Bush Reappoints Mine Safety Chief Who Bungled Crandall Canyon Disaster

[marmar]

from AlterNet's PEEK:



Bush Reappoints Mine Safety Chief Who Bungled Crandall Canyon Disaster

Posted by Amanda Terkel, Think Progress at 5:53 PM on January 5, 2008.

The Senate had twice rejected his nomination because the mines he managed “incurred injury rates double the national average.”



The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) came under severe criticism for its mismanagement of August's Crandall Canyon mine collapse in Utah. Nine men died, including six trapped after the initial cave-in and three rescue workers. Many safety experts questioned why the MSHA allowed "anyone, including rescuers, into the still-dangerous mine."

Overseeing the effort as head of MSHA was Richard Stickler, a former Murray Beth Energy executive. The Senate had twice rejected his nomination because the mines he managed "incurred injury rates double the national average." Stickler had also stated that he believed no new laws or regulations were needed for mine safety.

Stickler's term as assistant secretary expired on Dec. 31. His bio was quickly removed from the MSHA website earlier this week, and on Thursday, MSHA officials revealed that they had a new chief:

On Thursday, MSHA officials revealed that agency staffer John Pallasch had been named to Stickler's job -- assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health -- on an acting basis. Pallasch took over on Jan. 1. {...}

But it's not clear how long Pallasch will be running the $340 million agency or if President Bush plans to submit a different nominee to Congress.

......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/72816/

[liberalmuse]

1. I've never witnessed a more stagnant human being in my life...

before Bush came along. I'm surprised he just doesn't rot where he stands. I'm surprised he doesn't become a black hole and suck himself in. His energy is eating itself. I wish there were a better word than "stubborn" to describe him. What would you call it if someone is stubborn, but is absolutely devoid of any of the positive qualities that word might connotate?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. This is the reason we need to pic a nominee that will reverse whatever the Repukes did. nt

[Rageneau]

3. Boy, what a stink this would be had it been Clinton who did it.

Back in the Clinton days, when the GOP had Congressional majorities, a sleazy crony move like this would have merited six exposes in the WP and NYT and four hearings chaired by Dan Burton or Al D'Amato.

But since it's Bush, the press won't make a peep.

[XOKCowboy]

4. Another recess appointment...

Why do you think Little Pants is so adamant about this guy being the mine safety chief? He nominated the guy 4 times and each and every time Congress said No Way.

I can't wait till we get rid of both these guys.