographed copy of http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=united+we+stand+mine+workers+1890+1990">United We Stand: the United Mine Workers of America, 1890-1990, by Maier B. Fox (signed when Trumka was still UMWA President), it's usually not hard to get up to the executive floor of the AFL-CIO.

I think the UMWA has it right; Edwards will not only represent the reality-based concerns of mining families, but will be able to connect with his progressive message in the all-important Upper Appalachian/border/swing states in which the UMWA's very active membership is concentrated.

Best,

- Dave

[AzDar]

1. K & R...

:kick:

[ChiciB1]

2. Wonderful... He's Getting LOTS Of Good Kudos For His Appearance On

C-Span today!! He looked & sounded GREAT and then Elizabeth took some questions too! We NEED these two, we really really do!!

Go, Johnny, GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[CorpGovActivist]

5. He Made a Fine, Strong Appearance...

... and I think Elizabeth Edwards is - brilliant! - in every sense of the word.

"We NEED these two, we really really do!!"

Look for the Q1 2008 donations, due to be reported in April. I strongly suspect you'll see lots of former Clinton supporters, maxing out.

Finally: good ol' Smedley Darlington Butler - your avatar rocks.

- Dave

[dajoki]

3. I was a member...

for 20+ years. Proud of their endorsement.

K&R

[CorpGovActivist]

4. The Union Local...

... taught me a great deal. I'm very proud of my dad.

: )

On edit: Surface or underground?

- Dave

[dajoki]

8. Surface...

Or as we call it here in the Anthracite region of PA "the strippins'".

[CorpGovActivist]

9. Bituminous...

... or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bituminous_coal#Carboniferous_coals">soft coal, mostly, in WV.

My partner's family is up near you'uns.

:rofl:

- Dave

[dajoki]

12. I'm in the lower anthracite region...

of northeast Pa. 70 miles south of Scranton and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. BTW its yous. :rofl: :hi:

[CorpGovActivist]

13. The Use of "Yet" up ...

... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_personal_pronouns">yous way, as "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Dutch_English">still" is "yet" one I don't get.

Ya'll http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_English">talk funny to my Appalachian ear.

:rofl:

- Dave

P.S. My partner's family is nearer "yet" to York.

[dajoki]

39. Here's a link you might find interesting...

its called: CoalSpeak The Official CoalRegion Dictionary. Its for my area of the coal region, enjoy.
http://www.coalregion.com/Speak/speakA.htm

[CorpGovActivist]

40. I Love Stuff Like This!!! Here's One...

... for http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:U.S._Navy_slang">Naval History enthusiasts.

- Dave

[dajoki]

41. Thanks...

My uncle is always talking Navy slang to me, maybe I could surprise him with an answer.:rofl:

[CorpGovActivist]

42. If He's Online...

... he'd probably enjoy seeing the link, to see how new phrases have been added since he retired (after you have your fun with it first, of course).

- Dave

[dajoki]

43. Yeah...

I'm gonna play around with him at first, then I'll show it to him, he will love it. He served in the Pacific in WWII, so I'm sure there will be some surprises for him also.

[CorpGovActivist]

44. Be Sure to Thank Him...

... for all of us.

:salute:

- Dave

[dajoki]

48. I will...

I always do and will continue to. I have to pry it out of him sometimes, but I love listening to his stories, its like having a front seat to history.

[CorpGovActivist]

49. Has He Participated in the WW II Memory Projects?

Some veterans have found these to be http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=world+war+ii+memory+project">quite cathartic.

Best,

- Dave

[dajoki]

70. Not really...

Him and my Aunt are both in their eighties. After they retired they bought a home in the country with quite a bit of land and love the outdoors. They also did quite a bit of traveling, but have slowed down recently. They did make a trip to Seattle which was the port he returned to after the war.

[CorpGovActivist]

73. All the Best...

... to both of them.

:salute:

- Dave

[dajoki]

76. Thank You...

And same to you. All my hope to you and yours for a very PEACEFUL and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

If you have any questions about the coalspeak dictionary drop me a line.

[CorpGovActivist]

77. Will Do!

A http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipple">tipple to tipples this New Year's Eve!

