VIDEO: Bush Mine Safety Administrator Walks Out of Senate Hearing
VIDEO: Bush Mine Safety Administrator Walks Out of Senate Hearing
On Monday, the Bush administration’s top mine safety official, David Dye, appeared before a Senate subcommittee to explain the administration’s response to the Sago mining disaster. Specifically, senators wanted to know why mine safety has been consistently underfunded under President Bush, and why regulations have been rolled back or weakly enforced.
Unfortunately, David Dye has a busy schedule. After an hour of questioning, Dye announced he had “some really pressing matters” to attend to, and asked to leave the hearing. Committee chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) urged him not to: “Your presence will be required here for at least one more hour.”
But Dye insisted:
We have been diverted, dealing with these matters. We were happy to prepare for the hearing, but we really need to get back and attend to all this. There’s 15,000 mines in the United States, and we’ve got some really pressing matters.
The New York Times describes what occured next:
After Mr. Specter added, “That’s the committee’s request, but you’re not under subpoena,” Mr. Dye got up and walked out.
“I can’t recollect it ever happening before,” Mr. Specter said of the departure. “We’ll find a way to take appropriate note of it.”
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ok, I’ll say it”
“You’re doing a heck of a job, Davy.”
January 25th, 2006 at 2:23 pmDid Jack Abramoff have anything to do with staffing at MSHA, personnel in the MSHA or anyone at the Department of Labor having to do with worker safety and monitoring of mines?
Just askin’
January 25th, 2006 at 2:27 pmYeah! yeah! yeah!
We’ll get back to you when we’re good and da*ned ready!
-Bushiva
January 25th, 2006 at 2:30 pmGlad those Repug Senators are asserting oversight!
January 25th, 2006 at 2:31 pmF**K You Specter ..I work for Bush… F**K you. I got lunch to do or nails to clip or something. The emporer is tiring of this senate anyway. It is out of touch with the people. Only the emporer knows what his children wants. And he thinks they dont want a senate anymore. Goodbye.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:32 pmAbsolute arrogance by Dye and the administration.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:33 pmThe audacity is truly amazing. They need a good old “b*tch slappingâ€.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:33 pmI wonder which pressing matters David Dye went to attend? I hope he isn’t just out to lunch with some mining industry lobbyist.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:37 pmArrogance is the most accurate description of this administration. GWB has made it clear that he’s unaccountable for his actions. This isn’t suprising because he’s been bailed out of every one of his screw ups his entire life. I’ve reached the conclusion that this fool really does beleive he’s been annointed rather than elected.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:38 pm“I can’t recollect it ever happening before,†Mr. Specter said of the departure. “
That’s too funny. “F*** you, I’m outa here”, the man says. Then Arlen goes into Zeropean mode as if dealing with Islamists head choppers…..We’ll find a way to take appropriate note of it.â€
F’ing losers. These Senators think everybody ought to just bend the knee and kiss ass while we’re down there. Don’t these idiots know that these men serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States and no half-assed silly make-work meeting is going to interfere with that? Guess not.
Good on ya Mr. Dye. Get back to work.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:41 pmSW Bob — dontcha remember??? Chimpy was annointed, by God his own self! At least that’s what chimpy and his televangelipublicanazi friends keep telling us…
There are now daily examples of the arrogance of the white house fascistas. They’ve figured out that nobody’s going to call them on it, so they’ll just keep doing whatever the hell they want, and then blaming it on 9/11 or “those obstructionist, unpatriotic, terrorist-loving democrats” whenever something bad happens.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:45 pmI-RIGHT-I,
Once again, giving Bush a blow job is not considered work.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:46 pm#8 – Manicure, massage, chest waxing…
January 25th, 2006 at 2:46 pmmaybe Dye just wasn’t going to participate in a “fishing expedition”
January 25th, 2006 at 2:48 pmit’s a waste of time and bandwidth to reply to you iritee.
I can’t for the life of me figure out what you mean to say most times.
You are either a drug addict (probable prescription meds like your god rush), a government paid troll set out to create chaos in progressiveland( less probable as you show very little signs of intellagence, but with dumbya as king, he may love your ass. good gig if you can get it) or just an incredibly tight sphinctered, angry with the whole world right wing nut job.
I’m going with C.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:48 pm“Right between the I’s” does have a point. Pres. Bush appoints people to serve him, not the American people.
If their job were to care about American citizens, then maybe they’d give a hoot about the people that their lack of ability kills every time a mine accident happens. (Accidents are up by double digit percentages since 2000)
Since Pres. Bush doesn’t care about American citizens, or America for that matter, why are the congresmembers even trying to get answers? The answer is obvious: Pres. Bush hates American citizens!
