The mine explosion and the deaths in West Virginia -- 25 dead -- the worst U.S. mine disaster in two decades -- is a reminder that everybody is for mine safety, after tragic strikes, and are for tougher regulations too  -- after death makes its collection. We've been here before. Conservative scream about stifling regulations and dream for the days of no regulations. Mine owners cut corners to get away with what they can, until people die, then everybody walk arm-in-arm, promising to improve things.

The owners of the death mine in West Virginia, Massey Energy Co has a reputation of doing everything it can to make as many dollars as it can -- and  as for mine safety? That is not a priority.

The Associated Press reports that the Massey mine has  "an extensive list of safety violations",  that "federal regulators have  cited the mine "more than 60 times since the start of 2009. In 2007, the mine met criteria to be declared by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to have a pattern of violations. This would have allowed for stricter oversight by the federal agency, including the potential shutdown of the mine.  Massey was able to reduce the number of the most serious violations and avoid the declaration."

The mine owners did just enough to keep the mine opened, to keep taking the coal out, and to keep making the dollars. Obviously, they didn't do enough to avoid Monday's disaster. Today, President Barack Obama said that he has asked federal mine safety officials to report next week on what may have caused the blast. I could tell him that right now -- the mine's careless and foolish  management..

News Source: The Associated Press