Battle of Matewan

[Prometheus]

Before I say anything, I want to see how you conservatives are going to "sugar coat" this one.......:rolleyes:

[Rise Up]

Before I say anything, I want to see how you conservatives are going to "sugar coat" this one.......:rolleyes:

Is there a point to this?

[Prometheus]

Is there a point to this?

That from you isn't surpriseing, and not that you would know, yes there is. Now go play gi joe or something little boy.

[Rise Up]

Sure, lemme just go find some GI Joes.......oh wait. That's right. I don't have any. How about you go get a baseball bat and take out your frustration on that charred dumpster? :cool:

Or....you can explain your point in this post.

[Prometheus]

You have absolutely no Idea where or when the battle of Matewan happened Huh? To lazy to look it up and tell me what you think eh. If I start this the next thing that will happen is one of these assholes will come in here and ask me what "liberal" conspiracy site I got my info from.

[Rise Up]

Actually I do have a vauge idea of what the Battle of Matewan was.

There were some detectives that 'illegaly evicted' some people and the Sheriff or Police Chief brought them a warrant for their arrest. They pulled out a forgery warrant for the Police Chief's arrest and the Mayor had to be called down. The Mayor said the forgery was a forgery and someone fired shots. The Mayor and one of the detectives was hit. In the end some miners and the Mayor were killed along with 7 of the detectives.

I bet YOU are going to say that the evil corporations ordered the detectives in to 'illegaly evict' people. Right? :rolleyes:

[Prometheus]

They did a hell of a lot more than that.

[Rise Up]

They did a hell of a lot more than that.

Please explain Great Leader of the Bullshit!! :rolleyes:

[Prometheus]

I done with you, go play..................... >bye<

[yee-haw]

You have absolutely no Idea where or when the battle of Matewan happened Huh? To lazy to look it up and tell me what you think eh. If I start this the next thing that will happen is one of these assholes will come in here and ask me what "liberal" conspiracy site I got my info from.

Now that you mention it, What liberal site was it?

[beelzebub]

While I am unfamiliar with this battle it is annoying to see the conservatives here brush to one side any mention of corporate misdeeds as a "liberal hot air".

You guys must know of other issues:

Banks screwed America buy providing bullshit loans to people with shit for credit while the top brass got golden parachutes or continued their job.

ENRON screwed its employees in a mass corporate scam.

Why is it so impossible to consider that it is still going on?

I mean we have a HISTORY of this shit:

You load sixteen tons, and what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go;
I owe my soul to the company store...

What inspired this?

[LedZap]

While I am unfamiliar with this battle it is annoying to see the conservatives here brush to one side any mention of corporate misdeeds as a "liberal hot air".

You guys must know of other issues:

Banks screwed America buy providing bullshit loans to people with shit for credit while the top brass got golden parachutes or continued their job.



You're right Bub...and they did it with the grace of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd while the Democrats were in charge of the House and Senate.

And that cool Merle Travis tune came from the time of the oppressed coal miners.

[beelzebub]

You're right Bub...and they did it with the grace of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd while the Democrats were in charge of the House and Senate.


Wow! Massachusetts & Connecticut senators have more ties and with Houston, Texas companies than the former GOVERNOR of Texas who was PRESIDENT at the time! I am sure their power and influence in the government was far greater than the Presidents as well.

Sure thing Led, that makes PREFECT sense to me :rolleyes: One question though, have all Republican presidents been this weak?

But you miss the point...... My use of Enron was to illustrate how corporations screw the little man. In this case many of the little "men" were THEIR OWN employees. When Enron was going down they refused to allow them to sell their stock and encouraged them to BUY BUY BUY! All the while the top was selling all they had in the company.


And that cool Merle Travis tune came from the time of the oppressed coal miners.

Oppressed by the COAL MINE INDUSTRY. Forcing them to vote the way the company wanted or get fired, paying them with vouchers redeemed at their "company store" at inflated prices, etc etc do I really need to go on?

LED, did you forget my intent in using these examples?

[LedZap]

Wow! Massachusetts & Connecticut senators have more ties and with Houston, Texas companies than the former GOVERNOR of Texas who was PRESIDENT at the time! I am sure their power and influence in the government was far greater than the Presidents as well.

Sure thing Led, that makes PREFECT sense to me :rolleyes: One question though, have all Republican presidents been this weak?



You said..."Banks screwed America buy providing bullshit loans to people with shit for credit while the top brass got golden parachutes or continued their job."
What does that have to do with Houston, Texas companies?
Sure Enron sucked but Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac were the ones I assumed you were referring to.

[beelzebub]

You said..."Banks screwed America buy providing bullshit loans to people with shit for credit while the top brass got golden parachutes or continued their job."
What does that have to do with Houston, Texas companies?
Sure Enron sucked but Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac were the ones I assumed you were referring to.

oh, ... my bad :D

[General Septem]

yes there is.