January 25th, 2006 at 2:49 pmiri –
And the prez serves at the pleasure of the people who undoubtedly want to know why MSHA has failed to enforce regulations and to collect prior fines from Sago. I guess sanctity of life stops in a mine or, parenthetically, on the battlefields in Iraq. Safety & health is a sham with this administration and its minyons. If you haven’t noticed, GW’s approval rating ahs slipped to a new low of 36% … quite a testimony to his “enlightened leadership” …
January 25th, 2006 at 2:50 pmIRI –
Damn straight. To hell with this “three branches of government” claptrap. If our Founders had any inkling that the future of our country would bring to power such an enlightened despot like Bush, they never would have insisted on checking the power of the executive or making him accountable at all to Congress. But you can’t blame the Founders — who could ever have predicted that we would have an executive so wise and flawless that it would make keeping him accountable to anyone else completely unnecessary?
January 25th, 2006 at 2:52 pmOnly the greatness of Bush has made a government of men possible in a nation of laws. Hooray for a government of men!
“We’ve got some really pressing matters”
Yeah gotta get back and figure out how to expand our wiretapping, invade Iran, make the wealthy wealthier, appoint our friends to high-level positions, abolish abortion and avoid Katrina responsibility—can’t waste time with any stupid inquiry.
Wonder if they’ll be able to get out of impeachment hearings so readily.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:52 pmAn impromptu safety conference in Hawaii ought to sort out these mine safety problems Dean Wormer……To ga … T o g a… T o g a!.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:57 pmYup, I’ll bet he is back before the committee as soon as he eats that steaming pile of crap that he has in his pocket. I’m sure he’ll be back after the rethuglicans vote in Alito.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:58 pmhe’s as classy as the rest of them
January 25th, 2006 at 2:59 pmArlen Sphincter should subpoena the bastard and put him jail if he walks away again.
Of course, Sphincter won’t do that, he’s a loyal Chimpyloving neocon fascist who supports lax safety rules that get people killed.
If you voted for Bush, you voted for dead miners.
Bush supporters have blood on their hands.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:03 pmDoesn’t that one count as, I don’t know, contempt of court?
January 25th, 2006 at 3:04 pmAh, the things you can get away with when you know you can! Hearings? What hearings?
I hope those think tanks are working on how to replace all these policy implants once the dems take over! That will be a huge job.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:05 pmBetter question–why wasn’t he under subpeona? I dunno…two accidents in the same state, 2 weeks apart, multiple deaths (CNN be dammed)….seems like a person you’d want to subpeona and have testify under oath….
And Spector can just f-himself. As he cries about this treatment, he praises Alito. In effect, he’s begging to be treated this way from now on…
January 25th, 2006 at 3:06 pmMaybe he just had to take a crap?
January 25th, 2006 at 3:08 pmforget the everyday worker…It’s only the boss that counts to this group in D.C.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:10 pmNo Gerald, he is a crap, just like all the rest of this shi**y administration. We now have a honey bucket full of them…Blessings
January 25th, 2006 at 3:19 pmHow many more times will the Bush crime family bitch-slap Congress before they develop a spine and impeach the bastard?
January 25th, 2006 at 3:22 pm“I can’t recollect it ever happening before,†Mr. Specter said of the departure. “
That’s too funny. “F*** you, I’m outa hereâ€, the man says. Then Arlen goes into Zeropean mode as if dealing with Islamists head choppers…..We’ll find a way to take appropriate note of it.â€
F’ing losers. These Senators think everybody ought to just bend the knee and kiss ass while we’re down there. Don’t these idiots know that these men serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States and no half-assed silly make-work meeting is going to interfere with that? Guess not.
Good on ya Mr. Dye. Get back to work.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I
You can’t beat that for self-parody. I commend you.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:22 pm24- He wasn’t subpoenaed- this time.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:22 pmPerhaps Specter now knows how a super majority of Americans feel.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:23 pmHe went back to his sandbox to run some simulation models.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:23 pmBush is on the tube saying Osama bin Laden, 9/11, Osama bin Laden, 9/11 Osama bin Laden, 9/11 Osama bin Laden, 9/11 Osama bin Laden, 9/11 Osama bin Laden, 9/11.
Hold onto your rights and your wallets.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:24 pmDon’t these idiots know that these men serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States and no half-assed silly make-work meeting is going to interfere with that?