: )

- Dave

[dajoki]

78. And may you...

have a "Boom"ing New Year without any "overburden".:patriot: :hi:

This is the type of shovel I operated in the strippins', called a straight front.

[CorpGovActivist]

79. You Need a Bumper Sticker for That Behemoth...

... that reads: "When you're already in a hole, keep diggin'!"

:rofl:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- Dave

[dajoki]

80. That is exactly what it does...

very observant.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS ALSO!!
:hi:

[CorpGovActivist]

81. I Really Did Grow up...

... in coal country, ya know, and have been underground with relatives!

; )

Happy New Year to you and yours, too!

- Dave

[dajoki]

84. I guess I did get it right...

Yeah, I've been underground with my Grandfather WAAAAAAAAY Back When, but I never worked there, always was a "strip miner". And I don't mean NAKED!!:rofl:

[CorpGovActivist]

85. Nekkid Mining...

... oh, the pranks that DO get played underground on the newbies!

:rofl:

- Dave

[dajoki]

82. I think I replied to the wrong post...

Check #80. Sorry!!

[CorpGovActivist]

83. No, We've Hit...

... the bedrock of subthreads.

How appropriate!

:rofl:

- Dave

[dajoki]

86. LOL!! Iguess we did...

Yes, how appropriate!

[CorpGovActivist]

88. The Icicles in the Appalachians...

... in the cross-cuts of the dynamited roadways, still inspire awe.

- Dave

[dajoki]

89. That was one of my favorite...

parts of the job, "blasting", always amazing how the dynamite could blow up the solid rock and the whole side of a mountain!!

[CorpGovActivist]

90. Two-Way Radios...

... are of little or no use in many parts of WV, for that very reason.

- Dave

[dajoki]

92. Yep,they are a no-no n/t

[CorpGovActivist]

93. How Many Little Kids Dreamed of Setting off a Harmless Blast...

... with their walkie-talkies?

:rofl:

- Dave

[dajoki]

94. When I was a kid...

we were always trying to figure out how to blow things up, like garbage cans.:nuke:

[CorpGovActivist]

95. So You Found a Way...

... to make a living at being a perpetual kid?

:rofl:

Let's hope Edwards blows up the inevitability meme today!

- Dave

[dajoki]

96. Sort of...

running heavy equipment is like playing with big Tonka Trucks. :rofl:

BTW, I with agree with: Let's hope Edwards blows up the inevitability meme today!

[CorpGovActivist]

97. Big Tonka Trucks...

... mine got buried in the sandpit my dad had built for us. Their rusting hulls are still there, last time I checked.

One of the largest and most successful specialty real-life Tonka Trucks companies - Vecellio & Grogan - is hq'ed in Beckley. They do some incredibly cool mountain-moving and road-building in extreme conditions, and are one of the largest construction contractors in the US.

The heavy equipment they have had to create or custom-build for some of these jobs is extremely cool stuff.

http://www.vecelliogroup.com/

The family has always given generously in the community, and without the http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=vecellio+scholarship">Vecellio Scholarship, it would've been nearly impossible to make ends meet for college.

Think Edwards pulls it off today?

- Dave

[dajoki]

98. I ran alot of ...

different hvy. equip. made by many different companies but I never used any of Vecellio & Grogan's equipment. They sound like A GOOD corporation with all they do for the community and the scholarship is BIG.

As for Edwards, I am hoping he can do it. All of these polls have my head spinning, so I don't know what to think. By the time the primary rolls around to PA, the candidate will probably be decided, I just hope he can stay in it till then.:shrug:

[CorpGovActivist]

99. The Hill...

... overlooking Beckley where they keep much of the big equipment is still a favorite place of mine.

The scholarship was one of the largest I received, and holds a very special place in my heart. They give away several each year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#Phase_four:_The_rest_of_the_race">PA is late. VA is earlier.

Here's hoping Edwards clinches it well before either.

- Dave

[dajoki]

100. Yeah, we had our favorite places...

also. Old strippin' roads, swimming holes and the like. Congratulations on the scholarship, great for you.It's so great that there are institutions still out there that give people a chance to get a good start in life. My oldest daughter went to college on a track scholarship. When she came out she got a job in a hospital in financial dept., but she had a growing interest in patient care, so the hospital paid for her to go back to school to get a BSN. She recently graduated as an RN and she loves it, the hospital gave her a great opportunity and she is very grateful.

