That’s what I get for trying to show a little bit of understanding to the destruction workers afraid of losing their mine jobs. I get smart ass comments from them singing the praises of a criminal organization, Massey Energy, among other things, on one of my personal blogs. If you disrespect me in my home whether it be literal or on the web you are guaranteed retaliation.
My patience has run out for inconsiderate, disrespectful, ignorant workers that seem to think the only thing that should matter to me, or anyone else, is their frigging jobs. I can tell you this, with each comment or email I get that has no basis for argument and is meant only to offend, I care less and less about their jobs and more and more about our mountains.
Since it was brought up, let’s reflect on the great Massey Energy just a little…
Massey Energy Fined $2.5 Million for Fatal West Virginia Mine Fire
A Massey Energy subsidiary was fined $2.5 million fine this week after a federal judge accepted the company’s guilty plea to 10 criminal charges for a fire that killed two West Virginia coal miners.
Massey Energy to Pay Huge Penalty for Clean Water Act Violations
In an agreement announced today, Massey Energy will pay $20 million in fines levied against them by the U.S. EPA for thousands of Clean Water Act permit violations associated with their mining operations.
Massey Energy Sued for Alleged Water Pollution Violations in Pike County, Ky.
A Massey Energy Co. subsidiary could face fines of up to $40 million in a new lawsuit that alleges nearly 2,000 days worth of water pollution violations.
The federal court lawsuit alleges that Massey’s Sidney Coal Co. in Pike County, Ky., routinely violates its legal water pollution limits.
Starcher recuses himself from Massey case
Starcher’s filing also asked Justice Brent Benjamin to step aside from future hearings in the Harman case, because Blankenship and his associates raised $4 million in 2004 to fund Benjamin’s campaign against incumbent Justice Warren McGraw.
Massey’s Blankenship Calls Critics ‘Communists,’ ‘Atheists,’ And ‘Greeniacs’
Last Thursday, Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy, the fourth largest United States coal company, described his critics as “communists,” “atheists,” and “greeniacs.” In an address before the Tug Valley Mining Institute in Williamson, WV, Blankenship said those who criticize him are “our enemies” like Osama bin Laden:
Impartiality Still an Issue After WV Judge’s Riviera Scandal
The trouble for Maynard’s campaign started back in January, when photos surfaced of the Chief Justice (on the left), in 2006, enjoying a vacation on the French Riviera with none other than Don Blankenship, the chief executive of one of West Virginia’s largest mining companies. A harmless, jet-setting friendship? Well, Blankenship happened to have a multi-million dollar case pending before Maynard’s court at the time. A few months later, Maynard voted with the majority in the 3-2 decision to overturn a $50 million judgment against Blankenship’s company.
Coal Boss: If You Take Photos, ‘You’re Liable to Get Shot’
“If you’re going to start taking pictures of me, you’re liable to get shot,” the chairman of one of the country’s biggest coal mining companies, Don Blankenship of Massey Energy, told an ABC News reporter before grabbing the reporter’s camera.
Jacqueline Marcus: How to stop corporate tycoons from buying seats on supreme courts
Massey Coal could stand as a case study for The Appeal. In the New York Times article, Adam Liptak recalled: “When ABC News tried to ask Blankenship questions last year about pictures showing him in Monte Carlo with yet another State Supreme Court justice, he shoved a cameraman and suggested that someone was ‘liable to get shot’ if the journalists persisted.”
Liptak reported that Massey Coal is a frequent plaintiff, and has attracted lawsuits over environmental, workplace safety, and labor issues. Justice Larry V. Starcher spoke out, “We have one justice who was bought by Don Blankenship (Justice Benjamin in 2006), while the two men were colleagues on the court. It makes me want to puke.”
Massey Energy CEO is a really bad dude
The venerable print magazine Old Trout was recently relaunched with a splashy issue on “The Thirteen Scariest Americans.” I was asked to write up the scariest American from an environmental point of view.
The choice was not difficult. The scariest polluter in the U.S. is Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy. The guy is evil, and I don’t use that word lightly.
Wealthy Coal Executive Hopes to Turn Democratic West Virginia Republican
The first step in that mission, said Cecil E. Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, has been to oppose unions fervently in the state. “From the first day he could, Don began busting unions,” Mr. Roberts said. “He was pretty effective at that, so now Don is trying to extend his reach across the state in politics.”