Try running that BS by people who actually work in mines. Or have lost friends or relatives in mining accidents. What a jackass. Mining safety equals make-work.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:26 pmWell what would you do if you were hiding something and didn’t want to tell anyone and you were there of your own free will, not under subpeona. Get up and walk out…haha try and stop me.
These are the “people” that are in charge directing the country. Thugs and imbeciles. Can this get worse?…oooops..shouldn’t have asked that.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:27 pmTypical Neo-kook. If you cant think of a Lie, or deny. Then do as the Mad Hatter did and just Leave the Party in denial.
he proabaly had an important lunch date with a Lobbyist, and couldnt afford to miss a free meal.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:27 pmNovember 06– and November 08– can’t happen too soon. To extend the scatalogical metaphor, this country needs an enema.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:27 pmMaybe he just had to take a crap?
Comment by Gerald Gibson
He already took a crap on a few dead miners. Their will be more. Maybe W. Va. and other coal mining red states will become blue states sooner. They all will be eventually, They are red until they are bled. Than they all turn blue.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:28 pmI wondered what was so pressing on David Dye’s time, so I went to the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration website, and clicked on “Upcoming Events”. Here’s what’s going on.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:28 pmDon’t these idiots know that these men serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States and no half-assed silly make-work meeting is going to interfere with that?
Try running that BS by people who actually work in mines. Or have lost friends or relatives in mining accidents. What a jackass. Mining safety equals make-work.
Comment by David
David,
He had nothing to say so he just did a self-parody. He can’t bring himself to admit he’s actually in agreement with us and the rest of the country. He would lose his troll license.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:30 pmThe White House has officially come to naught.
There is no course, Bush is inept, Jobs are stuffed with Pioneers and the Americans suffer.
So much for Bushcos Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood.
Reduced Civil Rights, Inequality, and Ownership Society is much more applicable to buschco
January 25th, 2006 at 3:30 pmJoin us March 20–23, 2006 in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the 24th Joint Mine Safety & Health Conference. Register before February 20, 2006 for special conference pricing.
Notice the Emblem Says Partners in Safety..
January 25th, 2006 at 3:32 pmWOW.
Perhaps they mean partners in safety on the GOLF course
those damn golf balls tilting the course
January 25th, 2006 at 3:33 pmThe arrogance of this administration knows no bounds.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:34 pmSpecter will make an “…appropriate note of it” on the subpoena and drag the insolent bastard in by the hair while he is kicking and screaming for King George the Dumb. KGtD will wake up in a week or two and find his behind in a BIG crack. I will make my usual wager that impeachment proceedings will at least in process if not complete by the Fourth of July. What an “…appropriate note of it” that would be to celebrate Independence Day.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:34 pmKen Ashford,
According to the link you have, their conference ended yesterday, so he really has nothing to do.
Somebody needs to follow him with a camera and find out where he is going and what he is doing. You know, a little warrantless spying.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:35 pmDye, you are a fashion god.
If the man had sat through another hour of hearings, nobody would have paid any attention to whatever self-serving nothings he had to say. However, by walking out on Arlen and making a royal ass of himself, he has started the ball rolling: first we’ll have some good investigative reports into how such a self-righteous poser made it into a position where people’s lives are at stake, then we’ll have more Senate hearings and a public roasting of the dude, and finally he’ll be forced to resign with his tail between his legs, the new poster child for Bush regime incompetence.
Nice job, moron, you didn’t just walk out on a Senate committee. You have now painted a huge target on your forehead and drawn a jackass on your back, and you will be forced to resign in disgrace and ridicule.
Too bad, really. It’s the guy who hired you who deserves to be run out of town. You’re just the latest fool to lay down protecting him.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:38 pmTHIS SHOULD BE AN EYE OPENER TO SPECTER .
January 25th, 2006 at 3:39 pmHe repeated the same mistake with Alito that he made with Thomas . Wiil he repent , after Alito votes to make the executive the all knowing all powerfull branch of our goverment and makes the senate irrelevent .
Somebody should take a 9 iron to his fat head and throw him down an abandoned mine.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:41 pmHe’s probably been threatened with being thrown into a Turkish jail if he talks.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:42 pmSo what is the background of this David Dye?
January 25th, 2006 at 3:42 pmDye’s bio.
http://www.msha.gov/asinfo.htm
Typical. No mining industry or safety experience listed. Just lawyering.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:47 pmWhatever his background, you can bet that a Medal of Freedom is in his future, and maybe a choice appointment as Ambassador to someplace nice. Like this filthy lying pig, who just got appointed to the Ambassador’s post in the Netherlands.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:47 pmMr Dye doesn’t give a rat’s ass about miners’ lives.
