Reader comments
Utah mine tragedy: 'They died as heroes' — Collapse: Miners dug with bare hands to get to colleagues
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Interloper | 2:30 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Perhaps it is time to replace Stickler with someone who has more experience
dealing with mine safety issues. Stickler is a former coal company executive
who did not win confirmation from Congress to head the agency. Instead, he was
given an interim appointment during a Congressional recess by President Bush.
Stickler's own safety record as a mining executive was poor. I, at least,
am relieved not to have to hear Bob Murray try to turn the second tragedy to his
advantage.
Camille Protti | 3:26 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Our prayers go out to the families of these rescures who did put their lives on
the line for the 6 trapped miners. And we believe they did die as heroes. Our
hearts go out to the families of the 6 trapped miners cause of the uncertainty
of the situation now. It is definately in God's hands.
From The Protti Family
From The Protti Family
Jedi-Coal-Knight | 7:00 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Having worked in both the coal industry and the coal regulatory industry for
over 37 years, it is important to recognize this is a rescue and all efforts
should be directed in that manner. This should not be a time to criticize those
responsible for the rescue efforts. The political appointment is froth with
politics, it has nothing to do with Stickler's background or experience.
He is extremely well qualified to deal with this rescue effort just as he did at
the Quecreek rescue.
Comments continue below
Jane | 8:02 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
To approach this tragedy with criticism is not the answer. Prayers and positive
thinking is the only way. It's easy to blame, but that's
counterproductive. Regardless of circumstance or outcome, to stand tall and be
loving and caring will bring about much good. My prayers go out to the families
of all involved and I know Heavenly Father watches over them and weeps when they
weep.
To Jedi-Coal-Knight | 8:29 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate the positive loving approach rather
than politicizing a tragic event, especially since you have experience in the
field.
God bless the miners and their families!
God bless the miners and their families!
Jedi-Coal-Knight | 8:57 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
On the east coast, we are glued to the TV and news outlets. Our immediate
thoughts and prayers are for the miners families, the recuerer's and all
involved with this effort. Our hats are off to all Utahn's who are helping
the rescue effort. It isn't reported much, but I know that someone must
feed and house the rescuers as was done at Quecreek. This valiant effort goes
on behind the scene and also needs recognized. God bless you all, our prayers
are with you and all the fellow miners.
G. Holt Alberta Canada | 9:25 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
We too are glued to the all news outlets to stay informed of the latest since
the mine collapse. We were anguished to hear of the rescuers who died and were
hurt now too. May it help all those involved to know that people even out of the
U. S. care and are praying for all the families involved. We thank all those
who are so valiant in helping, comforting and giving aid in any way. Our
daughter in Utah was explaining to her ten year old son that those resuers who
died in trying to help were indeed heroes. There is no greater way to live that
giving service. Indeed our hearts are full and sad.
steve | 9:38 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Sure wish the powers that be would keep the media more updated on the progress
of the drilling that we assume is still going on? ANyone hear anything?
Mogle | 9:38 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Wow, what a tragedy! To think that they died anything less than heroes is
absurd. They are more than heroes.
God bless you all involved in this.
Those who gave their lives and those helping are who we as a society should look to as 'role models.' It is pretty heart warming to know that these kind of people exist all over the world and that they act on what they believe is right, regardless of the consequences. Thanks and you have definitely inspired me to be a better human being.
It's a shame that people are trying to attach some kind of political agenda to this.
God bless you all involved in this.
Those who gave their lives and those helping are who we as a society should look to as 'role models.' It is pretty heart warming to know that these kind of people exist all over the world and that they act on what they believe is right, regardless of the consequences. Thanks and you have definitely inspired me to be a better human being.
It's a shame that people are trying to attach some kind of political agenda to this.
But there is a political angle | 10:12 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
I hope that those who need support and are still waiting to hear about their
loved ones. But an online comment board section of daily news articles is NOT
the place to go for support.
This tragedy has been exacerbated by politics and a political agenda.
To overlook that guarantees that we will relive this disasters and others like them.
The wolf is watching the henhouse and the increase in mining deaths over the past ten years are evidence.
Stickler was back-doored into this position because he wasn't qualified, and that fact is relevant to this tragedy.
