Young Republicans Approve Resolution Defending Coal - State Journal

HUNTINGTON -- The West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans on Monday unanimously approved a resolution supporting the state's coal industry, including the practice of mountaintop removal to mine coal. The resolution was in direct response to last year's resolution by the West Virginia Young Democrats calling for a moratorium on mountaintop removal permits in West Virginia.

Ashley Stinnett, chairman of the state Young Republicans, said, "Tonight is a statement to everyone who serves in the coal industry. Tonight the Young Republicans have said we stand with you in full support." Stinnett said that the Democratic Party "is all about restricting coal with draconian environmental regulations."

"While the current White House may want to bankrupt coal, the West Virginia Young Republicans will stand with the industry in its fight for a better future." Stinnett added, "Coal is West Virginia's future and our politicians must never work to damage that relationship."

"Organizations like the Friends of Coal Association are the best example of a grassroots movement aimed at bettering the lives of all West Virginians. We welcome the opportunity to work with them in any way we can."

Meeting at the Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe, the Young Republicans also heard reports on new county chapters, updates on local activities, and extended the terms of officers from one year to two years, beginning with the summer election of officers.

Young Republican chairman Ashley Stinnett can be reached at (304) 544-6740.

"...bettering the lives of all West Virginians"? Are you kidding me? Have you ever seen Kayford Mountain (or rather what is left of it)? Coal companies that utilize Mountaintop Removal ravage the land and the people of West Virginia. Aside from short term profits, the only thing that will remain is a legacy of greed and environmental ruin. Our children deserve a better future. I wonder if the West Virginia government will ever take off the coal-colored glasses and see the truth.

Of all the loony behavior from Republicans, this is among the most disgusting.This is completely reactionary. No thought or just cause is offered in their decision. Of course not, there is no just reason that has ever been offered in the history of mountaintop removal!

Are the republicans in WV just a bunch of bickering children awaiting their chance to pinch back at their rivals?

This is the kind of spiteful back and forth that has been corroding this state for decades. Shame on them for pulling such a stunt. West Virginia could be achieving a better future if it weren't for this sort of no insight and no foresight rationale.

Am I wrong, but aren't their other ways to get coal than Mountaintop Removal? Aren't there ways that do not involve annihilating everything in site!? We all know that there is. Mountaintop Removal is unnecessary. Bottom line.

I don't know what I loathe more the plain spite or the blind loyalty.

So, Ms. Stinnett, when does West Virginia GET that "better future" they claim coal promises?

Coal's promised that "better future" for over a hundred years now, and has yet to deliver.

Ms. Stinnett and her young, misguided Republicans' statement also begs the question: better than WHAT? Everywhere that coal has set its hand in West Virginia lie ghost towns and devastated former communities. Coal's history in this state is one of robbery, rip-offs and run-away greed.

The fact is, only when coal has taken every last scintilla of profit it can wring from the blood, sweat, toil and tears of West Virginia and her people will this state FINALLY be able to develop a real economy. Only then, after Big Coal has poisoned its last stream, removed the last mountain, devastated the last miner's health and toxified the last child will West Virginia be able to begin to even seek the real economies that our sister states have, and of which we've been deprived.

This resolution provides positive evidence of the coal industries successful ability to control the minds of a certain social group of people over a prolonged period of time, and now threatens to spread over an entire country. Never has American democracy been so threatened. To endorse the destruction of ones own country for the primacy of profit for a few indeed requires an unstable mind.