Society

Hillbilly No More

West Virginia's governor is launching a massive campaign to liberate his state from ugly and unyielding stereotypes. He's got his work cut out for him.

By Tony Dokoupil | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Feb 27, 2009

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  • Posted By: White Hall @ 11/19/2009 5:23:24 PM

    Manchin can spend money; that is certain. Can he invest money? Anyone who is planning to teach should look for another state, he just negotiated away you future benefits. RIF (Reduction in Force) is the official, scheduled policy of the State Board of Education. As for being a ???poor business climate???, that is just code for protecting workers, consumers, and the environment. Our great pro-business policies one hundred years ago got us into the mess we now enjoy.

  • Posted By: White Hall @ 11/19/2009 5:23:16 PM

    Manchin can spend money; that is certain. Can he invest money? Anyone who is planning to teach should look for another state, he just negotiated away you future benefits. RIF (Reduction in Force) is the official, scheduled policy of the State Board of Education. As for being a ???poor business climate???, that is just code for protecting workers, consumers, and the environment. Our great pro-business policies one hundred years ago got us into the mess we now enjoy.

  • Posted By: GoHoos @ 07/27/2009 10:56:33 AM

    INCONVENIENT FACTS: Yet again, another poll places West Virginia at the bottom of the heap. The CNBC poll of best states for business just came out on July 26 and puts West Virginia in the BOTTOM 5 in the country. On "business friendliness" it is NUMBER 50. In technology & innovation it is NUMBER 49. In workforce it is NUMBER 48. Education, transportation and quality of life are all ranked in the bottom of the country. (By the way, another ranking recently found West Virginia University at the bottom tier in state universities.) Glad some of the folks here think it's paradise. That must be why nothing changes. Maybe it's the Stockholm Syndrome, or ignorance begets ignorance. Either way - BUSINESSES BE WARNED.

  • Posted By: Tor Hershman @ 06/21/2009 12:19:23 PM

    I made this wee film, right here in West Virginié

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7iQRFP_e90

  • Posted By: Dave Simard @ 03/04/2009 10:16:08 PM

    Isn't it "neat" to slam West Virginia? As a West Virginia born resident of the west coast for the past 23 years, I am numb to the condescension of the many, many people I encounter who sneer dismissively at a place in which almost none of them have ever lived or visited but are certain that they have moral and cultural superiority. I write it off to watching too much TV and mistaking what they see as reality. I don't need to go to West Virginia to meet dentally-challenged people. Incest is not exclusive to West Virginia, regardless of the stereotypes.

    Here in the oh so "enlightened" Pacific Northwest the rednecks are well entrenched and quite comfortable with their ways. Leave an urban area like Portland or Seattle and it's all about chewing tobacco, ridiculously big pickup trucks, country music, guns and reactionary conservative attitudes. Those thing, of course, don't represent the totality of rural areas in the Northwest, much the same as they don't represent the totality of West Virginia social culture. Try pointing that out to the standard smarmy West Coast denizen.

    Having a tinge of a southern accent in a place like Portland will too often lower some people's estimation of your intelligence and seemingly imbue them with what comes across as a sense of cultural and intellectual superiority. People who have watched one too many episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard or Deliverance embrace the stereotypes of places like West Virginia.

    I would propose that the state of Washington might change their slogan to "We Have Plenty of Serial Killers!", Idaho could go with "Racial Minorities Unwelcome", Oregon could use "Chainsaws, Shotguns and Pickup Trucks"", and California could go with "Come join a Street Gang and Deal With a Drought". After all, despite all of those things, at least they're not West Virginia.

    • Posted By: Dana Cheek @ 05/14/2009 3:14:55 PM

      Thanks for sharing your perspective. I lived in West Virginia for several years before moving back to Virginia and still find myself defending WV against the ignorant stereotypes of people who have never stepped foot in the state. After reading several of your posts you've got to be the same Dave Simard I went to school with in Ravenswood.

    • Posted By: Dana Cheek @ 05/14/2009 3:14:16 PM

      Thanks for sharing your perspective. I lived in West Virginia for several years before moving back to Virginia and still find myself defending WV against the ignorant stereotypes of people who have never stepped foot in the state. After reading several of your posts you've got to be the same Dave Simard I went to school with in Ravenswood.

