The government in the rally industry
The chief executive's biggest coal mine blasted supporters of Massey Energy climate change legislation and environmental issues that affect other coal industry in a free Labor Day concert and the campaign in southern West Virginia.
CEO Don Blankenship said he wanted to show people on the show how the government regulations that hurt the coal industry, raise energy prices and make the country less competitive.
"We hope that through their network that will educate their neighbors and that they all be begging to talk," said Blankenship. "We think that will make a difference."
Richmond, Va.-based Massey, which operates mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the lead sponsor of the rally, which Blankenship said cost about $1 million to stage.
Organizers had predicted the event, headlined by country star Hank Williams Jr., could draw as many as 100,000 people to a reclaimed Logan County strip mine. An attendance estimate was expected in the afternoon, but the morning crowd appeared to be smaller.
Headlining the event were Fox News personality Sean Hannity and Williams, while rocker Ted Nugent served as master of ceremonies and played briefly.
"Today's the day when the American worker takes back this country," Nugent said.
Some came to support coal mining, while others were more interested in the music.
"This is like the backbone of this area, I mean whether you're a miner or not," said Joe Walters, an electrician who drove an hour from Kentucky.
Miner Dennis Blankenship, no relation to Don Blankenship, drove from southwestern Virginia to show support for mining.
"The industry is being attacked by the Obama administration," said Dennis Blankenship. "We don't mine coal, we don't live."
Hurricane resident Walter Neal came toting signs opposing climate-change legislation because it would increase energy prices and force more U.S. jobs overseas.
"It's cap and tax," Neal said. "What concerns us is China and India further gaining the advantage."
Others were less politically motivated.
Chapmanville resident Roger Dalton said he came mostly for the music. So, too, did Jason Bolling.
"More or less for the coal miners, plus the show," said Bolling, who works at a Massey mine in eastern Kentucky.
For Massey, however, the event was an opportunity for Blankenship to highlight what he calls attacks on American workers.
"Let's send the message to Washington that the politicians have to stop giving our jobs away. If they don't, it's the politicians that need to retrain and relocate," he said.
"We don't need a government that wants to shut down our coal mines. We don't want a government that wants to increase our power bills. ... We don't want a government that is run by people who believe they can change the earth's temperature when they can't balance a budget."
The chief executive's biggest coal mine blasted supporters of Massey Energy climate change legislation and environmental issues that affect other coal industry in a free Labor Day concert and the campaign in southern West Virginia.
CEO Don Blankenship said he wanted to show people on the show how the government regulations that hurt the coal industry, raise energy prices and make the country less competitive.
"We hope that through their network that will educate their neighbors and that they all be begging to talk," said Blankenship. "We think that will make a difference."
Richmond, Va.-based Massey, which operates mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the lead sponsor of the rally, which Blankenship said cost about $1 million to stage.
Organizers had predicted the event, headlined by country star Hank Williams Jr., could draw as many as 100,000 people to a reclaimed Logan County strip mine. An attendance estimate was expected in the afternoon, but the morning crowd appeared to be smaller.
Headlining the event were Fox News personality Sean Hannity and Williams, while rocker Ted Nugent served as master of ceremonies and played briefly.
"Today's the day when the American worker takes back this country," Nugent said.
Some came to support coal mining, while others were more interested in the music.
"This is like the backbone of this area, I mean whether you're a miner or not," said Joe Walters, an electrician who drove an hour from Kentucky.
Miner Dennis Blankenship, no relation to Don Blankenship, drove from southwestern Virginia to show support for mining.
"The industry is being attacked by the Obama administration," said Dennis Blankenship. "We don't mine coal, we don't live."
Hurricane resident Walter Neal came toting signs opposing climate-change legislation because it would increase energy prices and force more U.S. jobs overseas.
"It's cap and tax," Neal said. "What concerns us is China and India further gaining the advantage."
Others were less politically motivated.
Chapmanville resident Roger Dalton said he came mostly for the music. So, too, did Jason Bolling.
"More or less for the coal miners, plus the show," said Bolling, who works at a Massey mine in eastern Kentucky.
For Massey, however, the event was an opportunity for Blankenship to highlight what he calls attacks on American workers.
"Let's send the message to Washington that the politicians have to stop giving our jobs away. If they don't, it's the politicians that need to retrain and relocate," he said.
"We don't need a government that wants to shut down our coal mines. We don't want a government that wants to increase our power bills. ... We don't want a government that is run by people who believe they can change the earth's temperature when they can't balance a budget."
