Janette Jude is a 6th grade language arts teacher at a middle school in Kentucky. You might recall that recently, Ashley Judd gave a tearful speech about mountaintop coal mining, and afterwords in an interview said that she basically couldn’t be bothered with figuring out how to deal with the loss of jobs/income that banning this kind of coal mining would cause. Because that’s what celebrities do. They preach at you, and then go on living their lives in the lap of luxury, often times doing the very things they preach at you not to do.
But back to Janette. Janette recently wrote an open letter to Ashley Judd, in response to Ashley’s stupid mountaintop coal mining speech (which was, incidentally, one of her best acting performances to date). The letter is brilliant, and you should read it. So here it is:
Dear Ms. Judd,
I recently listened to your luncheon speech on press.org and I must say I was appalled by your words. The areas to which you referred, specifically Martin County, is my home. I have lived here my entire life. I’ve chosen to stay here, although this hillbilly is educated and could go anywhere. Unlike you, I not only have roots in eastern Kentucky, I have elected to grow and blossom in my beautiful state. My purpose in writing to you is twofold; first, I want to provide facts about the areas to which you referred, and secondly, I want you to understand how your disdain and promotion of the banning of mountain-top removal infringes on the employment and income of residents of eastern Kentucky. You obviously have heard one side of the story regarding mountain-top removal. I am here to inform you of the other side.
Coal mining is an important industry to legitimate Kentuckians. It directly provides over 17,000 jobs to our state. The average annual salary for those jobs is $58,000. This doesn’t include jobs that are indirectly related to coal mining. Revenue from the mining industry has provided millions of dollars to not only our area, but to areas such as Lexington and Louisville. Coal tax dollars have actually benefitted central Kentucky almost as much as eastern Kentucky. Many people from our area who prosper directly or indirectly from coal spend money in larger areas of Kentucky, such as Ashland, Lexington, and Louisville. Many people from our area vacation in Tennessee, which incidentally brings revenue to your home state.
In my county, and others, coal revenue has provided a community center. Our community center offers entertainment, the opportunity for health improvement, and education to people in our area. Without the generosity of the coal industry, this would not have been possible. The coal industry has also donated money, time, the use of equipment, and various other things to our school systems.
Big Sandy United States Prison is less than ten minutes from my home. Since the prison has been built, I have never heard anyone refer to it as “Sink Sink.” I have asked several people who also say they have never heard of this reference. I even spoke with someone at the prison who was unaware of any foundation problems and considered the building a safe place to work. The prison and the surrounding communities boast a wonderful friendship. The prison employs around 360 people. The prison budget is $37 million dollars per year with $31 million accounting for salaries. Taxes from these salaries support roads and schools. The other six million is spent and re-spent in the local economy. The prison attempts to purchase locally as much as possible. Many people in our area have been given job opportunities with the arrival of the prison. Job opportunities from the prison have brought in others from out of the area. Several families visit the prison each week. Jobs from the prison and visitors to this area have an immense effect on our economy. Local businesses prosper from each job and visitor in our area. Without the reclaimed surface mine land, I can’t imagine another area here that could have housed such an enormous facility. Thank goodness we were able to provide such an area!
The reclamation site has also provided other facilities that have been advantageous to our area. Currently, the industrial site provides a number of jobs, not to mention other businesses on the industrial site that are no longer there. The reclamation site has made an airport available to our area. The airport has afforded businesses such as a medical flight service and a restaurant, not to mention the revenue to the area from the visitors who fly into the airport. Many people often drive to this area to enjoy the viewing of a variety of wildlife. I have personally seen deer, elk, turkey, coyotes, black bears, bobcats (we endearingly refer to them as wildcats in eastern Kentucky), rabbits, skunks, and unfortunately, a great deal of snakes on this reclaimed surface area. These animals don’t seem to mind the plentiful foliage that reclamation has provided, and don’t seem to be disturbed by the traffic that own the road built by coal tax dollars. As a child, I spent many hours in the mountains and never saw any of these animals.
The golf course that you spoke of in your speech is another facility that provides jobs. In the winter, around a dozen people are employed at the golf course. In the summer months, the golf course provides around thirty to forty jobs. And yes, “hillbillies” do golf. Richard Hale of Stone Crest Golf Course approximated between 100 to 150 people golf DAILY at this golf course. He informed me that of the fifty or so lots on the golf course, all were sold. That same reclaimed site offers four baseball fields, two softball fields, two soccer fields, and an equestrian ring. These facilities have been a wonderful gift to the children in our area. How is this so terrible for our community? Coincidentally, Richard Hale is from Michigan and told me that he remained in this area mostly because of this beautiful golf course. He described the area as spiritual. He said that every sunset on the mountain is a postcard. I was raised in a “holler” and I never witnessed such breathtaking sunsets as I did as while sitting on a reclaimed surface mine.