    • Posted By: MarilynManchinWV @ 03/04/2009 11:25:01 PM

      Thanks. Amazing. Are you related to Pete?

      • Posted By: Dave Simard @ 03/05/2009 5:46:50 PM

        Yes, Peet's my older brother.

  • Posted By: wvublows @ 02/27/2009 3:34:22 PM

    Well, have you ever been to West Virginia? I think the article is spot on. When some places do not accept credit cards, it's like stepping back 25 years. As far as a toothless population goes, the article stated anyone with a degree, higher education, or two working brain hemispheres leaves the second they have a license.

    • Posted By: flipdog4 @ 05/01/2009 10:01:42 PM

      I moved to wv in middle school and I am pretty sure I have a working brain. I am starting high school next year and the school system here is far better than the one I would have went to if I would have stayed in Ill. My dad is a scientist, so I think that shows that yes there are people that are intelligent in this state!

  • Posted By: FrederickF @ 03/30/2009 11:39:08 PM

    Ma'am, regarding your note below addressing slick-Joe the WV Governor, you are exactly right on target.

    Posted By: Kristin H. @ 03/15/2009 3:59:00 PM
    Oh Joe darlin' you have far bigger fish to fry in your own backyard. If you want outsiders to start changing their perceptions of West Virginians, then start raising the standard of living for West Virginians across the board. As the wife of one of your highly educated residents, I will gladly take time out from packing for our move out of the state to educate you on where you need to start.

  • Posted By: stanfield @ 03/19/2009 9:59:11 PM

    You say you're from Virginia, but I doubt it. Must be a grad of the University of Southern West Virginia at Blacksburg. Or somebody with no sense of humor. The reason this came up, Mr. WV-Holy-Roller, is whining from WV that their feelings were hurt because of student pranks at football halftime and this gives WV an excuse for being such a basket case. Get some oxygen, pal. WV is a basket case without any help from UVA. As to the facts: UVA is among the top universities in the country. Period. There are several other universities in Virginia that also rank among the top in the country (WIlliam & Mary, University of Richmond come to mind). BUT -- here come those pesky facts again -- WV does not have one -- let me repeat that so even a Hokie can understand -- not one such school in West Virginia, not even in the mediocre category. Did you see the $340 million that Robert Byrd has spent out of our tax dollars for so-called "Corridor H" that goes from absolutely nowhere to absolutely nowhere? That's WV, addicted to the $3.6 billion of Pure Pork that Sen. Byrd has sucked out of the nation's taxes to pay for naming every outhouse after himself. I think every football halftime show in the country should be making fun of these people.

    • Posted By: lifetime learner @ 03/20/2009 4:54:19 PM

      Not only am I from Virginia, I was born in the University of Virginia hospital. I also have had a large hand in building well over half the huge complexes and high voltage systems at the University of Virginia in my 33 years drawing the prints for, and actually building, these electrical systems- for many of the most presigious of the hallowed structures at UVA. I was the electrical superintendent on the JPJ Arena, Scott Stadium, the Law School, and on and on and on. When I hear arrogant, spoiled jerks- such as yourself- ragging on people that have not had near the opportunities you have had in life, it is very disappointing at best. The original discussion was about West Virginia as a whole, not just the colleges and universities.
      Why don't you take you spoiled butt to West Virginia and objectively take in all it has to offer before you spew your garbage about something you know next to nothing about. All that does is make Virginia look bad. I love both wonderful states and enjoy a great deal that both have to offer. I would suggest you do the same instead of prattling about this bill in Congress, that college rating system, and any other nonsensical statistic that no one cares about except the arrogant rich.
      I find no humor in your hurtful and ignorant comments. Neither do 90% of the other people posting here. It's so safe to run your mouth when you do not have to face the people you mock....

