Kerry: Nothing Complicated About Bush's Failure to Protect Coal Miners

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 U.S. Newswire

Kerry-Edwards spokesperson Phil Singer said: There's nothing complicated about the fact that George Bush broke his promise to invest in coal's future and failed to protect coal miners. The fact is that George W. Bush broke his promise to the voters of West Virginia. Sen. Byrd says he just "walked away." No wonder he's lashing out on the campaign trail, misleading the public about his record. John Kerry knows that coal mining creates jobs and believes that with the right investment and commitment coal will be an even cleaner part of America's energy future. ..

West Virginia Miners At Risk due to Failed Mine Safety Program. "Southern West Virginia miners possibly are at an increased risk of roof falls and explosions because a federal agency has failed to regularly inspect how well coal mine operators follow their ventilation and roof support plans, a federal study says. Released Monday, the report by the U.S. General Accounting Office says five out of the 11 U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration districts - including the one that covers Southern West Virginia - have failed to meet compliance inspection schedules for almost every quarter of the last five years." ..

THE KERRY-EDWARDS PLAN FOR CLEAN COAL ..

[JohnKleeb]

1. Cool, good statement

[LauraK]

2. These issues will really help with all workers.

Keep on hammering. Kerry us home.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Republicans seem to think the results of raping the earth

won't be felt until they have all died happily in their sleep at an advanced age, and they'll never have to suffer from them personally.

They have the same attitude toward the world's people.

Plunder, rape, disrespect is all fair for them if you've got the ability to keep the results at bay.

[yardwork]

10. It's part and parcel of the Republican world-view

Everything is up for grabs. It fits in with the fundie religious approach too - they think God gave them the world to rape and pillage.

[xray s]

4. Kerry has Byrd out stomping for him early with the miners

That is a big plus over 2000, when Gore got Byrd involved rather late in the game.

Should be enough to tip WV to the D column this year. Bryd really hates Bush.

[DarthDem]

5. Just Talking About This

. . . on another thread, the one with the latest WV poll. This is fantastic to see - - now how about a visit to the state?? :)

[xray s]

7. Bet you see Kerry in WV soon.

Today, Kerry was hitting Bush for weakening coal dust regs. He needs to go to WV and tell people sometimes government regulations are their to protect your health. And that is a GOOD thing, regardless of what Rush Limbaugh says.

[Only Me]

9. RALLY: Johh Edwards to Beckley, West Virginia...

Got this in my email.

"Please join us in welcoming John Edwards to Beckley, West Virginia, on Tuesday, August 31. Come hear John Edwards outline the Kerry-Edwards vision for a stronger America, and make sure to bring your friends, family, and neighbors to see the next vice president of the United States."

[0007]

6. Wasn't junior stumping in West Virginia today?

[struggle4progress]

8. The Bushistas must want WV:

Posted on Sun, Aug. 29, 2004
Bush touts steel, coal initiatives in West Virginia
By WILLIAM DOUGLAS
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WHEELING, W.Va. - President Bush Sunday touted his economic and energy record - while blasting Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's - in this steel- and coal-dependent swing state that he won in 2000 and hopes to win again.

Campaigning his way toward this week's Republican National Convention in New York City, Bush told a packed minor league hockey arena that his implementation of temporary tariffs on foreign steel helped save jobs and businesses in their state.
<snip>

In March 2002, Bush announced a three-year, 30 percent tariff on a variety of steel imports. Tariffs are taxes on imports that raise their price, giving comparable domestic products a market advantage.
<snip>

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/9531181.htm


August 27, 2004
United Mine Workers Of America International President Blasts Anti-Kerry Ad Running In West Virginia
Says "Americans For Job Security" Ad Is Wrong To Suggest Kerry Will Take Coal Miners' Jobs

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil Roberts today blasted a new ad running in West Virginia by a group calling itself "Americans for Job Security." The ad alleges that John Kerry will "take our mining jobs away," and Roberts says that statement is flat-out wrong.

"The politics of fear and deception is rearing its ugly head throughout West Virginia, and this Americans for Job Security ad is a prime example," said Roberts. "John Kerry is not going to take away coal mining jobs. If he were, do people honestly think the UMWA would have given its endorsement to him?"

Roberts said Kerry's recently announced $10 billion clean coal technology program will create coal mining jobs in West Virginia and throughout Appalachia because it means coal will be burned more cleanly, hence making it a more acceptable primary fuel source for the nation.

