[Crossbones]

Crossbones,

No I haven't worked in the mines, but that really has nothing to do with my knowledge of the mining industry.

That question is brought up a lot by people in the mining industry to try to make people opposed to MTR look like outsiders, and nut cases who know nothing about mining, which couldn't be farther from the truth. I, like many other eastern Kentuckians, have a long family history in the mines, so I've been around mining, and the mining industry all my life. Ive got friends and family on both sides of this issue.

My stance against MTR has really developed over the course of my life. When I was young, mining was just simply the way of life, and I didn't question what happened, but as I grew older, and watched as this area was being ravished I began to wonder if it was really worth it. So I decided to study the issue, and this lead me to the conclusion that the negative effects of MTR far outweigh the positives. Im also a biology major, so Ive got a good understanding of how the effects of mining are destroying our ecosystem.

I could ask you what your level of "Knowledge" of the environment is. It's hard to fully understand an issue when you aren't educated about both sides of the debate. You did say you like to look at things from both sides right?

Being raised around miners, both underground and surface, has made it difficult for me to publicly go against MTR, but I feel that something must be done to stop the destruction. And let me emphasize, I am not AGAINST ALL MINING, just MTR.

Coach, don't take me wrong. I was not judging you. Just simply trying to understand your stance. I have no problem with your opinions. Without differences of opinions one side would over run things. For example the mining industry would just do as they please without people protesting some of their means of mining. I have no problem telling you my personal knowledge of mining. I have a BS in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Mining Technology and a minor in Geology. I am a certified Kentucky Mine Foreman, certified in dust sampling, certified Kentucky Mine Inspector, certified Shot firer, certified MET Instructor, and certified underground Mine Instructor. I am completely trained on all underground and surface equipment and procedures related to mining safety, production and environmental impacts. I have no problem agreeing that mining does have some impact on the environment. But so does running a car and many other things. I personally weighed the good vs. the bad and mining does more good than bad in my eye.