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Governor appoints Scott Matheson Jr. to lead state mine-safety panel

What does Huntsman know about coal mining?

So as soon as the mine collapsed and killed three rescuers the Governor insited the recovery effort be stopped, until it was 100% safe. I am wondering what exactly he is thinking when he said more can be done? As much as I disagree with Bob Murray's antics, with no response from anyone uderground how can you continue? These miners are trained to signal for help and they have not done so. Probably because they passed away as a result of the blast or shortly afterwards due to bad air. I really don't think anyone could have gotten to them in time given the situation. I totally agree that we need to look at the saftey practices and management of this mine, as well as the mining method. However, I hate blanket statements like you could have done more in the rescue effort. What do you suggest? What more could have been done to get them out? There has been no sign of life whatsoever. In the Quecreek mine, the miners signalled rescures within a mere hours. We have had no response in weeks. I truly feel for these families. We need to prevent this from happening again, because if it does and retreat mining this deep underground is going on, I fear the same result.

Shame on Governor Huntsman. Mr. Murray has been the bearer of bad news. I think he has been the bearer of honesty. I think he is much kinder to be blunt and tell it like it is than to spin tales of false home. I also think Governor Huntsman is using the mine catastrophe for political gain--I am not sure how it will play out, but I think he is pandering to the emotions at play--not to thinking things through. The Governor says no one is interested in what Mr. Murray has to say. The photographs I have seen make me think Mr. Murray is suffering his own anguish and personal hell--not because he was neglectful or to blame for the catastrophe, but because lives were lost. I would like to ask the Governor if he has any brilliant ideas about new technologies that were not tried to rescue the men. And honestly, in this day and age of instant news, if Mr. Murray himself did not suggest an available technology, I find it hard to believe that someone somewhere didn't suggest an "available technology". Maybe Mr. Murray keeps an "available technology" under his bed and just didn't want to share it. The Governor says the families have been treated unconscionably and deserve better--I would suggest the people of Utah deserve better than intimating that Mr. Murray is withholding the means to save the men or to recover their bodies. Can you imagine the outcry if Mr. Murray suggests one of these "available technologies" and there is further loss of life--My goodness, would the Governor say that the rescuers were treated unconscionably and Mr. Murry should show greater courtesy? The Governor shows compassion to the families--How about some compassion for Mr. Murray and respect for the intellect of Utahns?

I think Gov. Huntsman should understand that there are a whole lot of people who believe he bought the governorship with money and name recognition.

He should follow the cardinal rule of politicians: Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're stupid rather than open it and remove all doubt.

Murray is the shining light on the hill of Utah republican businessman; a beacon showing the value labor has to him. If it wasn't for jack booted government inspectors armed with useless government regulations, Murray would have made more money before his investment collapsed.

I am becoming more and more disappointed with the Gov. with each passing headline. He is critical here but offers no specifics. This rescue operation was the combined efforts of many experts and government agencies and personnel. To suggest the owner has not done everything possible without offering any specifics is clearly just piling on. The only idea anyone has offered is a capsule hole and not one single expert anywhere has concluded it is a reasonable possibility, not a single 'expert'. I am so disappointed with Huntsman and his following headlines and calling it leadership. Imagine the criticism if Murray had determined the mine was too unsafe for a rescue right from the start. He would have been linched, yet three more people would be alive today that aren't and there families would have been spared enormous grief. His political posturing is getting right up there with Gov. Leavitt.

What is wrong with your governor, Utah? He says to stop recovery efforts and then blames it on Mr. Murray. Sounds like he talks out of both sides of his mouth. I think Mr. Murray has done everything humanly possible. He is a Christian man and I think his words of prayer for the families and the miners are heartfelt. Only a fellow Christian would know that. Maybe your governor is not a true Christian if he does not feel the Lords Spirit when he talks with or sees Mr. Murray. How do you put a capsule down a hole when you do not know where the miners are? I know your hearts are broken families, but put some logic into your thinking. My prayers are with you.

I felt that same way until I learned that Mr. Murray refused help from outside resources until the third day of the collapse. Who knows if something else could have been done. But I don't think this is really a matter of what he's been doing after the collapse, I think it's a matter of the pre-cautions that he is responsible to take in order to keep miners as safe as possible considering the natural dangers of the job. Apparently he is a little careless in that area, his reputation seems to suggest that. Honestly, outside of the mining community, most of us haven't even heard of this guy.