      • Posted By: RedCardinal @ 03/30/2009 2:45:41 AM

        You should have taken English in high school. The word is pretigious. But that doesn't make you prestigious. Are you the guy responsible for that big outage on the campus a few years ago? Nice work! Maybe you got your pointy head stuck in a socket. As far as WV, maybe you should try the facts. Well documented. Published. Facts. WV is #50 in business. At the bottom of the heap in health and social development. Got one of the worst records for political corruption (that's tough these days) in the country. Doesn't have one college or university of distinction. And the list goes on. Funny that as a "lifelong learner" you haven't read that before. So who's "ignorant," pal? Feel free to go blow fuses at WVU in Morgantown.

        • Posted By: lifetime learner @ 03/30/2009 12:12:22 PM

          Funny how weak people are so brave on computer posts, but never if they actually have to face you. Grow up you little twit...
          Please let me know what building you occupy in C'ville. Maybe I can arrange a longer power outage just for you. I am sure it would stay out as you would have no idea how to change a fuse. Ha!Ha!
          Red Cardinal, once again, keep an open mind about West VA and try out some of the wonderful things it has to offer. Your mind will change if you do.
          Moving on to new topics...

          • Posted By: FrederickF @ 03/30/2009 11:24:30 PM

            Just came by this "discussion" and observed this abusive, threatening chest-thumping by someone called "Mr. Lifetime Learner." My suggestion to the person that "Mr. Lifetime Learner" is threatening here is to laugh him off, or offer to meet him tomorrow at the Charlottesville Police Station. As to the topic of the article, I lived 4 years in WV on assignment and can attest that it is the least developed and least appealing place for business I've ever been, including overseas. There are some good people, as there are anywhere, but mainly it is a rat's nest of political corruption, public incompetence and social decline. Those are simply the sad facts and will remain so until there is a massive change in the political and education systems. Perhaps anyone interested in the facts will look at the recent commentary in the Wheeling newspapers with many comments from WV natives who are decrying the corruption of Governor Manchin and WVU, including granting a fake MBA to the governor's daughter. As to "Mr. Lifetime Learner's" knuckle-dragging comments and male testosterone poisoning, his threats here are an example of the thuggish mindset that keeps WV at the bottom of the fish tank.

      • Posted By: RedCardinal @ 03/30/2009 2:49:55 AM

        Oops, wait a minute. For somebody all full of electricity and jealous of new UVA grads making as much as you did after 33 years, the word is "prus-tee-jus."

        • Posted By: lifetime learner @ 03/30/2009 12:04:53 PM

          Whatever (MSEE, but not at UVA)...If you saw what running large construction work presently pays, something else on you would be red besides your cardinal...Ha!Ha!Ha! For the last time-- to all of you that have not actually spent some time in West Va- go check it out and keep an open mind. I think you will be glad you did. I know my mind changed to the point that I have completely bought into it. A great place with great people.
          We have exhausted this topic already for now. I'm moving on...

  • Posted By: HippieChar @ 03/25/2009 5:54:58 PM

    The next time you send your Mother flowers on Mother's Day, you can thank a West Virginia mother for that privilege. I've followed the responses of people from all walks of life, the main thing they have put forth, is that they are a proud and good people. We always have been and will always be, regardless of the opinion of the biased people in this country. Come to West Virginia and see for yourselves what we are like.

  • Posted By: WVlife @ 03/25/2009 8:23:36 AM

    It is clear that this biased journalist feels the same way about WV as all of the palaver that we hear about our state. He did not have anything favorable to say in his article to give WV any positive perspective.. I am not blind to the fact that there are impoverished areas & backwards thinkers, but I have seen that in most states that I have visited. My spouse & I have commented several times during our travels that "they have no right to talk about WV". We have seen unkempt individuals, decrepit cars on the roads, tiny, dilapidated homes, trash dumps by rivers, & also wondered where the local people work.
    Of all the inferior talk about WV, do people realize that lots of retirees WANT to move here to slow down after they've completed their stressful duties?
    Instead of constantly belittling this state, which is part of the UNITED STATES, maybe people could give WV some ideas or suggestions on how to rise above poverty. Our president has requested suggestions on how to bring America out of recession, so why not get those "open-minded" people that should be above belittling others give our state some suggestions. Take your great ideas right to our governor!
    Maybe West Virginia needs to get away from democratic rule. We have let the democrats run this state for MANY years & look where we're at! Think about that, America!

