Archive for the ‘Massey Energy’ tag
Capitalism didn’t save the miners
The WSJ published a ridiculous article yesterday that claims Capitalism saved the Chilean miners, and opens with a boldface lie when writer Daniel Henninger proclaims, “It needs to be said.” Does it, Daniel? Does it really?
Henninger believes the rescue of the miners is a smashing success for free market Capitalism because without that nifty drill bit, which was the only tool capable of freeing the workers, those blue-collar suckers would still be trapped in the belly of the earth with Satan and his fiery army. You see, the drill bit was developed by a company for a profit, which obviously means regulation and anything else that stands in the way of the righteous free market, is are killing Chilean miners. Or something.
In reality, Capitalism helped contribute to the mine disaster. That is, hyper-Capitalism, the most warped version of Capitalism, which sacrifices regulation in the name of profit, led to mine disasters that culminated with 33 men being trapped deep below ground in darkness for 69 days.
Dick Blin, a spokesman for the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions in Geneva, says the Chile accident is a sign that the workplace safety culture needs to change in Chile. As proof, Blin cites the fact that the San Jose Mine was closed down for safety violations in 2006 and 2007.
Regulation heroes
A beautiful contrast (via Matt Yglesias)
Time cover circa 1999
Time cover for May 24, 2010
I’d say the mood of the country has significantly shifted, wouldn’t you agree? There should be a caption under this new photo that reads, “No, it’s fine. We’ll clean up your shit.”
The ladies featured on this new cover are (from left-to-right) TARP Overseer Elizabeth Warren, SEC Chief Mary Schapiro, and FDIC Chair Sheila Bair. They are — as the title suggests — the sheriffs charged with enforcing and regulating the Wild West landscape of the financial world.
Regulation — at least the idea of controlling the unruly practices of Wall Street — is increasingly popular these days. But the concept of reining in renegade corporate behemoths isn’t limited to derivatives trading.
Obama administration 'looks backwards' to punish heroes
Massey Energy workers take a break from drilling efforts above Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia. Image by Getty Images North America via Daylife
A few weeks ago, I commented on the media’s ennui in response to General McChrystal’s admission that the US military had “shot an amazing number of people, but to [his] knowledge, none has ever proven to be a threat.”
Apart from a few fleeting exceptions (the Times briefly covered McChrystal’s statement,) the media collectively yawned and moved on even though — as I wrote at the time — here was the highest ranking US military official in Afghanistan, openly admitting that the US military has killed a whole lot of people, none of whom posed a threat.
In a society that adheres to the rule of law, killing innocent civilians is still considered a war crime. Of course, this isn’t the era of accountability. This is the era of Obama, and the era of Obama is about “looking forward, not backwards.”
We don’t look backwards if the former vice-president admits to a war crime on national television, CIA officials admit to destroying torture tapes that would have helped convict them of war crimes, or to reconsider wasteful imperialist agendas.
In fact, the only time Obama seems concerned with “looking backwards” is to prosecute people like Thomas Drake, who blew the whistle on the NSA wiretapping scandal. As Greenwald points out, this is a super way to discourage future whistleblowers. Who is going to step forward as an informant when they know exactly which side of the fight Obama and Company are on? Spoiler: The nice guy will finish last.
Anti-government radicalism discourages essential regulations
Image by Getty Images North America via Daylife
It’s been a few weeks since I last documented the systemic violence and threats that have become the hallmarks of right-wing extremism, so I figured it was time for an update.
First up, we have the Hutaree Christian terrorist organization, a fiercely militant group (including children) who wore fatigues and carried high-powered assault rifles at all times — even during family weddings.
The militia’s leader, David Brian Stone, asked an undercover federal agent to provide explosives to be used against police officers. The plan was to then attack an officer’s funeral using homemade bombs in the hopes of killing even more law enforcement personnel. Hutaree is only one of many such “patriot” movements that desire to “take back their country”.
Then there’s Gregory Lee Giusti, the man arrested for making dozens of harassing phone calls to Nancy Pelosi. (He was reportedly angry over her role in passing healthcare reform). Gregory’s mom blames Fox.
