Blankenship threatens ABC producer

That 70's Employee · Post by **That 70's Employee** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:00 am

Thursday, April 03, 2008
Schmuck Alert: Don Blankenship

What is it with energy company bosses and news crew molestation? First, Veilleux Oil owner Nick Curro slammed his vehicle into a WGME live truck and then proved himself a lousy actor AND NOW the chairman of one of the country's biggest coal mining companies manhandles an ABC producer's handycam. "If you're going to start taking pictures of me, you're liable to get shot," Don Blankenship of Massey Energy reportedly told the ABC producer just before twisting the viewfinder and breaking the microphone off of the DV cam. Seems Blankenship was tired of answering questions about his sordid relationship with the West Virginia Supreme Court. With photos now emerging that show Blankenship kickin' back on the French Riviera with a state Supreme Court Chief, it's only understandable that the coal boss wants to kill the canary that wouldn't shut-up. Despite the best efforts of Blankenship's beefy mitts, the tape was not damaged and allegedly shows the camera operator identifying himself, only to be assaulted by this apparent pillar of society. Producers will include the footage in the ABC News report Monday, whereupon America will likely surmise that - corporate impropriety or not - Don Blankenship is indeed a Schmuck.

genlock · Post by **genlock** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:03 am

News producers are schmucks.
Taunting and provoking.

cgarison · Post by **cgarison** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:55 am

That 70's Employee wrote:Thursday, April 03, 2008
Schmuck Alert: Don Blankenship

What is it with energy company bosses and news crew molestation? First, Veilleux Oil owner Nick Curro slammed his vehicle into a WGME live truck and then proved himself a lousy actor AND NOW the chairman of one of the country's biggest coal mining companies manhandles an ABC producer's handycam. "If you're going to start taking pictures of me, you're liable to get shot," Don Blankenship of Massey Energy reportedly told the ABC producer just before twisting the viewfinder and breaking the microphone off of the DV cam. Seems Blankenship was tired of answering questions about his sordid relationship with the West Virginia Supreme Court. With photos now emerging that show Blankenship kickin' back on the French Riviera with a state Supreme Court Chief, it's only understandable that the coal boss wants to kill the canary that wouldn't shut-up. Despite the best efforts of Blankenship's beefy mitts, the tape was not damaged and allegedly shows the camera operator identifying himself, only to be assaulted by this apparent pillar of society. Producers will include the footage in the ABC News report Monday, whereupon America will likely surmise that - corporate impropriety or not - Don Blankenship is indeed a Schmuck.

No, Don is not a schmuck. Well, maybe he is a schmuck, but he does not use vulgar language like this reporter claims.

I worked at Massey and was with Mr. Blankenship in meetings a few times and he is a gentleman that can make you feel very small with the softest of voice and gentlest of language.

ABC News should have the guts to play the tape instead of lying on a blog.

CoolBreeze · Post by **CoolBreeze** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:40 pm

I agree. I've been his personal guest and nothing close to anger was displayed when we discussed the most egregious of topics to him.

Dave Allen · Post by **Dave Allen** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:59 am

In numerous dealings with him on and off air I can tell you he is never been anything but a super nice guy...of course I work for a very pro-coal company in a very pro-coal area.

genlock · Post by **genlock** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:04 am

I have never worked with or met Mr Blankenship, but I have worked with and met TV producers. TV producers can be pushy, lying assholes.

jag · Post by **jag** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:36 pm

"If you're going to start taking pictures of me, you're liable to get shot," Don Blankenship of Massey Energy reportedly told the ABC producer just before twisting the viewfinder and breaking the microphone off of the DV cam.

Just wondering...shouldn't that be "likely" instead of "liable?"

nuggie99 · Post by **nuggie99** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:21 pm

jag wrote:
"If you're going to start taking pictures of me, you're liable to get shot," Don Blankenship of Massey Energy reportedly told the ABC producer just before twisting the viewfinder and breaking the microphone off of the DV cam.
Just wondering...shouldn't that be "likely" instead of "liable?"

Liable is accepted.

www.merriam-webster.com wrote:usage Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.

Dr. Whiplash · Post by **Dr. Whiplash** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:32 pm

daveinthemorning wrote:In numerous dealings with him on and off air I can tell you he is never been anything but a super nice guy...of course I work for a very pro-coal company in a very pro-coal area.

At the risk of sounding Hallburnesque, most "important people" I've met in radio had it together and kept in mind the common good as they perceived it. From the comments of you guys who have met him, Blankenship sounds like a standup guy.

Two extremes from my experience: Ted Strickland - standup guy.

Alan Mollohan - not at all.

If you ask Al if the sun sets in the west, he has to think about how to answer that.

Dave Allen · Post by **Dave Allen** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:39 am

I'll tell you a quick story on something I witnessed last year that shows that some TV (and I guess radio people) deserved to be treated badly. There was a murder verdict about to be read in a Logan County courtroom. Our news guy was out so they asked me to go over and hear the verdict and write a story. A large crowd was gathered outside the courtroom when a reporter and camera man from one of the Charleston/Huntington stations came and and proceeded towards the courtroom to set up their shit. The baliff informed them that cameras were not allowed in the courtroom. The report said he had permission from the judge and attempted to walk by the baliff. The baliff again told him no, and again the reported tried to walk by the baliff. The baliff told him that if he did that again that he would be forced to leave or to go to jail for contempt. The reporter then looked around to the crowd, but got no support from anyone there. My basic philosophy has always been the guy who has the badge and the gun wins the argument every time. I was hoping the baliff would kick his ass, personally.

genlock · Post by **genlock** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:17 am

Billy Brennan verdict?

Dave Allen · Post by **Dave Allen** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:34 am

Yeah.

genlock · Post by **genlock** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:43 am

I knew Billy Brennan Sr.
The apple did not fall far from the tree.

MediaDude · Post by **MediaDude** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:59 pm

The video is out. Blankenship grabbed the camera and should be arrested. Parking lots are fair game. Because the public is routinely allowed entry, reporters are also allowed. Blankenship should know this.

Lester · Post by **Lester** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:35 am

I THOUGHT this whining looked familiar.

Mark - Your old account still works, feel free to log in an use it whenever you're ready. If you don't remember your password, feel free to use the "Lost Password" link. I've updated it with you most recent email address.

Big Media · Post by **Big Media** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:25 am

Dude.. ixnay. Pay no attention to the man behind the fake name.

[/one to talk]

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