Reader comments
Mine report pulls no punches

Tab L. Uno | 2:07 a.m. March 7, 2008

Unfortunately for those who are waitng for a report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, there is purportedly a conflict of interest and possible bias with the Mine Safety and Health Adminstration investigating itself and its own handling of the Crandall Mine disaster. What is needed is an independent criminal investigation by individuals not associated with Mine Safety and Health Administration. The public confidence in its government demands it.

Bob G | 4:38 a.m. March 7, 2008

If the official report does not coincide with this prefinal report we can bet a coverup is happening. The professionals in the field have spoken with harsh reports on the operation of the mine and its Utah type of worker disregard to safety. So what experts will the 'official' report use as souces of information? Computer generated and programmed cause and effect specialist? Some official sittine at a desk and having never seen or been in a mine will be the specialist filing the report. These reports, if they turn out to support the truth, are usually conviently lost or misplaced in the jungle of paperwork coverups in government. Government leaders and officials must protect business owners and the financial backers that put them in their office or job position. The people don't elect representatives unless CEO's and business says they can run for an office. We need a president like Ron Paul to get the CEO's out of government control. Business has its place in a democracy but they do not have the right to control and buy our government.

Tom | 5:40 a.m. March 7, 2008

Now we'll find out just who Senator's Hatch and Bennett represent....the people or big business (aka monkey business). In the coal mining industry MSHA's a joke leveling fines of no consequence for on-going violations that are cheaper to pay than fix (the root cause). One does not need to be a member of the intelligencia or a rocket scientist to discern clearly who Bob Murray is and what he stands for. It is disheartening to hear good men like our Senators fall in line (or prepare to support)an industry and individuals who's only contribution is their capital and their mercenary heart(s). Coal can be mined safely at a higher cost and still be a great deal for power plants. Frugality should not be confused with treachery. Bloviating is not compassion. Greed motivates only those entrepreneurs suffering from a paucity of moral values. Profit is not bad...it's necessary but miners, mechanics, construction workers and all of us need safe working conditions and an honest days pay for an honest day's work. It is a right we have and an obligation of our government and businesses to provide.

Comments continue below

Timj | 5:51 a.m. March 7, 2008

Very good news.
Bob Murray needs to take responsibility for his actions (and he hasn't...from the days when he blamed the collapse on an earthquake to now, when he has to be ordered into court). I hope that responsibility includes jail time.

grizzman | 6:17 a.m. March 7, 2008

warning bells were ringing before and certainly after this terrible crime was committed, it wasn't an accident,these poor families who have lost so much and were treated so poorly during the time there loved ones were trapped need to be compensated for so much, and if stronger laws and better safety rules and ways to enforce them don't arise from all of this, then the problem goes much deeper,of coarse there is someone who is always getting his hands padded with the green stuff...oh and political corruption just couldn't be involved..take a look at what has happened in Alaska, and I'm sure its just the tip of the berg,,its the small fish right now...but wait the big fish are next...unless political back washing happens....oh..but there our elected officials..there honest, they will do what is right.......sleep with one eye open.

Paul | 7:14 a.m. March 7, 2008

Who is doing the math on the mine plan. When you remove supports for a ceiling the weight is going to shift. The exploding pillars proves that.

Kirk Sorensen | 7:13 a.m. March 7, 2008

Utah needs nuclear power so we can stop mining this filthy lethal coal.

wrz | 8:02 a.m. March 7, 2008

Kennedy aught to know something about the wrongful death of innocents. Chappaquiddick comes to mind.

michael | 8:57 a.m. March 7, 2008

Bob G- If Ron PAul were President, there would be no Mine Safe Health Adminsitration. He pretty much wants to abolish government- including oversight. But it is a moot point since he is apparently withdrawing.

crich | 9:40 a.m. March 7, 2008

And yet, after this tragic mine disaster, a dozen food recalls, and lead paint in children's toys, some people still believe that industry can safely regulate itself. It boggles the mind.

K | 9:37 a.m. March 7, 2008

Could Ted Kennedy even find Utah on a map before this opportunity to get his face all over the news?

K | 9:39 a.m. March 7, 2008

And hty'd better be careful beofre Bob Murray takes his ball and goes home again.

Can I come live with Ted Kennedy when they close up the mines and I lose my house?

Some Perspective | 9:43 a.m. March 7, 2008

Kennedy is probably correct on his assessment of this whole affair, however, he should have waited for the MSHA to issue the final draft of their investigation instead of jumping the gun.

I've had this sinking feeling that for all the huff and puff or Bob Murray something seemed way out of sink with the reality of what he was saying and what actually happened.

having family members and friends who work in the mining industry it has been noted that independent private owned mines are notorious for skirting mine safety in a manner corporate owned mines do not do.

Also, Bush and his Republican legislative partners are responsible for a lot of what happen, with their exclusion of and turning a blind eye to regulatory issues, for both environment and worker safety issues. Not since these regulatory laws and rules came into existence (solely for worker safety) has a presidential administration let industry and big business run amok on these laws and regulations.

