It's been two years today since I first met you at one of your "Open House" divide & conquer brain-washing sessions. I knew I despised you from the minute I walked into the room, and my loathing for you has only grown stronger over time.
To hear Jay Ruberto callously describe how he was going to "buy out" the homes of my neighbors in order to make room for his transmission line was disgusting. To make him repeat it in front of my retired, widowed neighbor who owns one of those houses and see her burst into tears was repugnant. PATH could have saved themselves a lot of trouble -- I was very explicit with my comment that Ruberto's Machiavellian scheme was NOT going to happen. And, it didn't. Ah, good times!
However, my neighbor was quickly replaced with other shocked, angry, bewildered and, yes, at times tearful landowners from another part of Jefferson County. I will not turn my back on them either. PATH is still NOT going to happen. Give up.
I've learned so many things that are completely useless for the life I intended to live. I've learned how the electric transmission system works; I've learned about corporate greed; I've learned how FERC's rate recovery accounting system works; I've learned how to deal with the media; and I've learned enough acronyms to last me three lifetimes.
I've also made a whole bunch of new friends from Jefferson County, other parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, other states being threatened with unneeded transmission lines, and even other countries. I enjoy meeting these people and hearing their stories. Each one is unique and real -- more than a dot on a map or a name on a list. I love what I'm doing!
There are a few things I could do without however. I wouldn't miss it one bit if my friends quit looking at me with a smirk while discussing past & present strategy and saying, "I'm glad I'm on your side!". I could do without PATH's lame attempts at intimidation of the opposition. I would happily do without government corruption and stupidity. Most of all, I could ecstatically do without PATH.
Two years of my life that I'll never get back -- but definitely two years worth living.
You've got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. Can't you just die already?
Faithfully waiting for your demise,
Keryn