33 Chileans trapped in a mine

[Hellraiser]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/26/trapped-chilean-miners-wait-rescue

Is it sad that the first thing I thought of when I saw 33 shirtless chileans trapped in a single room was how exactly Miss P would get lowered down into it?

[Matty the Damned]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/26/trapped-chilean-miners-wait-rescue

Is it sad that the first thing I thought of when I saw 33 shirtless chileans trapped in a single room was how exactly Miss P would get lowered down into it?

This isn't funny.

I live in a mining community and I know first hand the horror that is attendant in the case of a collapse.

I have more relatives at pit bottom than I care to consider.

The comrades in the Chilean works have survived because their mine was properly engineered. They are in a safety refuge but it is not expected that they will be rescued for some months. I am proud that the union of which I am a member, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union has sent assistance to our comrades in Chile.

As has the Australian Workers Union.

We can only hope that our brothers are returned safely to those who love them.

MtD

[skeebo1969]

   I was eating dinner last night when this flashed on the news.  I damn near choked when I heard them say the fellas probably would not be rescued till around Christmas according to the report on TV.  It is very very sad..  it's hard to fathom to be honest.  They also stated that if any of them has a waistline over 35 inches they won't be comig out.  I am sure.. being down there in the sweltering heat and all that won't be an issue.  I am just glad they're all still alive.

[Matty the Damned]

It's also appropriate to note that miners around the world are killed on a daily basis due to shitty working conditions.

In China, Russia, Australia, and the United States to name a few.

I think it was only earlier this year that coal miners in West Virginia lost their lives because of the avarice of the bosses.

MtD

[Hellraiser]

Lighten up.  Hand wringing over the situation or worrying about something you can't affect is not going to help anyone.  Finding the humor in a dark situation (read: black comedy) is something I thought was socially acceptable here.  I apologize if I offended anyone by bringing up the topic with a bit of humor.  Everyone is so touchy here lately.

[Ann]

Sometimes black humour is ok, sometimes it's offensive. I didn't find your OP particularly funny, but that's just me. Maybe someone else chuckled. I know I didn't. Deal with it. I have.

[Miss Philicia]

I think it was only earlier this year that coal miners in West Virginia lost their lives because of the avarice of the bosses.

MtD

It's a little known fact that my parental side is from hillbilly West Virginia, though my grandfather slaved away in a bottle factory and not a coal mine.  I'm sure I must have distant relatives though that did.

ps: I don't do, and never have had, Chilean boys -- I strictly stick to the east side of the Andes.

[elf]

The weirdest thing is their not knowing they won't be rescued for months. 

[Matty the Damned]

Lighten up.  Hand wringing over the situation or worrying about something you can't affect is not going to help anyone.  Finding the humor in a dark situation (read: black comedy) is something I thought was socially acceptable here.  I apologize if I offended anyone by bringing up the topic with a bit of humor.  Everyone is so touchy here lately.

Naw honey, it's ok. I'm probably being a bit thin-skinned about it. I know you didn't mean any harm.

MtD

[Nestor]

The weirdest thing is their not knowing they won't be rescued for months. 

I literally started feeling a cold sweat just imagining it.  Those poor guys. 

[WillyWump]

I must admit I was looking for a punch line here, given the title. I had'nt heard of this situation yet.

But after searching googlenews and turning on the Tv, yikes! poor guys. Cannot believe they are talking about December before rescue.

However there is alot of good here in this story (other than the obvious fact of being trapped). The good being that there is open communication with them, they are able to lower food and water to them, and they have a huge space (1.5 miles) in which to exercise, etc...For all these reasons they are that much ahead of the game given the history of mine catastrophes.

I'm sure alot can go wrong in the months before rescue (lets hope not), but in the meantime Ill being praying for them.

-Will

[Jody]

Yes Matty the mines all over the world are still quite dangerous, despite some structural and air quality improvements over the years and decent pay in the U.S. at least, it still would be difficult to imagine the guts it takes to do that work. The mine in West Virginia had been given many warnings and fines over the years, which they apparently see merely as a cost of doing business. 

I think too that Trey is basically a nice guy and was just finding a little black humor, the internet sometimes lends itself to embracing the macabre, but without sounding too cheesy as we get older and see others we love going deep into their senior years, or as is the case here on our forums losing so many loved ones this past year alone, I guess we truly appreciate every day that much more consciously.

The Chilean miners fate will be followed over the coming months, hope they'll come out OK

Jody