WHO'S THE OUTLAW?

North Carolina is presently in the news for coal ash pollution of major watersheds.   It is one thing to watch the story evolve from afar and marvel at the what seems like an obvious connection between the state government and the coal industry; but for the people of the rural Appalachians this is just business as usual. 

Being an old Kentucky boy, I understand the connection between coal and the people.   Coal has been a major part of life for the people of Appalachia and for the economy of the state.   Those not familiar should understand that a young man can graduate (or drop out) from high school and step into a fifty-thousand dollar a year job in the mines.  Miners understand that companies like Peabody Cole provide their standard of living and without the mines they (the miners) are not trained or qualified for comparable salaried jobs – jobs that do not even exist in the rural areas where they live.

Appalachian miners are proud people and their roots run deep in the mountain culture.   Most miners have followed the tradition of their fathers, grand-fathers and great grand-fathers in the mines; and as distasteful and dangerous as coal mining may be, to the people of Appalachian West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina it is their culture and they are willing to overlook ecological dangers and safety shortcomings – and by protecting the mines they are protecting their culture and way of life. 

Some of these rural communities can appear rough to outsiders and the law often turns a blind eye to minor law-breaking; but when you are speaking of a coal mining community you’ve got to ask yourself ‘Who's the outlaw?’

the Ol’Buzzard