An editorial from the Charleston Daily Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When 29 men died underground at the Upper Big Branch mine in 2010, the state of West Virginia watched and grieved.
People were saddened and outraged. They wanted to know what happened and why.
With the indictment of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, the story is nearing conclusion.
West Virginians have no less of a stake in the federal proceedings now than they had emotional investment in the fates of the miners four years ago. West Virginians still want to know what happened and why.
The gag order issued by U.S. District Judge Irene Berger, who has a well-earned reputation for being a voice of reason, is not helpful to the healing process that West Virginians deserve.
The two-page order issued right after Blankenship’s indictment goes too far in clamping down on discussion…
