June 2011
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tucsontucumcaritehachapitonopah asked: What are your five favorite non-fiction books about Appalachia?
May 2011
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Sunshine and lollipops
Righteous indignation is the only phrase which comes close to what I feel right now. The idea that corporate gas invades the school system under the guise of a career day for eighth graders has lit a fire under my ass. I remember tobacco farmers trying to recruit children at my elementary school in the 70’s. I am sure there was some form of loophole they could use in the child labor laws...
Officials stress importance of industry to... →
dewdropdewdrop asked: Hi! I just happened across your blog today and wanted to thank you for using Tumblr to highlight issues that are important to Appalachians. Also, I'm glad that southwestern PA is being represented, as I was raised just outside of Greene County.
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Am I the only one who thinks the paragon of...
The beau and I spent my recent birthday on a trek into Pittsburgh where we indulged in a fabulous Caribou Coffee turtle mocha, a trip to the comic shop to surprise an old high school chum, a book buying splurge, and a nice dinner. Why the hell did we have to drive an hour and a half to get a coffee and a book? Every institution of higher learning I have ever visited has retail near it. Not our...
featherloom asked: I just wanted to say that I think you're pretty damn awesome and I love your blog. I'm from Whitley County, Kentucky, and your stories about Greene County remind me so much of my home area, warts and all. My family's not from Appalachia but I love the area, and want to stay near mountains. Thanks for sharing!
Concerning yesterday's election results
Incumbent Commissioner quote of the day: "I think people are satisfied with how we've governed and I will do everything I can to make sure they remain satisfied."
My response: “Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing.” - Eric Hoffer
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It's really not welfare's fault
I moved back to the rolling hills of Greene County to open a print shop and dabble in community events. If a couple of thought provoking questions reached local politicians’ ears, it would be a bonus. As the saying goes, life has a funny way of happening when you aren’t looking. A few questions on the environment and choices The Powers That Be have made over the years, and I am now...
Just because you think you live in the upper echelons of the county anus does...
– Me
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Newtonian Physics 101
Newton’s first law: An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. This law is often called “the law of inertia”. I think we could also call it “the law of Greene County”. This county has been at rest for so...
Trivia of the day
Greene County produces over 50% of all the coal mined in Pennsylvania.
For those who think Greene is green →
and this is before the fracking began…
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"Be the Change" Challenge
So here is my challenge, should you choose to accept. If you are a member of any organization that would welcome new members or assistance, email me your contact info and I will be happy to publish your wishlist here. I then challenge anyone who wants to “be the change” to get involved with one of these organizations and promote the change.
You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there...
– Mahatma Ghandi
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There's nothing for the kids to do
Or the adults, for that matter. When I was growing up here, we really didn’t have a whole lot more, other than parents who kept a close eye on us, friendships close enough to help us avoid the parental eye, and our imaginations. We also had a true sense of community and everyone tried to support local businesses as much as possible. In return, the local businesses supported community...
We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see...
– Aldo Leopold