Chilean Miner Rescue

[bush_cheney2004]

Congratulations to Chile and the trapped miners for doing what has never been done: surviving for 69 days and ascending to the surface through a half mile of solid rock. This was an international effort with international interest.

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – The first of 33 men was rescued Tuesday night after 69 days trapped in a collapsed mine, pulled to fresh air and freedom at last in a missile-like escape capsule to the cheers of his family and countrymen.

Florencio Avalos, wearing a helmet and sunglasses to protect him from the glare of rescue lights, smiled broadly as he emerged and hugged his sobbing 7-year-old son, Bairo, and wife. He also embraced Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and rescuers.

Also on hand was Avalos' other son and father.

After the capsule was pulled out of a manhole-sized opening, Avalos emerged as bystanders cheered, clapped and broke into a chant of "Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le!" — the country's name.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_mine_collapse

[dre]

Congratulations to Chile and the trapped miners for doing what has never been done: surviving for 69 days and ascending to the surface through a half mile of solid rock. This was an international effort with international interest.

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – The first of 33 men was rescued Tuesday night after 69 days trapped in a collapsed mine, pulled to fresh air and freedom at last in a missile-like escape capsule to the cheers of his family and countrymen.

Florencio Avalos, wearing a helmet and sunglasses to protect him from the glare of rescue lights, smiled broadly as he emerged and hugged his sobbing 7-year-old son, Bairo, and wife. He also embraced Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and rescuers.

Also on hand was Avalos' other son and father.

After the capsule was pulled out of a manhole-sized opening, Avalos emerged as bystanders cheered, clapped and broke into a chant of "Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le!" — the country's name.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_mine_collapse

Sweet!

[eyeball]

Absolutely amazing. I've been in a few tight squeezes and I do not like it one bit thank you very much. I got locked in the trunk of a car once too. The thought of climbing into that capsule is enough to make my skin crawl but I imagine the thought of getting out of that hole after 69 days would be a strong motivator.

Where the gumption to go down that hole comes from is simply phenomenal. There's just no other word for it.

[Shakeyhands]

I watched the first man come up and have to admit I got a tear in my eye watching his son/little brother greet him. Glad its going well for all of them.

[M.Dancer]

Cogratulations to Precision Drilling of Alberta

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canada+Precision+Drilling+helps+Chilean+miners+rescue/3653871/story.html

http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=PD&locale=EN

A stock to watch...

[Oleg Bach]

Absolutely amazing. I've been in a few tight squeezes and I do not like it one bit thank you very much. I got locked in the trunk of a car once too. The thought of climbing into that capsule is enough to make my skin crawl but I imagine the thought of getting out of that hole after 69 days would be a strong motivator.

Where the gumption to go down that hole comes from is simply phenomenal. There's just no other word for it.

My most horrific fear would be to slide down a greased tube deep into the earth with no way of escape...not even enough room to dash my poor brains out - Yes that is my idea of hell..These guys are very brave and concentrated in their faith..Looks like there are going to be a few South American messiahs running about - after all rising from the what should have been dead is quite the feat..I am so glad that they got them out..now if the rest of the world could just crawl out of it's miserable hole.

[eyeball]

Looks like there are going to be a few South American messiahs running about - after all rising from the what should have been dead is quite the feat..I am so glad that they got them out..now if the rest of the world could just crawl out of it's miserable hole.

No kidding. I've been reading that at least three different Christian denominations in Chile are claiming it was their prayers to free the miners that God listened to. Then there's Chile's president, I'm surprised he doesn't need a pair of expensive shades to keep from being blinded by the glow he's basking in.

[bush_cheney2004]

This is the equivalent of Apollo 13 for Chile and Chilean nationalism, especially after being devastated by earthquake. Relations with Bolivia may actually improve because of this effort. So if the politicians want to milk it for all it's worth, that's fine by me.

[bloodyminded]

It's an awesome story.

[bill_barilko]

This is the equivalent of Apollo 13 for Chile and Chilean nationalism, especially after being devastated by earthquake.

A few places were badly damaged but in no way was the country as a whole devastated.

Note that Chile has handled all the earthquake relief and repair work on it's own accepting no outside aid-they simply don't need it.

Relations with Bolivia may actually improve because of this effort. So if the politicians want to milk it for all it's worth, that's fine by me.

With an idiot like Morales anything can happen.

Edited October 13, 2010 by bill_barilko

[bush_cheney2004]

A few places were badly damaged but in no way was the country as a whole devastated.

Oh sure, just another garden variety mag 8.8 earthquake with 500+ dead.....no big deal for anybody in Canada!

Note that Chile has handled all the earthquake relief and repair work on it's own accepting no outside aid-they simply don't need it.

