In honour of lost Miners, rent or buy this film:

[CanuckAmok]

Harlan County, USA, directed bgy Barbara Koppel.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074605/

If you've never seen this, you should. It's a documentary about the lives of coal miners in Kentucky in 1976. It's hard to believe it's not shot in the Third World.

[kentuck]

1. That's my part of the world...

Born and raised. Much of it is still Third World.

[Dr.Phool]

2. I haven't seen that one, but "Matewan" is pretty good.

Set back in the Union organizing days of the mines.

[bunkerbuster1]

5. Any progressive who hasn't watched Matewan had better get it queued.

One of the best movies ever, and an excellent choice for any "friends" who claim that unions aren't necessary.

[Mrs. Venation]

3. I Met Barbara Koppel

Back in the 70s she was present for a private screening of Harlan County, USA, that I attended. That film had a profound impact on me; the people in that film are my people, as I am a native of southern Appalachia and I am a former underground coal miner.

Today my heart is broken. Twelve of my brother miners have given their lives to feed America's energy gluttony. I cannot express the depth of my grief.

[Sequoia]

4. I was so shocked to hear the news when I woke up

after going to bed thinking they were alive. Damn. This is just awful and now that more mines will be operating you can bet this won't be the end. It's horrid. I'm so sorry for all those family and friends of the miners.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. "How Green was my Valley" is another good one