  • Posted By: Highlandersfilm @ 03/06/2009 1:16:15 PM

    Well if West Virginians behave like civilized people instead of foolish ignorant "hillbillies," well there will be nothing said about the state. The reason why people make fun of West Virginia isn't so much about income status, it's in result of the citizens foolish and idiotic behavior that gives the state of West Virginia a bad name.

    For example, when current University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez who coached seven years at his alma mater West Virginia University decided to take the Michigan Head Coaching position Instead of congratulating Coach Rodriguez for his success as head coach of West Virginia, many West Virginia natives were outraged about his departure and lashed out unnecessary threats towards Coach Rodriguez, members of his family, and the University of Michigan Football program for excepting the position as head coach.

    As a native of the Blacksburg, Va area which is home to Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech athletes and fans have has their share of behavior problems involving citizens of the state of West Virginia, especially in Morgantown which is home to West Virginia University. There's been numerous cases involving West Virginia University fans using extreme violence towards Virginia Tech athletes and fans at sporting events in Morgantown, WV.

    Also, most Virginians as well other residents from other states highly disapprove on the "so-called success" that Governor Joe Manchin making. I really don't think that he would be qualified to run for a political position in another state other than West Virginia. I think that he needs to change his own reputation towards others first before changing the state.

    • Posted By: Dave Simard @ 03/06/2009 6:40:23 PM

      Oh my. Football fans behaving rudely? Somehow this is news? Somehow this is emblematic of the "West Virginia Problem" that other fine, upstanding citizens of other states must endure? The shame, the horror of it all. Consider this sweetpea - sports fans the world over are notorious for their rude, often violent behavior toward the fans of opposing teams. I was in Paris during World Cup '98 and the whole city was like a tribal warzone, and I doubt there was more than a few if any West Virginians present. Furthermore, having gone to school in Virginia for about 4 years, and having visited Blacksburg, I find it odd that you're one to slam another state. Virginia has a thriving population of backward thinking and living rednecks who have few qualms about lashing out violently toward people that they perceive to be outsiders ("you ain't from 'round here boy"). Not to mention that Virginia is home to Falwell's Lynchburg "Christian" Academy, a school that my school regularly competed against - and usually beat mercilessly - in sports. The thing about LCA was that there was no sense of fairplay or sportsmanship, they played like they hated you. But hey, at least they weren't West Virginians, so I guess the Virginia brand of hate and malevolence is a better class of hate and malevolence.

      Perhaps you too have that lingering inferiority complex common to unfortunately too many southerners about having your prized racist confederacy defeated, and you resent West Virginia because it was born as a state because the populace wisely decided that they had no stake in the southern state's confederate fantasy. Boo hoo.

      Perhaps you ought to deal with your own state's redneck problem before you address what you perceive to be anothers redneck problem. I've lived in more than a few places in this country, and I know from experience that there are plenty of backward rednecks scattered all over. You think WV is bad? Try Idaho. Or better yet, look in your own backyard.

      • Posted By: N.B. Forrest @ 03/07/2009 2:09:21 AM

        "Perhaps you too have that lingering inferiority complex common to unfortunately too many southerners about having your prized racist confederacy defeated, and you resent West Virginia because it was born as a state because the populace wisely decided that they had no stake in the southern state's confederate fantasy. Boo hoo."

        Whoa there, skippy. I agree with much of what you say, but here methinks you o'erstep the mark. Spare me the holier-than-thou posturing: West Virginians are no less "racist" than other Southerners (or any other category of people, for that matter). The didn't join the Union because they just wuvved the negro (neither did other Yanks); no, they split off from the Old Dominion simply because as poor subsistence farmer mountaineers, they had no financial interest in slavery, and understandably resented the Tidewater planter "aristocracy" who ran the show.