I wonder how long we'll have to wait untill we start hearing results from Iowa. I'm going to hang in with Edwards until he wins or concedes, I hope it's the former. Yeah, Pa is late, so I have to hope the early states keep him going.

[CorpGovActivist]

101. Nurses Rock!

Kudos to your daughter for pursuing a career change. Nurses are so important in our society.

I don't think Edwards will concede this go-around until: (1) the numerical count makes it impossible for him to win; or (2) he runs out of money (bearing in mind that he can loan himself a lot of rocket fuel, if need be).

- Dave

[dajoki]

102. Yeah, I'm proud of her...

She continued working full time as well as going to school full time, I don't know how she did it. But she graduated on the Dean's List with a 3.75 GPA.

I was a little dissapointed with last night's caucus results, but I hope Edwards continues battling and stays in it. I'm not giving up yet.

[CorpGovActivist]

103. You Should Be...

... and I know how hard that is, both from firsthand experience and my partner's recently-complted master's.

As for Edwards, I think last night probably motivated a bunch of people to contribute time, money, and in-kind contributions.

- Dave

[dajoki]

106. Wow...

congratulations to you and your partner!! I saw how hard my daughter worked, so I know what it takes, "yous" (coalspeak for both of you) deserve high praise for your accomplishments!! KUDOS!!:yourock:

You are correct, I just made a contribution to Edwards, in the hopes he will continue to get his message out.

[CorpGovActivist]

109. My Partner Was a Late Academic Bloomer...

... but, boy, did he take to it like a duck to water once he got it in gear.

; )

How he did it while working full-time is beyond me.

Glad to hear that ya'll donated. I strongly suspect that this will be a blow-out quarter for Edwards.

- Dave

[dajoki]

113. It's never too late...

or better late than never. Anyway it's great what he did and I commend him!! Some people just have that special something that helps them succeed in whatever they do and he seems to have it.

I tried to donate on Edwards website and couldn't get through, so I called his number and donated. They told me they have so many comming in that it clogged the website. Great News!!

[CorpGovActivist]

114. Amen!

"Some people just have that special something that helps them succeed in whatever they do and he seems to have it."

I'm proud as I can be of him. It's only a matter of time now before he gets his first doctorate.

"I tried to donate on Edwards website and couldn't get through, so I called his number and donated. They told me they have so many comming in that it clogged the website. Great News!!"

That is VERY good news, indeed. Thanks for the recon report.

- Dave

[JDPriestly]

6. Thanks for your post. Great post!

[CorpGovActivist]

7. Thanks! Your Avatar...

... was a tough-talking progressive, popular in those parts, too.

: )

My great-grandmother (Pike County, KY) had two non-family portraits in her living room: FDR and JFK.

- Dave

[bleever]

10. The American Dream

means that everyone is included, and these people have been ignored, both by politics and by electoral politics, to the detriment of fulfilling the American Dream for all of America.

Let every voice be heard.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. A Time Lapse...

... of the Electoral College results of the Upper Appalachian/border/purplish Upper South states ...

1. Reveals important historical insights into a secure Electoral College result; and

2. Reveals a "back to the future" path for a shortage of "spirits" in November 08.

I heartily toast your post!

- Dave

[bleever]

19. I certainly wish that the American ideal of universal inclusion

would coincide with a decisive electoral block (i.e., the voters of these states), but that's a big stretch right now.

But I do believe in stretching.

[CorpGovActivist]

29. Stretch, Believe, Stretch, Repeat n/t

[Lugnut]

14. My husband is a UMWA miner.

He's one of a dwindling number of anthracite miners in NE PA. My father was as well. I support John Edwards regardless of who the UMWA endorses.

[CorpGovActivist]

15. God Bless Him (and You); Do Early Morning Phone Calls...

... cause you dread? They do http://www.google.com/search?q=miner%27s+kid+early+phone+call+bad+news+corpgovactivist&hl=en&filter=0">me.

Edwards has come a long way.

- Dave

[ConsAreLiars]

16. The UMW has probably spillled more blood in fighting for justice

than most people realize. The class struggle is real for them in a way that the protected classes never can imagine. Steelworkers, IWW, BPP, and their comrades and many others also get it. This is a real war.

