Caricature or reality? (Huntington, War: 2014, cost, statistics)

[Zen_master]

Been almost two decades since I last visited Huntington across the river. Don't get me wrong, being from neighboring Ohio I travel through WV on I-77 nearly every year in route to the Carolina coast in the Summers, but seeing the area from the interstate is a far cry from visiting the intersections of main street in the hearts of towns.

I recently stumbled upon a few articles on the internet that paint a rather bleak picture of western WV and eastern KY. I understand from the regional and national news media and my general observation of economic statistics that coal is losing out to natural gas as a fuel source for power plants. When I visited Huntington some twenty years ago I was a youngster and other than a fascination with the Chessie System trains passing through the town and being able to find large pieces of coal on the side of the tracks the town seemed very similar to where I grew up. I am wondering if anyone can confirm if the portrayal laid out in the following articles are indicative of life for many, possibly even the majority, in western WV and eastern KY or if these are caricatures drawn up to "get clicks" and drive advertising dollars?


Vast Stretches Of Impoverished Appalachia Look Like They Have Been Through A War | Zero Hedge

The White Ghetto | National Review Online

Tomgram: Hedges and Sacco, A Twenty-First Century American Sacrifice Zone | TomDispatch

Thanks in advance.

[PynballWyzyrd]

Originally Posted by Zen_master

Been almost two decades since I last visited Huntington across the river. Don't get me wrong, being from neighboring Ohio I travel through WV on I-77 nearly every year in route to the Carolina coast in the Summers, but seeing the area from the interstate is a far cry from visiting the intersections of main street in the hearts of towns.

I recently stumbled upon a few articles on the internet that paint a rather bleak picture of western WV and eastern KY. I understand from the regional and national news media and my general observation of economic statistics that coal is losing out to natural gas as a fuel source for power plants. When I visited Huntington some twenty years ago I was a youngster and other than a fascination with the Chessie System trains passing through the town and being able to find large pieces of coal on the side of the tracks the town seemed very similar to where I grew up. I am wondering if anyone can confirm if the portrayal laid out in the following articles are indicative of life for many, possibly even the majority, in western WV and eastern KY or if these are caricatures drawn up to "get clicks" and drive advertising dollars?


Vast Stretches Of Impoverished Appalachia Look Like They Have Been Through A War | Zero Hedge

The White Ghetto | National Review Online

Tomgram: Hedges and Sacco, A Twenty-First Century American Sacrifice Zone | TomDispatch

Thanks in advance.

Well I read through these and I must say that their relevance to Huntington is slim to none. The areas in question actually quite far from Huntington. In fact, non of these articles/blog-posts even mention Huntington. That aside, I'm sure that there are some areas like this in WV's most southern counties and KY's most south-eastern counties.

You should also consider your sources. These do not appear to be the most reliable sources. Two of them are certainly blog posts (most likely very opinionated and/or biased).

[Silkdashocker]

Originally Posted by PynballWyzyrd

their relevance to Huntington is slim to none. The areas in question actually quite far from Huntington. In fact, non of these articles/blog-posts even mention Huntington. That aside, I'm sure that there are some areas like this in WV's most southern counties and KY's most south-eastern counties.

You should also consider your sources. These do not appear to be the most reliable sources. Two of them are certainly blog posts (most likely very opinionated and/or biased).

This

[CurseOfWilmore]

There's no such thing as pharm parties, biggest lie ever, pills cost too much to be scooped out of a bowl and eaten.

[tbailey1138]

I'll back up what Pynball said as well. Most of the areas these articles are referring to are 2+ hours from Huntington. Cabell County doesn't even have a single coal mine in it. While the decline of coal does hurt us here as we are part of this state, coal is not our economy so the effects are more secondary here.