You’re right – that’s the same Harlan County. As in the song, JH Blair was the sheriff/enforcer mentioned in the film.

Historical tension, especially in the rural United States, is one of the most interesting things out there. That’s why I’m so fascinated by union history – just as you said, the actions and reactions were on a grander scale [and on both sides!] than the milquetoast stuff that we’re used to.

Time to grab that film.

Do you mean to say that you don’t have a framed portrait of Papa Marx on your mantle?

Tsk tsk.

I’m with you 100% – as situations change, so must the rhetoric. I’m not suggesting that union zealots spurn their rich history, just that they keep proper perspective.

We’re seeing a very interesting thing play out between the unions and the Democrats…

Biased but interesting documentary. No doubt those people were taking sides and they were nasty about it. Didn’t care for them scabs neither. I bet they beat a few up off camera.

The tension in that film is something. The history of outright violence in the American labor movement is stunning. The National Guard or the local police/state troopers used to come in and kill people. And the strikers used to kill people too (and blow up mines and steelworks).

It is a great time to be alive in that respect. No more “Which side are you on”. That used to be a big question with a fist at the end of it.

The Harlan County documentary is interesting because you could still get some of that vibe in the 1970s. I can only imagine what it was like back in the day.

These songs and the time period are quite interesting, but I’m just not sure we need such rabidness towards supporting unions today. If liability insurance (which is a professional necessity today)could be obtained in a cheaper way from another source many of my colleages here in Georgia would not be members of professional association that has ties to a larger national union.