Raised just up the road from Matewan, the scene of an epic 1921 strike, Mr. Blankenship keeps a reminder of his anti-union beliefs in the back of his office. In 1985, Massey broke from the industry and insisted that miners at each site negotiate separately with the company. During the 11-month strike that resulted, someone shot through Mr. Blankenship’s office window. The old Zenith television whose screen was shattered by the bullet still sits not far from his desk.
Judge upholds damages against Massey
A judge has upheld a jury verdict awarding $100 million in punitive damages to Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co. in a contract dispute with Massey Energy Co.
Brooke County Circuit Court Judge Martin Gaughan also largely upheld the award of $119.8 million in actual damages to Wheeling-Pitt and tacked on $24 million in prejudgment interest.
Gaughan said the actions of Massey and Central West Virginia Energy merit punitive damages. Among other things, the judge ruled the defendants engaged in fraudulent conduct that increased the amount of damages suffered by Wheeling-Pitt.
Massey Gambles Half ‘08 Net on Suit Without Insurance
Massey Energy Co., the most indebted of the five biggest U.S. coal producers, may have to pay $125 million in damages, the equivalent of more than half its estimated 2008 net income, if it loses a pollution case insurers refuse to cover.
The company is accused of contaminating ground water with waste from a mine in Rawl, West Virginia, and causing two deaths. Massey may also be charged punitive damages of as much as $1 billion when it faces a jury in a state where three of the seven largest U.S. awards in 2007 were made, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Lawsuit filed in Boone County, WV
In February 2009, about 250 people filed suit against coal companies they allege poisoned wells in two communities in southern West Virginia. The lawsuit contends that coal companies pumped waste coal slurry empty mines, and that underground cracks allowed the waste to pollute the aquifer. However, the state Department of Environmental Protection says it has been unable to link the wells to the injection site.
The lawsuit targets eight coal companies, including Massey Energy, Peabody Energy and subsidiary Pine Ridge Coal, and West Virginia’s Federal Coal Co.
In April 2009, a settlement agreement was reached and was awaiting judge approval. The settlement calls for the coal companies to contribute $45,000 to a fund to provide drinking water to residents in the Seth-Prenter area. The companies stated as part of the agreement that the payment does not constitute any admission of guilt and is inadmissible in court.
The Manville Trust filed the case in July 2007 against company Chairman, CEO, and President Don Blankenship and certain other current and former officers and directors. The plaintiff sought several corporate governance reforms, specifically regarding environmental compliance and worker safety. Citing several incidents involving Massey Energy, including a major federal water pollution lawsuit, penalties for two coal miners’ tragic deaths and other safety and environmental compliance problems, the lawsuit claimed that a “conscious failure” by the defendants to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and other legal obligations posed a “substantial threat of monetary liability for violations.”
Blankenship’s ex-maid can receive benefits, Supreme Court says
May also said Blankenship added to her stress with occasional tantrums and physical abuse. She accused him of throwing food and grabbing her wrist over a botched McDonald’s order on one occasion. In a separate incident, she said he tore apart a closet because of where she had hung a jacket.
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If you think I care what happens to Massey Energy or anybody associated with this criminal organization you are sorely mistaken.
The following is how I think a Massey Energy employment ad should be worded… I really do hope they hate it.
Are you good at kissing ass? Do you look the other way when you see something that just isn’t right? Do you want to operate a bulldozer and call yourself a coal miner? Do you feel the Appalachian Mountains should be flat? Are you willing to sacrifice your West Virginia for a paycheck? Were you a bully in high school?
If you answered yes or at least maybe to all of these questions then try to get a ride down here because at Massey Energy, WE WANT YOU!!!
Employment Disclaimer: Employment subject to end without notice. Harassing friends, family, and neighbors required for continued employment. Friends of Coal bumper sticker required for continued employment. Continued employment subject to end without notice for any of the appropriate unspecified reasons. Wearing an I Love Don Blankenship t-shirt to the interview is not only encouraged but guarantees employment. Guaranteed employment subject to end without notice. We make no promises, expressed or implied. We expect total obedience and submissiveness in return for a paycheck. Paychecks subject to end without notice.
We want to thank you ahead of time for making us rich and kissing our collective ass in the process.
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No more consideration from me towards the workers on mountaintop removal sites. Respect is not given, it is earned and if you think blowing up the mountains, destroying peoples homes, polluting the water, and just generally making folks lives miserable is how you earn respect then you are one mass of confused individuals.
right on the money my friend. i am glad that you can speak as who you are, where you are. it gives the lies to Blankenships attempts to frenzy up a xenophobic fear monger when friends and neighbors demonstrate the alternative.