[CorpGovActivist]

17. Battle of Blair Mountain...

... http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=battle+blair+mountain">is a little-known historical incident that proves your point, amply.

My grandfather especially liked steelworkers and automakers: "we mine the coal, the good union folks in PA turn it into steel, and the good union folks in Detroit turn that into cars," or a more colorful variation, was a favorite of his.

- Dave

[Zookeeper]

18. I wish more Duers (and Americans in general) were aware....

of that region and it's importance to both U.S. and Labor history.

I have ancestors who mined the coal in the South and built the cars in the North. Sadly, despite the contributions made by these Americans to U.S. economic prosperity and the Labor movement (which gave us all "the weekend"), they are generally ignored, at best. I suppose it's elitism.

Having traveled all over the country and lived on the West Coast, I think it's safe to say that there is very little accurate knowledge about this region and it's history or sense that it is in any way relevant to life west of the Rockies.

Zookeeper

[CorpGovActivist]

28. Agreed!

The oral histories and scattered documents are beginning to be collected into scholarly books and documentaries, now, tho.

- Dave

[ConsAreLiars]

21. A friend of mine wrote "Where the Sun Never Shines: A History of America's Bloody Coal Industry"

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1316/is_n3_v22/ai_8946925

Several years earlier we worked together, she did 99% of the work, to produce a pamphlet on Mother Jones that was the seed of this much more comprehensive book. It opened my eyes.

(edit to clarify maybe)

[CorpGovActivist]

30. Very Cool...

... my mom worked on the John Sayles film, "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093509/">Matewan," and another more recent documentary about the coal camps (many of which are quickly disappearing now).

What's your favorite story from those efforts helping your friend?

- Dave

[weeve]

20. Wouldn't it be a shame ...

... if the Democrats finally get a potential candidate who can appeal to all sides, and according to all pollsters would win the biggest against ANY Republican nominee, and because of Corporate Media and the Money Men/Lobbyists we throw away that chance on one of those other two candidates ?

What ever happened to the OLD Democratic party that wanted the most Populist candidate, and could see through the Big Money Media smokescreen ?!? Do we want to risk losing yet another election by nominating a candidate with huge negatives, who huge chunks of the country will never vote for? Hey, I like charisma (O), but not so much riding on your spouse's coattails (even though he pretty much didn't want much to do with you during his actual term). For me it's all about the policies, and walking the walk. Regardless of how Edwards voted in his first term as a Senator (trying to navigate those nefarious backwaters), I definitely believe that he's a man of his word, and will follow through on all the policy statements he's making now. So look at the policies .. then make up your mind. I don't want 30 years of Conservative Supreme Courty decisions for me and my children. I don't want an election close enough that ES&S and Diebold (or whatever they're now called) can steal yet another election. I want JOHN EDWARDS, who will connect with all sides, win in a landslide and increase our Congressional majorities.

[CorpGovActivist]

31. A Crying Shame...

... indeed, and an eloquent exposition on why Edwards is generating so much excitement, methinks.

- Dave

[otherlander]

22. Good.

If I could vote in the primaries I'd probably vote for him.

K&R.

[CorpGovActivist]

32. Why Can't You Vote in the Primaries? n/t

[Oilwellian]

23. This is wonderful news

My husband manages a cement quarry here in Virginia and his group of miners are Boilermakers. We understand how unions are a benefit to all, including middle management, and fully support those guys when they're at the bargaining table. I'll be sure to pass along this information to him, so he in turn can share it with them. They've been huge Bush fans to date. :D

Love John & Elizabeth. I'm so happy to hear he's picked up this endorsement.

[CorpGovActivist]

33. Whereabouts in VA?

I'm in Alexandria, lots of family down in the toe tucked under WV.

; )

Thanks for passing this along!

- Dave

[ThomWV]

24. UMWA Endorsed Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004, WV still went for Bush.

There are so many fewer union mine workers today than there were just a few short years ago that is is really disturbing and on top of that many of them ignore the union recommendations and vote Republican.

[spinbaby]

26. Here's why

The UMWA may support Gore/Kerry, but the word on the streets is that Gore/Kerry will close the coal mines. I hear it here in Western PA, too. I'm not sure how it starts--I suspect the Repugs have some kind of an organized whisper campaign going--but for the last two Presidential elections, all I've heard is that the Democratic candidate will close the coal mines.

