Don't Bother Looking For Help in Charleston

Author	Message
Martin Saffer Jul 16, 2011 4:54 am	Don't Bother Looking For Help in Charleston THE SEATTLE TIMES Robert Kennedy Jr. says West Virginia coal industry out of control in documentary Robert Kennedy Jr., activist and environmental lawyer, is passionate about ending "mountaintop removal" coal mining in West Virginia. In a phone interview about the documentary film, "The Last Mountain," in which he appears, he argues that West Virginia is a corrupt "banana republic" owned lock, stock and barrel by King Coal and that the federal government should intervene. "West Virginia has lost the capacity to govern itself," says Robert Kennedy Jr. on the phone. "We need federal intervention." "If you tried to fill 25 feet of the Hudson River, we would put you in jail," he said. "They filled 2,500 miles of stream with no legal consequences. They've blown up 500 mountains in the last 10 years. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To me searching for political help from Charleston is fruitless. "Regulation" just serve as a public placebo or window dressing to continue the environmental carnage. If we as a County want to protect ourselves we as a county must act. You honestly don/t think that any elected official in Charleston is going to stand up and say boo! to gas and coal!
RML Jul 16, 2011 8:05 am	Re: Don't Bother Looking For Help in Charleston Gas money brought our state senator and representatives to office. And, as grandma says, 'they dance with them what brung 'em.' That's why the $14-billion gas industry pays less than one cent per dollar in income taxes. It is criminal. Who is responsible? We are. We listen to lies about "jobs, jobs, jobs." We vote them in and don't make them account for their actions. Democracy is people, not politicians. Democracy is us. So, what can we do? First, sign the petition being circulated by Eight Rivers Council which calls for a ban on deep gas drilling in this county. Represent your own interests. Second, write to the Times and speak with friends in churches and other organizations. Our current state senator and representatives aren't working for us. Let's replace them. Third, our County Commission doesn't have much power over gas drilling, but it can and should protect public health and land values. Deep drilling for gas threatens our water supply should be declared a public nuisance. State government is dark and depressing. But there are local bright lights. Last night's Firemen's Parade in Durbin showed dozens of good people who give countless hours of their time to help their neighbors. We'd be better off with any three of them representing us in Charleston. -- Rich
Martin Saffer Jul 21, 2011 11:41 am	Re: Don't Bother Looking For Help in Charleston This seems obvious: " Third, our County Commission doesn't have much power over gas drilling, but it can and should protect public health and land values. Deep drilling for gas threatens our water supply should be declared a public nuisance." but it is not in the law. Does the police power of the Commission trump "property rights"? Can a driller demand compensation for a "takings" even if the activity if allowed to go forward would harm health? Can the Commission "regulate" activities which the State has declared are not in our jurisdiction to regulate? IT IS ALL ABOUT SAYING NO! Fortunately, here most minerals have not been sold away years ago and the danger is only leasing which many seem now to have second thoughts about. SO EDUCATE and help everyone to understand the real danger of leasing and drilling and that the money blinds the eye to truth.
RML Jul 22, 2011 8:51 am	Re: Don't Bother Looking For Help in Charleston The Commission cannot "trump property rights." But the Commission has both the power and the responsibility to protect the property rights of people who live here, own property here and/or vacation here. Aren't our 'property rights' to drink our own water and to grow our own food at least as important as the 'property rights' of outside investors? All we ask is that they exercise their property rights in a way that won't deprive us of our property rights. And that is not happening. The Commission has both the authority and the logic to declare deep drilling a public nuisance. Fracking has poisoned countless wells elsewhere and threatens our water supply. Wouldn't poisoned wells qualify as a 'public nuisance'? The State never adequately considered Pocahontas County's unique geology and geography in their regulation of deep drilling. As such, the issue has never been settled and is wide open to debate. Unless, of course, our Commissioners decide that silence and inaction are the best way to defend our 'property rights'. -- Rich

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