        The root cause of the Civil War was the root cause of most of the wars and other political crises in history: MONEY. The Southern planters wanted to keep the cheap labor slave party going because it allowed them to enjoy juleps on the verandahs of their fine mansions (at the expense of poor Southern whites); Lincoln and the Yank industrialist hypocrites wanted to keep the tariff (at the expense of poor Southern whites) while working hungry kids to death for a pittance in their factories. The exact same sort money-worshiping scum have ruined today's economy with their globaloney and their open borders, which floods the country with the wetback peons that drive the wages of Americans down.

        • Posted By: mingohills @ 03/11/2009 11:11:35 AM

          As a native West Virginian, this issue is a complicated mess of opinions, stereotypes, and over reactions. West Virginia, like many places, is full of very articulate people and at the same time very ignorant people. Well spoken or illiterate, most people in West Virginia are wonderful good people. Community and neighbors trump all bigotry. The same guy that says, "I hate ________." will be the first one to lend a helping hand when there is someone in need, no matter the race, sexual orientation, etc. I wish the urbanites would understand how closely connected inner city slums are to the dregs of Appalachia. From every bad welfare stereotype to the real faces of poverty, lack of solid education, poor medical care and localized violence, poverty, at its core is universal. Mr. Manchin's biggest problem is that his tact is one that inevitably leads to a perpetuation of the stereotypes. "Open for Business?" The mountain state has been open for business for a very long time. It is just that those opening the door were NE coal tycoons and loggers. I have to correct your take on the Civil War. West Virginia was a pawn for Lincoln's war strategy. West Virginia had at least two major armories and possessed the major railroad interchanges along the Appalachian Mountains. We ceded from an illegal "State of Virginia" (Virginia is a Commonwealth). It was conceived by the will of the people. As the article points out, the people of West Virginia were and continue to be an isolated group, that only recently has cared for much contact with the "outside" world. Even at our roots, West Virginia was a convenient territory for exploitation of resources. If Manchin is ever going to make a difference, he should focus on building a home grown economy created from the ideas and minds of West Virginians.

          • Posted By: N.B. Forrest @ 03/22/2009 4:49:01 AM

            There is no legal distinction between a "state" and a "commonwealth": The "commonwealth" of Virginia adopted that term because its original meaning was "rule by the people" - rather than by kings like George III. They wanted to drive that point home.

            If the people of the then-new entity of West Virginia wanted to all get riled-up about illegal actions, they should've saved their rage for the U.S. gooberment and the "Restored State of Virginia" (the cabal whose machinations led to the creation of West Virginia). Article 4, section 3 of the Federal Constitution provides that "no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislature of the states concerned, as well as of the congress."

            Dishonest Abe put the kibosh on that with the fine legal argument that issues from the cannon muzzle.

          • Posted By: bpauley77 @ 03/13/2009 5:05:23 PM

            I agree with you, and thank you for not making this a sports issue. West Virginia needs to quit relying on caol and broaden our economy. Coal companies have held us hostage for too long and we need more opportuniites other than caol mining and walmart.

      • Posted By: GoHoos @ 03/17/2009 2:51:03 PM

        Well, as a UVA grad, you can't blame us for having a sense of humor about a state that has earned its reputation. College kids are famous for stripping away pretensions. And frankly, Virginia Tech, home of the shooting-people-in-the-head halftime show and the Michael Vick school of veterinary medicine, is only a few notches up. But even Tech doesn't rate in the same bottom-of-the-barrel with WV schools. Take a look at the facts. Not one - NOT ONE - single college or university in WV ranks in the top half of the nation. In every category, except for being dirt cheap (they call that the "value" pitch in the sales biz), WVU, Marshall and all the rest rate very low and draw the kind of alleged "students" who behave the way WVU "students" behave. Just for reference, the University of Virginia rates in the top tier in national rankings, and some programs are in the Top 10 in the Nation. Virginia Tech is lower, and their foreheads bulge, but at least the hokey Hokies don't have their knuckles dragging on the ground like "some places." Out of 1,400 colleges measured by US News -- University of Virginia (35% acceptance rate) is tied with Georgetown University as #23 in the country. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where Rodriguez fled is #26. By the way, it's much harder to get football goons at schools that actually require a third-grade reading level. Virginia Tech slouches along at # 71 (67% acceptance rate). WVU (89.5% acceptance rate) receives no numeric rank among the top 130 but falls way down somewhere in "Tier 3." No other WV school is listed in the national universities. Next year at half-time, even if we don't play WVU, we would like to present a an Honorary WVU PhD to the Governor's Daughter in any subject she can spell. We'd like Joe Manchin to attend and sing the song when she gets here WVU PhD crown and roses ... "There she is, Misc-ellaneous ... "

