Obama to eulogize 29 lost miners
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/19/art.getty.obama.feds.jpg caption="President Obama will attend a memorial for the 29 miners lost in West Virginia."]Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will travel to West Virginia Sunday for a memorial service for the 29 miners who perished at Upper Branch mine, the White House Press spokesman said Monday.
Obama will deliver a eulogy at the memorial "honoring the lives of those who perished and offering his deepest condolences to the loved ones they left behind," Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
Last week, Obama ordered a review of mines with poor safety.
At the time he ordered the review, Obama blamed the explosion at Upper Branch mine on negligent management and lax regulation, saying the disaster was, "a failure first and foremost of management, a failure of oversight and a failure of laws so riddled with loopholes" that companies repeatedly violate safety regulations without penalty.
The April 5 blast was the worst U.S. mine disaster in nearly 40 years.
Eulogizing these men is a nice gesture. Putting the head of the Massey mines in jail would be a start to something positive.
Why step on their graves by letting obama eulogize these guys. Who'd want a muslim eulogizing Americans?
I'd say "thanks but no thanks there, barack. We're good".
I guarantee that some idiots are going to criticize the president for this decision 🙂
Finally a President for all Americans... Republicans only seem to feel Wall Streets and it's Fat Cats pain.
There is nothing clean about coal.
Clean coal is a lie.
Certainly nothing clean about the the scum-bagg who runs Massey [Coal].
my thoughts and prayers go to the family of those who lost loved ones . I wish the president couldv'e came and spoke under different circumstances. I think Blankenship needs to be held accountable for what has tooken lives.
This is a disaster in a lot of ways; I know about coal mining. My father was an underground miner for 44yrs. Anytime you lose a family member it hurts. Obama hates coal and he will use this anyway he can to hurt the coal industry in my opinion.
Obama spouting off again on a subject he knows absolutely nothing about. His stupid comments shows he is totally ignorant of MSHA rules and regulations. He also stupidly announces he will send more inspectors into the field. To do what? He doesn't have a clue. While the mine accident was indeed a tragedy, on average, more people die every year in construction accidents in New York City alone, than in the ENTIRE above and below ground mining industry in the United States. But, this is an opportunity for Obama to puff out his chest and act like he is doing something. Something he is to stupid to realize he knows nothing about.
Thank you President Obama for standing up for the US Coal Miners, America stands with you Sir..You The Man.
Their blood is on the hands of those who don't believe in government regulation and that government is too big. And that means you tea partiers.
President Obama has it right. Yes the laws are riddled with loopholes for the wealthy who do not care what disgusting environments they have for their employees, it is as always the ever loving Buck, that is all they are concerned about, disgusting management. Throw the book at the worthless scoundrels. I hope all these miners families have one big law suit that puts them out of business, it won't compensate for the loss of their loved one's but it will bring a little satisfaction.
Excellent! Beware of the hotheads though!!
Well this is what happens when you're for less government and less regulation. The company that ran this mind had a staggering number of citations and saftey violations that were ignored thanks to the lobbying power they employed for Republicans to look the other way during the annual inspection. Massey Corp. Is one of MANY examples of how big corporations pay what they save in taxes to bend the law and they can't do it without the GOP winning elections. That's who they contributed cash to. Look it up people.