February 13, 200917 yr ABC News has been developing a Segment on Coal in the Appalachian Mountains in which Diane Sawyer visited a mining operation, Matrix Energy in Martin County, Kentucky. Ms. Sawyer traveled underground at the Matrix mine and her camera crew filmed her on the section. This Segment is also suppose to include an interview with Mr. Jim Booth.Showing some background history of the Booth operations. The story will follow the lives of three individuals who all have separate circumstances and are following different individual paths of life in the mountains. The Show will air on Friday, February 13th, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. on ABC Llinks http://abcnews.go.com/2020 http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6845926
February 13, 200917 yr I pray this show isn't like all the others concerning EKY in which they all make us out to be the biggest hick rednecks in the world, with no sense at all while being poverty stricken to the max. I've been waiting on a documentary to show EKY in a positive light in which it really is, however, I'm not so sure this is going to be it. Just like anywhere there is going to be poverty and hardship, and to most people across the country they watch documentaries or shows like this and think thats what the entire EKY is about. However, that couldn't be further than the truth as EKY is a very special place, its sad that the rest of the country hardly gets to see it in that kinda light, and instead always gives more reason to stereotype.
February 13, 200917 yr I pray this show isn't like all the others concerning EKY in which they all make us out to be the biggest hick rednecks in the world, with no sense at all while being poverty stricken to the max. I've been waiting on a documentary to show EKY in a positive light in which it really is, however, I'm not so sure this is going to be it. Just like anywhere there is going to be poverty and hardship, and to most people across the country they watch documentaries or shows like this and think thats what the entire EKY is about. However, that couldn't be further than the truth as EKY is a very special place, its sad that the rest of the country hardly gets to see it in that kinda light, and instead always gives more reason to stereotype. :thumb: However there are spots in EKY that need help. But like you said, KY will probably get sterotyped by this docudrama...
February 13, 200917 yr :thumb: However there are spots in EKY that need help. But like you said, KY will probably get sterotyped by this docudrama... Yeah and sadly the spots that need help are usually the ones that get aired on national television. It makes me so mad how EKY is portrayed sometimes. I mean it would be like if a lot of people around the country wasn't familar with LA and documentaries only showed gang neighorhoods, ghettos, slums, and projects and left out places such as Beverly Hills and Malibu. Just goes to show that no matter where you go to in this great country you can find good spots and rough spots, and its just sad that everytime EKY is displayed to a national audience it usually shows only the negative.
February 14, 200917 yr Very sad. I guess I am one of the 10% of Appalachian men to get a college degree.
February 14, 200917 yr Where on Earth was Shawn Grimm's coaches, teachers, and school administrators? Did NOBODY inform the young man about his options in terms of grants, loans, and federal financial assistance?
February 14, 200917 yr Author Shawn Grimm is a very wise young man. Wants to better himself from the situation he is raised in. I hope he succeeds in life in whatever he chooses. The young ladies featured touched my heart. I can not imagine the pain and strife they endure each day. Having to see their mother continually fall back into the same problems, must be extremely difficult to cope with. As for the story I do not see the point but other than to exploit some of these families and perpetuate the typical perception in the area. Drive any where in Kentucky and for that matter any state, one can observe poverty or prosperity.
February 14, 200917 yr Have had people tell me that there are parts of Hazard that are every bit as nice or nicer than Lexington, where do these people work at? Is coal the only industry whatsoever in Eastern Kentucky?
February 14, 200917 yr Author Just another typical news coverage trying to perpetuate the typical Eastern KY resident. Reporting on a story and showing the conditions of some, without offering a viable alternative seems to be the norm anymore. I've traveled and seen many places in Kentucky, along with numerous other states. You can find poverty and prosperity in any area but in any EKY feature, the focus will be on the disparity. I always heard the Grimm story but I now have the utmost respect for this young man, wanting to better his life. I wish him nothing but the best. The young ladies featured are wise beyond their years. I can't imagine what they endure daily seeing their Mothers struggle. Homelessness abounds and in my opinion, should be much more a focus of our Politicians to wipe out. Poverty can be overcame with hard work and a choice of the family, to strive to want better. Drugs ruin many good intentions and families must battle through. We can blame it on this/that but in the end, you have to want better of yourself and demand you achieve it. Be a person of good character and do the right thing, even when no one is looking to rise above. Paintsville, KY is a beautiful area. I know this story doesn't portray EKY in a favorable light but never thought it would. Visit this area and will see good, bad and the less fortunate. The same you will see in any State, large city or small community.
February 14, 200917 yr It made me want to adopt Grimm. I really hope he gets the help he needs to succeed. He has coach written all over him. He could do a lot of good for a lot of kids! I'd take him by my side any day! It had the typical stuff I thought it would but I thought it also shed a good light to the Nation that the area does need help. Government is pouring out all this money to these huge cooperations for being corupt while I could be spent on industry to employ people that have nowhere too work. It also did a good job shedding light on the massive drug problem in this area. People have no where to work with no support but can go sell one pill for $120. There needs to be more task forces in the area to clean it up and instead of passing out so much free stuff to the lazy money should be spent creating jobs for those that would work. I was glad to see her go down in the mines to show how couragous those guys were too. It does a good job portraying what a large majority of kids around here go through. What I would now like to see is a follow up show on the tons of success stories from the area for those that dreamed and pused themselves. I know people from this area coaching in the NFL, protecting the President, teaching college, going oversees to build schools in villages, stockbrokers, teachers, service men, fortune 500 company's etc This also shows once again that teachers+coaches are often times the most important people in a kids life. It is a special calling IMO! I am not teaching right now but I have taught in the Lville/Oldham Co, Lexington areas and coached in those + Eastern KY. If this doesn't show flaw in our educational system then I don't know what does. Not everybody is cut out for college and I will never buy that a kid with 2 educated parents that are constantly involved in their kids life should be measured against a kid fighting for his life wondering where he will lay his head next with no support from home! It is unrealistic and flat out stupid! This isn't just EKY either. I've coached kids in Lex that sold drugs to pay their rent and they were in middle school! Why not show more support for kids that want to learn a craft like pipe fitting, carpentry, mechanics, electricians etc. I know a 21 year old here who made almost 80,000 as a pipe fitter last year in Eastern KY. Why not help kids have a chance to succeed! It's not always about going to college. For a lot of kids I also think the armed forces are about their only shot of living their dream. I've had very close friends that would have never made it if they didn't go to the Armed Forces. They are better men because of it and they are able to hold down honorable jobs + self support their families. I'm done ranting for a few minutes lol
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