Blankenship Branded Deadly Fire At Dangerous Aracoma Mine “Statistically Insignificant " in 2006.

[Are_grits_groceries]

In the most egregious case of preventable death before the Upper Big Branch explosion, Massey’s Aracoma Coal Co. agreed to “plead guilty to 10 criminal charges, including one felony, and pay $2.5 million in criminal fines” after two workers died in a fire at the Aracoma Alma No. 1 Mine in Melville, West Virginia. Massey also paid $1.7 million in civil fines. The mine “had 25 violations of mandatory health and safety laws” before the fire on January 19, 2006, but Massey CEO Don Blankenship passed the deaths off as “statistically insignificant.”

Federal Mine Inspector Who Wanted To Shut Down Mine Told To “Back Off.” Days before fire broke out in the Aracoma mine, a federal mine inspector tried to close down that section of the mine, but “was told by his superior to back off and let them run coal, that there was too much demand for coal.” MASSEY FAILED TO NOTIFY AUTHORITIES OF THE FIRE UNTIL TWO HOURS AFTER THE DISASTER.

http://thinkprogress.org/

Not if you are said statistic or related to one.

He should have been prosecuted then along with anybody else that aided and abetted it. Blankenship should be prosecuted now for that disaster and the latest horror.

[malaise]

1. Until he and others are sent to prison

nothing will change.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. The fines for violations

should really hurt. That way they have an economic incentive to change since they are without souls. I also vote for prison if the charge and punishment is significant. Otherwise they go to minimum security which isn't what they deserve. This is one reason I oppose offshore drilling. Corporations have a complete disregard for regulations.

[hobbit709]

2. Send that bastard down into one of his mines with NO safety equipment.

Then seal the entrance behind him.

[CanonRay]

4. Massey Coal should get the death penalty

after all, it's a human being. So says SCOTUS. Seize its assets, revoke it's charter. Sentence to be served by the Board of Directors.