Bob Murray: Mine Owner, Lightning Rod, "a face people want to spit on"

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: August 10, 2007
Bob Murray: Mine Owner and Lightning Rod
By Patrick J. Lyons

Outside the coal mining industry or Republican political circles, not many people would have had much reason to know who Bob Murray was before this week. Now, as the head of the company that co-owns and operates the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah, where six miners have been trapped by a collapse since early Monday morning, Mr. Murray is the nationally known face of the drama — a face that a remarkable number of people seem to want to spit on.

Mr. Murray captured the country’s attention beginning with his combative news conference at the mine on Tuesday, when he insisted that an earthquake had caused the collapse in the mine (many scientists say it was the collapse that caused the earth to tremble), and lashed out at the news media, labor organizers, environmentalists and federal regulators....

Since then, as drilling rigs have bored their way down to where rescuers hope the miners may still be alive, Mr. Murray has become the lightning rod for a storm of blogospheric vitriol. All manner of people seem to hate the guy, what he does and what he stands for, and want to tell the world while he is still under the klieg lights.

Post titles like these almost tell the story by themselves: “Bob Murray — Mine Swine”; “Robert Murray: Sociopath”; “The Worst Man in Utah.”

But many others leave off the insulting headlines and take a bit more measured, though still highly critical, view of Mr. Murray, especially regarding his company’s labor practices, which have annoyed labor activists and the political left for years. Thudfactor, a liberal blog, is one of many that take Mr. Murray to task over safety issues. Crooks and Liars attacks Mr. Murray’s criticism of efforts in Congress to minimize global warming; Chesapeake Climate paints his defense of coal as alarmist, and Firedoglake sarcastically paints him an apologist for greed.

Meanwhile, some bloggers of a more conservative bent are sticking up for some of Mr. Murray’s views and lambasting his liberal antagonists and the media coverage, though not always leaping to defend the man himself. In fact, Mr. Murray has drawn a bit of fire from the right, notably from the editorial page of The Salt Lake Tribune, which described him as “lacking any apparent sense of propriety” and urged him to “show some respect.”...

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/10/bob-murray-mine-owner-and-lightning-rod/

[Bitwit1234]

1. Have you noticed

That when ever something of this nature happens, there is usually a republican who owns the place, runs the place and that, that person is so arrogant and loud mouth. Just as if they are entitled, and it is the way the whole damn bush administration is acting. As if THEY are the ones and every body else must bow.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. "Entitlement." I think that's a key word for these people, Bitwit. nt

[AX10]

3. Bob Murray needs to spend some time is a maximum security...

jail what he has done.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. If you want to tell Murray Energy (his company) what you think.....

Here are e-mails:


[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[fred0124]

10. RE: If you want to tell Murray Energy (his company) what you think

I believe this is his email addy at murray energy
[e-mail]

[fred0124]

11. Apology

I apologise to you guys for replying to my own reply, but we really need your help. We have a final hole scheduled to be finished soon, and hope is fleeting http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1690537.

Murray is ending the rescue mission and closing the mine,if no signs of life are found, with no attempt at recovery.

We need U guys to send messages to the govenor, murray, and whoever else you can think of to bring these people home to there family's.

http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_comment.html

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[DeepModem Mom]

12. Welcome to DU, fred. I'd suggest you post these addresses and your plea...

as a separate post in the General Discussion forum so more folks will see this info. What a tragedy!

[Frosty1]

13. Does he have enough posts ?

I don't think he can post an independent thread until he has enough posts to qualify.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Oh -- maybe not. I'd be happy to post the info, but would like the poster's permission.

Also, I have to go offline now. Maybe if "fred" sees this, he'll post if he can, or ask someone to post for him.

[fred0124]

16. Could ya?

I would appreciate it if you could post these links, sorry for the late reply. We had a fundraiser I was involved in for the family's.Thanks for all your help guys!

[smirkymonkey]

5. Spit on? I'd like to beat it to bloody pulp with a tire iron.

Bastard. I'm so sick of innocent people suffering because of these greedy, heartless Republican fucks. :grr:

[0007]

6. For the moment, friends and family

of the missing miners are worried exclusively about their loved ones. They're bowing their heads, holding their breath, holding their tongues. Murray should do the same.

When this ordeal is over the gates of hell will open for Mr. Murray.

Jeff Young 2003 report: “Those notes show Murray repeatedly threatening to have MSHA employees fired. ‘I will have your jobs. They are gone. The clock is ticking,’ Murray said at various points.
“And he stressed his political influence with the agency, saying, ‘I talked to Laresky (former MSHA director) personally,’ and again, quoting, ‘Mitch McConnell calls me one of the five finest men in America, and last I checked he was sleeping with your boss.’
“Senator McConnell of Kentucky is married to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, who oversees MSHA.”

[0007]

7. bttft

[laststeamtrain]

8. My blog's linked in this NYT blog post

for my headline BOB MURRAY--MINE SWINE.

I'm one of the 'haters'. Deal.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. Wow! Good on you!

They just said that others were more "measured" -- and, in this case, I think even they may agree that "measured" is not what's called for.

MINE SWINE -- clever, and apt!

[cwydro]

14. kickin' this