[Hoot Gibson]

I knew you would do what you are just now trying to do, deflect the facts of the fines away to something that doesn't even apply. Who wrote the article is irrelevant to the fact that these owners aren't paying their fines. Does it really make any difference that it is Mine Safety and Health News, and NPR telling about the unpaid fines? Does that make the unpaid fines not real? Does the fact that these 2 sources combed through MSHA data slip through your mind?



http://www.minesafety.com/wp-content/upl..._20141.pdf

I understand that you would like to see coal mines shut down and more of your neighbors turned into government dependents, but at least you are no longer denying that this administration is waging war against the coal industry. I am sure that Obama is thankful on this holiday that he still has reliable foot soldiers that are willing to fight the good fight and help him to grow the Democratic base by putting more people out of work.

Every industry has a few bad apples. Not all "delinquent" fines are created equal. Fortunately, companies do still have the right to appeal citations and the amount of fines. The conditions that lead to serious citations are always abated before mines are allowed to resume operations while the amount of the fines may be appealed.

As far as I know, Obama has not stripped the right of due process away from coal mining companies, but he still has two years left in which to complete the destruction of the industry and the jobs that it provides.

MSHA has the right to shut down mines that do not correct conditions that lead to violations and they frequently exercise that right. Unpaid fines are not the equivalent of failure to correct dangerous working conditions.

Your crusade against the companies that continue to employ thousands of working men and women of eastern Kentucky is disturbing.