Gives background on the the significance of Blair Mountain and the history of trying to get historic designation and why that's fallen through and the implications if the site is destroyed due to mtr permits. Misses some of the current developments that would have added resonance such as the companies' recent hiring of armed guards and reports that mining has already started. Thus it lacks a sense of urgency for those outside the area who would oppose the lack of designation.

Kate Sheppard has written a wonderful piece about an obscure battle that took place in 1921 at Blair Mountain West Virginia and the current fight to have the site registered as an historic site. This was a face-off between 7500 miners and the coal company guards, hired security forces, and local sheriffs that lasted for five days. I was familiar with the first battle at Matewan, West Virginia but not this one, which was larger and took place approximately one year later. Coal mining in the miners themselves have played a very important part in our history and in the development of labor unions. Taking advantage of strength in numbers and solidarity the unions fought for the rights of the individual workers. Kate story brings ... More »

I find a story to be good journalism when I want to find out more about the subject and history is my favorite. Labor history is crucial to saving the middle class -we have to know what happen before to help us succeed again