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At odds: Murray says Huntsman endangers jobs

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L.G.R. | 3:49 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Lots of emotions involved, and our hearts are saddened. But why crucify Bob Murray? At this point he is wise enough to know reality; not to jeapardize more lives, and resources do have limits.
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rvalens2 | 4:07 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Governor and Mr. Murray can't we keep our eye on what is important? It is indeed unfortunate so much time and energy is wasted in accusations, arguments and counter-arguments. There are still men trapped in that mine. Dead or alive they and their families deserve better.

Why don't the two of you sit down and discuss this in a no-nonsense manner? Talk about the options that are left. Ask for help from the public. It's important to let people know you need help (financial and otherwise). Thousands have been touched by this tragedy. Just say the word and I'm certain donations will pour in to assist you, mine included. In the end, if recovery of the men is impossible at least you will have left no stone unturned. That in itself will bring some closure to the families. Knowing that President of the company and the Governor of the State of Utah did all they could to recover their loved ones.
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John Jacobs | 5:37 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
It seems everyone an expert now. Mr. Murray has done a great job. The govenor has no right to degrade him.
Retired miner and driller as myself can see the dangers that exist. We don't need more deaths, Govenor Huntsman.
John Jacobs
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tiny | 5:57 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
seems to me that Govenor Huntsman cares about the lives of those 6 trapped miners and their families more then Murray does. He just seems to care about the pocketbook. Murray HAS to keep his promise to those families and stop thinking about his own self interests. I have been following this tragedy from the beginning and now it seems to me that Murray is making himself look like a big liar and cares nothing about those miners who worked for him. He had them go in there so they could have a job and feed their families now he is responsible to get them out. I stand by the Govenor 100%. And from what I have read and have seen I'm not alone. Put your pride aside Murray and keep your promise and get those miners out, cause if you seal them up in that mountain you have trashed your own reputation -the govenor didn't do it YOU DID! SO BE RESPONSIBLE AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND KEEP YOUR PROMISE TO THOSE FAMILIES AND THE MINING COMMUNITY!!!
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Steve | 7:28 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Go Mr. Murray! I think you have done your best with the sincerest of intent. I have always been a Huntsman supporter but with his insensitive comments and his political cya actions (added to his leftist environmental tendencies), I seriously doubt I'd ever vote for him again.

Let's keep politics out of the mne disaster and quit looking for someone to blame.
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`BRenfro | 8:34 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Mr Murray should be forced to spend just one night inside the mine in its present condition.Perhaps he would be more in tune with the situation .
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K Hall | 9:15 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Critics,
Do you really think these rescue efforts are being done for free? This company is drastically impacted financially for the efforts they've already done. What more do you think you can get from the mining company? How about supporting and trying to work together instead of blaming? These families involved are experiencing terrible grief and anger that most of us can't comprehend. Media coverage seems to be exacerbating these feelings. If you think more can be done, start digging for yourselves instead of feeding the anger. As far as Governor Huntsman's comment, it was extremely unprofessional. I expect a leader is his office to look carefully at many sides of critical issues such as this in order to make informed decisions instead of simply reacting.
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JD | 9:36 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
"This guy" is a joke. He is a PR nightmare. If he was smart, he would remove himself from the cameras and go back to Ohio.
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Anonymous | 9:36 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
I think Gov. Huntsman's comments were far out of line. Great Scott, everything possible was done to get the miners out. What more could Murray have done short of endangering other miners?



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Bob Sackamano | 10:21 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
The Governor's reputation is taking a hit on this one. He's making statements that are not backed by facts, simply because he thinks that's the sentiments of the majority of the public. If there was more than Murray could have done to rescue these miners, the feds and experts in the field would have made sure it was done. Huntsman really fumbled the ball badly on this one. Whether Murray's tact is correct, he hasn't done anything but what he thought was best here.
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Mark | 10:31 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Why cheer on Murray? He's the "guy" most responsible for this disaster. He has been placing blame on imaginary earthquakes, the media, and carping at the families of the REAL victims. He happiily took the profits from this mine, therefore he is the one who is responsible for the safety of the miners.

Why blame Huntsman? State government can NOT be blamed for this disaster, Mine safety has been a Federal (not a state) issue for decades. Huntsman's acceptance of the reality of global warming hardly makes him a leftist. Global warming could affect us economically, politically, and socially. To start planning ahead and looking at the science is good leadership.