I truly believe the Governor is thinking in the political mode here. Where are the technologies you speak of? Mr. Murray may have his faults but he was conducting the mining in this mine according to the permits he had from the government. Mr. Murray appears to be a down to earth man totally speaking from his heart and shaken from the events which have taken place. Come on Governor!!!

I am also bothered by blanket statements of "more could have been done" without any suggestions of WHAT should have been done. I think that it's easy in the aftermath to point fingers...as they say, "hindsight is 20/20."

Mr. Huntsman knows first hand about unconscionable treatment as he participates in it on a regular basis as he deals with the people and employees of the state of Utah.

My heart goes out to the families of the trapped miners. I can�t imagine the hellish grief they must be experiencing. However, from the media�s reporting of the rescue efforts I would wonder what more Mr. Huntsman and the families expect Mr. Murray to do.
Is Mr. Huntsman ready to enter the unstable mine to retrieve the trapped miners? Who else are the grieving families and Mr. Huntsman willing to sacrifice to bring back the trapped miners? Where was Mr. Huntsman and his heroic ideas for rescue when the mine first collapsed?

I like govenor Huntsman, but his comments are way way out of line. It is obvious he made the comments for political gain when he didn't need too. He is very popular in the state and doesn't need to stoop to the level he has by making blanket unfounded accusations toward the mine owner. I feel deeply for the familys and it is obvious by Mr. Murrays on air comments he is hurting for the miners and their families.

What new technoloy can be used when there is seismic activity inside the mine? You have to think of the rescuers safety. Look what has already happed to rescuers. If the Govenor knows of better technologg, maybee he should let those in charge of the rescue operation know about it. I have to write it one more time. Governor Huntsman is out of line with his accustions toward the mine owner.

good grief -- involve Congress! Please no. Laws can't fix everything, and often make things worse. Sometimes there is sadness that we can't fix, no matter how much how hearts are wounded.

Cheers! to Gov. Huntsman for talking straight. After weeks of grandstanding, Murray has failed to deliver on the primary commitment he made to the rescue effort. "I will not leave this mine until the men are found - dead or alive" - Bob Murray. Murray has a consistent record of pushing the boundaries of legally safe mining - choosing to pay fines instead of enacting more costly safe mining operations. To make good in the eyes of the Lord, Murray must 1) keep drilling holes until the family is satisfied, 2) allow full and open inspections of the collapsed mine, 3) apologize to America for creating a persistently hazardous working environment, 4) commit to 100% compliance with mining regulations for the balance of his career.

Did Huntsman expend any of his fortune to help with the rescue effort? That would've been more useful and a much better political move than his uninformed after-the-fact comments.

Again our headline seeking governor has not provided any meaningful ideas. He continues to make general statments about the rescue effort, Mr. Murray, yet has nothing specific to offer in any direction. If he felt the families were being poorly treating why didn't he step in behind the scenes, instead of in front of the camera, with some mighty communcation skills and calm the situation. So the Feds, company, and experts all are witholding some technology that would save the day. It just is disheartning the see a Gov. without a clear direction except following the prevaling political winds blown by today's headlines.

The efforts of all in the rescue effort have been wonderful to see. No one feels worse than the mine owner. To now start throwing blame around in hindsight is tasteless and unhelpful. The governor should say nothing of the sort, it only worsens the pain of all. I don't see anything but a great effort by all involved to rescue these poor miners. To say otherwise smacks of "scapegoating" where none should exist. This was just an unfortunate accident.

What leadership course has anyone attended where they train you that, "Placeing blame is first priority, and the earlier you can blame someone the better". It's always the opposite. The focus of skilled problem solving is not be to blame someone, you have to try your hardest to avoid focusing on blame and focus on the problem and solutions. Sometimes I think political leadership training is opposite of business/people leadership techniques. Is our Governor being a good leader in this case (throwing blame around instead of focusing on fixing the problem)?

If the Governor thinks it is his responsibility to criticise and kick Bob Murray while he is down then I think we should be asking some question of the Gov.

I could rant about what I perceive as mistakes the Governor has made in this situation, but I will take my own advice and avoid the temptation to blame and encourage everyone to focus on solutions.

one would think that with all the technology today, such as ankle bracelets, microchips, other devices could be implemented to keep track of or locate miners when cave in happens...think outside the cave , mine owners ..now watch someone steal my idea , right here in Utah but if it saves lives..I'll be blessed later. So easy a caveman could do it.

as far as i can tell everything that could be done was. i want to know what he thinks should have done,different,more or better. the rest of the world sure doesnt know.