Letter to the Editor: February 8, 2010

Letters to the Editor: February 8, 2010

By Submission

| Published: Sunday, February 7, 2010
Updated: Sunday, February 7, 2010
Attack the coal industry but not its people
On my way to class Feb. 3, I picked up The Daily Athenaeum.
Normally, I enjoy reading everything it has to offer even if I do not agree with all of the opinions voiced.
Not even halfway through Shields’ article, “The State of West Virginia tied to the coal industry for too long,” I knew I could not let him get away with all of his slander.
I am all for voicing your opinion, but when your opinions stoop as low as Shields’, calling those who run the coal industry “a miserable racket of thugs,” this becomes unacceptable.
I highly doubt that Shields’ has met every leader in the coal industry to reinforce his opinion.
As the daughter of a coal “thug,” I hope that the DA will refrain from publishing these insults. Talk about the downside of coal all you want, that argument will never be resolved.
Attacking the people of the coal industry is completely uncalled for and beyond offensive.
Opinions should be voiced in order to better our society and provoke thought, not to hurt, offend and defame others, especially if the author has no legitimate facts to support this opinion.
Michelle Raney
Exercise physiology major