"Blooding-letting in Appalachia" is a very well researched book on the strife involved with organizing the Miners in West Virginia. Right now I am blanking on the author and can't find my copy. Big Mick and I had a really interesting discussion at the Getaway about the lack of awareness in this country of the impetus behind the labor movement, and how truly dangerous and difficult it was. An old boyfriend's grandfather used to tell me stories of sneaking out behind the bar in Logan to pay union dues so that he wouldn't get caught and beaten by Pinkerton thugs hired by the coal company.

The labor movement is an important piece of our nation's history that is missing from school curriculums. If it were taught, perhaps more of us would be mindful of the slave labor and sweatshops we support overseas by our consumer choices, and would demand trade policies that protect those workers from the abuse earlier experienced in this country by the labor force.

Raised in West Virginia, I have been in North Carolina, a "right to work" State for a number of years. I am appalled at the lack of rights and protection that workers have here. Employment Sercurity and Worker Comp agencies are tools of the companies. It is a crying shame.

Sorry to be so long winded and to creep a bit, but this is an important topic.

Janie