'Infuriated' Sen. Robert C Byrd issues news release about mine disaster

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Byrd's made no effort to hide his anger at Massey this past year or so:
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Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. issued the following statements in response to media inquiries on a number of topics relating to the mining disaster in West Virginia:

"While the situation on the ground this morning is not as encouraging as we had hoped, my prayers continue for those who have lost their loved ones, and for the safe return of the four missing miners and those mine rescue team members who are also risking their lives to save their fellow West Virginians."

"It is infuriating that in this day and age, and in this country, that such a disaster could still happen. I am sick. I am saddened and I am angry. We have the laws. We have the resources. These tragedies, on this scale, should no longer be happening."

"Once we learn the cause of this disaster and investigations are completed whether it is wrongdoing by Massey, lack of enforcement by MSHA, or inadequacies with the mine health and safety laws, including the MINER Act of 2006, action will need to be taken."

more:
http://dailymail.com/News/201004090366

[MrMickeysMom]

1. Senator Byrd should give this corporation the finger...

as he can only do.

Make your final days of the Senate worthy by exposing all the deeds of this corporation.

[Radical Activist]

2. It could atone for all his previous service to the coal industry.

[XOKCowboy]

3. Respectfully Senator Byrd but that will never happen.

Massey has too much money paid to many fat cat friends among your esteemed colleagues. There will be no meaningful action taken. Big fine (about 1% of one days profits) and then things will go on as usual. I love your passion and concern but I'll believe it when I see it.

[Hubert Flottz]

4. How many times have the coal miners in West Virginia been told,

that this will "NEVER" happen again?

29 dead = Mass(ey) Murder? Somebody needs to be put in jail if they knew this operation was unsafe and then failed to rectify the unsafe situation and concentrated all their effort on the bottom line, instead of safeguarding the lives of these men.

[SoCalDem]

5. let's see,.,. he's been a senator from WVa, for HOW many years now?

He's looked away for decades, when there was certainly more that he could have done.. As long as campaign loot is more important than the lives of people who have no other option , there's plenty of blame to go around:(

[TreasonousBastard]

7. That was my question-- where's he been BEFORE the deaths?

[Hubert Flottz]

6. The point I wish to make is this...

When we let criminals off the hook easy...it emboldens the criminal and the degree of criminality the next crime they then go on to commit, usually escalates in intensity.

Who is accountable in Massey mine explosion?

SNIP...

What a difference a couple of days make. At this writing, 25 miners are dead from an explosion in the Upper Branch Mine in West Virginia, owned by Massey Coal Co., and four miners are missing. There is now a confirmed fire along with methane gas. It’s an atmosphere ripe for a second explosion.

So with this backdrop, it’s fair to ask how this could happen in 2010. First, Massey Coal is no stranger to disasters. Two miners died in its 2006 Aracoma Mine disaster. It could have been worse. Investigators found hundreds of violations.

The company pleaded guilty to criminal charges, paid a $2.5 million fine and settled its case with MSHA for $1.7 million in civil penalties. After Massey’s Aracoma disaster, U.S. Attorney Charles Miller said the Aracoma case sent a message to other coal companies that willful violation of health and safety regulations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

It apparently did not work. Massey stock prices are dropping following Monday’s disaster, but some analysts are recommending buying shares based on the company’s contracts for metallurgical coal. Massey has promised to ramp up production in other mines.
Read More...

http://rocnow.com/article/essays/20104100317

Big Bad Don...

[Wilms]

8. k&r n/t