We have been driven to near-total cynicism (CNN poll on mine safety).

[DemoTex]

Do you think mine safety reform will become a reality?

NO ............. 62% (26,539)

YES ............ 38% (16,452)

http://www.cnn.com/

The governor of West Virginia and Bu$h call for mine safety reforms. At least 62% of those responding to this CNN on-line poll know better: 1. The body count is not high enough, and/or; 2. Only miners are directly affected by mine safety.

It reminds me of the American Airlines MD-80 that made an emergency landing in Nashville in the late 1980s with a fire raging in the cargo compartment. That aircraft was within seconds of a catastrophic in-flight tragedy. As a result of the investigation, the NTSB and ALPA pushed for mandatory cargo compartment fire detection and suppression equipment on all passenger airliners. The FAA, pressured by the various airlines' management, nixed the recommendation saying that the plan was not cost effective (read: there was no body count).

Segue to May, 11, 1996, when ValuJet 592 augured into the Everglades with a fire raging in the cargo compartment. That totally preventable tragedy killed 110 passengers and crew. As a result of that body count, the federal government was shamed into mandating cargo compartment fire detection and suppression on all passenger-carrying airliners.

Unfortunately for miners, they are - for the most part - the only ones directly affected by mine safety. The traveling public has a bit more clout with respect to airline safety (but not a whole lot more) than the miners have over mine safety. Without some advocate, such as a union, the miners have no clout at all. Given the dangerous nature of mining, I find it inconceivable that there exist non-union mines.

[acmejack]

1. When one remembers how hard it was to get unions there initially

It is so demoralizing to have to refight battles that were won so long ago & lost through our own indifference. I suspect we shall pay dearly for our attention lapses.

[demosincebirth]

2. Mine workers need another John L. Lewis

[DemoTex]

3. More noise today about Bu$h and mine safety reform.

Mark and re-check in a year. OK?



The two-fer: Toothless mouth and/or dilated anus. You pick.