Different Mine - Same Story.......

[global1]

It's almost like there is a common story that's told when we hear about a mine disaster like this one.

Mine cited for numerous violations.
We're holding out hope for these last few guys that could still be alive.
None of the families know who they might be - so they are all pulling together.
These guys are hero's doing the work to make energy for the American people.
We believe in safety first for the rescuers. (Yet they don't believe in safety first for those that are the victims)
High build-up of methane gas. (Yet they never have enough ventilation to prevent it from happening in the first place)

You get the governor on TV - talking real sad and saying those trite phrases.

But nothing ever gets corrected. The mines keep violating the rules and taking advantage of these people - that have no other opportunities but to work in a mine.

I'm sorry - but listening to the news coverage of this disaster is like a rerun of previous ones.

Then we have investigations. New rules promulgated. Until the next mine disaster - and we hear the same stories again.

[WVRICK13]

1. Massey Energy

owns the politicians of West Virginia. They influence all of our state elections and knowingly ignore safety issues because they know they will not receive a real fine. I'll say it again, West Virginia is a banana republic or more specifically a coal republic. My heart breaks for the families and the miners who are forced to work in such unsafe conditions. These folks are hard working, salt of the earth kind of people who only want to feed their families. Don Blankenship needs to be held liable for this disaster.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Outta Sight, Outta Mind...

When we have a disaster like this (memories of the Utah mine collapse and our "pal" Arnold Murray a couple years ago), the corporate media swoops in...nothing gets eyeballs and ratings as people in total distress facing a hopeless disaster. They ask questions and make the politicians and mine owners squirm for a few days, then the "next big thing" comes along, the media scampers off and it's back to where things were...those who are suffering are left to do so alone and the causes of the accident is always swept under the rug.

Part of the reason is big coal is a big spender...as noted in your post, they own most the politicians but also own the corporate media and they have the ability to buy their way out of any bad publicity. Since most of the victims are poor and generally poorly educated, the image is that mine always collapse and that somehow this is their "way of life" and are "used to it".

Look for yet another whitewash...the greed of the mine owners are painted as the victims and the poor miners and their families...well "that's progress..."

[global1]

7. One Other Observation About Mines & Mine Owners......

they don't hesitate spending big bucks on machines that extract coal from the mine efficiently and fast. They don't however spend comparable amounts of money on safety for the mine workers or for drills that can drill methane gas relieving holes efficiently and fast. I recall I heard how fast and how much coal they can mine from a mine in a short period of time. I just remember it was a large amount removed from the mine in as short a time as possible. On the other hand when it comes to drilling holes to reach the miners or to relieve the methane gas so as to make it safer for the miners and the search and recovery teams - it seems that it takes days to get the holes drilled.

I heard somebody on the radio say - because of the SCOTUS ruling that a corporation be considered as a person - that they should treat the corporation as a person when they break the rules, endanger people or kill people because of mismanagement or negligence. A person would be jailed. The corporation should be forced to close. Maybe if corps had this threat hanging over them - they might treat their employees better.

[tularetom]

3. Gov. was just on - he sounded like a shill for the mine owners

Mentioned a couple of the dead miners had good jobs elsewhere but came back to be with their families and because they wanted to work in that mine.

When he was pressed about all the violations racked up by that mine he mealy mouthed and tried to change the subject.

Although he is apparently a Democrat, he didn't impress me as a person with much courage or integrity.

[rurallib]

4. Was Massey the one that bought that judge in the case that went to the SCOTUS?

and even SCOTUS said that was out of bounds.

[stray cat]

5. Isn't fishing one of the most dangerous professions?

[hootinholler]

6. Yep and it will continue while fines are less expensive than lives

Until that equation changes, this will be a recurring story. Expect more as the unions are pushed out.

-Hoot