This tragedy has been exacerbated by politics and a political agenda.
To overlook that guarantees that we will relive this disasters and others like them.
The wolf is watching the henhouse and the increase in mining deaths over the past ten years are evidence.
Stickler was back-doored into this position because he wasn't qualified, and that fact is relevant to this tragedy.
myra | 10:25 a.m. Aug. 18, 2007
God bless their souls.
Sam | 12:02 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Discerning the political implications and responsibilities in this horrific
tragedy can coexist with the rescue effort and the shared grief. There were
terrible problems with Mr. Murray's mine that caused it to collapse
initially and then again during the rescue. This is clearly recognized at both
the state and federal levels of government. Legislators are anxiously scheduling
investigations to lead to reforms in the mining industry. No one wants a repeat
of this incident. It really cannot be too soon to begin those reform oriented
processes if we are truly concerned with the safety of all miners from coast to
coast. Urging corrective measures in mining is the best way that most of us can
honor the dead and those who risked their lives in the rescue and survived.
Miner's Daughter | 12:40 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
I grew up in the area of the mine disaster and my father was a miner for over 50
years. My heart aches for those who are affected by this tragedy. However, I
do think that those who are in charge of the rescue whether owners, local
authorities, or governmental entities, are all trying their very best to rescue
the original 6 miners and to protect those who were risking their lives inside
the mine to dig the men out. Yes, it has tragically not gone as expected or as
fast as we would like, but at least they are trying with hard work and
dedication, while the rest of us sit at home and criticize and politicize.
Legislators may be anxiously scheduling investigations (as that is what they do best), but it will end up as a show for political gain and not in the best interest of the miners. That showed when they couldn't come together to appoint a head for MSHA. One political party puts up roadblocks and nothing happens. What a shame!
God bless our miners and our rescuers!
Legislators may be anxiously scheduling investigations (as that is what they do best), but it will end up as a show for political gain and not in the best interest of the miners. That showed when they couldn't come together to appoint a head for MSHA. One political party puts up roadblocks and nothing happens. What a shame!
God bless our miners and our rescuers!
Ford Stevenson | 12:48 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
My father, whose name I proudly bear, was born in Huntington, Utah. He along
with many of his family spent their working lives in the coal mines of Emery and
Carbon County. My heart aches for the families of those who have lost loved ones
and for those who wait patiently for news of the status of the 6 trapped miners.
May we all be united in faith and prayers for those whose lives have forever
been changed by this disaster. Today is a time for support and compassion, but
the future should and must be spent in finding ways to make mining safer.
The lives of these brave men will be honored if the appropriate steps are taken to address serious issues surrounding mine safety. May God bless these good men and their families
The lives of these brave men will be honored if the appropriate steps are taken to address serious issues surrounding mine safety. May God bless these good men and their families
Mogle | 12:53 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Apparently this reader comment board is NOT the place to express appreciation
and support to those miners and their families, but this IS the place to express
your political agenda.
I apologize for being touched by the situation and expressing that emotion with others in hope that others are feeling the same way. Apparently I needed to go the route of what all went wrong and who needs the blame for it.
Look I am not happy 'bout all the things that have transpired and what we are finding out. I am not particularly excited about Mr. Stickler or Mr. Murray but they are who we have right now. I think some serious changes needed to be made in the mining industry. I grew up around coal miners and have a brother who was a coal miner and am familiar with some of the procedures. This undoubtedly will shine some light on things that need to change and on coal mines that need to change and update, but can we wait until it is over before we start tearing people apart.
Changes need to happen NOW in underground mining so this doesn't happen again, but let's make finding answers to what happened to the 6 our top priority.
I apologize for being touched by the situation and expressing that emotion with others in hope that others are feeling the same way. Apparently I needed to go the route of what all went wrong and who needs the blame for it.
Look I am not happy 'bout all the things that have transpired and what we are finding out. I am not particularly excited about Mr. Stickler or Mr. Murray but they are who we have right now. I think some serious changes needed to be made in the mining industry. I grew up around coal miners and have a brother who was a coal miner and am familiar with some of the procedures. This undoubtedly will shine some light on things that need to change and on coal mines that need to change and update, but can we wait until it is over before we start tearing people apart.
