Mine Tragedies

I haven't said much about the mine tragedies, which seem to be multiplying, because they're already saturating the news. But I do want to say a couple of things. First, my heart goes out to all who have been hurt, killed, or are still missing. I can't even imagine what they and their families are going through.

As for the news coverage, it's pretty spotty, as all developing stories tend to be. But I have to say, it's heartening to see the "big news" story that is enveloping all coverage is actually news. No Anna Nicole, no Brittney or Lindsay. This is actually news. So I will not fault them for the wall-to-wall coverage, especially with the latest developments.

Now, I'm sure as blame is assessed, we're going to hear a lot of people saying, "this is not the time for finger pointing," and "we're not going to play the blame game." Bunk. Now is exactly the time for assessing blame. In our culture, times of calm--no mine collapses in this case--is a time when we turn it off. We don't get energized about fixing problems, and making sure they don't happen.

The only time for figuring out exactly what went wrong, and if there is anyone to blame, is now. End of rant.

For the latest news, a link:

2 Rescue Workers Killed at Utah Mine - ABCNews.com

Just in from MSNBC (at 10:41 PM 08/16/07): Third rescue worker dies.