| The West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal are "stunned" that Kroger is allowing OVEC to participate in this gift card program. The mining companies extensive use of MTR which causes the loss of lives, good health, property, human rights and our environmental riches is not just stunning, but outrageous, abominable, horrendous and immoral. This unnecessary travesty becomes even more contemptible, inhuman and unspeakable by Bush's provision of immunity to mining companies so that they don't have to comply with laws that would increase the cost of MTR to the detriment of profits.
The mining industry is angry because OVEC has worked for years to educate the public about the environmental disasters, significant impacts and human rights violations caused by MTR mining. OVEC also files lawsuits against mining companies, and wins:
| OVEC convinced a federal judge last year that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated federal law by issuing valley fill permits for mountaintop removal mines without conducting extensive environmental reviews. The decision, which is being appealed, has made it difficult for operators to obtain permits for large surface mines in West Virginia. It also has prompted a similar lawsuit in Kentucky. |
The mining industry believes that if it is paying your checks, or somehow allegedly improving your community economically, then individuals and businesses, like Kroger, don't have the right to associate with or participate in fundraising for groups that force mining companies to comply with laws. As one member of Friends of Coal stated: "I'm quite certain that Kroger couldn't be in business (in West Virginia) if not for the coal industry." So, if MTR mining enables workers to buy food at Kroger or permits community growth, then everyone should forever be loyal to the mining company.
Apparently, the mining industry ran into a little snag. Kroger believes that customers have the right to choose which organizations they would like to support by participating in various donations programs:
| "Some customers choose to support local schools or other nonprofits. We respect the right of individuals to advocate for their point of view. However, we do not as a retailer, engage in influencing the decisions of our customers.'' |
Freedom of choice is not something that sits well with MTR companies, which may be planning some type of boycott or email campaign to convince Kroger to stop the OVEC fundraising measure. Friends of Coal plans to contact members in 32 states and 19 countries. West Virginia Coal also plans to "get the word out to the 50,000 to 75,000 people who work in mining and related jobs in the state" as they "spend hundreds of thousands of dollars weekly to put food on the table."
There's a name for this revenge: MTR sore loser syndrome.
We need environmental groups like OVEC to remain strong educators and advocates who fight to protect our environment, the human rights of people in mining communities to live without constant fear of death or injury and to monitor the mining industry. If we want organizations like OVEC to continue, they need to be able to raise funds from the public without having to fight the mining industry both in and out of the courtrooms.
What can we do to help stop the MTR sore loser syndrome?
Kroger operates 46 stores in West Virginia and more than 100 stores in Kentucky, Wyoming and other coal states. If you live in a community that has Kroger, why not buy an OVEC gift card for $20 so that 5% of your grocery bill provides a donation to OVEC? Here's the page to sign up for the program.
| The gift card is rechargeable. Here's where helping OVEC comes in: Every time you buy groceries using your gift card, OVEC gets a donation equal to 5 percent of your purchase total.
Once you receive the gift card, all you have to do is to keep it recharged and OVEC will continue to benefit. It's important to use your gift card regularly so OVEC receives the 5 percent (a gift card with a zero balance for 90 days will be voided out of the system).
When your balance is zero, don't throw it away, but have it recharged for any amount up to $500. Go to any Kroger's customer service desk prior to shopping, and add whatever amount you want. Remember that you have to have an adequate amount on the gift card to cover your purchase BEFORE you get to the register |
Is there a store near you? Kroger provides a handy store locator. Kroger operates many food stores (including Ralphs) on the West Coast, but not sure if this program is limited to only the Kroger name.
Kroger may like to hear from you as well that you would like to see the OVEC gift-card program continue. Kroger has a convenient email contact form, call center, corporate switchboard and snail mail addy:
Call Center
(Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. EST) 1-866-221-4141
Corporate Switchboard
(513) 762-4000
Mail
The Kroger Co.
Customer Relations
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1100 |
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