From Thinkย Progress:
The death toll from Massey Energyโs Upper Big Branch mine explosion last week has reached a total of 29 miners, the worst coal disaster in 40 years. When the disaster occurred, Massey was contesting millions of dollars in major safety violations levied against the mine. At his Labor Day anti-union rally last year, Massey CEO Don Blankenship attacked the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), claiming it โseeks power over coal miners.โ He mocked both โWashington politiciansโ and local elected officials who attempt to ensure miner safety, calling their efforts โas silly as globalย warmingโ:
We also endure a Mine Safety and Health Administration that seeks power over coal miners versus improving their safety and their health. As someone who has overseen the mining of more coal than anyone else in the history of central Appalachia, I know that the safety and health of coal miners is my most important job. I donโt need Washington politicians to tell me that, and neither do you. But I also know โ I also know Washington and state politicians have no idea how to improve miner safety. The very idea that they care more about coal miner safety than we do is as silly as global warming.
Watchย it:
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