Read a Pacific Northwest, liberal perspective on world, national, and local politics. From majestic Redmond, Washington - the Northwest Progressive Institute Advocate.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

World watching as San José mine rescue gets underway at Camp Hope, near Copiapó, Chile

Unless you've been living in a cave somewhere for the past few months, disconnected from civilization, you've probably heard about the plight of the thirty three miners who found themselves trapped underground when the San José gold and copper mine near Copiapó, Chile unexpectedly collapsed a couple of months ago. Incredibly, they managed to survive for seventeen days, on their own, before contact was made and a supply chain was established.

Now, sixty four days after the disaster, they are being transported to the surface through rescue capsules designed by NASA and built by the Chilean navy.

The rescue operation has become a top story around the world, with more than a thousand journalists on the scene in Copiapó to chronicle every development.

World leaders, meanwhile, have been wishing the recovery effort well.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave miners, their families, and the men and women who have been working so hard to rescue them," said President Barack Obama in a statement released by the White House. "While that rescue is far from over and difficult work remains, we pray that by God’s grace, the miners will be able to emerge safely and return to their families soon. We are also proud of all of the Americans who have been working with our Chilean friends on the ground to do everything that we can to bring these miners home."

If you want to watch the rescue operation in real time, just turn on any cable news channel (except Fox, of course). If you're lucky enough to have the BBC, make that your first choice for coverage. The British put our networks to shame. They've got twenty five journalists on the scene.

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