Let me explain something to you: no there is not. A thread with a point would start off with some background on the incident, and then a brief summary of the conclusions you've drawn from it. Not some random name dropping and the word "discuss!".

I'm not going to look it up because I don't care enough to, and nobody else here does either. It is your job as the thread starter to convince us that we should care. We aren't mind readers.

So, what was the Battle of Matewan?

[Rise Up]

Let me explain something to you: no there is not. A thread with a point would start off with some background on the incident, and then a brief summary of the conclusions you've drawn from it. Not some random name dropping and the word "discuss!".

I'm not going to look it up because I don't care enough to, and nobody else here does either. It is your job as the thread starter to convince us that we should care. We aren't mind readers.

So, what was the Battle of Matewan?

He won't answer because if he explains it thoroughly, he'll realize that he's wrong. :rolleyes:

[Prometheus]

He won't answer because if he explains it thoroughly, he'll realize that he's wrong. :rolleyes:

You have no idea what your talking about you little prick. Go ahead and say it then, Matewan was justified, go ahead say it. Not that it matters cuz you have no fucking clue what you are talking about, you are just here to flame. You don't even have an opinion on the matter because you had never heard of Matewan until this thread. I know this because I know what site you looked at to get your little bullshit blurb about it. You aren't fooling anyone, you are trying to pretend you know anything about this issue but your just making yourself look fucking ignorant and childish. Go waste someone else's time.

[LedZap]

You have no idea what your talking about you little prick. Go ahead and say it then, Matewan was justified, go ahead say it. Not that it matters cuz you have no fucking clue what you are talking about, you are just here to flame. You don't even have an opinion on the matter because you had never heard of Matewan until this thread. I know this because I know what site you looked at to get your little bullshit blurb about it. You aren't fooling anyone, you are trying to pretend you know anything about this issue but your just making yourself look fucking ignorant and childish. Go waste someone else's time.

What a fucking TOOL you are Trollmetheus...as GS said..."I'm not going to look it up because I don't care enough to, and nobody else here does either. It is your job as the thread starter to convince us that we should care."

[Prometheus]

What a fucking TOOL you are Trollmetheus...as GS said..."I'm not going to look it up because I don't care enough to, and nobody else here does either. It is your job as the thread starter to convince us that we should care."

Its not my fault that you are ignorant of the topic of discussion. I didn't make this thread to impress you dickhead, I will talk about it when I am ready.

[LedZap]

Don't bother.

[Prometheus]

Don't bother.

I don't think you could be more irrelevant if you tried; you, like rise, have come on and done nothing but flame. Do you think I really care whether or not you want me to do anything ? I think I'm done looking at any of your post, they are of the same caliber as rise and freak. Nothing but attacks and flames. >BYE<

[LedZap]

I only flame ...sure thing buddy. If you are such a big debater , how come you haven't answered this...

http://forum.bullshit.com/showthread.php?p=97069#post97069

[Carrot]

Its not my fault that you are ignorant of the topic of discussion. I didn't make this thread to impress you dickhead, I will talk about it when I am ready.

Ideally, you would stat the thread when you're ready. That's the way it works.

[Rise Up]

Its not my fault that you are ignorant of the topic of discussion. I didn't make this thread to impress you dickhead, I will talk about it when I am ready.

Do it. God, fucking idiot. :rolleyes:

[Paisleyspeaker]

Okay now that everyone but Buzz has proved that you know nothing about this, and either can't really research it, or are just too lazy to (which was Prometheus' point) Sorry but a "casual glance" just doesn't do this topic justice.

The Battle of Matewan is a lot more than a mayor, sheriff, and a few tool private dicks getting shot.

During the beginning of the last century there was a huge move toward organized labor. There were pushes to Unionize many industries - including coal mining. Coal miners were not paid cash, but script (company funny money) they lived in company housing an shopped at the company store.

That's why there is that line in the Sixteen Tons song..."Saint Peter can't take me I can't go...I owe my soul to the company store" The artificially elevated prices at the 'company store' kept the workers from being able to save any money.

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/hpolscrv/knowlandl5.jpg

As more and more mines became unionized those remaining non-union dug in and fought harder and harder. That is where it all started in Matewan, West Virginia. There had been disputes over poor wages, long hours, and unsafe working conditions. There had been a two month strike at another mine where the workers won a 27% pay increase.

More and more Matewan workers were joining the United Mine Workers of America, and this had the owners of that mine, town (and they thought the miners too) was the Stone Mountain Coal Company. The company hired the Baldwin-Felts detective agency to strong arm the miners. They marched around the town in groups bullying the union organizers and those who would join.