Neither does Bush. Neither does I-RIGHT-I.
Cowards and traitors all.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:50 pmWhy is it the Bush administrations fault? Why is everything the Bush administrations fault? West Virginia is largely a Democrat controlled state. What is the Governor doing about mine safety? What is the State Legislature doing about mine safety?
January 25th, 2006 at 3:53 pm41- Excellent Link..
49- Exactly. Another arrogant prick bites the dust.
For the record, I am glad Specter is one of the few with the balls to say Exactly how he feels about the wiretap fiasco instead of just parroting Partylines. He can see the effect Bush is having on the GOP for future elections and its not pretty. (unless Bush does away with all future elections) – All this Clinton-kneejerk reaction is going to turn into Bush-kneejerkia (for at least the middle Americans who don’t pay attention to what the hell is happening)..
January 25th, 2006 at 3:54 pmRepublicans- you reap what you sow.. And right now, you guys are farming the North Forty of Hades…
Also he graduated from the University of Texas. Hmmm….a fellow Texan. Even though Bush is not Texan he sure likes people with connections to there. Is Texas as poorly run as this country is or did all the bad apples infest D.C.?
January 25th, 2006 at 3:57 pmJason is a good Christian man like our preznit Bush!
January 25th, 2006 at 4:00 pmQuote of the Moment
We are at war, and our security as a nation depends on winning that war.
—Condoleezza Rice
From Jason’s good small “c”hristian website!
January 25th, 2006 at 4:01 pmJason,
Go mine some cheese from between your toes.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:02 pmJason’s good christian definition of a democratic controlled state:
A few dead Democrats in the cemetary who still vote.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:03 pmLook, don’t pick at the guy – he had to go and iron his shirt!
January 25th, 2006 at 4:05 pmThis is begining to be quite a spectacal, it seems everywhere we turn to look and listen, we find what appears to be a disregard by the adminstrations for what might be called due process.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:08 pmIn this example its an appointee that doesnt have the time to come before a commitee? Albiet without a subpoena I wonder now whether there will be one issued?
Suppose every one whom the Congress or Senate calls to be heard form everything to Hurricanes to Medicare failures says “well, I would sure like to be there but hey, Im too busy”?
But it seems this the rule and not the exception!
Its staggering to think that such hubris exists so openly and senior members like Specter are being brushed aside?
The Republic is in peril, all women and children to the life boats!!!!
Been reading all your posts here. While I agree with almost everyone on what is being said here, and while I find it amazing that David Dye just got up and left, I find it more amazing that none of you get it! We all have to face the fact that, unfortunately, the vast majortiy of the American people simply don’t care. Most don’t vote, the ones that do tend to vote on party lines. The bigger issue is where the fuck are the leaders who are going to organize the people, educate them, and get them into the street? they don’t fucking exist! We need a CROMWELL. We need someone to take over the fucking country for 3 years, get rid of all the politicians, and start all over again. And speaking about protesting in the streets, imagine if during the VietNam war, you needed a permit to protest? What nonesense!!!! What utter fucking bullshit, a permit to protest?!?!?!?!?! What the fuck do all the people on this site actually do the change things??? Where the fuck is the underground? Where ARE the hard core activists?!?!?!?!? Why are there not 1 million people marching on, and shutting down the capital, Wash DC? Fuck, the democrates and the Republicans. A 2 party system is no better than a fucking dictatorship.
there, I feel better.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:19 pmDoes anyone know David Dye’s background and how the hell he got this job?
I can only imagine he had “connections.”
January 25th, 2006 at 4:28 pmJason is no christian. Jason is a worshiper of false idols with the face of Jesus painted on them.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:28 pmWhy is it the Bush administrations fault? Why is everything the Bush administrations fault? West Virginia is largely a Democrat controlled state. What is the Governor doing about mine safety? What is the State Legislature doing about mine safety? Comment by Jason
Gee, I dunno, Jason.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but do you suppose it could be because it is a NATIONAL problem and not just a state’s problem? Kind’a like FEMA and the Katrina disaster? And maybe because PRESIDENT BUSH allowed the weakening of both mining laws and FEMA’s no-response? That the results of both have led to disasters on junior’s watch?