"By investing $10 billion over the next decade in advanced clean coal technology, John Kerry will help ensure that coal remains a vital part of our energy future," explained Roberts. "These investments will provide the affordable energy we need, create new jobs in the coalfields and supplement efforts to improve America's environment. Coal miners know that installation of advanced clean coal technology means new construction, operation and maintenance jobs at power plants and a more secure future for their own jobs." He continued, "John Kerry understands that technology is the key to coal's future. He knows we can't stick our heads in the sand and hope that society's demand for cleaner energy will go away. It won't. Instead, those who advocate the use of coal must recognize that to seriously meet our energy and environmental challenges, we must embrace the call for cleaner energy from coal. If the message of the coal industry is that the only way to utilize coal is to foul our air and water resources, the opponents of coal will ultimately win. We can continue to improve the environment and still have a vibrant coal industry; but to accomplish this we must invest in advanced coal technology."
<snip>

http://www.umwa.org/pressreleases/pressmain.shtml

[eriffle]

11. The swift ads have hurt Kerry in WV

We in here in WV actually had to put up with the swift ads on actual TV not just on the news reports. I have to say that the ads have hurt Kerry. I really hope Kerry hits the ground running on Sept. 1 on the air and on the ground here in WV. God, Guns and Gays are big pro-Bush issues here, but those seem to go by the wayside when you have people unemployed. Kerry should use Sen. Byrd, but I can't quite figure the good Senator out recently. I didn't even know he had a book coming out until I read it here on DU.

[struggle4progress]

12. I think WV is really still up for grabs ...

... and that the polls are see-sawing.

Welcome to DU! :toast:

[newyawker99]

17. Hi eriffle!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[theHandpuppet]

15. Yeah, Bush really wants WV ...

... if only to waggle its electoral votes under the nose of his nemesis, Robert Byrd . Could Bush be that petty? Hell, the whole family is vicious, vindictive and petty, qualities GW learned at Bab's knee!

Kerry needs to invest more time in WV, both in coal country and in the Eastern panhandle, a repuke stronghold. The SBV ads have definitely had a negative impact here.

[Dulcinea]

13. This could cost him in PA, too.

Lots of coal miners there.

My grandfather was one.

[liveoaktx]

14. Remember Quecreek (PA)?

Remember those miners who were caught in a mining disaster? Bush travelled there to do a photo op with the miners. Shortly thereafter he passed legislation to gut mining regulations and safety.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/quecreek/quecreek_pics/bush.htm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/specialreports/enterprise2003/technology/s_119189.html

The Bush administration, following mining accidents such as the one at Quecreek, says it is seeking to create 55 new inspector jobs at coal, metal and nonmetal mines as part of next year's federal budget.

Assistant Labor Secretary David D. Lauriski also said the federal agency is seeking $2.4 million to fully equip, train and staff, with 21 additional new jobs, its newly formed Office of Small Mine Health & Safety
http://www.inthesetimes.com/issue/26/21/news3.shtml

Since taking office in January 2001, Bush has proposed mine safety budget cuts, halted regulatory improvements and reduced enforcement efforts. Mine safety advocates say the effects of those moves are now becoming clear: Last year, 42 workers died in U.S. coal mines, the third straight year that coal mining fatalities have increased. So far this year, 18 coal miners have died on the job.

Joe Conason/Salon on this.
http://archive.salon.com/news/col/cona/2002/07/31/bush/print.html
Camera-ready compassion
"Compassionate" conservatives care deeply about coal miners, but only when the cameras are running. When nobody is looking they go back to business as usual, which in the Bush White House means cutting funds for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (those meddling bureaucrats who saved the Somerset Nine) and gutting regulation by putting industry stooges in charge of enforcement. The United Mine Workers union is speaking out about this travesty, though not loudly or forcefully enough. Like most unions, the UMW tends to be slow to exploit a media opportunity, and in this case the union may be compromised by its relationship with an administration that promotes coal use despite global warming. Utterly silent on mine safety, of course, are the pundits who admired the humble, tough folk of Somerset. The same can be said of Gov. Mark Schweiker, who preened for the media as a Rudy-style leader taking charge of the rescue operation. His posturing was less useful than a few words in defense of MSHA from a Republican governor would be. One politician was worrying about the safety of miners without waiting for coverage by CNN and People magazine. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., held hearings on the administration's attempt to undermine MSHA on July 11, two weeks before the Quecreek accident. (Naturally Wellstone, a diligent advocate of public health and safety, remains the most prominent target of the Green Party this fall.)

[0007]

16. Have all the folks in West Virginia forgotten the promises

that junior made in 2000?

"At a campaign stop at Harris Riverfront Park on Oct. 2 (2000), Bush promised to protect coal and steel" (The Herald-Dispatch (WV), 11/8/00)