Stories Bring Us Together

It is said that without energy we will die. Though this is true, it does not necessarily mean "fossil fuel energy." In fact, knowing what we know now about the strain fossil fuel extraction puts on water, air, and soil, and even more menacingly, on climate, we should change this statement to read, "Without RENEWABLE energy, we will surely die. And SOON!"

We are in the middle of a cultural shift the likes of which we haven't seen since the oil crisis of the 1970s. We need to "rush headlong into that goodnight," go INTO the light, and hold the banner of clean air, clean water, fertile soil, and a clear head. A recent study quoted in Mother Jones magazine points out that dementia may have its cause in air pollution. Here in West Virginia, we are all too familiar with toxins in our air, water, and soil. Enough. We deserve better.

Stories connect us to where we come from, to other people, events in history. They define who we are. My mother thought West Virginians were a proud bunch, and she was right. I want us to use that pride to bring us to the top of the heap. We CAN BOTH provide good jobs AND have cheap energy and a STRONG economy.

Tell us your story. Let it be a witness to life in West Virginia. Tell the truth, so that we may patch that work together for a brighter future. We want to live -- not just life, but the GOOD life. Let's RE-WRITE our story, starting NOW.