Bush Renominates Man in Charge of Utah Mine Disaster

[babylonsister]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/01/mine_safety_regulator_keeps_hi.php

Mine safety regulator keeps his job

Top Mine-Safety Regulator Retains Job After Bush Decides to Keep Him on Into 2008

Staff
AP News

Jan 04, 2008 16:48 EST

The country's top mine-safety regulator will stay on the job despite the expiration of his temporary appointment as assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health.

President Bush designated Richard Stickler as acting head of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration on Friday, only a few days after the expiration of his recess appointment. The White House has renominated him for the permanent position.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has so far refused to approve his nomination. Democratic senators have said Stickler spent too many years as a coal-mining executive and failed to demonstrate that safety is his priority. The Senate could limit to 210 days the time Stickler can serve as acting head of the agency.

Stickler, the government's public face during the Crandall Canyon mine disaster in Utah, took over the $340 million agency in late 2006 as a result of an appointment Bush made while Congress was out of session.

He inherited an understaffed agency that was facing new mandates following the coal industry's deadliest year in more than a decade. Forty-seven coal miners died on the job in 2006, the year he took over the agency.

"MSHA's mission is to help ensure that each and every miner comes home safe after each and every shift, and with Richard's continued leadership and the diligence of everyone at MSHA, miner safety will continue to advance," Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said in a message to MSHA employees.

(This version CORRECTS to show that the Senate could limit the appointment to 210 if it chooses and notes that Stickler is serving as acting head.)

[Fierce]

1. This man has blood on his hands.

As does Chao.

[helderheid]

2. :(

:mad:

[blondeatlast]

3. DESPICABLE. Since he gets to keep his job, let's see him answer DIRECTLY to the families of

the workers in that mine, starting with the widows and fatherless children.

For once, let one of W's crappy, unqualified, dangerous appointments EARN his salary.

Oh, and fuck Ms. Chao, too.

[Bitwit1234]

4. Does he have to be approved by congress.

[bahrbearian]

5. Maybe he should demonstrate the proper procedures for safety

in retreat mining personally, for the remainder of his term.

[malaise]

6. WTF !!

I can't believe this shit.
Stickler covered up all the Murray lies.

[MadMaddie]

7. Not surprised...* can't find anyone else to nominate...because

all the people that are qualified would clean up the industries safety record.

Can't have that if the Mine owners want to stay rich.