Reader comments
Laid-off miners consider options

Is this really concern or Murray striking back?

It appears whatever Mr Murray tries to do for mine safety and the miners it will never be enough. Your governor, being a "political bedswerver",is as responsible for the mine shutting down as anyone. Mr Murray cannot get everything done on his own. He needs the governor to work with him not against him and the miners. It did not take an astute listener to tell from the moment the governor made his 1st statement this accident was going to turn into a political battle ground. The only one getting hurt in this mess is our miners [heros]. When our lights go out and our homes are cold blame your politicians, your lawyers and greed. Then keep in mind "this guy" has owned the Crandall Canyon mine for less than a year. What was your governor doing about mine safety then?

Gov Huntsman is a politician and will do anything in his own interest. I WLLL NEVER VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN.

So is Dianne in Ohio a Murray Energy Employee? Is she the one that was so rude on the phone to people making Murray Energy's public relations even worse than it already is?

Let's get real, Mr Murray cannot be trusted! Why is he only concerned with mine safety after the fact?
While Mr Huntsman is not good for Utah - he has only pointed out the obvious, Mr Murray and his poor safety practices and arrogant attitude has led to the poor safety record and to these deaths.

I wouldn't blame Murray for closing his Utah businesses. Not to be vindictive, but because it is the only decision that makes business sense for him now. Whether he is personally to blame for this terrible incident or not it is obvious that Murray will never get a fare chance to do buiness in Utah again. He needs to get out of Utah and it is the vindictive people and the Utah State government who should be blamed for these jobs and businesses leaving the state. You court businesses to come to your state and then you treat them like this?

I don't know where "george" gets his information that Murray has a "Poor safety record". Everything I've read says that Murray has an "Average" safety record. If Murray really has a bad safety record I would expect to hear it from MSHAW, not george.

And why is the Govornor calling for reinspections of only Murray owned mines? Has he determined that Murray is the problem here and only his mines need reinspecting? If so he has evidence that we don't yet have. I would think he would be calling for inspection of all Utah coal mines instead of targetting one owner.

I wish we could quit blaming Murray for everything until the something in the official investigation indicates he is to blame.

How ironic that the Governor, who's number one goal is to overpopulate Utah, has just put a huge roadblock in his own self-serving plans. How can he lure more business here, now that he has reduced our energy production capacity. Guess he just got caught up in the moment - trashing Bob Murray seemed like such a good idea.

I'm a little confused, why is the Gov. setting up this mine safety coalition? isnt that what MSHA is for? sounds like a waste of tax money to me

All of a sudden there are all these mine safty experts. Govenor, Lawyers and Union Reps. Who want to keep throwing wrenchs in the precision cogs of the mine safty machine.
Leave Mr. Murray alone and let him do his job. After retiring from mining and drilling it makes me sick to see all the "WHAT IF PEOPLE" cry and moan.
Sacrifice and go back east and feed your children. Because Govenor Huntsman is not going to, or he'll make it real hard for you to even get food stamps.

Without going into a lot of detail there are a lot things that were not done right in this diaster both by "Mr. Murray" and MSHA.

"Mr. Murray" as he askes to be addressed will sell his mine ownership and still make plenty of money. The families will be the ones that suffer from the loss of their loved ones forever.

I do hope that some good will come from this tragedy and that the families hold "Mr. Murray" and MSHA accoutable through using the media.

If the gov's committie helps to highlight things that can be done better then it will help save miners lives that should not been lost and help save lives in the future.

I am a retired contract cleaning office manager from northwest Ohio. I do not know Mr Murray & have "no dog in this political fight".I do know we the people in Ohio just voted out a governor similar in actions & mouth to yours. The only difference being ours was a Republican, yours is a Democrat. Politics have no business in this incident. The miners [heros always], their families & Mr. Murray are the principal players here. Ted Kenney [of all people], your governor & politics need to stay out of this unless they want to appropriate more money for mining inspectors & new technology which will help give the miners a fair chance at safety & to keep their jobs. An "early out' pension" would also be a big help. The miners, their families & Mr Murray need all the help this can give them.The bickering MUST stop so closure can come to all involved.

When I first heard his other mines were being inspected, I thought it was a good idea especially if there were any suspicions resulting from this tragedy.

Maybe the laid-off miners can find enployment with Huntsman Chemical.

Dianne in OH: I agree with your statements on Murray. I also agree with your statements about Huntsman EXCEPT, he is not only in the GOP but is also the head of the UT-GOP.


As a matter of fact, during the mine situation a little story kind of slipped by about him & the UT-GOP see here: Huntsman says he'll probe GOP float allegations http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6699565


I also see a link here re that Hatch's people are saying he won't be a replacement for the USAG office, THANKFULLY!


Kyle: Excellent point re Huntsman and other UT mines.

The last mining disaster in Utah was in the 80's. Two decades between major incidents is not a bad safety record. After Prince Jon and his new commission have crucified a business owner that pays taxes in the state, what will they do for the next 20 years? I suppose he will go back to focusing on economic development.

Gov. Huntsman, got the Republicans a real nice float, cost $400 mil; Gov. Huntsman exchanged not so nice words with coal mine owner, cost 200 people their jobs; Gov. Huntsman helping someone other that Gov. Huntsman, priceless...

What I have found is that you can be a Republican in Utah and get elected as long as you are on the right side of social issues...you can be as liberal as you want to be on other issues.

Gov Huntsman's comments about this mine disaster are a prime example. In no other state in the union would a GOP gov make comments like this...they are pretty democratic in my view. Can't we wait until the investigation is complete before we set up commitees to recommend more regulation?

I wish everone would stop saying an earthquake damaged the mine. The mine damaged happened 1st then the quake came. Not trying to put blame anywhere. Lets just get the facts straight..........

Has Huntsman EVER put his own butt on the line - for anything. I think he and his daddy�s money have him a little out of touch with the world.

Maybe kids will take school seriously. Working hard for a degree beats working for a jerk in a mine.