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<blockquote data-quote="inyati13" data-source="post: 1251518" data-attributes="member: 17767"><p>Thank you for your comments.</p><p>I assume you are referencing the incident where I was locked in and the liaison stood me before the mine workforce. I am not bothered by the outcome. What I remember most about that incident is that he did not intimidate me. I felt a lack of control and I was determined to send a message that his tactics might not be wise policy. It is like being involved in a drama that is playing out. You are one of the actors and you have to play your role and see where it ends. I am by innate character an unaggressive person. However, that capacity can be exceeded. IMO, this incident does not reach that threshold. My capacity to be rational was exceeded only once in the conduct of my duties. I will confess, I am ashamed of my response and it was totally oral.</p><p></p><p>Background for the incident you reference:</p><p>The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was signed in 1977 to regulate the surface effects of coal mining. I was one of the second wave of enforcement agents brought into the new agency, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM). The coal mining industry in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia was entrenched in 50 years of corruption. Mining permits were purchased. Inspectors were largely on the mine payrolls. When the first wave of federal enforcement was on the ground, the industry responded with threats, intimidation and violence. Those days are the most thrilling days of my life. The District Manager deployed me onto some of the toughest cases. I was deployed because I could relate to the culture, I understood mining and I didn't respond to intimidation in a way he did not accept. I was one of the only initial employees who had coal mining experience. I served as Reclamation Supervisor for Tesoro Coal Company in Hazard, KY for three years at the young age of 25. Despite what the incident you refer to has led you to conclude, the coal companies that recognized change had to come, appreciated my even-handed and fair approach. So did the agency. I was hired July 7, 1978 as a GS 11. The agency had me reapply for employment and they hired me back as a GS 13. I totally skipped the GS 12. That is highly unusual.</p><p></p><p>I did not go untested. I have been laid hands on and I have been pinned under rifle fire. I was prime party to the gritty Virgil Bishop case. The largest coal operator in Magoffin County, threated me, my spouse and the burning of my property. Consequently, I was transferred to Denver, CO. Inspectors in Tennessee were beaten on the road. One was pinned down on a bridge and several men beat him so badly that his jaw was broken. The stinking creek area of Tennessee required OSM to request escort protection from the DOD. Helicopters were used with manned machine guns to prevent inspectors from being fired on during the conduct of their duties.</p><p></p><p>I have no remorse for the incident you reference. It was common practice for renegade companies of that period to put a thug up as your liaison. His sole job was to intimidate and threaten you. I was not reserved about paybacks when they could be delivered within the scope of my duties and they were legal. As 3waycross stated: I am human. I have committed worse transgressions if I want to beat up on myself.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="inyati13, post: 1251518, member: 17767"] Thank you for your comments. I assume you are referencing the incident where I was locked in and the liaison stood me before the mine workforce. I am not bothered by the outcome. What I remember most about that incident is that he did not intimidate me. I felt a lack of control and I was determined to send a message that his tactics might not be wise policy. It is like being involved in a drama that is playing out. You are one of the actors and you have to play your role and see where it ends. I am by innate character an unaggressive person. However, that capacity can be exceeded. IMO, this incident does not reach that threshold. My capacity to be rational was exceeded only once in the conduct of my duties. I will confess, I am ashamed of my response and it was totally oral. Background for the incident you reference: The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was signed in 1977 to regulate the surface effects of coal mining. I was one of the second wave of enforcement agents brought into the new agency, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM). The coal mining industry in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia was entrenched in 50 years of corruption. Mining permits were purchased. Inspectors were largely on the mine payrolls. When the first wave of federal enforcement was on the ground, the industry responded with threats, intimidation and violence. Those days are the most thrilling days of my life. The District Manager deployed me onto some of the toughest cases. I was deployed because I could relate to the culture, I understood mining and I didn’t respond to intimidation in a way he did not accept. I was one of the only initial employees who had coal mining experience. I served as Reclamation Supervisor for Tesoro Coal Company in Hazard, KY for three years at the young age of 25. Despite what the incident you refer to has led you to conclude, the coal companies that recognized change had to come, appreciated my even-handed and fair approach. So did the agency. I was hired July 7, 1978 as a GS 11. The agency had me reapply for employment and they hired me back as a GS 13. I totally skipped the GS 12. That is highly unusual. I did not go untested. I have been laid hands on and I have been pinned under rifle fire. I was prime party to the gritty Virgil Bishop case. The largest coal operator in Magoffin County, threated me, my spouse and the burning of my property. Consequently, I was transferred to Denver, CO. Inspectors in Tennessee were beaten on the road. One was pinned down on a bridge and several men beat him so badly that his jaw was broken. The stinking creek area of Tennessee required OSM to request escort protection from the DOD. Helicopters were used with manned machine guns to prevent inspectors from being fired on during the conduct of their duties. I have no remorse for the incident you reference. It was common practice for renegade companies of that period to put a thug up as your liaison. His sole job was to intimidate and threaten you. I was not reserved about paybacks when they could be delivered within the scope of my duties and they were legal. As 3waycross stated: I am human. I have committed worse transgressions if I want to beat up on myself. [/QUOTE]
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