Mining Archives
Paul Thacker has alerted me to guest blogger Stephanie Mencimer's post on Kevin Drum's blog, about a mining company that's suing the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for failing to sufficiently police its operations. Two years ago, three miners were killed and two more disabled in an explosion at a mine owned by CONSOL Energy. The mine workers' families sued CONSOL. Now CONSOL is suing MSHA, claiming that a lack of government oversight -- oversight mining lobbyist worked hard to eliminate -- created the conditions for the accident.
By this logic, Mencimer notes, we could all sue for all sorts of things:
"[Y]ou can imagine the creative possibilities for companies in the midst of expensive litigation: Merck sues FDA for letting it sell Vioxx! Ford sues the transportation department for not demanding roll-over tests for SUVs! DuPont sues EPA for failing to notice when it dumped toxic chemicals into people’s drinking water!"
And I could sue the California Highway Patrol for allowing me to get in an accident while I was driving drunk; or Building and Safety for allowing me to put up that ramshackle garage that collapsed on me in an earthquake; or even the Air Resources Board for not stopping me from driving a particulate-belching truck that gave me asthma.
Or if you ruin your life smoking crack, you could sue the Office of National Drug Control Policy for failing to keep drugs off the streets.
(Maybe I could sue Typepad for the errors I made trying to blog this. Shouldn't my typos be regulated?)
You get the idea.
But the real irony is that it's the energy companies themselves who hired lobbyists to encourage the Bush administration to slash MSHA's funding. Bush has cut 170 jobs at MSHA since taking office, and his 2006 budget proposes another $4.9 million in cuts. For years, the administration has stocked MSHA's leadership with former energy company executives who have blocked rules to improve mine safety. Maybe they should be suing themselves.
--------
Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Slideshows
Air Apparent: Photos from China's Most Polluted Province
In Shanxi Province, the pollution problem is even worse than you thought
F Yeah Fest Fundraiser with Crystal Antlers, Brother Reade
The Antlers raise some bucks for the fest downtown on August 12, 2008
Earlez Grille on Crenshaw
Everyone ends up at Earlez
• Advertisement •
Recent Posts
Archives
Summer Concert Guide
Find the hottest concerts and festivals this summer in the LA Weekly's Summer Concert Guide.
Opportunity Rocks Career Fair
Be the first to hear about the latest career opportunities. Click here to find your dream job!
Little Sexy Black Book
Bring sexy back with LA Weekly's guide to the sexiest spots in Los Angeles.
Living Quarters
Get the real story on LA real estate. Whether you're a renter, a buyer or a seller, Living Quarters is your guide to LA living.
Education Guide
From online learning to 4-year colleges, LA Weekly's Education Guide '08 has answers to all your education questions.
Blank Blankly
Speak Freely at LA Weekly with your own Blank Blankly slogan. Consider Thoroughly, then Create Adverbially only at LA Weekly.
Digital Jukebox
Be. Hear. Now. Listen to the hottest bands and stay on the leading edge of LA's music scene with free streaming music from LA Weekly.
Hook Me Up
Want FREE stuff? Sign up for this week's contests and get the hook-up from LA Weekly.
Insiders
Get Inside with LA Weekly. LA Weekly Insiders has the what to do and where to go in LA. Sign up and we'll deliver Insiders right to your inbox!
Jonathan Gold Text Alerts
Get Jonathan Gold's restaurant picks sent right to your phone and never miss another great meal!