Ya think? Do ya? Think, I mean? Get a clue, pal.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:32 pmThis jerk is a Bush appointment. If you have taken the time to observe competent and successful people you may have noticed that they surround themselves with equally competent and successful people. In Bush’s case you have an under achieving, small minded, dishonest dolt who would never be comfortable being surrounded by smart people. He is in his element with people like David Dye, Rummy, Cheney, Delay and the other dolts recycled from his old man’s administration.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:33 pmWho did he ask to go to the restroom. Was Condi sitting behind him?
January 25th, 2006 at 4:34 pmDye probably needed to drop a duece…
January 25th, 2006 at 4:35 pmSince I was 19, I have never missed an election or primary. I am currently 65.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:37 pmAs for a revolt, it is not allowed under our democracy.
The President can ignore the law as long as he is allowed to by the judicial branch. In short, six individuals can control the fate of this nation.
W is the process of stacking the deck.
I love the fact that in rubbing democrats noses in his power doodoo he must occassionally subject a republican to the same treatment. Get them all emperor Bush.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:38 pm#66 .. That is why the media seems totally compromised. If they were reporting on TV what was going on the anger would be flowing much faster. As it is this is all being hidden behind (those crazy DC politics)…
As it stands now the anger is flowing harder and harder and it is making people on the left more radical. As they get more radical they are getting more irate with coworkers, family members, friends (I have lost a friend I wont talk to any more and we have always been on opposite sides of politics), and people they bump into. That is starting to spread the word. It is slower but word of mouth convinces people more than TV. Hell you can go download and play that game Americas Army and they bash bush on there all the time. And these people want to be in the Army!
Right before water boils all you see are tiny bubbles. Shortly there after all hell breaks loose. That is the same with revolutions. They build up over decades and then explode. The original Americans were eating the kings crap for about 60 years before they blew their top.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:40 pmI’m not a fan of this administration, but I sympathize with this guy. Congress can be an impediment to action when they fall all over themselves trying to investigate everything. Why was this particular mining event so egregious? Because the newspapers reported it? Where was Congress during past mining events if they are such a regualatory body? For that matter, are they investigating the regulators who wrote report after report and didn’t enforce the regulations?
January 25th, 2006 at 4:42 pmThis top-notch reporter failed to mention that Dye was a Mining Industry Executive before holding his current job.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:44 pmWow…what a difference 4 days makes. He was, like, so concerned. From msha.gov:
01/21/2006
Statement from David G. Dye, Acting Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health:
“The MSHA family extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the two miners whose lives were lost in the Alma Mine #1 fire. We are proud of the heroic efforts of the mine rescue teams who put their lives on the line to find these men.
“In addition to the new mine rescue and technology grants we provided last week to West Virginia and other mining states, we have also launched a new initiative to advance the use of technology in mine rescue to ensure that the lessons we learn are used to save miners’ lives in the future.â€
Oh, and did anyone notice his title? Acting Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:46 pm#76 there have been hearings on mines many times in the past … that is how all the mine safety laws got passed. It is just that the neocons have been trying for years to get rid of all government oversite passed over the past 100 years so they can make more money.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:47 pmThank you, Mr. Dye. This will now be big news because of you.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:52 pmThis guy wears a lot of hats. The MSHA Web site also lists him as:
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for MSHA
Acting Administrator of MSHA
Forgive my ignorance, but if he is an assistant secretary, isn’t there, like, a secretary?
January 25th, 2006 at 4:55 pmIn reference to #81…
After further searching, I suppose Elaine Chao would be “the boss.” (?)
January 25th, 2006 at 4:59 pmThese people are a power unto their own. They owe allegiance to no one.
They will do as they please and Specter making clear to Dye that he was not under subpoena only clarifies just how much power corporate interests wield in this administration.
These people are fascists of the first kind.
Business is running this nation not the people. We have seen first hand just what a subpoena can do to this administration with the Abramoff scandal.
It seems it will now be company policy not to allow republicans to use them either. That is unless it is for some frivolous use.
January 25th, 2006 at 5:05 pmHe’s a Bush Appointee.
MIKE BROWN number 2.
All they know is denial and HUBRIS.
BUSH SHOULD FIRE HIM TODAY!
January 25th, 2006 at 5:13 pm#57 Why is it the Bush administrations fault? Why is everything the Bush administrations fault?
I guess, as long as we’ve got a Mine Safety and Health Administration in the Labor Dept., we should probably find them something to do, like oversee mine safety and make sure that we have uniform standards of mine safety across the country.
Let’s try it from the other end now. Why is nothing the Bush administration’s fault? Why is it that, no matter what the issue is, Bush apologists can find a way to insulate him from responsibility. Is he actually responsible for anything? It doesn’t seem like it. It’s always somebody else in his administration who failed to heed warnings, or trimmed mine safety or levy reinforcements out of the budget. It’s never Bush. He doesn’t actually have anything to do but mug for the camera and try to talk like a cowboy. Isn’t that about it?
