Coal industry leader’s comment ridiculous

The leaders of West Virginia’s mountaintop removal industry are quickly becoming so ridiculous as to be almost impossible to parody.

Whining about Sen. Byrd’s recent enlightened remarks about coal’s future in West Virginia, Bill Raney said, according to your article by Mannix Porterfield, whether coal “is going to come from West Virginia or is it going to come from offshore.”

“Offshore?” Really, Bill Raney? Do you mean “offshore” like Pennsylvania? Do you mean offshore Montana?

We should, however, at least give Bill Raney an award for unmitigated gall; for it takes gall by the dragline bucketful to talk about “offshore” coal, considering the amount of Appalachian coal that companies like Massey sell to the communist Chinese. That’s what “offshore” means, Mr. Raney.

I wonder how Massey employees feel knowing their labor helps prop up a communist dictatorship that uses Appalachian coal to enslave its own people and destroy America’s economy.

Coal: It keeps the lights on ... in communist China.



Bob Kincaid

Victor



Bucket biologists threaten aquatic life

Richard Bradford, I’m sorry to hear that your friends are dying from cancer, it’s a horrible way to die. You have my condolences.

Mr. Bradford, a man born on Jan. 1, 1930, would now be 80 years old.

During this man’s lifetime, he would have been exposed to lead from gasoline, asbestos, radon gas, second hand smoke, and maybe even first hand smoke a time or two. All of these can cause lung cancer.

I have done extensive research into Bacillus thuringiensus israeliensus and Bacillus thuringiensus in general. All of the research has shown me that all Bti and Bts are safe and are used worldwide. Bti has been tested and approved by the EPA, FDA and the USDA. Bti has been proven to be so safe that you can now buy the wafer form without a permit at your local lawn and garden center to be used to kill mosquitoes in your birdbath or your backyard goldfish pond.

Bts are sprayed on potato crops worldwide to control the Colorado potato beetle. Bts’ are sprayed on the worldwide cotton crop to control the cotton boll weevil. Bts’ are sprayed on tomatoes, corn, citrus, wheat, beans, as well as many other crops.

It’s called organic farming. It’s healthier than chemical pesticides so it’s good for business, and it’s better for you and the environment.

Other than mercury, lead, and pharmaceuticals in our water, the biggest threat to the aquatic environment are these bucket biologists. These are the people who catch fish from Bluestone Lake and transport them to Stephens Lake thinking that these fish are needed there. These are also the people who decide to take their aquarium down and dump the fish, plants, and snails into the nearest body of water because they feel sorry for them instead of throwing them in the trash. Just think how sorry these people will feel if they get caught and have to pay the millions of dollars it costs to clean and restore these bodies of water.



Gator Williams

Beckley



Why have traffic laws if no one obeys them?

Is it any wonder why so many people fail to obey our traffic laws when even officers in police vehicles fail to do so?

This is not to say that all officers do this, but I have seen several. No turn signaling, no headlights when it rains or becomes dark and gloomy and I’m sure there are other violations. Also, I have seen cars passing cruisers while violating traffic laws and not be pulled over.

Why have traffic laws when no one obeys them? As for me, I will continue obeying the laws of the state of West Virginia. I just hope I don’t get run over or killed because others don’t use their common sense, human decency or follow the laws of the road.



Brenda Bailey

Beckley



WVU must control hoodlums at games

I am a true WVU fan, I bleed gold and blue. But I just finished watching the WVU-Pitt basketball game and I am sad that such a small group of students make me cringe when I view a game.

The governing body of WVU must step up to prevent the actions of a group of hoodlums. A coach was hit on the side of the face by an object from the student section and trash was thrown on the floor.

Sanctions must be imposed on the students that are engaged in such actions. Those who can be proven to cause such actions should be suspended and to forfeit all tuition paid to the school.

I also believe that legal action should be taken against all who are proven to engage in such unruly behavior.

Coach Huggins pleaded to the group with no results, he asked anyone who observed actions of throwing trash to be reported and be removed from the game — no one stepped up.

The true fans of WVU are powerless to prevent future actions of this type.

Government runs our lives, but where are they when we need them? Remember, this is a state-supported school. Would someone please step up to the plate and defend the traditions of our residents?

I will continue to wear the gold and blue. Hopefully, one day, I can be proud of my choice.



Danny Tilson

Beckley



RGH commended for its new cardiac unit

I want to commend Raleigh General Hospital for their perseverance in getting the new cardiac unit up and going.

Last month, in an emergency, I was taken there with an ailment that turned out to be a heart attack. The cardiologist, Dr. Kenn Glaser, was summoned to the emergency room and I was taken to the new Cardiac Cath Lab where he immediately performed a balloon angioplasty that saved my life.

I was told that my right artery to the heart was 99.99 percent blocked and I would never have made it to CAMC in Charleston. What a wonderful Christmas present. A big thank you goes to Dr. Glaser (our hero) and all the efficient employees of the CCU. I will never forget their proficiency and kindness.



Walter G. McGraw

Beckley