[CorpGovActivist]

35. Gore's Environmental Views vs. Edwards' Mill Family Experience

Gore's environmental views scared the be-HAY-sus out of my extended family members who still work in the mines.

What I'm hearing from them this go-around is that "Edwards understands" what it's like for the mill to close.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

45. Think WV Might Revert to Norm...

... and end up in the blue column of the Electoral College this year? If so, which candidate in the field has the best chance of flipping it back into the column where it's been more often than not?

- Dave

[WinkyDink]

25. I'm a coal-miner's daughter and niece, and I support JE!

[ChiciB1]

27. Wonderful... Had It Not Been For The Union My Husband Was With

I'm SURE we would NEVER have been where we are today! Not that we are rich or anything, just got benefits and health insurance we can afford!!

One reason I'm supporting Edwards so strongly!

[CorpGovActivist]

38. The Medical Benefits and Disability Benefits...

... of the http://www.umwa.org/community/health/">UMWA allowed my dad to maintain his dignity and continue to help provide for his family after he was permanently disabled in the mines.

I will never forget the little perforated white cardstock card that my parents showed at our doctor's visits.

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

46. My Husband Could Have Worked Longer But Retired Early Because

we care for his mother. I WISH everyone could get Health care that covers prescription drugs like ours does. Yes, It's a PPO Choice Plan, but considering what some of my friends and neighbors are paying I feel fortunate.

And it's really really sad that only about 9% of the people in America now belong to Unions! I have 5 sisters and only ONE is a Repuke and lives in Texas... has this "thing" for The Idiot, but when two of my others sisters and I told her about the benefits we got by being a Union member she had to agree that we fared better than her. She is paying around $800.00 a month for her insurance and she's divorced with no children living at home. She's a bit older, but can't wait to get on Medicare!! I wonder how THAT will work out!

I do love my sister, we just don't talk politics much.... however she did say if she didn't see anything better from the Repukes, she would consider voting for John Edwards! I almost dropped the phone when she said that!

[CorpGovActivist]

47. "we care for his mother"

God bless you. Being a primary caregiver is tough.

As for your holdout sister: don't spook her.

; )

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

51. Ha! You Made Me Laugh! Yes, She Has Severe Alzheimer's & We

promised his father when he was dying with cancer that we would NEVER put her in a home! And yes, there are times when it gets to you, but we both think there's a lesson we are supposed to be learning from this. Thanks for your blessing!

As for my sister... I'd hold her hand if I could! I keep whispering from Florida to Texas and maybe she won't find what she likes in a Repuke!

[CorpGovActivist]

52. Ouch!

Even with 7 siblings to split the load, my grandfather's Alzheimer's became too much. My grandmother was heartbroken at first, but she came to view it as the right decision (and visited him every day).

I hope you have many helping hands.

As for your sister: it's sort of like feeding a feral cat, or enticing a squirrel to come get a peanut.

; )

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

54. No... Just The Two Of Us! My Husband Has A Brother... But He Has A Problem

with changing Depends and giving showers or baths. And he's the older one. We've had her for almost 9 years now. I think we've just adjusted to it, but we're NO SAINTS... we both have said that it's overwhelming at times and we feel sorry for each other too. There IS one plus though, caring for someone who is mostly "not there" when she does pass, it won't be difficult because we know we did what we could!

I will tell you a little secret though, and it's something I really really can't stand about caring for her! It's THE SMELL! I burn candles, incense and use sprays but it's ALWAYS there! She's so incontinent that if you don't wash her bed every two days, I want to heave! And just changing the Depends is a REAL treat!! Now, did I gross you out enough???

It's not her fault, but I just can't stand it! Everyone gave me candles for Christmas!!!

[CorpGovActivist]

56. All I Can Say...

:hug:

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

55. One More Thing... Those Visits By Your Grandmother Were Probably

very tiring and time-consuming!

I CAN get squirrels to come to me for a peanut though! I raised so many and LOVE them to death! I feed them all the time and they know my voice! There may be hope yet!

[CorpGovActivist]

57. The Visits...

... were exhausting, and nearly put her in the same place.