In your speech, you stated that there was no better home than Kentucky. If you believe this, why do you live in Tennessee and Scotland? How long has it even been since you’ve lived in Kentucky? You stated that you didn’t want to add to the stereotypes of Appalachians; however you managed to do so very well. Did you wonder why the Daltons were so defensive when you visited? It is because people here have to constantly worry about losing their jobs and homes. Your “Avalon” is our home. It’s not an idealistic place that offers former residents the right to control because they want to come back once in a blue moon to connect with their people.
I am aware of what a fan you are of Kentucky basketball. That is a commonality we share. Did you know that the Joe Craft Center that was recently built was funded by coal? We are able to boast about this second-to-none facility due to coal. Craft has also formed a group of donors to raise money for the building of a housing facility for UK athletes, and I am proud to say, the facility will include the word coal in its title. I read that he once said that he couldn’t imagine Kentucky without coal. I have to agree with Craft.
Coincidentally, the developed areas in Lexington were not always shopping centers, other business or residential regions. Most areas there were once horse farms, yet nobody complained when progress literally paved its way into that area. The destruction of these farms to yield businesses is called progress there, yet you referred to our use of our land as rape. The double standard is puzzling, don’t you agree?
Your livelihood is not threatened by the banning of mountain-top removal, but mine is. I am a teacher in eastern Kentucky. When jobs are lost, people of our area are forced to leave. Without students, it would be impossible for me to teach in this area. Therefore, I am passionate about the coal industry in Kentucky. I resent outsiders that attempt to dictate our means of living. To relate to you how I feel, let me present a hypothetical situation. If I could reach a large number of people like you are able to do with your celebrity status, I would campaign against movies in which you lead. If people do not watch your movies, you are at risk of losing your job. Although, I’m sure you have plenty of money to live comfortably for the remainder of your life, it would most likely anger you that I could cause a threat to your occupation. My refusal to pay to see another of your movies is insignificant to you. However, your quest to encourage the ban of mountain-top removal is detrimental to me, my family, and my neighbors and it angers us.
I hope that my letter has educated you about the other side of coal. If you feel that it has been as saturated with sarcasm as your speech, then you read it as it was intended. I am not as well-spoken as you, but I hope that I articulated the importance and weight that coal and mountain-top removal are to eastern Kentucky. If the letter doesn’t convince you, then I encourage you to do two things. First, I invite you to allow me to give you a tour of our area so that you may see firsthand the evidence I have presented. Secondly, I suggest you turn off all the electricity in your home for about a week and see how easy you find living then. Coal keeps the lights on.
Sincerely,
Janette Jude, A Face of Coal
LOVE. I am Janette Jude’s new number one fan.
Well done, Janette Jude!
Awesome. Judd is such a pretentious b*tch. She just wants to look at the ‘purty mountains’ and doesn’t care how she gets to.
Excellent Janette!
AWESOME, AWESOME letter! LOVE it!
this is Economics 101. a class that all libs need to take.
OMG… I was totally rooting her on! What an awesome letter. Well said!! I just don’t get why these liberals think they are so darn smart about everything… What does Ashley Jude know about coal anyway? She is an actress and her husband is a race car driver!
Sorry… It’s Ashley Judd… They last names are too darn similar! lol
Perfect well articulated example of the ripple effect. I am betting that it flew right over the top of Ashley Judd’s pointy head.
From one middle school language arts teacher (in another coal mining region: western PA) to another…. well done. As Ashley Judd repeatedly embarrasses herself with her wanna-be elitism wrapped in pretentious “I’m one of ‘the people’” vapidity, Janette Jude represents true American spirit: vision, insight, passion, loyalty and teachability.
Well said Janette! I am impressed ::clapping:: I too am now a fan
Wow! I’m so shocked AND so appreciative of all the nice comments. So glad I’m not standing alone. Thanks everybody!
