<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for W. Va. Supreme Court to get out of bed with Blankenship, reconsider his case]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Liz Borkowski http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/ Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:28:43 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/1 they also have problems with worker safety

After two miners died in a fire at Massey's Aracoma mine, the Mine Safety & Health Administration fined the company a record $1.5 million for a long list of violations -- 21 of which were classified as "reckless disregard."  

]]> they also have problems with worker safety

After two miners died in a fire at Massey's Aracoma mine, the Mine Safety & Health Administration fined the company a record $1.5 million for a long list of violations -- 21 of which were classified as "reckless disregard."  

]]> Comment #2 by Celeste Monforton http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/ Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:12:38 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/2 $50 million versus $1.5 million

The disparity in these penalty amounts says a lot about our nation's misplaced values.  A company (Massey), with underground mine working conditions so dangerous that they were characterized as "reckless disregard," kills Don Bragg, 33 and Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, 46, and is assessed a $1.5 million penalty from MSHA.  That same company is found guilty of driving out competitor mining companies and receives a punitive judgment of $50 million.  That's dozens of times more value on inanimate objects like "competition," "markets" and "business potential" than on real live human beings.  Things are really out of whack.  

]]> $50 million versus $1.5 million

The disparity in these penalty amounts says a lot about our nation's misplaced values.  A company (Massey), with underground mine working conditions so dangerous that they were characterized as "reckless disregard," kills Don Bragg, 33 and Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, 46, and is assessed a $1.5 million penalty from MSHA.  That same company is found guilty of driving out competitor mining companies and receives a punitive judgment of $50 million.  That's dozens of times more value on inanimate objects like "competition," "markets" and "business potential" than on real live human beings.  Things are really out of whack.  

]]> Comment #3 by wesrolley http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/ Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:10:33 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/3 Massey Watch

At one time, I ran a blog called PomboWatch.  It stayed up until Richard Pombo was down... for the count.

It seems to me that a full time MasseyWatch would be a good use of someone's time.  

I also think it would be a good use of time to pay attention to the acts of Congressman Nick Rahall (D. WV) who chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources... a committee that has much to say about coal and little to say about mountain top removal.

Don't get me wrong.  Rahall has been a breath of fresh air compared to his predecessors (Pombo and Alaska's Don Young). Still I would question his ability to take any strong action regarding coal demand or coal mining (other than mine safety) and, at the same time, to keep being re-elected from W. Virginia.  

Wes Rolley CoChair - EcoAction Committee Green Party US

]]> Massey Watch

At one time, I ran a blog called PomboWatch.  It stayed up until Richard Pombo was down... for the count.

It seems to me that a full time MasseyWatch would be a good use of someone's time.  

I also think it would be a good use of time to pay attention to the acts of Congressman Nick Rahall (D. WV) who chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources... a committee that has much to say about coal and little to say about mountain top removal.

Don't get me wrong.  Rahall has been a breath of fresh air compared to his predecessors (Pombo and Alaska's Don Young). Still I would question his ability to take any strong action regarding coal demand or coal mining (other than mine safety) and, at the same time, to keep being re-elected from W. Virginia.  

Wes Rolley CoChair - EcoAction Committee Green Party US

]]> Comment #4 by Pompey Road http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/ Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:03:04 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/massey-watch/4 Home of the Mountain King:

A little off topic but someone should put Blankenships mansion on the hill on this site. He put his estate on the top of a non-molested mountain as to make some kind of statement. Lord of the Mountains, King of the Hill, whatever. Ironic the guy who destroys mountains for a living, highlights his oplent home on a picturesque mountian scene for all the world to see. He lords over the valley, one of the few he has not buried yet and reigns triumphant as Massey's number 1 flunky. The Magnanimous Master of Mountain Top Removal at the pinicale of his profession, destroyer of the earth. I don't know if that will be his accolade or epitaph. Will probably end up living in a used mobile home on one of his stip jobs by the time the lawyers and tax man gets through with him.

The eons of time and nature was good to us down here. It was not until we become civilized that destroying our habitat become fathomable or fashionable.

]]> Home of the Mountain King:

A little off topic but someone should put Blankenships mansion on the hill on this site. He put his estate on the top of a non-molested mountain as to make some kind of statement. Lord of the Mountains, King of the Hill, whatever. Ironic the guy who destroys mountains for a living, highlights his oplent home on a picturesque mountian scene for all the world to see. He lords over the valley, one of the few he has not buried yet and reigns triumphant as Massey's number 1 flunky. The Magnanimous Master of Mountain Top Removal at the pinicale of his profession, destroyer of the earth. I don't know if that will be his accolade or epitaph. Will probably end up living in a used mobile home on one of his stip jobs by the time the lawyers and tax man gets through with him.

The eons of time and nature was good to us down here. It was not until we become civilized that destroying our habitat become fathomable or fashionable.

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