The state, nation and many throughout the world have watched the events as they have unfolded at the Crandall Canyon Mine. I feel for those who have lost loved ones whose bodies have yet to be recovered.
However, I think those who are friends and relatives of the original six trapped miners should step back from their grief for a moment and really contemplate what they are asking other miners to do for them in the recovery of their loved ones. Is it really prudent to expose others to risks that could ultimately leave other children without fathers or mothers? Wives or husbands without spouses to help in rearing their children and growing old together? And, possibly, leave other miners dead with the potential of never being able to recover their bodies, either?
I think reasonable measures have been taken to try to make sure that those who are trapped could receive water, food and air until safe measures could be taken to extract them. With all due respect, I think the families should rethink their strategy of criticizing Bob Murray in the press. I, for one, think they are wrong in doing so. It is he who has to live with the knowledge he sent those other three down in the mine who died in the rescue attempt. Do he and other miners' families have to watch as others die?
Duane Blackburn
West Jordan