Criminals Should Go To Prison

First, the fines:

Violations in recent weeks include cracking and collapsing of mine walls on Feb. 21; ventilation problems on March 17, March 23 and March 30; drill dust on March 25; and inadequate air quality on March 23; according to U.S. records.

In the last year, federal inspectors have fined the company more than $382,000 for repeated serious violations involving its ventilation plan and equipment at the mine, the Associated Press reported.

Now listen to the criminal CEO of Massey:

Earlier in the evening, Don Blankenship, Massey Energy's chairman and chief executive, confirmed seven deaths "with a heavy heart."

He said the company would not release the names until next-of-kin were notified.

"Our top priority is the safety of our miners and the well-being of their families," Blankenship said in a statement.

"We are working diligently on rescue efforts and continue to partner with all of the appropriate agencies.

"Our prayers go out to the families of the miners. We want to assure the families of all the miners we are taking every action possible to locate and rescue those still missing," he said.

It just blows my mind, but this is exactly the type of country the ReThugs want America to be - heartless, small, & unregulated. This Massey Energy outfit clearly loves money, miner safety, on the other hand, doesn't concern them one bit. BTW, surprise, surprise, the Upper Big Branch mine is non-union.

In fact Massey Energy, received the largest U.S. fine ever for mine safety violations after two coal miners died in a January 19, 2006 fire at the Aracoma Alma No.1 Mine in Logan County West Virginia.