Washington Post Sunday editorial: How 29 coal miners were doomed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2011/05/20/AFj4sf8G_story.html

“HOW DID YOU let this happen?” That agonizing question from relatives of the 29 men killed in the 2010 explosion of West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch coal mine spurred a state investigation that has now delivered its stark answer: A mine owner was reckless with the safety of its workers, and state and federal regulators failed to do their jobs. The unsparing conclusion should be a prod for industry and government.

The report of the independent team appointed a year ago by then-Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) (now a U.S. senator) says this accident could have been prevented. It lays fault for the nation’s worst mining disaster in 40 years squarely with the owner of the mine, Massey Energy. Investigators led by former federal mine safety head J. Davitt McAteer detailed a pattern of negligence — from inadequate ventilation to faulty equipment to indifferent control of dangerous coal dust — and said that Massey management fostered a culture where “wrongdoing became acceptable.” Workers learned not to complain about safety issues, lest their life be made more difficult, the team found.

Underscoring this are the sadly prophetic words of miner Gary Wayne Quarles that open the report. “When I get up in the mornings, I don’t want to put on my shoes. I don’t want to make myself go to work. I’m just scared to death something bad is going to happen.” This is what the 33-year-old father of two told a friend a day before he died in the April 5 explosion.

People should go to jail for those deaths.

That is his business.

doesn't it? These owners bear no responsibility for anything.

I suppose we can expect more of this if the Democratic party does not win in 2012. More worker deaths, more deregulation and on and on..

cuz you are right that's their business and the lives that are lost do not matter...sigh....

They sure as hell would not be digging coal for Mr. Blakenship.