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William B | 10:45 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
It is truly sad that Governor Huntsman has chosen this time to interject this attack on Murray. Murray was in the mine digging with his bare hands to try and rescue the rescuers. Where was Huntsman? Murray's company apparently has been spending millions in the fruitless rescue attempts for 20 days now. Meanwhile Huntsman sits on his butt and critisizes his efforts and tries to make political hay out of this unfortunate situation. Why doesn't Huntsman get of his arrogant ass and get down in that mine and start digging himself? Talk is cheap Governor, that's why you put so much of it out in trying times like this.
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melanie in wv | 10:49 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
I understand that there has been alot of money spent trying to rescue these miners(AS COMMENTED ABOVE), but also you have to look at the money that these miner's have made for this company. THE FAMILIE'S OF THESE MINER'S NEED THEM DEAD OR ALIVE!!!!!! BRING THEM HOME!!!!!! I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR 100%!!!!!
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Anonymous | 10:54 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
At some point in time reality has to set in. While I empathize with the families of the lost miners, there can only be so much that can be done in rescuing them. Since none of the five holes drilled found any sign of life, what assurance is there that life will be found if a 36 inch hole is drilled? I wouldn't want a loved one of mine lowered in the capsule into an unsafe mine to look for survivors. I think Mr. Murray did all that he could to recover the miners.
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R. J. Snowden | 10:58 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Mr.Murray, I hope your reading the comments sent in this coloum, You have stood tall and given every thing you have to find the trapped miners, and you will continue to do so until all hope is gone. The Governer on the other hand, has shown exactly who and what he is. Its now up to the voting population to show their disgust with a leader that stand so low.
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Anonymous | 11:03 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Well as I see it there have been regulators and other who have continually inspected the mine prior to this tragic event, assessing for any life threatening circumstances, including past histories of instability and movement. Clearly if any of this was forseeable the mine would have been shut down or else wouldn't it be the regulators at fault as well, negligent? Hats off to miners who do this work and are willing to assume some of the inherent risk. Don't make a needed fall guy for this tragedy.
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RGD | 11:06 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Like most tragedies, most of us see only what's in front of our faces, sometimes not even that. There is more to the story than what the press publishes. More to the story than what Murray or Huntsman say too. The press will only publish what they want so they can sell news. Murray will only say what will help benefit him and Huntsman...well he's a typical politician.

Don't believe everything you hear.

I also seem to recall this mine having the poorest safety record of any mine, so hopefully the guy running the show feels the most extreme remorse for putting people in jepordy long before this ever happened. But hey business is business right? Who cares if a few folks get hurt in the process? It's all about the bottom dollar.
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Anonymous | 11:15 a.m. Aug. 25, 2007
Have any of you had to break a promise when situations have changed? I have. I don't even want to think of what Mr. Murray saw that Thursday night when the collapse happened on the rescuers. He has to realize what was most important and that was not risking more lives for a "possibility". I praise him for having to make a tough call and end it. I know it hurts to have to break a promise but sometimes it works out that that is the best.
This is not about the money or anything else. This is about decreasing the tragedy potential.
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S.A.B. | 12:21 p.m. Aug. 25, 2007
You're wrong BRenfro. It is Mr. Huntsman who should spend one night in that mine to find out what it is really like.

Three additional lives have been lost. How many more casualities are necessary to appease the power brokers that be as they express their opinions from their cozy offices up in Salt lake City? It is way too easy to "cast stones" from the outside looking in.

No other lives should be put in harms way just because the govenor of Utah says so. Maybe Mr. Huntsman should step forward and offer his services, or perhaps the services of HIS loved ones in continuing the recovery efforts. Somehow I think he might change his tune if that were the case.

I have the utmost sympathy for the families and loved ones of those affected by this terrible accident. But enought is enough. Three additional lives has been too high a price to pay.

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Anonymous | 12:21 p.m. Aug. 25, 2007
The Governor is wrong!!!! Talk to miners. there is NO safe way to get to these trapped miners out.Its caved all around them. There is no safty in dropping a 30 inch capsule down a hole 1700 feet into air that can't support life. Murray has been very maybe even too honest and open with the press and familys nothing was hidden. Maybe that( governor guy) should try to stop highway fatalities and murders in the citys instead of talking about things he knows nothing about?
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.