Many children in West Virginia are going to have an amazing Christmas this year, and they owe it all to their naughty peers. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin announced today that coal mining in his state did record business this year. The extra demand meant plenty of overtime for the miners, who put that money right back into the economy with wild Christmas shopping sprees.
Jenny Walsh, spokesperson for the Coal Miners’ Union told this Modern Philosopher, “We received a record order from The North Pole this year, and our union was more than up to the task. The men and women who go down into those mines every day are the hardest workers I’ve ever met. They certainly earned the money.”
When I asked her if she had a special message for all the naughty kids out there whose bad behavior led to the need for so much coal, Ms. Walsh hesitated at first, but finally answered with a smile, “I know your parents will hate me for this, but thank you. Keep up the good work.”
The Union would not provide me with exact figures on how much overtime its members 
earned this year, but I can tell you that the parking lot outside the mine I visited was filled with the following makes of car: BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, and Hummer. Also, the Union Christmas Party is a three day affair being held in Las Vegas with the members being flown out today by private jet.
What do you think, Modern Philosophers? Is naughty the new nice if you are a West Virginia coal mining family? Should we not be so hard on bad kids since they’re making life better for others? Have you ever gotten coal in your stocking?
This Modern Philosopher is going to ponder those Deep Thoughts…it’s a long flight to Vegas with my new friends and it will give me something to do. Vegas, baby, Vegas!
The Return of the Modern Philosopher 
Ummmm..as usual you have offered a challenage, I have always been a fan of niceness and coal miners alike…will also be pondering. 🙂
Thank you. That’s all I can ask. And if you want to be a brat today, you’ll just be making a coal miner richer… 😀
I wonder if the President’s kids were bratty…could be an effective way of undermining his clear air energy policy….what there is of it!
Interesting Deep Thought. You should expand on this. I see a future blog piece in it for you… 🙂
I’m no economist, but it seems to me that a Christmas party in Vegas only ensures more coal-producing behavior. Very clever on the party of the Coal Miners Union.
No one said they weren’t smart. What a fun bunch of people. Woo hoo!