Editor,

How many of our coal dollars have supported these same people that are now fighting against our families. The coal industry has long been the back bone of this nation. Emmy Lou Harris is quoted in the Logan Banner saying "Protection is needed for the Appalachian mountains." Well I for one will not support any of those country singers that are a part of "Music Saves Mountains." Emmy Lou Harris, Randy Travis, Big Kenny Alphin, Dierks Bentley, Delbert McClinton, Kid Rock, J.D. Souther — these are a few of those supporting this cause.

We as proud Appalachian Mountaineers need to take our stand and not buy or watch anything that these people are connected to. To quote Loretta Lynn "I'm proud to be a coal miner’s daughter" I am also proud to be the wife of a miner, the mother of a miner, and mother-in-law to a miner. My coal mining dollars will not be used to support these people.

Coal is a resource whose use affects everyone — Americas most readily available and least expensive natural resource. Over half of our nation’s electricity comes from burning coal.

When coal is burned it produces coal ash. Fly ash, bottom ash, and boiler slag and each is used to make certain end products such as abrasives, baking powder, batteries, chalk, fertilizer, insulation, mothballs, paint, paper clips, perfumes, pens, plastic, poster board, rubber bands, shingles (some),sugar substitute, trays. Fly ash can be used as a partial replacement for cement in concrete, and as a low cost filler in golf balls, tennis rackets, screwdriver handles, plastics, bowling balls and linoleum. Bottom ash is often used in concrete blocks and as a base in road construction. Boiler slag is used in roofing shingles and as a blasting abrasive.

How many obtainable products come from coal? The carbon content of coal supplies most of its heating value, but other factors ... This 'coal tree' indicates some the various products we make from coal. ... www.appaltree.net /aba/coaltypes.htm

Teresa G. Sparks

Chapmanville