laura dern plays a stellar role
model — and most of the miners,
as well as their lives — ring
very, very true.

it is based on a true story — a
kid who becomes an apollo-era
n.a.s.a. engineeer. . . i recommend.

p e a c e

ps: i’ve added a color-photo-schematic
to mine, of what the configuration of
the crandall canyon coal mine — generally,
would look like — in cut-a-way view. . .

it appears at the bottom of that post.

[it may be helpful in understanding what
the msha folks and murray are describing,
in terms of bore holes, distances, drifts,
etc. . . but it is not to scale, and it
is not of the actual mine, of course.]

there is no way to directly link to it, here.

that is all.

Will someone please name the last honest and competent president who did lasting good things for the American people.

Eisenhower

MATEWAN (1987)

by John Sayles
Detailing what came to be known as the “Matewan Massacre” in the midst of the bloody and contentious nine-year unionization Coal Wars (1912-1921).

Harlan County, USA is terrific. Matawan IS IT!

Artist/Band: Patty Loveless
Lyrics for Song: You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive
Lyrics for Album: Mountain Soul

(Darrel Scott)

In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
That’s the place where I traced my bloodline
And it’s there I read on a hillside gravestone
“You’ll never leave Harlan alive”

Oh my grandfather’s dad crossed the Cumberland Mountains
Where he took a pretty girl to be his bride
Said “Won’t you walk with me out the mouth of this holler
Or we’ll never leave Harlan alive”

Where the sun comes up about ten in the mornin’
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you’ll fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you’re drinkin’
And you spend your life just thinkin’ of how to get away

No one ever knew there was coal in them mountains
Till a man from the northeast arrived
Waving hundred dollar bills
Said “I’ll pay you for your minerals”
But he never left Harlan alive

Grandma sold out cheap and they moved out west of Pikeville
To a farm where Big Richaldn River winds
And I bet they danced them a jig
And they laughted and sang a new song
“Who said we’d never leave Harlan alive”

But the times got hard and tobacco wasn’t selling
And old grandad knew what he’d do to survive
He went and dug for Harlan coal
And sent the money back to grandma
But he never left Harlan alive

Where the sun comes up about ten in the mornin’
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you’ll fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you’re drinkin’
And you spend your life just thinkin’ of how to get away

You’ll never leave Harlan alive

Here’s an excellent Youtube version with a soundtrack of this song by Brad Paisley, and a video album of the Houston family of S.E. Kentucky that captures the spirit of the song.

And yes, AZMatt @18 and Margot @126, Matewan is one heck of a good movie. Right about now would be a good time to replay it.

Bob in HI

Will someone please name the last honest and competent president who did lasting good things for the American people.

Eisenhower recognized the importance of interstate highway system as well as some prescient thoughts about unnecessary war.
Truman made some excellent decisions regarding veterans and working people.
Good question for (pardon me for saying) Thom Hatmann on AirAmerica, who has written books on this very thing.

NO, there isn’t another “08 hopeful pres candie” spouse on that list.

Is there another “08 hopeful pres candie” spouse who was a former president? UHM?

Trust me — if ANY of the other candidates had spouses who used to be US presidents, I would say the same thing.

You might wish to look at your own READING COMPREHENSION.

“But, who says “we” are going to vote for pres candies based on spousal units?! I’m certainly not. And opening an honest discussion is different than “hey! I know what let’s do, let’s rate First Ladies.”
Besides which, NONE of the ones on your list have any bearing on the only pres election that matters just now–2008.”
***************

I disagree. One of the candidates today is Hillary Clinton and no one can say her spouse doesn’t have something to do with what SHE is today — and HE will continue to sway her if she is elected president. (Remember “Twofer” in the 1992 election?)

Others have mentioned Eleanor’s “nudging” FDR. Like it or not, SOME wives have a lot to do with the president.

Uhm….do you see Big Dog Bill Clinton on Jonathan’s list? Hmmmmm?

Is there any other ‘08 hopeful pres candie spouse on that list? Hmmmmmm?

Discuss the ‘08 hopefuls’ spouses, by all means. Don’t pretend that the “Rate the First Ladies” game is the same thing.

Jeebus. What is WITH the reading comprehension here today?

FunnyD

MATEWAN (1987)

by John Sayles
Detailing what came to be known as the “Matewan Massacre” in the midst of the bloody and contentious nine-year unionization Coal Wars (1912-1921).

That is one hell of a movie.

I disagree. One of the candidates today is Hillary Clinton and no one can say her spouse doesn’t have something to do with what SHE is today — and HE will continue to sway her if she is elected president. (Remember “Twofer” in the 1992 election?)

Others have mentioned Eleanor’s “nudging” FDR. Like it or not, SOME wives have a lot to do with the president.

I know it was Dubya who coined the phrase “You are either with us or against us,” after 9-11, but “We the People” should take that phrase and turn it on our elected officials. Getting rid of the old goats in Congress who have forgotten why they are there and putting someone in the oval office with a conscience would be a terrific start.

Someone has got to kick all the Bush appointed foxes out of the hen houses. Too few folks connect the dots to understand that falling bridges, collapsing mines, and the deterioration of our national infrastructure is all coming form the same source, political and corporate greed.