new target for the left tv station

[WillowTree]

massey energy. ramping it up..

 

[Mr. Peepers]

The company's safety record was also challenged by legal opponents who have waded into internal documents of the criminal cases.

"They placed profits over safety repeatedly," said Tonya L. Hatfield, a lawyer in the coal-mining town of Gilbert, W.Va., who has sued Massey in cases over a 2006 fire at the Aracoma mine, where 12 miners were trapped and two died. In that case the company agreed to pay $2.5 million in criminal fines. The fine, when combined with $1.5 million in civil penalties, was apparently the largest ever imposed in a coal-mining death case.

"Aracoma's conduct in this case is clear and uncontroverted," said Logan Circuit Judge Roger L. Perry, as reported by two local papers. "Given the voluntary admissions of guilt, it is clear not only that Aracoma acted with deliberate intent regarding the unsafe working conditions in its coal mine, it acted with criminal intent."

An Oct. 19, 2005, company memo obtained in Aracoma litigation indicates that before the Aracoma fire, all of the company's deep mine superintendents -- including at Upper Big Branch -- were put on notice by Massey Chief Executive Don Blankenship that coal production trumped any other concerns.

Liberal media my ass. Regardless, GOOD, they deserve it. Have you seen the behavior of the CEO? He bought off a judge. This is exactly what happens when companies "police" themselves and are not regulated enough. They dont. EVER!!! Profits always win over safety, ethics or even legality.

Massey Energy's safety record questioned after mine explosion - Los Angeles Times