Well, little miss Ashley…what’d ya think about them apples, huh?! You think you’re talking right over the heads of all us midwest hillbillies with your snooty talk; who’s lookin’ ignorant now? We may not have our ultra-educated talk, million-dollar gowns, perfectly coiffed hair, or our noses jammed up in the air – but we know what true beauty and living is, we know where we come from, and we’re damned proud of it. As always – being a celebrity has nothing to do with intelligence, as you’ve so clearly proven once again.
Janette: No you are not alone, nor will you ever be. I, like many people, have had it with the environmental Nazi’s.
Well said Ms. Jude. And you sell yourself short your letter was quite articulate and well written. I think I too shall boycott any of Ms. Judds movies. I didn’t much like her acting much before anyways.
Excellent letter! These so-called celebrities that talk down to the people, telling them how to live right down to how many squares of toilet paper to use, telling them not to drive or use oil or air conditioning, telling them not to eat eeeevil meat, they adopt a rainbow of children from OTHER countries (the US has orphans, too), or go hang out with the likes of Chavez and say what a great guy he is – they really irritate me. How dare these hypocrites come to our cities, preach their message, and then merrily hop back on their private jets (spewing CO2 all over the place) and skip back to Hollywood or some other house they have overseas? Hopefully, no one will take Ashley Judd seriously. She’s as foofy as they come.
I am so tired of these entertainers who think they know it all opening their big mouths and giving their opinion. I personally don’t care what they think about anything including politics. So keep your opinions to yourselves, because those of use who have opinions frankly don’t care to hear yours.
Those that can’t think for themselves are the only ones that listen.
Ms. Jude, you spoke for an awful lot of us.
Thank you.
Beautiful job. WE would like permission to re-print the letter in our upcoming Coal People Magazine. In any case, I’m proud of you, and, yes, you are every bit as articulate as what’s her name, if not more so. I’ll not be watching her movie any time soon. SEnd me your home address I would like to send you a complimentary subscription to Coal People Magazine. Talk to you soon. You can call me at 800/235-5188 should you want to talk. Al Skinner, editor and publisher, CPM
Well done, Janette Jude!!
I cannot imagine why Jannette would feel she is not as well-spoken as Ashley Judd. Jannette’s letter carefully constructs a persuasive argument in favor of coal mining whereas Ashley Judd simply speaks without having any real knowledge of or solutions to the “problems” she presents.
Janette, you are incredibly “well-spoken”! But, it’s not just that you use good grammar and sentence structure. Your thoughts expressed in this letter were carefully constructed and well ordered. If every you compare yourself to Ashley Judd again, hold your head high and KNOW that you are the better person! Ashley Judd is really nothing more than a pretty face spewing stupidity and hypocrisy–do NOT forget that!
I used to like Ashley’s movies, but after her comments about the coal mining regions, I see her as an elitist who feels that insulting entire groups of hardworking people is acceptable. I now wish she would fade into the background.
Well said nett! I completely agree with everything, and i am so proud of you for writing this letter!
Oh and here’s another thought to add to all the things janette has said..even tho she covered it….Let’s say Mountain Top Removal was Ban..There goes a portion on the coal used to do many things. Also there goes Jobs for the guys who work there..then the truck drivers..then the coal docks..then the River Boaters and Railroad conductors..Then oh we’ve ran out of coal..hum this creates a problem..Mass shutdown of pretty much everything because what keeps the lights on COAL! I know thats a little over the top..But it isn’t just the miners themselves out of a job..It’s husbands, fathers, boyfriends, brothers, uncles, sisters, mothers…IT’S OUR FAMILY! And then down the road..There will be no electric to watch all of ashleys movies..wouldn’t that be a shame???????
Way to go, Janette!!
Great Job, Janette! You go, girl!
Way to go, I guess you told her a thing or two. My husband has worked the strip job for 35 years,he has has done a mighty fine job at supporting our family… God bless the Coal Miners !!
Suck it, Ashley.
Janette, you hit the nail on the head! You were quite articulate in doing so. Just yesterday, my mother was asking, “When are the people going to speak up about what these people are trying to force on us?” and I, of course, told her that the people are speaking up, even if it is falling on deaf ears. You just proved my point that there are people sticking up for the truth. BRAVO!!!
Very well stated, Janette!
Proud daughter and granddaughter of coal-miners!
Just wanted to add that I love the Ashley Judd photo that was selected with her big mouth gaping open!
“I could reach a large number of people like you are able to do with your celebrity status, I would campaign against movies in which you lead.”