Where these types of things are concerned the water flow of responsibility actually runs uphill. It's time for Bush to take his hits like a man and like President Truman, realize the buck stops with him.

old wine becomes bitter vinagar | 9:43 a.m. March 7, 2008

wrz Isn't this article about actions leading to deaths of miners in Utah? It must be strange for Utahans to understand a wealthy person who stands up for the little guy. Kennedy is trying for Utah votes?

It's is a poor reflection that a senator cares more about the safety of Utah workers that a carpet bagging Utah senator from Penn.

I could bring up forgiveness. This seems to be an alien subject to the majority of Utahans. There is nothing Kennedy can do to get redemption in your majority mindset.

Judgment, is mine, sayth, the lord.

Rick | 10:45 a.m. March 7, 2008

What does Kennedy have to do with Utah?? Besides getting his face in the paper again.... NOTHING
Kennedy is speaking up because his major contributors are telling him to. And who backs him but the UNIONS. They have out lived their usefulness and need to step back and quit trying to run companies. Yes they had their time and place but now they just run good companies out of business.
Keep the union out of the investigation and let it be totally indepentant.

It's who?? | 12:18 p.m. March 7, 2008

Yes Rick it's stupid lazy workers who have ruined our nation. Never blame greed. It can't be trickle down economics. It Americans works who still get paid decent wages while having benefits who are the problem. Unemployment is up Rick. Conservatives policies are working. Soon their will be fewer on payrolls to ruins your ideal America.

If Americans would just start eating a bowl of rice a day, work 14 hours days six days a week and join the Republican Party we could complete with Chinese slave labor.

Utah Valley Resident | 1:28 p.m. March 7, 2008

Bob Murray and all of the oversight agencies are responsible for the mining accident, not President Bush and everyone else some have suggested. That is just hokem and you know it. People in these industries know what they are getting into when they walk into these mines. Let's keep these things in perspective. MSHA or someone should have been more involved from day one with these underground mining operations, and raised flags long ago. Nothing seems to change.

I agree with the comment about going nuclear on power requirements. We also need to get this commy lib attitude expirgated from our government, being subservient to these blowhard liberals keeping the U.S.A. from building more nuclear plants for most if not all of our power needs, as well as permitting oil drilling in Anwar, offshore, and where ever, to get this country energy independent from international sources within the next 20 years. Come on you people. Canada, Communist China, and Cuba are drilling off the Floria coast as we speak. What we need is fewer bleeding heart liberals in this country and more real Americans.

Utah Dem | 2:39 p.m. March 7, 2008

To Michael - if Ron Paul 'pretty much wants to abolish government' than why the heck is he running for Congress again? This is probably not PC, but he is SO all about the constitution - sure, it is an important document but it is not the be all and end all of America - it is not sacred script.

wrz | 2:59 p.m. March 7, 2008

"wrz Isn't this article about actions leading to deaths of miners in Utah? It must be strange for Utahans to understand a wealthy person who stands up for the little guy. Kennedy is trying for Utah votes?"

Someone needs to grill Kennedy and he needs to come clean on Mary Jo Kopechne before he asks anyone a single question about mine deaths.

If you don't know/are too young to know about her, use Google.

Turn off your radio and read. | 3:14 p.m. March 7, 2008

Utah Valley Resident: Jebb Bush, the Brother of Neil Bush of El Dorado S&L fame, got George to stop oil drilling off Florida's west coast. Isn't that Rush's back yard? Where's the liberal involvement there?

Bush appointed people with a intent of pleasing business at what ever costs to over see MSHA.

Jeannie | 3:18 p.m. March 7, 2008

This is perfect example of why Hatch should not e in office. And I emphsize NOT. A senate panel said the mine owner know of the dangers uet Hatch came to Murray's defense saying that a full investigation needs to be made before Congress makes a decision. That, to me, soounds like Hathc was taking money under the table for that, along with a lot of other stupid things he has done in the past

Chappaquiddick | 4:37 p.m. March 7, 2008

Tedd Kennedy says, "This warrants a criminal investigation", because Murray failed to tell federal regulators about dangerous conditions in the mine? It's the federal inspectors and regulator's job to tell Murray about the danger in the mine. That's the whole reason MSHA is there!

I wonder if Kennedy thinks there should be a criminal investigation of the drunk driver who drove off the Chappaquiddick bridge and then went home to sober-up while his passenger died? I wonder if Kennedy withheld any information from the Feds in his case.

DLM | 4:45 p.m. March 7, 2008

Man all you people are something. Every one of you seem to think there is a conspiracy on both sides and in the middle. If no one is capable of being honest in their efforts to do right then we are really in trouble. There are for sure the "bad eggs" but most people are just trying to make a living and make a difference for good in the world. If we should forgive Kennedy should we not forgive Murray? If every report that comes out is biased if it doesn't agree with the one Kennedy put out, I guess we should just let the politicians decide all the details and technical understanding and forget the experts in the field. To wait to hear all the reports seems very realistic to me and responsible. In fact to jump to conclusions before that would be irresponsible.
By the way if we go nuclear? where to you put the spent rods and other waste? In Utah??? oh not here for sure. Is nuclear without risk? Churnoble comes to mind.
Unintended consequences seem to happen all the time. Plan as we will, life is a risk

Goran | 11:13 p.m. March 16, 2008

As in 1854 at the Eureka Stokade - you just can't trust a boss and you never should

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