Heckuva job, Bushie. Heckuva job.
January 25th, 2006 at 5:13 pm#57 Why is it the Bush administrations fault? Why is everything the Bush administrations fault?
uhh, cause they HIRED THE GUY MAYBE?
:|
January 25th, 2006 at 5:36 pmMike Brown – David Dye
Dumb and Dumber.
January 25th, 2006 at 5:42 pmDavid Dye to his aides … “this blows, I’m outta here”.
Biggest set of balls ever … someone post the video so we can see if he walks funny. Unbelievable.
January 25th, 2006 at 5:48 pm# 57 why is ti Bush’s fault, because THE BUCK STOPS THERE, remember Harry Truman? Bush wishes he had the balls to lick harry’s boots
January 25th, 2006 at 6:06 pm57. Why is it the Bush administrations fault? Why is everything the Bush administrations fault? West Virginia is largely a Democrat controlled state. What is the Governor doing about mine safety? What is the State Legislature doing about mine safety?
Jason
Jason, you obviously don’t follow things too closely. I guess it’s just that you defend Bush no matter the facts or situation. The State of West Virginia has passed what may be the first of many mine saftey laws subsequent to the recent disasters. The questions, again, are: What are the feds doing? Why does MSHA not enforce the regulations, or collect fines that have been levied? Why does the head of MSHA thumb his nose at legitimate Senate hearings, and undoubtedly receive White House support for so doing? Why is safety and health such an anathema to the administration and its agencies? Why does the right’s sanctity of life argument stop at a mine’s door, or anywhere outside of Terri Schiavo’s former hospital room? “You’re doing a helluva job, Dye.”
Read it all at:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/23/mines/index.html
January 25th, 2006 at 6:11 pmOnly an inept Bush clown would do something as politically foolish as this.
January 25th, 2006 at 6:13 pmAnother Bush Administration hack…go figure.
January 25th, 2006 at 6:36 pmGet used to it, they don’t have to deal with our silly little hearings and courts. I think Queen Marie said it best during the black plague when there was a law banning travel because of the threat of spreading the desiese, “Ha, I make the laws, so I can break them too.” Get used to our monarchy, and bow before king george and his fuedalist vassels.
January 25th, 2006 at 6:58 pmBhopal all over again. I wonder if he’s friends with Warren Anderson…
January 25th, 2006 at 7:01 pmWhy should anyone in the Bush administration think he needs to answer to anyone. The rot starts at the top.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:18 pmBush and his minions stonewall congress, mislead the media, disrespect the White House press corps, deceive the public, stonewall investigations and commit many offenses against the public trust, so why shouldn’t anyone in the administration feel no obligation toward any investigative committee — who’s going to challenge them? Bush will defend them no matter what.
For some strange thing, the first thing that came to mind this morning once I was fully awake was – we don’t really need a president. We don’t do we?
What exactly does Bush do? He puppets everything Cheney wants him to say. He repeats everything Rumsfeld, Rove, and Rice says. He has no original ideas and no capacity for intelligent thought. Who needs him? Certainly not us!
January 25th, 2006 at 7:30 pmAs far as this administration is concerned the poor & the powerless are expendable whether they’re in a mine hole or a fox hole.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:32 pmms. manners here in mexico says that once again this is totally unacceptable behaviour by the bushivites. who ever heard of such a thing, leaving before tea and croissants are served?
and that arlin specter, what a wimp! it makes ms. manners blush. and why didn’t they actually subpoena these overpaid neo-con f****rs?
ms. manners finally notes that daniel dye’s busy calendar should be cleared, along with his work desk and area, permanently.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:48 pm*sigh** why do they even bother?
January 25th, 2006 at 7:54 pmCongress – the executive’s annoying little brother.
January 25th, 2006 at 8:16 pmThe American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and its 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members are urging everyone to participate in North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week the first week of May 2006. Focusing on increasing safety awareness and accident prevention in all workplaces, NAOSH Week is supported by safety professionals, employees, corporations and the public throughout the U.S. and abroad.
So that is 2 ASSE members for every mine?
Please help with the arithmetic, Oh you mean it isn’t just for mines there is only
January 25th, 2006 at 8:27 pm1 ASSE for every 500 mines
Okay, I sent Judd an e-mail about this and from doing a Search for Colorado in this thread, plus doing a Google search for Colorado+Mine+Fire. I have still yet to see anybody talk about the NEW COLORADO MINE FIRE.
