dagblog - Comments for "Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre"

Thanks! The Wobblies

oleeb — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:00:24 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

Thanks! The Wobblies terrified the parasites.

I'm glad you thought so Bwak.

oleeb — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:48:25 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

I'm glad you thought so Bwak.

This was truly an awesome

Bwakfat — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:02:13 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

This was truly an awesome post, Oleeb. Thank you.

Many of the Wobblies were

Don Key — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:57:04 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

Many of the Wobblies were just murdered outright. At least one that I read about was arrested, tortured (for names , I guess, or maybe just for 'fun'), then hanged. Great tour, Oleeb.

I'm with ya Ruta!

oleeb — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:06:45 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

I'm with ya Ruta!

...juries refused to

Rutabaga Ridgepole — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:51:50 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

...juries refused to convict.

And until Dick Cheney is swinging at the end of a rope, this juror will vote "not guilty" no matter what kind of evidence may be presented about any kind of crime... against the bosses!

Well said

Indie Pro — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:15:47 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

Well said

Quite so. I've made it a

oleeb — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:57:59 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

Quite so.

I've made it a habit to "do" something whenever possible at every opportunity since I was about 12. Perserverance is essential and mass participation is cyclical. One never knows when a movement will catch fire but they do and so it's important to keep creating as many sparks as possible.

You might be interested in

wwstaebler — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:42:24 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

You might be interested in this paper, which is one of the best I've read about coal (as well as other industry) strikes and violence: http://www.ditext.com/taft/violence.html
Here is an excerpt describing the deaths of miners in West Virginia in the 1920's:

"Coal was the center of some of the bloodiest labor disputes after World War I. The disputes centered around the efforts of the United Mine Workers of America to organize the nonunion counties of McDowell, Mingo, and Logan Counties in West Virginia. In September 1919, armed union miners were set to invade Logan County, but turned back at the request of the Governor and district officers of the union in order to preserve peace. A strike for union recognition was called in Mattewan, Mingo County, in May 1920, and in an argument over evictions of miners from company houses, shooting between Baldwin-Felts guards and Sheriff Sid Hatfield left 10 dead, seven of them guards. The strike spread to McDowell County, which was soon caught up in the developing violence. Troops were sent in by the State, and after the killing of six in a battle between miners and deputies, Federal troops arrived. Federal troops were withdrawn, to be replaced by large numbers of deputies.

In the first months of 1921 it appeared that peace had been restored, but by May each side was arming for renewed warfare. Hundreds of armed miners were determined to march again into Logan County and the sheriff was prepared to prevent their entry. Union officers at first convinced the miners to withdraw and go home, but a report that miners had been ambushed and killed led the miners to re-form their ranks. Several thousand armed miners began a march on Logan County, and the Governor called for Federal aid. President Warren Harding ordered the miners to disperse and sent 2,100 Federal troops to [337] enforce his order. Six hundred miners surrendered to the U.S. Army, and after being disarmed, were released. The arrival of Federal troops ended the miner's war. Severa hundred were indicted in State courts for sedition and conspiracy, but juries refused to convict. In all, at least 21 people lost their lives...."

I'm sure that's what they

oceankat — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:02:07 +0000

In reply to Labor Day Remembrance And Inspiration: Mother Jones & The Virden Massacre

I'm sure that's what they would call her but I wonder what she and all the rest of those who fought, bled and died would call us, or at least those of us who do little more than post here or write a letter to their politicians in Washington.

Things change when people are willing to stand on a line and fight for them. Words alone won't do it.