As for squirrels: truthfully, having grown up in squirrel-hunting country, the tame squirrels at college made me twitchy!

:rofl:

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

58. Yeah... Lots Of People Call Them Tree Rats!! And I Know People

eat them too! My brother-in-law, ANOTHER union man... Steel worker in Illinois used to got squirrels hunting all the time! I couldn't understand how he did it, but then I'm not crazy about hunting!

The only dead squirrel around me is MY TATTOO!! Thanks for the HUG, and ONWARD for John Edwards... it's ALMOST 2008!! Happy New Year!! I try not to use the word "hope" so my WISH is that John Edwards will be super "hot" in 6 months!!

[CorpGovActivist]

59. Squirrel Gravy...

... if John Edwards can eat a biscuit covered in that on camera, he's well on his way.

; )

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

60. Well, Maybe He Prefers Red-Eye Gravy!! Not My Squirrels, Please...

I have names for them!! My husband is a native Floridian and I had to LEARN how to cook SOUTHERN!! I'm sort of a vegan, but eat "some" chicken from time to time! And that's a DIRTY bird!

I'm sure Edwards has had some of both!

[CorpGovActivist]

61. Yup, He's from the Carolinas...

... I'm sure he's prolly even had potted meat once or twice in his life.

*solemn incantation*

Your named squirrels are declared immune.

:rofl:

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

62. All Of Them?? I've Raised BUNCHES!! But I Do Free Them When They

get old enough. Squirrels belong in trees! Here in Florida they don't shoot too many at least not in THIS town! It's full of SNOBS!! I have thought about using a sling-shot on a couple of THE

[CorpGovActivist]

63. Slingshots...

... as you might imagine, are a particular favorite.

- David

[ChiciB1]

67. Well Then... A Bow & Arrow Won't Do!! Not Enough Squirrel Left!

I walked right into that one! But my husband does have some sort of underwater gun and popped a 800 lb. grouper once! It was UGLY and smelled really bad. We gave it away to a church so they could have a "fish fry!"

And then there's other gore... like pulling the tails off of Florida lobsters! Or better yet, throwing conchs in boiling water and listening to them whine! I don't like fishing either! Still I am civilized and I eat things I would never kill! And I really hate walking by those tanks with lobsters in them, it's too much!

Now, how do we get the Unions back into all of this??

[CorpGovActivist]

68. Unions and Hunting...

... many insist on the first day of various hunting seasons off in their contracts, even now.

Edwards would be well-advised to tread carefully on Second Amendment traps laid by RWers.

- Dave

[ChiciB1]

74. That Was Good!! Do I Believe It?? Living In The South For Most Of

my life, even though I was born in PA., you could be telling me the truth, but I REALLY don't know! I DO NOT recall my husband ever saying anything like that! When we lived in Texas we had lots of coon dogs, black & tans, red bones etc., but he NEVER said he got the day off for any hunting he did. And he did hunt! I do recall more than a few deer hanging in my garage being gutted! And lots of "DOVES" getting cleaned, but NEVER did he get a day off for "first day of season!" However, from what I've seen of many many "rednecks" it's a possibility! Sorry for the "redneck" comment, but actually in the beginning it didn't mean what it does now.

Yeah, that old 2nd Amendment thing has gotten fuzzed up too... IMO!

Now I need to be the hostess for a while, a couple of friends are coming over and we are going to throw back a few! I promise NOT to let anyone drive away drunk! It's been FUN... I'm sure we'll cross paths again... John Edwards for POTUS will keep us connected!

Let's get him to D.C.!!

[CorpGovActivist]

75. UMWA Contracts...

... has had it included for many cycles.

Redneck? Interesting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck#Etymology">roots, indeed.

Have fun, knock back some good brew, etc., HAPPY NEW YEAR, and...


EDWARDS 08!

- Dave

[WinkyDink]

64. From Molly Maguire country in PA., too! It wasn't easy rooting against Richard Harris! ;)

[CorpGovActivist]

66. Molly Maguires!

Yikes.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

37. Son, (Great x 3) Grandson, and Nephew...

... and I haven't seen my unionized family members this excited about a candidate in a LOOOOOOOOOONG time.