Dear Ms. Jude: Even though you are not afforded “celebrity status,” rest assured that your campaign has been heard. I, too, will boycott, um, Ashley whatsherface … you know, Wynonna’s sister, and encourage my friends to do the same.
I’m also nominating you for the 2010 Face of Coal award.
Thanks for finding this Mock!
Over 300 people have “liked” this post so far! That’s some mighty fine exposure! YAY!
Way to go Net-Net so proud of you!
OK, so…celebrities: uninformed, vapid, too willing to share. I’ll try to remember that.
Nice job on the “F YOU”, Janette.
Janette, God bless you for not being afraid to put your opinion out there, especially in light of the fact that the celebrity-glutted media thinks they know all about living in the real world! You’ll find tons of support on this site!
Well said, indeed. Speaking as an Oregon resident and having seen so clearly what enviro-Nazis meddling can do to an economy (the timber industry paid for so much, and now we have to hope for crumbs for the government ’cause they won’t let us work *our* forests … but they’re happy to let it burn!), I can empathize.
Thank you for giving me yet another “performer” whose performances I can gladly skip!
Ummm I didn’t think Ashley Judd did movies anymore… Lol… Does she??? Haven’t seen or heard of one in a while… Ust she is to busy being a humanitarian…. Maybe she needs to find another cause to help because we don’t need any help.. Mountaintop removal puts food on my table and pays the electric bill that if not for coal I wouldn’t have…well said janette!!!
I am now a fan janette Jude. This is a very passionate letter. It’s well written, as well as it’s very informative. I do wish people would think about the jobs that coal provides for the people of this area. I go to college at Morehead State. If it wasn’t for the coal industry my parents couldn’t help me pay for it. It’s not just me this goes for several people I go to college with. With the economy like it is we can’t afford to lose more jobs in the coal industry.
Jeanette, you are beautiful!!
Raping the land?? What about Malibu? Hollywood? I don’t believe all of that real estate CAME on the land.
The problem is that Ashley will not and cannot read this letter. Why? Because the sheer abundance of sentences that MAKE SENSE all assaulting her at once would make her head explode. Not that that’s a bad thing…
Wow! Wonderfully written Janette Jude! Bravo!
Awesome, Janette! Does Ashley have a problem with all the carbon burned when her husband races his cars? Does she have a problem with all the waste made when movies are made? What happens to all the blown up buildings, cars and such? Do they recycle all that stuff? She’s like Al Gore. Just get on the wagon, but carry on with your own life as usual. I’m a hillbilly, but even I can spell HYPOCRISY!
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! LOVE this letter to Ashley Judd, pointing out all her hypocrisy! You go Janette!
Well spoken and to the point. She (Ashley) lives in another world. Strip mining of the 70s is a lot different that what goes on today. I love our hills but also appreciate the flat land that comes as a result of strip mining that provides jobs and progression like aforementioned; airports, golf courses, athletic fields, industrial parks etc. I think strip mining should be used in liminted areas, which it is, and the emphasis be on deep mining, which it is.
Interesting letter. And for a purported language arts teacher, it shows surprisingly detailed knowledge on matters that are extremely far away from her – again purported – area of competence. I would really like to know whether this lady even knows that she wrote a letter, and even more I’d like to know who wrote it on behalf or under her name…
This was totally amazing! Well done. Unfortunately Ashley’s attention span will most likely be too short and her ignorance level will make it hard for her to read the entire thing. Some of the words might be a tad to big for her.
Pat…you are so right! I considered that it might be hard for her to read a book while looking down her nose at those so much lower than herself…
Chris – yes, you must be right. Because everyone knows that people can only have one area of expertise and that’s it.
(insert rolling eyes here)
Oh, Chris! You are a funny one, indeed!!! Janette wrote the letter, without help, I assure you. She IS articulate, but she is also very intelligent. She has a double major and is one class away from a Master’s degree in another area, so she is very well rounded. Evidently, you, like most of the country (including Ashley Judd and Diane Sawyer) underestimate us hillbillies. That’s fine. We really don’t mind.
But as for the matters being far away from her…are you kidding?! It’s our own backyard. It’s our families that would lose jobs. Do you think we ALL don’t discuss this on a daily basis? Really, Chris? Trust me, Janette wrote that letter. I can hear her voice all through it. And I’ve heard that voice my entire life!
And if you need to know my credentials before I’m able to offer an opinion, write back. You’d be surprised just how educated a hillbilly can get!