Remember, they all live in company housing. Well if you joined the union they would evict you. On May 20, 1920 the Baldwin-Felts evicted six families-stacking their belongings in the sidewalk. This enraged the other miners and their families. The people rushed into town; including the sheriff angry that the detectives had evicted those people without town authority (if a landlord want's to evict you they must go through the courts) The sheriff had a warrant for the arrest of the Baldwin-Felts thugs, they countered with a false warrant for the sheriff's arrest. The mayor was called- and declared the warrant for the sheriffs arrest false.

There was a gun battle, no one is sure who fired the first shot. But seven Baldwin-Felts detectives, two miners, and the mayor were dead. The surviving member of the Baldwin-Felts, the leader Felts got his revenge. The sheriff, Sid Hatfield, and a friend of his were assassinated outside the McDowell County Courthouse. The detectives were never charged.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Matewan-marker2.jpg/255px-Matewan-marker2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/61/Matewan-floodwallbattle.jpg/290px-Matewan-floodwallbattle.jpg

All of this led to something else you have never heard of The Battle of Blair Mountain. This is where the term "redneck" was invented. It was the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War.

After the assassination of the sheriff' 10,000 coal miners from all around the area came together determined to organize the coal fields in the last two non-union counties Logan and Mingo. The miners wore red scarfs or bandanas around their necks, bringing the name redneck into being- hard working union men who came tot the aid of the other working men.

The anti-Union sheriff of Logan County set up defenses on Blair mountain to stop the marching miners. They were assisted by the remaining Baldwin-Felts detectives, and the West Virginia State Police. Funding came from the Logan County Coal Operators Association.

There was 10 days of fighting.During the conflict, thousands of rounds were fired by both sides using all kinds of small arms including machine guns. The precise death toll was never established, but estimates range from fewer than twenty to more than fifty. Both miners and defenders were well armed and had plenty of ammunition which they fired freely. The roar of the guns became a steady pounding in the ears of the men on both sides: you could hear it for miles along the river. The Sheriff even had a makeshift air force, with several bi-planes dropping bombs.

Eventually, federal troops arrived. The miners were optimistic, believing that their grievances would be vindicated. Governor Morgan and his allies, the coal mine operators, expected that the arrival of the troops would end their troubles with the union.

The Governor was right.

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/hpolscrv/knowlandl.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Matewan
http://www.matewan.com/
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9980
http://www.roanoke.com/wb/80813 -great little video
http://www.glendale.edu/chaparral/apr05/blair.htm

[Paisleyspeaker]

Gee,look. Now that this thread has some content and requires reading and eh gads thinking...no one is posting. You can't just waltz in and make fun of something so you won't put anything.:p:mad::p


No more claims of being capable of intelligent debate that isn't simply repeating FOX talking points.:rolleyes:

[LedZap]

It's a great story....but what's to debate ?

[Prometheus]

It's a great story....but what's to debate ?

With you, nothing. Debating with a redneck hillbilly simpleton like you would be fruitless and boring, GO AWAY OR CONTRIBUTE. At the very least STOP BEING AN ASSHOLE.:D

[LedZap]

Like I said ...it's a great story but there's nothing to debate. Obviously you don't like that and go to your usual response (flaming/name calling).
What's the point ?

[Paisleyspeaker]

I think it supports the position I have taken many times and you who make up the "right wing" have always denied.

When left unchecked the corporation will take every liberty it can- will pay people fake currency, over charge them for the things needed to live, and kick them out of their homes for trying to make things better for themselves. They will pay off anyone who will help them achieve those goals.

I think it makes a powerful argument for regulation. They hired armed thugs to bully people into not joining the unions. Just look at the links.

[Rise Up]

Gee,look. Now that this thread has some content and requires reading and eh gads thinking...no one is posting. You can't just waltz in and make fun of something so you won't put anything.:p:mad::p


No more claims of being capable of intelligent debate that isn't simply repeating FOX talking points.:rolleyes:

Hold up...I'm reading it. I just noticed that people were posting more in this thread.

[General Septem]

When left unchecked the corporation will take every liberty it can- will pay people fake currency, over charge them for the things needed to live, and kick them out of their homes for trying to make things better for themselves. They will pay off anyone who will help them achieve those goals.

All of which is illegal now. So your point is that corporations need at least some regulation to stay in check? I agree. But that doesn't mean capitalism is bad or that we need total government control.

The fact of the matter is, corporations are independent legal entities just as people are, and like people they have laws to follow. Don't murder, don't steal, etc. A market with such regulations is no less free than a society in which murder is illegal.

[General Septem]

Okay now that everyone but Buzz has proved that you know nothing about this, and either can't really research it, or are just too lazy to (which was Prometheus' point)

Or, it could be exactly what I said it was earlier in this thread. If it bothers you that we fixated on your reluctance to actually post anything about the thread you started, then don't do it in the first place. That's like saying "hay guess wat? guess!!!1 GUESS!!".

[gold3924]

I feel like a tard because the wording on this is me all the way, I suck!