That is the real reason why David Dye stood up and left the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee hearings.
There is a new mine fire that David Dye mentioned:
This is about 36 seconds into the video posted here.
Watch again.
“…we have another mine fire, that no one was hurt, burning in Colorado.”
And while nobody died in this fire, as we know right now, it is still another mine disaster in a freaking month. Notice that David Dye does not look arrogant or snooty. He looks very nervous and agitated.
January 25th, 2006 at 9:02 pmJason, Jason, Jason….
What ever happened to Bush’s promised “party of personal responsibility”? Or does that only mean that someone *else* always bears responsibility, no matter whose fault it really is?
For a bunch of rubes who, until they’re in the catbird seat themselves, insist that everybody “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” you sure pull on W’s for him a lot, don’t you? Don’t you think it’s time he made an effort to do that himself? And don’t you think this country deserves a President willing to be as “accountable” as he insists that, say, developmentally disabled 12-year-olds on death row should be?
Get out of the fan club and join us in our drowning country before it’s too late. Bushie isn’t gonna date you, so you might as well put your country before your schoolgirl crush for a change, dontcha think?
January 25th, 2006 at 9:38 pmI’m with #66 up there.
Let’s see some people start to care. Given the sheer number of people that *claim* to give a shit about this country, there should be *100,000* posts in the threads in this place – not 100.
What a joke our citizenry is. Fat, lazy, apathetic joke.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:15 pmSad but true.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:20 pmYou want the truth? You can’t handle the truth.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:28 pmIf Spector has any followup it should be to subpoena this arrogant buffoon. But you know, the goose stepping republican controlled senate has been an irrelevantcy as to the oversight role it played so far during Bush’s term of office. It now comes home to roost.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:38 pmCompassioate conservatism???what a joke!!!
Mr. Dye must be terminated from his position immediately!
He is must likely an incompetant like Michael Brown of FEMA!
Since he blew off the Senate committee, he is a stupid jerk!
January 25th, 2006 at 11:18 pmCorrection > MOST likely, not must!
January 25th, 2006 at 11:33 pmSpudge #102,
I applaud your fairness but you and I both know he wanted to get the hell out of there and get to a fancy restaurant he had reservations at, like Brownie, during Katrina.
January 26th, 2006 at 1:08 amYou people have no compassion at all. You don’t want the dude to miss his tee time, do you?
January 26th, 2006 at 2:15 amHere they come to save the day!!! Too bad the day is dead by the time they manage to “spring” into action. I am beginning to sense a pattern here…. Why do people have to die BEFORE Bush&Co. do their damn jobs? Is it some sick science project? I know what happens when you pour salt on a slug. And we’re supposed to believe that they only want to keep us safe? If this is the best they can do then we are all in danger, not from terrorists, but from these imbeciles. I want someone to save me from THEM!!! Of course Mr. Saftey had to jet… he’s got alot of butts that need covering. He had better run…Hey, God?… you are taking notes, aren’t you?
January 26th, 2006 at 5:20 amWhat they need?
Seems to me Dye just administered it… a “a good old “b*tch slapping,†that is.
January 26th, 2006 at 6:10 amMaybe now those W. Virginians will vote their interests instead of their ‘good ‘ol boy’, good ‘ol days wistfulness…
Unionization could go a long way to cleaning up some of those dangerous conditions…
But you southern ‘pull yourselves up by ur bootstrappers” don’t believe in collective bargaining, only selfish divisiveness…
January 26th, 2006 at 9:13 amDavid,
He had nothing to say so he just did a self-parody. He can’t bring himself to admit he’s actually in agreement with us and the rest of the country. He would lose his troll license.
Comment by G. Gordon Giddy
I said exactly what I wanted to say, that most of these dog and pony shows are for the camera and the camera only. I hold no illusions that the people who try and make political hay out dead men’s bodies actually care any more about the dead men and how and why they died than you do. Any excuse to Bush bash is taken by the Filthy Left and the lower the blow the better. You are not fooling anyone.
January 26th, 2006 at 9:52 amJust reading this board makes me wonder how the MSM has not been trying to blame the mines on Bush more. As usuall, the Libs will blame anything on Bush.
January 26th, 2006 at 1:15 pmI’ve just put up some new Sago-related material– couple of entries relating to the Senate hearings:
http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/blog/richardmyers
best wishes,
January 26th, 2006 at 1:19 pmrichard myers
And you are a moron I-RIGHT-I.