        • Posted By: lifetime learner @ 03/17/2009 5:50:17 PM

          From one Virginian to another, your caustic statements- as presented here- make you look like a real idiot, UVA grad or not. Your statements ooze with arrogance, something I know for a fact is not taught at UVA. The last time I checked, excellent work was done at UVA, WVU, and VT. The work ethic of the vast majority of Virginians, either of the old or west brand, is excellent. Do not slam those you do not know of first hand. It has a way of coming home to you....

    • Posted By: Caspianzagros @ 03/13/2009 8:22:16 AM

      Though I whole heartedly agree with your assessment of the Coach Rodriguez situation, some outspoken fans behavior was deplorable, I believe the use of Virginia Tech's athletes having had problems with West Virginia citizens is out of character. Having attended WVU-Va Tech games in Blacksburg and Morgantown I saw very little difference in the treatment of fans on either side. And we are all familiar with the actions of Va Tech athletes ala the Vick brothers.

      • Posted By: jstan814 @ 03/16/2009 12:39:03 AM

        To civilized people in MD and VA, the behavior of WVU students is legendary and deplorable. Making death threats against the former coach's family is just an example of the kind of culture in the state. By the way, Rodriguez was only one of a whole string of coaches who have left WVU under Gov. Manchin's old buddy as athletic director. Then they get a coach who had been fired from the Virginia Military Institute for using the "N" word in his so-called coaching. But all that pales behind the deep-rooted political corruption in the state that keeps a few people like Manchin, Byrd and others at the top of the heap, while leaving the rest of the state so poor that you have to have a Force 5 Hurricane called Katrina to temporarly know Louisiana even lower. But, of course, the next year and every one since, WV is back at dead-last #50 and future growth prospects are #50. Even though it's right next door to the #1 state for business in the U.S. -- Virginia. Take a look at www.reformwv.com/ for the lengthy book describing "the sordid and continuing history of political corruption in West Virginia." Which is why pretty-boy Manchin insisted on appointing a totally incompetent president of WVU, despite the faculty senate voting overwhelmingly against him. Then in a national scandal in higher education, Manchin's "boy" had to resign, partly for overseeing the award of an unearned MBA to Machin's daughter. Sure, there are some nice people in WV here and there, just like there are anywhere. But despite Senator Byrd who has rigged federal pork for the state for decades and Senator Rockefeller who's so rich it's hard to count (and family interests own mineral rights all over the state), WV is an ongoing basket case.

    • Posted By: tuorps @ 03/06/2009 2:06:08 PM

      Well said! My son and his wife went to Morgantown to watch a game and as they parked their car(with Va.tags) they were spit on by WVU students and their car was spit on. They had planned on staying with friends that night in Morgantown but after being treated so rudely, they drove home.
      The actions of the people speak for themselves.

      • Posted By: wvmom @ 03/10/2009 9:24:13 AM

        I lived in Morgantown for a couple of years, but never attended a football game. When asked why, I always repled "Because I value my life." The wonderful people who make Morgantown their home do not in any way support or condone the rude and destructive behavior of the college students that give WVU such an indecent reputation. The school itself has much to offer, and the community of Morgantown was a very enjoyable and scenic place to live. Please accept my apologies to your family from a non native West Virginian, who has come to love everything that is good, wild and wonderful about this much maligned and misunderstood state of our United States

    • Posted By: sgk1212 @ 03/10/2009 12:54:55 AM

      It wasn't the fact that Rodriguez left WVU, it was the way he left. After he emphatically stating that he was staying, he sent his graduate assistant down to the AD's office to tell him he was leaving. You need to understand the facts. Regarding the governor, you seem to think professional politicians have some sense of decency and scruples. Manchin is no different from any others. Get in touch with reality!