Chris, I praise you on your profound ability to know it all while the rest us of are tied to a bleak life of only knowing one thing. Truly you must be a god, therefore I suggest that we all bow down and worship you for your omniscience.
Martin County is a wasteland because of strip mining. If Ms. Jude thinks it’s beautiful, she’s out of her mind… It USED TO BE BEAUTIFUL before the strip mining companies destroyed it…
So let me get this straight…Chris writes about how articulate a letter is in an inarticulate post. Niiiiceee.
Chris stereotyping isn’t exactly the height of all knowledge.
Wow, Chris. EPIC fail. I mean, did you not see that the author of the letter posted here?
Oh please, please, please, repost and stick to your guns. This could be so fun!
I applaud local patriots sticking up for thier own backyards against the Hollywood Commie machine.
Janette, I don’t know you, but I enjoyed reading your written punch in the teeth to Ashly, who is in obvious need of a cranio-rectal-ectomy.
I’m one of the rednecks myself here in Western PA, they mock us here in Steeler country as well – getting sick of it.
You go girl!
@Chris – you might be in need ot a cranial-rectal-ectomy yourself.
Way to go Janette! We are proud of you for articulating very clearly your passion and point of view. Well done. And as Daisy puts it, “Ashley can suck it”!!!!
I love writing these kinds of letters to people who think they know more than me. I get a total rush of adrenaline when I click “send” and I imagine their faces when they read it.
Chris and 2581 (what, too much of a pansy to put your real name?), you make me laugh and you reinforce my belief that libs are ignorant and angry people who eat their young.
Janette’s letter was “right on target”!!!! I am so proud that we have young people like her in the area who are willing to stand up to celebrities and others who do not understand the importance of coal mining and the process of mountain top removal. Celebrities like Ashley Judd blow their stack just to have a “cause” for identity. Everyone should realize she has absolutely no basis for her opinion other than “she gets attention” and that is how she can justify her roots to KY. She had to do something other than just root for the KY basketball team – otherwise no one would ever identify her with a home base other than just having a favorite basketball team. It would be “where in the world” did Ashley Judd come from and why is she such a KY basketball fan??? We even have a “hand full” of locals who protest coal mining as a hobby – similar mentality!Janette’s voice is for the majority of people in the Martin County-eastern KY area. Thank you Janette -we need your voice for future letters to state what is right for our area.
I’m originally from southern West Virginia, grew up in a coal town, and had the pleasure of attending a Friends of America rally last Labor Day sponsored by Massey Energy on a resurfaced mine in Mingo County, WV. Got to hear Ted Nugent play the Star Spangled Banner live.
Awesome letter, Janette. I’m guessing though that for BO’s useful idiots like Ashley Judd, the point will do a complete flyby right over her little celebrity head.
Ms. Jude, Your letter is full of incorrect information and misleading, misconstrued information. If coal is doing so much for Eastern Kentucky then why are we so poor here? If coal is doing so much for Eastern Kentucky then why isn’t there MORE industry here? MTR is destroying Appalachia and you know it as well as I do.
Well Done Janette, it’s a shame, Ashley Judd isn’t made to explain
her huge carbon footprint.
With her husband’ racing team, their 20+
cars in houses in different parts of the world, helicopters, flying around in private jets, and she has the nerve to tell people she cares about the environment.
The people affected by Ashley Judd’s rant should sign a petition and send it to the movie companies saying they will boycott any movie she appears in.
She needs to be put in her place for threatening people’s livelihoods.
AWESOMENESS!!! She is more articulate then Judd- loved the b*tch slap!
BTW this is my favorite line of the day!-
Chris and 2581 (what, too much of a pansy to put your real name?), you make me laugh and you reinforce my belief that libs are ignorant and angry people who eat their young.
Ms. Judd has been the victim of a common logical fallacy known as an ad hominem (against the man) argument, which attacks the person rather than the argument or issue. The face of coal has failed to address the real issue at hand here. This is not surprising behavior from the coal industry, since Big Coal often resorts to personal attacks when they feel like their dirty, dangerous, expensive way of life is threatened.
This harsh language and attacks are coming in response to Judd’s June speech at the National Press Club where she railed against mountaintop removal coal mining as “the rape of Appalachia.” I was at that speech and found it very compelling – Judd has been a longtime critic of mountaintop removal coal mining.
Judd is a native of eastern Kentucky, so the destructive practice of mountaintop removal coal mining hits close to home for her. Her June speech discussed in detail the harsh realities that this form of mining and coal in general is having on Appalachia – including massive environmental degradation and the economics showing that the coal industry is hurting the region far more than it is helping.
