Today it was learned that 3 rescuers died and 6 more were injured in the Utah coal mine rescue. Tragedy compounded tragedy today. It is always sad to learn someone lost their life or were injured in the rescue of others.
But were these deaths avoidable. Maybe. It was also learned that prior to the second tragedy twelve rescuers demanded transfers and refused to continue because the mine was unsafe. No one likes to point fingers but if a dozen rescuers said the mine was unsafe, shouldn’t have there been an evaluation of some sort? These are always dangerous situations and rescue is always paramount; but when do you decide to quit and keep the death toll from rising? Should there be an investigation? Yes. If the mine owner knew that the situation was dangerous the overriding concern should be to limit death. If the mine was unsafe before the original tragedy and unsafe afterwards, he may have a total of 9 miner’s deaths on his hands. Very Sad.
Do we all have a part in this tragedy? Indirectly, yes. We all demand cheap energy and cheap energy comes from cheap coal. Expensive coal from regulations would result in higher energy prices and no one is willing to put up with that. These miners mine coal because this nation refuses to do anything about safer and renewable energy sources. Just something to think about!
By Kevin Rothe, August 17, 2007
For more blogs go to www.kevinrothe.biz/Index2.html
But were these deaths avoidable. Maybe. It was also learned that prior to the second tragedy twelve rescuers demanded transfers and refused to continue because the mine was unsafe. No one likes to point fingers but if a dozen rescuers said the mine was unsafe, shouldn’t have there been an evaluation of some sort? These are always dangerous situations and rescue is always paramount; but when do you decide to quit and keep the death toll from rising? Should there be an investigation? Yes. If the mine owner knew that the situation was dangerous the overriding concern should be to limit death. If the mine was unsafe before the original tragedy and unsafe afterwards, he may have a total of 9 miner’s deaths on his hands. Very Sad.
Do we all have a part in this tragedy? Indirectly, yes. We all demand cheap energy and cheap energy comes from cheap coal. Expensive coal from regulations would result in higher energy prices and no one is willing to put up with that. These miners mine coal because this nation refuses to do anything about safer and renewable energy sources. Just something to think about!
By Kevin Rothe, August 17, 2007
For more blogs go to www.kevinrothe.biz/Index2.html
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