    • Posted By: johnson6 @ 03/08/2009 9:56:19 PM

      I can tell you didn't attend any ot the colleges in either state. Coach Rodriiquez didn't "except" the position of head coach, he"ACCEPTED" this position. He also forgot his balance due on his contract. Oh! Just another minor error!!! Maybe he overlooked that part of his contract due to an error in spelling of HIS contract!!!!

    • Posted By: sinjin79 @ 03/06/2009 3:36:06 PM

      Highalndersfilm

      Your reference to Coach Rodriguez is not supported. You obviously don't know the details that led up to that ugly departure and ongoing bitter feelings among fans. Or you purposely chose to ignore them.
      Though I live in WV, I am a Marshall University fan that witnessed first hand Rodriguez go back on his word and make backroom deals that were in violation of his contract. Obviously a federal court understood this very thing as it ordered Rodriguez to pay WVU millions in damages.
      Your misrepresentation of this one incident is exactly what is wrong with this article....foundless acusations and reporting that are not based on anything other than rumor and stereotypes.
      Oh, and as for being treated poorly at a WVU game, Marshall fans have suffered the same fate in past years but most of it came from college students who are not even from WV! This past season we were treated very well in Morgantown.

  • Posted By: stanfield @ 03/19/2009 9:56:20 PM

    You say you're from Virginia, but I doubt it. Must be a grad of the University of Southern West Virginia at Blacksburg. Or somebody with no sense of humor. The reason this came up, Mr. Holy-Roller, is whining from WV that their feelings were hurt because of student pranks at football halftime and this gives WV an excuse for being such a basket case. Get some oxygen, pal. WV is a basket case without any help from UVA. As to the facts: UVA is among the top universities in the country. Period. There are several other universities in Virginia that also rank among the top in the country (WIlliam & Mary, University of Richmond come to mind). BUT -- here come those pesky facts again -- WV does not have one -- let me repeat that so even a Hokie can understand -- not one such school in West Virginia, not even in the mediocre category. Did you see the $340 million that Robert Byrd has spent out of our tax dollars for so-called "Corridor H" that goes from absolutely nowhere to absolutely nowhere. That's WV, addicted to the $3.6 billion of Pure Pork that Sen. Byrd has sucked out of the nation's taxes to pay for naming every outhouse after himself. I think every football halftime show in the country should be making fun of these people.

  • Posted By: geminidaisy @ 03/16/2009 10:07:27 AM

    As someone raised in the coal fields of Boone County and a graduate of Marshall University this is an ongoing issue that those like me face in the Professional/Business world. It is frustrating that we cannot be judged by our efforts and merits. However I do understand that it is, unfortunately human nature to judge and sterotype. My hope is that those outside will see that there are some West Virginians who have broken the "stereotypical mold".

  • Posted By: jstan814 @ 03/16/2009 12:19:40 AM

    Sorry, but it's not "image." Every year, WV is at the bottom in business, jobs and economy. It's near the bottom in social indicators like poverty, obesity, child health and education. All this, despite Sen. Byrd delivering decades of federal "pork." WV's reputation for political corruption is legendary, including a book on Amazon described at www.reformwv.com. The Governor's hand-picked president for WVU turned into a disgrace in the "Chronicle of Higher Education" for giving the Governor's daughter an unearned MBA degree. People in southwest WV, where my family began, still live in conditions worse than some underdeveloped countries. Annual studies show that WV has less economic freedom than some former Soviet Republics, despite being right next door to two of the top States in the country, VA and MD. That's why so many leave the state for a job. The WV "image" will stay the same till the WV "reality" changes. West Virginians deserve better.

  • Posted By: Kristin H. @ 03/15/2009 3:59:00 PM

    Oh Joe darlin' you have far bigger fish to fry in your own backyard. If you want outsiders to start changing their perceptions of West Virginians, then start raising the standard of living for West Virginians across the board. As the wife of one of your highly educated residents, I will gladly take time out from packing for our move out of the state to educate you on where you need to start.