Changes need to happen NOW in underground mining so this doesn't happen again, but let's make finding answers to what happened to the 6 our top priority.
william. | 1:57 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
what happened to the girl in the pink to at the utah mine
disaster?
she has dark hair and what appears to be pigtails.
she has dark hair and what appears to be pigtails.
Anonymous | 2:32 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Whatever faith we are, let's all offer our mass and prayers tomorrow for
all the trapped miners and also all rescuers involved in the recovery.
Dan in Georgia | 2:54 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
I care.
Interloper | 3:03 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
William, the child's father was one of the rescue team, but he survived.
And, hopefully, knows better than to ever go into that mine again.
Mogle, I wondered why Richard Stickler was so deferential to Robert Murray, and, seemed to not to be up to speed in his profession. (No, I'm no miner. But, when someone fumbles the way he does, it is noticeable, especially to a former reporter.) So, I did some research.
BTW, Miner's Daughter, it was not one party who blocked Stickler from being approved. Some Republicans opposed him, too.
The people trying to deflect attention from the mistakes that caused this tragedy are serving the suits, not the miners. If the causes can be covered up, then that enables future mining disasters because reforms will not be made.
Furthermore, it is too late to ignore the elephant in the room -- unsafe practices. Major media, including Time, Newsweek and the NYT are zeroing in on mistakes made in both allowing retreat mining at that mine and the rescue.
I guess that since some people think a newspaper's comment section is a prayer meeting, I should say something about religion. There is something in the Bible about God helping those who help themselves. So, aren't the people who are demanding the government reform unsafe mining practices, i.e. helping themselves, the ones who are doing the right thing?
Mogle, I wondered why Richard Stickler was so deferential to Robert Murray, and, seemed to not to be up to speed in his profession. (No, I'm no miner. But, when someone fumbles the way he does, it is noticeable, especially to a former reporter.) So, I did some research.
BTW, Miner's Daughter, it was not one party who blocked Stickler from being approved. Some Republicans opposed him, too.
The people trying to deflect attention from the mistakes that caused this tragedy are serving the suits, not the miners. If the causes can be covered up, then that enables future mining disasters because reforms will not be made.
Furthermore, it is too late to ignore the elephant in the room -- unsafe practices. Major media, including Time, Newsweek and the NYT are zeroing in on mistakes made in both allowing retreat mining at that mine and the rescue.
I guess that since some people think a newspaper's comment section is a prayer meeting, I should say something about religion. There is something in the Bible about God helping those who help themselves. So, aren't the people who are demanding the government reform unsafe mining practices, i.e. helping themselves, the ones who are doing the right thing?
steve | 4:09 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
I for one would like the workers that requested to be reassigned interviewed
(that was downplayed so much).
Doug Barber | 4:38 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
What Steve said.
Miners are not a cowardly bunch.
Miners are not a cowardly bunch.
what Doug said | 5:38 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Exactly my point...Those guys have a 'sixth sense' and MAYBE they
'sensed' the method being used would not hold. I would take what a
miner (that work underground day in and day out) feels or is bothered by very
very seriously much moreso that all the experts with their degrees say. The
miners have to be some of the bravest souls on the planet...Imagine being that
far underground and experiencing even ONE of the 'bumps' and then keep
right on working? Cant wait till we hear about the 4th hole effort...
silent but deadly | 6:19 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
It is time the legislators in this country stand up to the coal industry and
really start regulating safety in the coal mines. Bush has intentionally under
funded all of the regulatory agencies in this country and appointed corporate
cronies to head them. It is no surprise that they are ineffectual. Whenever
money becomes more important than people, things like this are bound to happen.
tOSU | 8:06 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Stickler is having his "good job Brownie" moment as another Bush
appointee.
Has this administration done anyting right? Ever?
Has this administration done anyting right? Ever?
Sam | 10:56 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007
Honor the dead and trapped miners who have suffered under unprincipled mining
practices that equate to reckless endangerment of miners. Demand legislation
that makes mining safe and forces accountability when it is not. Conscious
decisions relating to the exploitation of an unsafe mine placed miners and
rescuers in life threatening peril at the Murray mine. Miners are the truest and
best Americans we have, let them not die because of the greed of people like Bob
Murray and his allies in the federal government. Support safety reform NOW and
save miners lives.
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