Opportunity of a lifetime

Editor,

I believe Governor Tomblin and Senator Manchin have the opportunity of a lifetime before them. Together they could potentially alter the course of this nation. The question is will they step through the door that has been opened to them?

Of course, I’m speaking of this Presidential election of 2012. Both men have vehemently stated they are “for coal”. But, isn’t part of being for coal, taking up arms against the enemies of coal? And isn’t Barak Hussein Obama, by his own admission, the chief enemy of coal in this nation?

So, how could he possibly be left unchallenged by our Governor and Senator? Imagine this if you will. Imagine Senator Manchin and Governor Tomblin standing arm in arm in front of the national media this week and openly defying the Democrat party and saying without reservation, “We are not going to support Barak Obama and we are supporting Mitt Romney for President!” WOW. Talk about a bomb shell! To have a sitting Senator and Governor openly stand up against the political machinery of today and do what is right. That would be unheard of. Who knows, it might be just enough courage to cause others within the party to take a similar stand as well. It could be the ignition that starts the engine of real change in this country. For decades the political machine in both parties has grown in prominence and power over that of the individual candidates.

The party machine raises all the money and then doles out campaign cash to only those candidates who support the party platform and national ticket. Or they limit newly elected candidates like Senator Manchin to small, insignificant committees until they come aboard and openly support the party line. The system in general is corrupt and is designed to make men into mice. I’ve heard these two say they aren’t excited about either candidate. But, Obama and Romney are the only two in the race. Pick one and openly support him. To do otherwise is simply being a coward.

To assuage their conscience, these men may tell themselves that compromise is the cornerstone of political success. You have to learn to eat a few loses in order to win a few battles, as the saying goes. To me, truth has no place among lies, nor honor among evil men. I know both of these gentlemen; not well, but well enough. I’m asking you each a very simple and honest question, “If you wake up the Wednesday after Election Day and see Obama has won, will you be proud of your compromise?”

Both of you and many others in your party know this man is completely incompetent. Please consider my plea, for the nation, for our state and mostly for yourselves. Publicly stand against this man! Who knows, you two take a stand, then another Governor does, then two Congressman step up and defy the anointed one …. Who knows, it might cause the second American Revolution, a revolution of conscience and integrity instead of the worn out politics as usual that is slowly killing us all. One final thought. Not that it means much. But if either of you will state exactly what I’ve asked, that you are against Obama and for Romney, I will campaign for you night and day.

Gary Lee Corns

Logan

Rita Community

Editor,

This is for the friends and neighbors that live in the Rita community that have been told to pack up and get out.

You have been put in the same situation as were in 1979 when our great (Friends of Coal) Pittston Coal Company told us the same thing at Clean Eagle Coal Co.

We were made to move out with no help financially or otherwise they would raze Clean Eagle Coal Camp to the ground, tearing down homes people have decorated, had raised their children in. The camp was like one big family; every one knew every one and looked after and cared for each other.

For example, my mother and father-in-law moved there in the early 1940s. My wife was only four or five years old. Her dad, Walding Adkins, worked 44 years mining coal, raised seven, putting them thru school, then he was disabled. Fought (Friends of Coal) seven years for Black Lung benefits, by that time, while gasping for breath, lost his wife and was told by (Friends of Coal) to leave all his memories of her and the camp; to pack up and get out. It was his problem of where to go to after all those years in Clean Eagle.

I’m sure many of you folks in Rita could tell similar stories of your coal camp. Large land owners and (Friends of Coal) own Logan County and they have all the crooked politicians in their pockets.

I lived with my wife and kids in Clean Eagle at the time also, so I know what you are facing at this time. All the meetings and talks won’t mean a thing. It’s a shame things aren’t like Hatfield and McCoy days where if you push me off my homeplace I’ll be pushing back. But now us common, hard-working people have to fight the government, the Logan Courts and, of course, our great Friends of Coal.

Think about who cares about you and your families when the home you have lived in for years and seen your children grow up in, is torn to the ground and burned to ashes like good old Clean Eagle was in 1979.

Call your elected crooks or (Friends of Coal) and see who comes to the rescue, but don’t hold your breath like my father-in-law; he didn’t have much left to hold.

I wish all of Rita good luck and hope you got some message from my letter if (Friends of Coal) lets it be printed.

Thank you,

James D. Kilgore

Davin