Obama, mine safety head to discuss West Virginia disaster

[babylonsister]

Obama, mine safety head to discuss West Virginia disaster

By Halimah Abdullah | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's decision to take personal interest in the investigation of an explosion this week that killed at least 25 coal miners is being hailed as a refreshing change by mine safety advocates.

Obama is slated to meet with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Mine Safety and Health Administrator Joe Main next week to discuss mine safety rules after the Monday explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia.

The president has asked the officials to report on their initial assessment of the cause of the nation's worst coal mining disaster in more than 25 years and what actions could prevent further mining tragedies.

"It's clear more needs to be done," Obama said during a Friday afternoon news conference.

Obama highlighted mining's "long and proud history" of bringing heat and electricity to millions of Americans, but stressed that miners' employers and the federal government owe it to workers and their families to ensure safer working conditions.

"You would not have heard that with the Bush administration," said Tony Oppegard, a Kentucky lawyer and mining safety advocate. "It was all about 'compliance assistance, compliance assistance, compliance assistance.' That was really coddling outlaw coal operators."

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/04/09/91935/obama-mine-safety-head-to-discuss.html

[Cha]

1. Hey...

"You would not have heard that with the Bush administration," said Tony Oppegard, a Kentucky lawyer and mining safety advocate. "It was all about 'compliance assistance, compliance assistance, compliance assistance.' That was really coddling outlaw coal operators."

Somebody in Kentucky gets the difference.

[Clio the Leo]

2. Lots of praise being sent the Presidents way from the WV/mine workers folks...

.... without having to be prompted. They're saying "the President has promised such and such, and this has never happened before...."