- Dave

[WinkyDink]

65. My one uncle still has a metal plate in his leg, from a mining accident 60+ years ago.

I went to Scranton, PA., to hear JE speak, as VP candidate. He was awesome! Got a handshake and an autograph, too!

He and Dennis are the only 100% REAL PEOPLE running, who tell it like it is, who are thinking of US.

[CorpGovActivist]

69. Cave-in?

God bless your uncle, and hopefully the safety regs will be revisited by President Edwards' Labor Secretary.

: )

- Dave

[WinkyDink]

108. Cave-in, yes. He was only a kid; held back in school because he was in the hospital a year.

The #9 mine of my male kinfolk is now a tourist attraction.
http://no9mine.tripod.com/

P.S. Yep---No sympathy for the English and Welsh mine-owners from me! :)

[CorpGovActivist]

117. My Birthplace Has "a Mine of Its Own"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beckley%2C_West_Virginia">too.

Ever seen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matewan">Matewan, about the Mine Wars? My mom worked on the set.

- Dave

[onehandle]

34. John will make purple states blue next year. nt

[CorpGovActivist]

36. It'd Be Funny if JibJab Did a Spoof of the Crystal Gayle Song...

... showing Bush weeping as he sings, "Don't It Make My Red States Blue?"

:rofl:

- Dave

[B Calm]

50. John Edwards is the working man candidate! All the rest suck!

[CorpGovActivist]

53. I Think He "Gets It" from Personal Experience n/t

[nonconformist]

71. Excellent! I live in "bloody Harlan Kentucky", and my husband works in the mines

We both strongly support Edwards!

[CorpGovActivist]

72. A Few Counties over from Pike County...

... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_County%2C_Kentucky">where I could stay a whole year, and never sleep in the same relative's house twice.

; )

Phelps and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikeville%2C_Kentucky">Pikeville area ... Pikeville is the "wet city" that makes Pike a "moist county" - and my great-grandfather (school superintendent) was a moonshiner during Prohibition!

:rofl:

How many generations there?

"We both strongly support Edwards!"

Hearing a LOT of that from my extended family.

- Dave

[Little Star]

87. Woo Hoo!!! That's a great endorsement!

[CorpGovActivist]

91. I Thought So Too! n/t

[judaspriestess]

104. Wonderful!!

I'm glad to see another endorsement for him.

[CorpGovActivist]

105. This One Came out in September...

... and the activism it has sparked could help create a firewall for Edwards.

- Dave

[maxanne]

107. he voted in favor of

mountaintop removal in 2000. I'm sure he's sorry for that vote (like so many of his other votes) now.

[CorpGovActivist]

110. As a Mountaineer...

... I have very mixed feelings on mountaintop removal.

Can you provide a link please?

Thanks!

- Dave

[maxanne]

111. mountaintop mining

is wrong on a lot of levels - especially since all the unwanted stuff is pushed over the side of the mountain - to clog up the rivers and streams.

In any case - here's a story from NH, where Edwards is asked about his vote:
http://thedartmouth.com/2007/02/01/news/edwards/

In particular, one community member questioned Edwards on his Senate vote approving mountain-top removal coal-mining. The question was prompted by a pamphlet distributed by Sustainable Dartmouth’s new political taskforce. The pamphlet contained quotes from Edwards on his opinions on several environmental issues and included a five-year rating of the former senator on his voting record by the League of Conservation Voters, as well as summaries of his environmental votes. Edwards said he thought his vote was the result of political realities at the time and reiterated his pro-environment stance.

I am unimpressed with his answer.

[CorpGovActivist]

112. Thanks for That...

... any information on the other two leading candidates on this issue?

Best,

- Dave

[maxanne]

115. Obama

http://www.appvoices.org/index.php?/frontporch/blogposts/obama_says_that_we_must_find_a_way_around_mtr/

Is against mountain top mining - BUT was in favor of liquid coal.

I'm not finding anything so far about HRC.

If you're interested in learning more about mountaintop mining, I recommend "Lost Mountain" by Erik Reece. I could not put it down.

http://www.salon.com/books/review/2006/02/15/reece/

[CorpGovActivist]

116. The Mountain View from My Hometown...

... is one I'd fight to preserve.

This is a heart-wrenching and gut-wrenching issue for many mining families.

- Dave