We do care. We are tired of Bush cutting federal spending on safety. I hope somebody something happens to you and/or somebody you know that requires federal assistance and you don’t get it. That is the only way you will wake. Or maybe you never will.
But, you are still a moron. You and all of your friends on the Filthy Right.
January 26th, 2006 at 1:26 pmThanks #66. This is THE issue. Most American voters are oblivious to the importance of these Bushist crimes. They literally don’t see any need to act. Dumbed down, delusional Xian Fundie, American Idol watching, missing white woman drooling herd of sheep that just wants to be told they are safe and daddy is protecting them.
Worse still, not one of the ReThuglicans I know who voted for Bush wishes they had voted for Kerry, even knowing what they know now about these Fascists who have destroyed EVERYTHING they have touched. Really, think about it, how many Bush voters do you know wish they had voted for Kerry?
Not only do we need a new crop of politicians who truly represent the people’s interests, but we also have to wait for a new generation of Americans (a majority) who actually give a s— about their rights and our nation. Another 10-20 years I suspect before the ever worsening situation forces these future Patriots to take to the streets in sufficient numbers.
Until then, our crisis will get much worse. Dem’s, liberals, Independents and other Progressives will continue to be “shocked” with each new outrage, corporate scandal and electronic voting machine ReThuglican election victory.
January 26th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
January 26th, 2006 at 3:55 pmI assume you’re referring to Bush’s making political hay out of 9/11.
That’s right Sen. Specter, “take appropriate note of it.”
Then file it away under, “Make Voters Forget”, which should be a very big file by now.
Amazing how the Rethugs can look outraged and look like they are doing something when they’re not.
On the other hand, when are Americans going to notice the Rethugs stealing our prosperity, our future and our freedom?
January 26th, 2006 at 6:03 pmAnyone notice who was next up for questions?
You don’t suppose that the fact that it was the United Mineworkers turn to speak had anything to do with David Dye slinking out of the room like a thief in the night, do you?
January 26th, 2006 at 6:11 pmDye knows that Specter is voting for Alito, who will make Specter’s Senate optional, and Dye’s boss, Bush, the emperor. Why shouldn’t Dye treat Specter with contempt? Specter better get used to it.
January 26th, 2006 at 11:35 pmArlen Specter says he’ll “make a note of it?” Ha! He’ll bend over the conference table and spread his asscheeks with both hands, that’s what he’ll do!
That old blow-hard doesn’t have an honest bone in his body.
January 27th, 2006 at 2:53 amNotch up another one for “compassionate conservatism”.
What a bunch of clowns.
January 27th, 2006 at 3:03 amDo you know their excuse for leaving the hearing? They said they had to attend to the very serious matter of a coal mine fire in Colorado. That so called urgent matter has been burning since November. I bet they haven’t done a damn thing about it until now when they were using it as a convenient excuse. This country is truly screwed and blued.
January 27th, 2006 at 3:52 pmDoes anybody know if Dave Dye’s wife, (Federal Maritime Commissioner Rebecca Dye), represents the Maritime Commission with the same grace, panache, and avante garde realism as her husband? Probably not, since we haven’t been reading about a steady stream of ship disasters.
Gotta go — I have a raging fire to tend to somewhere in the Rockies.
January 27th, 2006 at 11:33 pmNice fucking country anymore huh? What a bunch of arrogant assholes. They should ALL be thrown in jail.
January 28th, 2006 at 11:17 amDon’t give Dye credit for arrogance. Here’s the scoop, direct from the factory. Dye didn’t know how to answer the questions, so he ran and hid. His own staff didn’t prepare him and won’t lift a finger to help him out. Did you notice those minions that he had with him? Edward Clair is the top attorney, and Robert Friend is the senior career person at MSHA. Clair only answered the question that was put directly to him, and Friend wouldn’t say shit if he had a mouthful of it. So Dye is up there with no information and no lifeline, being screwed in public by his own inner circle.
January 29th, 2006 at 8:07 pm[...] While Exxon enjoys record profits, their CEOs refuse to comply with Congressional requests for testimony. Similarly, a Congressional hearing with the chief federal for mine safety was halted when said official up and left. [...]
January 31st, 2006 at 11:45 amWhat a bunch of spin. How about the REAL story now: The hearing was OVER, Dye completed what he was ASKED to do. Then Specter asked him to stay another hour “JUST IN CASE” any of the SEnators who were coming and going (Because it wasn’t important enough to get there on time, of course) had additional questions. Dye said he came for what he was supposed to, and then left.
February 3rd, 2006 at 5:24 pm