And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: From: frieda werden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> via: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [MODERATOR'S NOTE: I am sure that the following applies not only to West Virginia, but to Peabody Coal in Arizona at Big Mountain, et.al., as well. But, even if it is only specifically for West Virginia, it would set a dangerous precident that would make it easier for other coal companies--specifically Peabody-- to trample on environmental laws. For this reason, especially, I believe it should be opposed. --Bob Dorman] From: Carolyn Johnson Citizens Coal Council <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Members & Allies of the Citizens Coal Council <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Urgent Action Alert Date: Saturday, November 6, 1999 Please send faxes to President Clinton Vice President Gore and your US Senators Your Immediate Action Needed to Defeat Special Favors for the Mining Industry Please make one more big push! As you know, the West Virginia coal companies have asked Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) to sneak words as a last-minute "rider" into a spending bill that would excuse them from obeying the national clean water and coal mining laws. A federal district judge has ruled that these laws must be enforced. He said the new massive strip mines that remove entire mountains must not dump hundreds of millions of tons of mine waste into flowing streams. Last week, we asked you to write President Clinton because a vote was expected before the end of the week. Your thousands of letters really slowed it down. Now we need one more big push before Tuesday, November 9, 1999. This means we must convince at least 35 Senators to vote against the entire bill and convince President Clinton to veto it.Your Senators and the President need to hear from thousands of us, now! Below is information on how you can send your messages. 1. Mail, fax, call or e-mail President Clinton and Vice President Gore immediately. (Remember, a faxed letter has the greatest impact.) If you can, also do an e-mail. President William J. Clinton 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington D.C. 20500 phone: 202/456-1414 fax: 202/456-2461 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vice President Albert Gore 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington D.C. 20500 phone: 202/456-2326 fax: 202/456-2461 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here are three arguments to make in your message to President Clinton and Vice President Gore:: - Oppose the Byrd rider on coal strip mining and veto any bill it's attached to. The West Virginia coal companies want it so they can pollute more streams by dumping millions of tons of mining waste. Don't let them destroy more mountains, homes, forests and wildlife. We're counting on you to say NO to any anti-environment rider. - Fulfill your long-standing promise to clean, restore and protect our nation's waters. Don't bulldoze the Clean Water Act and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and other environmental laws. Passage of the Byrd rider invites every special interest group to get an exemption from any federal environmental law it doesn't like. We need the protections in these laws and I don't want them ignored in my state. - Do the right thing! Your veto will uphold our Constitutional and democratic processes. Attaching riders to spending bills upsets the checks and balances that the founders of our nation so wisely established. 2. Call the Senators of your state by dialing the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to their office. If you have their fax number, please fax them a letter. Here is the message to give them: - Urge them to vote against any spending bill that contains Senator Byrd's rider letting West Virginia strip mines violate our clean water and mining control laws. Your "no" vote will uphold our Constitution. 2. As always, ask members of the groups you belong to and your friends to also contact the President. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Citizens Coal Council is a national federation of 52 grassroots groups working together for clean water, safe homes and a healthy environment in the coalfields of 22 states and the Navajo Nation. To contact us: Carolyn Johnson, Staff Director Jane Kochersperger, Communications Dennis Short, Communications 110 Maryland Ave. NE, #408 1705 S. Pearl Street, #5 Washington D.C. 20002 Denver, CO 80210 202/544-6120 fax:202/544-7164 303/722-9119 fax: 303/722-8338 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Frieda Werden For more information on this on-going human rights crisis in the United States, visit my web page at http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/pagea~1.htm