The real statement behind these coal industry attacks is that when it comes down to the issues, the coal industry can only respond with personal attacks because they know that Judd – and everyone else speaking out against coal – is correct.
I’ve see the coal industry intimidate activists and spend huge amounts of money of lobbying and smearing good people, but I don’t hear about solutions.
Jobs, the environment, health – coal and mountaintop removal coal mining are destroying them all in Appalachia.
As I’ve said before, Judd is no slouch on this issue. Not only did she grow up in the impacted areas, but she’s also done extensive research during her graduate school time at Harvard University.
Ashley Judd knows what she’s talking about, she is absolutely correct, and I applaud her for using her celebrity to help bring attention to such a devastating issue. We must end mountaintop removal coal mining. The people fighting big coal don’t have time for personal attacks.
Janette’s a teacher, not a big oil company, Malcolm.
Wow. Malcolm – this all now sounds shockingly familiar:
http://connect.sierraclub.org/post/app/blog/default.aspx?blid=4f645486-c771-4ef9-9439-4e5e90d16ba2&cons_id=&ts=1278713864&signature=3ad8fef7b370301df84b1da7da1cdf41
Way to go Mock! Exposed the fraudulent Malcolm for what he is….a typical loser liberal!
The sad thing about all of this is that Kentucky isn’t even that large of a producer of coal compared to other states. People like Judd and the media make it out as if we are busting every mountain apart 24/7. People who live here know that isn’t true, and that it’s fairly difficult to get a job on a strip mine.
If these Washington types really just hated coal that much, they would be all over the state of Montanna. They produce something like, 25% of all the coal in the US while KY produces less than 10%. However, they continue to pick on Appalachia….why do you think that is? It’ politics, people. Everytime somebody like Ashley Judd comes here and slaps some “right wing Christians” around, she gets a big pat on the back by her Hollyweird buddies.
See, since the media is on Obama’s side, it enables him to do things like…..oh let’s see…..approve 17 offshore drilling permits (right before the spill) with little or no coverage. Then, he has the EPA whip up on 2 or 3 strip mines in Eastern KY over a couple of streams, and that makes him Captain Planet. It’s a win win for our president because he doesn’t really do noticable harm to the coal supply in this country, but he really looks like he’s fighting the good fight to all the snobs. Yep, the only people it really hurts is the people of Appalachia who depend on those jobs. It is hurtful that our fellow Americans care so little about the well being of Eastern Ky families. It’s difficult feeling so singled out and attacked by your own country.
“True Hillbilly”,
I’m the wife of a coal miner living in Eastern Kentucky. We’ve never had it easy. My husband grew up dirt poor, and we never had a family that could give us a “good start”. The only way my husband has ever been able to make decent money is working on a strip mine. Ever thing we own has been purchased via the coal industry. Now, since you are a “true hillbilly” tell me: You think we struggle in Eastern Ky now?? And you somehow think it would be better without our main revenue producing industry? Do you even know what people here lived like here before the big coal boom?
Please explain to us how an economy without coal would make the people of Eastern Kentucky less poor, and more prosperous. Last, answer me this: Are we allowed to develope our land without taking the coal??
“Captain Planet” – LOVE.
I am very fulfilled that so many people have responded to Jannette’s letter to Ashley Judd. My question is “why do so many celebrities like her take a position on something they know nothing about?” People like Ashley Judd need to identify with issues – such as acting – which they can relate to and have a reference. Let her take a position on what would improve movies, etc. She is a great actress in her movies!
A note to Ashley Judd – Please use this as a learning experience. Jannette is a teacher and teacher’s are always looking for those “teachable moments”. This was one that Jannette could not pass up because you need to learn a lesson from all of this. Don’t stick you nose into something that you “know nothing about”. However, if you were in Jannette’s classroom I have no doubt that she would try many different lesson plans to educate you on the importance of coal as a fuel and help you understand the importance and advantages of “mountain-top removal of coal”. She would also teach to your learning ability.
Ashley, you need to apologize to the people in eastern KY. Please let the world know you are not a spokes-person for us!!!!!! You just happen to have been born in KY and are a UK basketball fan! Other than that – please let people know that you are not educated about the coal industry because you have not been in Jannette’s classroom!
Jannette, I hope you are looking forward to another school year and am very proud that you are a voice for the people of eastern KY!!!!! Keep up the good work!!