  • Posted By: morpheus282 @ 03/13/2009 5:18:10 PM

    "The annual Road Kill Cook-Off in Pocahontas"... "Are they still running that s????????? down south?"

    The cook-off is held in Pocahontas county, which is due EAST of Charleston. Either Manchin was somewhere in the northern part of the state when this conversation occured, he's not familiar with his own state, or he was confused with the town of Pocahontas (which is in VA, not WV!)

  • Posted By: sinjin79 @ 03/05/2009 4:28:32 PM

    I am a resident of WV, living in a suburb 10 miles north of Charleston. Our family just moved into a new home in a new subdivision. I have been able to obtain a masters degree and live and work in WV. Some reasons WV is great to me:

    a) WV enjoys all four seasons. Nice.
    b) I can drive to Cincy, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Charlotte or Columbus in 4 hrs or less. Sweet.
    c) Taxes are relatively cheap.
    d) Chas./ Huntington airports are not huge but provide direct flights to D.C., Cleveland, New York, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta and Florida!
    e) WV is a great place to raise a family.
    f) There is a proportionately great amount of generous people living here.
    g) Being an ???Energy State??? has helped shield WV from many economic woes.
    h) Real Estate markets remain pretty steady in WV.
    i) Low crime rates.
    j) Great since of ???Community???.
    k) Good schools. WV spends more per capita on education than most states.
    l) Outdoor recreation is endless and close by.
    m) Opportunity to get involved in community and state government is easier.
    n) WV has some of the best and most bell-weather support systems for small business in the US.
    o) WV is a beautiful state. Breathtaking at times.

    Unhealthy citizens? Most people I come in contact with daily are fit and well-kept.
    I guess that???s relative to the circle you associate with.
    Remember that the World???s Strongest Man, Phil Pfister, lives here in Charleston, WV.

    Are there problems in WV? Of course.
    However for me the good points far outweigh the negatives. It???s a state on the move.

    • Posted By: mjmm70 @ 03/12/2009 10:19:04 AM

      small point, but I would think with a Master's Degree you could spell the word, "sense."

      • Posted By: tuorps @ 03/12/2009 8:47:55 PM

        And use the word correctly!

  • Posted By: mjmm70 @ 03/12/2009 10:01:08 AM

    I am an outsider currently residing in West Virginia near the Huntington area. I find the trash and litter appalling. The people here throw out old furniture and appliances and dump them by river banks and road sides. Gov. Manchin has a long way to go before he can change the attitudes that will allow them to marr the landscape with their own trash and filth.

  • Posted By: meepy04 @ 03/05/2009 12:04:07 AM

    Swampfox, I'm not sure what streams you were crossing without bridges in Huntington. I lived there for twenty years, and never encountered any such thing. I was born and raised in Huntington and have found it to be very similar to any other city of about 50,000 people. Swampfox, did you ever consider that people are receiving aid because there is not always a wealth of well-paying jobs in the state? I don't think you have any idea about the work ethic people have. I am social worker, and work with many families where each parent is holding down several jobs while still managing to go to school. Impoverished people work harder than you know.

    • Posted By: d'think @ 03/11/2009 3:16:38 PM

      I agree that impoverished people work harder than most of us know, meepy. My mother is a Title One teacher (in West Virginia) and she's seen families accomplish incredible things over the years with very little means or support. That said - have you been to Huntington lately? The drug and crime rate are skyrocketing, and driving through the streets is just sad....for one thing the streets are horribly torn up and poorly maintained, and there are so many decrepit and shuttered buildings. Twenty and even ten years ago, Huntington was okay....but now, it's just miserable.

  • Posted By: d'think @ 03/11/2009 2:56:50 PM

    There are well-educated, open-minded people in West Virginia - but they're a small minority. While most of the state's residents are truly good people, a lot of them are stuck in their ways of thinking and being, and have few ways out. I lived there for years and was felt like I was in a small dark hole with precious little light. Good luck to Manchin and everyone else who is trying to open up the state and bring more opportunities there. If things change measurably, maybe some people will stay and others will come back. But for me, I'm just so grateful my husband and I got out, and God willing we'll spend our lives and raise our children in a place where hope is alive.

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