President Barack Obama, walks with Linda Davis, the grandmother of deceased miner Cory Davis, during a memorial for the victims of the Upper Branch Mine explosion at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center in Beckley, W.Va., Sunday, April 25, 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
This just in from the White House and President Barack Obama:
I am deeply saddened by the loss of two miners in Kentucky, and my thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones they left behind. As I said after the tragedy in West Virginia, I refuse to accept any number of miner deaths as simply the cost of mining. It is the responsibility of all of us, from mine operators to the federal government, to prevent such tragedies from happening again. That is why my administration is taking steps to demand accountability for safety violations and strengthen mine safety so that all of our miners are protected.
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I may be missing part of the media coverage, but it seems to me there is a lot on the coal miners whom we have recently lost–politicians seem to be tripping over each other to express their sympathies–but very little on the eleven oil workers missing in the Gulf.
Appropriate expression of sympathy and condolence is a very decent thing, but sometimes I feel these deaths are being used by a few–perhaps more than a few–to further their own ambitions.
Let’s hope that the accidents in the Appalachians and in the Gulf lead to better work rules, better environmental policies and remind all of us that the cheap energy we so often take for granted comes with a cost.
Amen, Red Desert.
Kudos to Ken Ward Jr. for his monumental effort and dedication to Coal Tattoo. You are precious to the revealing the truth.
In London at the Guardian Newspaper Ken Ward Jr. has a big fan; Michael Tomasky has a blog there ‘Politics and Other Stuff’ commends Ken’s blog: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2010/apr/30/usa-coal-federal-probe-massey
There are some great reader comments so lets keep the awareness alive and continue the dialog around the world.
The Steve Helber (AP) photo of our president Barack Obama and Linda Davis was a great editorial choice, very moving.
Clay ton — The journalist Michael Tomasky is from Morgantown, WV, where his late father, also Mike Tomasky, was a long-time lawyer for working people, supporting progressive causes, and an all-around good guy. Mike Sr. was one of the first generation of “ethnic” lawyers in the coalfields, whose families came to WV to be coal miners, railroad and steel workers, etc. Mike Tomasky Jr.’s excellent journalism and commentary is true to his Dad’s idealistic and progressive values.
linda davis also lost a son and two grandson;s
confused,
My sincere apologies … I had simply copied and pasted a caption from The Associated Press … Of course, I’m aware of the terrible toll on Mrs. Davis’ family … and my thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Several members of the family were kind enough to allow the Gazette into their lives to tell a little bit of their story:
http://wvgazette.com/News/montcoal/201004060815
Again, I apologize for the oversight on my part in the caption. Ken.
Red Desert says: “sometimes I feel these deaths are being used by a few–perhaps more than a few–to further their own ambitions.”
Ya think? ‘Twas ever thus, Red.
Joe Hill said, about his own imminent execution, “don’t waste time mourning — organize.”
In the instant case, we could imagine that these guys are looking down from above and asking — “are you people doing everything you can to see that this is not swept under some rug? That real justice is done, in the sunshine?”
Let’s continue to insist on a tranparent, public, open, take-no-prisoners investigation. That should be our “ambition.”
Re: New statement from President Obama on mine safety, deaths of two Kentucky coal miners.
Mr. Rodd, thank you for some details on NYC based Guardian blogger, son of WV, Michael Tomasky.
Listen to our president’s words “It is the responsibility of all of us, from mine operators to the federal government, to prevent such tragedies from happening again”.
Hold Obama, the Congress, Senate, state and local governments and us accountable. Informed voters and citizens must demand their representative’s create and enforce legislation for safe working conditions in underground coal mines so we all may prosper.
More than likely human beings will be mining in space someday; here on earth we need space-age mining techniques made practical for use in underground mines; we have the technological know-how. Mandatory coal mine methane capture should be implemented as soon as possible throughout gassy mines in the USA and we have that technology too. Wireless communications systems for underground mines, already required by law have only been deployed in around 10% of the mines to date. Implementing these kinds of supportive changes will hopefully save lives avoid injuries and help reduce diseases like black lung. New jobs in the region will also be created to support safety and health in underground mining. Mine operators and consumers will have to make adjustments.
‘Our’ responsibility extends to oil exploration too. What we are witnessing off of New Orleans is ‘Oilpocalypse Now’ http://climateprogress.org/2010/05/01/oilpocalypse-now-wsj-reports-bp-oil-disaster-may-be-leaking-at-rate-of-1-million-gallons-a-day
The equivalent of a $5.00 part that might have prevented this irreversible disaster was not installed by the Swiss UK oil partnership because the US ‘offshore drilling industry group’ communicating thru a lobbyist said ‘we don’t think we need it’. Meanwhile the ‘$5.00 part’ is required and standard equipment in Norway’s offshore drilling since the early 1990’s. Norwegians, known for fishing like their codfish without crude oil flavor; they also put great value on the sea that feeds them. The BP/Swiss investor saved $500,000.00 not installing the ‘acoustic switch’ on a multi billion-dollar oil lease deal that the US citizens earn a few pennies on. Get partisan personal gain out of health and safety issues.
Barack Obama agrees, UBB is important and he wants us to speak up peaceably if UBB is important to us. There are many ways for the sympathetic to be heard and seen. While very few American workers are in organized labor unions, those who are can demonstrate support for underground coal miners by speaking up; labor leaders must act in support of workers who have no collective voice. Keeping the lights on for half the nation and providing export dollars that America needs, coal workers are as important as our military.
Contact me: coallawreview@yahoo.com
I agree – we cannot and should not let this be forgotten, swept under the rug and our miners (and other workers) left out there again on their own subjective to their master’s will (safe or unsafe).
I am so disappointed that the State Supreme Court has dismissed ethics charges against Attorney Smoot over the black lung case. From a lay point of view it appears lawyers and leaders can run over blue collar workers anytime they feel like it. Attorney Smoot admitted to withholding pertinent information regarding a black lung case – he kinda said that we (attorneys representing coal mine companies) do it all the time.
B. L. Dotson-Lewis, WV Author