Los 33

We at Taos Friction support the sentiments alluded to below in excerpts about mines and miners from the New York Times Editorial Board, columnist Roger Cohen, and the letter posted to us by KCEC Trustee Virgil Martinez. Though Virgil and I support different candidates for Gov. of New Mexico, we agree about our admiration for Los 33, the faith of the miners and the efforts by the rescuers that freed them. (I dare say we both “feel sorry for Taos County.” Virgil has a great sense of humor—something sorely missing among some trustees and members of the Chicano Chamber. For a summary of Los Barrones’ party for Denish, read “The Future of  Agua Es Vida” below. )

EDITORIAL (NYT): “Since Big Branch”
(October 18, 2010)

“Nine American miners have been killed in eight little-noted accidents since April, when an explosion in rural West Virginia left 29 dead. Lawmakers, claiming to be scandalized by the failures in safety enforcement, vowed sweeping reforms. That’s all they’ve done.

“A new inspector general’s report is one more reminder of how all of Washington has shamefully shirked its responsibility time and time again. In the more than 40 years since Congress passed what was supposed to be a landmark safety law cracking down on industry’s repeat offenders, not a single serial violator has faced the law’s maximum penalties. Instead, a rope-a-dope regulatory process has let companies game enforcement through years of violation appeals.

“Meanwhile, the Upper Big Branch mine victims are poised to slip off into history where they will join the 78 who perished in the big Farmington disaster of 1968, and the 38 killed in the Hurricane Creek disaster two years later. When does it end?”

ROGER COHEN: The Return of ‘Los 33’
(October 18, 2010)

“Jesus Christ, of course, was 33.

“That’s not scientific, but it’s the age most people ascribe to the man Christians believe died on the cross for our sins. And, of course, there were 33 men trapped in Chile’s San José mine and it took 33 days to dig the shaft that rescued them.
“From the moment they made contact with the surface, more than two weeks after being trapped, they were indivisible as “Los 33.” It is said the drill bit for “Plan B,” the one that reached them almost a half-mile below ground, was changed 33 times.

“The first men reached the surface on 13-10-10 — or 10-13-10 for Americans — and that adds up to 33. No wonder there was much talk of miracles and God. “A grand miracle,” the wife of Florencio Ávalos, the first miner to emerge, said.

“More than all the global contributions — the food and exercise regime from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the UPS-speeded delivery of drills, the Oakley sunglasses, the offers of Greek vacations (don’t Greeks need their cash?) — it was the withholding of one gift that was particularly revealing. The donated iPods were not sent down to the miners for fear they would prove isolating and break the life-saving camaraderie of “Los 33.” Salvation can still depend on seeing those around you.”

Letter from Virgil

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

As you know President Sebastian Pinera of Chile has caught the world’s attention in the recent rescue of “Los 33” miners. We miners, here at Chevron Mining, across the nation, and around the world join in congratulating our Chilean brothers. Viva “Los 33.”

We believe you, Mr. President, should declare a “National Day of Recognition” for all miners, miners, who dedicate themselves to family, industry, and country throughout the world. Mining is frequently lonely and dangerous. Who can even count the number of miners who have sacrificed their lives for the good of the country?

We also thank the Good Lord for the Deliverance of “Los 33” and pray for the safety of all miners.

Please declare a “Miner’s National Holiday” in solidarity with the celebration of “Los 33” in Chile.

Sincerely,

Virgil Martinez

P.O. Box 65
Cerro, NM 87519