Nonsense....timeline of earthquake relief efforts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_relief_efforts_after_the_2010_Chile_earthquake

Edited October 13, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[GostHacked]

Awesome. This is a great ending to a what could have been a tragedy. I tip my hat to those miners who kept their composure and wits and spirits about them. At least this will be a precedent for other situations like this.

Damn good story, and with a damn fine ending!!!

[redthunder]

U.S. Rises To The Occasion

All the world is watching, eager to welcome those 33 miners from the pits of hell. It is a tale of courage and resilience that rivals the return of Ernest Shackleton and his men from their ill-fated voyage across Antarctica.

Nearly all the credit belongs to the 33 Chilean men who have survived the ordeal. So, too, should it go to their families and fellow countrymen who have heroically rushed to the rescue.

But even as we wait to see if all men make it safely to the top, it is not too early to salute the Americans who pitched in to help as well with the U.S. technology that proved so vital. After a long dry spell, it is so refreshing to see us at our best again.

Jeff Hart, left, and Matt Staffel, right, both from Denver, Colorado, embrace Elizabeth Segovia, sister of trapped miner Dario Segovia Rojo at the San Jose mine near Copiapo,

The U.S.-Chilean company Geotec Boyles Bros., which operated the first drill to reach the miners, assembled help and materials from across the globe.

After a long dry spell, it is so refreshing to see us at our best, again.

In Western Pennsylvania, two companies long-trained by mine collapses in that region rushed to action. They had UPS ship south a specialty drill, capable of creating shafts large enough to fit the men without collapsing within 48 hours. And they did it for free.

Then, working with Chilean crews, Geotec's Kansas-based partner came up with the plan to get the miners to the surface almost two months earlier than the Christmastime date originally projected.

His comment after breaking through last week? "We got the job done."

Three NASA doctors have provided advice on how to keep the miners healthy, both physically and mentally. And the design of the rescue pod is the brainchild of NASA engineer Clinton Cragg. Cragg drew on his experience as a former submarine captain in the Navy and directed a team of 20 to conceive of a small 13- foot-long tube to carry the miners one at a time to the surface.

All told, about a dozen Americans decamped to the desert, and many more labored from home, to rescue the miners. The display of generosity and technological ingenuity shows our finest face to the world. Our capacity for problem-solving and helping those most in need of it, sustains the faith that we can, as Hart said, get "the job done."

By David Gergen and Natalie Sherman

David Gergen is a senior political analyst for CNN and has served as an adviser to four U.S. presidents. He is a professor of public service and the director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.Natalie Sherman is a researcher for Gergen and an editorial assistant at the Boston Herald.

[bill_barilko]

U.S. Gazes Out From It's Nether Regions Where It's Convinced The Sun Shines From

All the world is watching, eager to welcome those 33 miners from the pits of hell. It is a tale of courage and resilience that rivals the return of Ernest Shackleton and his men from their ill-fated voyage across Antarctica.

Nearly all the credit belongs to the 33 Chilean men who have survived the ordeal. So, too, should it go to their families and fellow countrymen who have heroically rushed to the rescue.

But even as we wait to see if all men make it safely to the top, it is not too early to salute the Americans who pitched in to help as well with the U.S. technology.....Blah, Blah, Blah yanqui lies and propaganda ad nauseam

What's the purpose of posting this garbage here anyway?

This thread is about Chile in case you wondered.

[Post To The Left]

I wonder how much NASA has been involved in monitoring this event. They spend millions to create an atmosphere where humans are kept together in a small space for long periods to test future long distance space travel and then BOOM they have this fall on their lap. A free social experiment with a random assortment of people, all the while its in the DARK!

[bush_cheney2004]

What's the purpose of posting this garbage here anyway?

This thread is about Chile in case you wondered.

Far more relevant than the "garbage" about Chile not receiving any foreign aid for the Feb 2010 earthquake.

[bloodyminded]

What's the purpose of posting this garbage here anyway?

This thread is about Chile in case you wondered.

Just some grateful credit where it's due. You don't have to view it as politicized.

[GostHacked]

This could not have gone better for those miners. All 33 have made it to the surface and all are doing well. This could have been a national tragedy for Chile, but instead they made it a national triumph.

Both my grandfathers have worked in the mines, and my dad did for a short while. It takes a different mentality to plunk yourself down a mine shaft. So I am very happy that all these guys made it out safe.

If this is not the best feel good story for this year, what would be!??

[RNG]

I wonder how much NASA has been involved in monitoring this event. They spend millions to create an atmosphere where humans are kept together in a small space for long periods to test future long distance space travel and then BOOM they have this fall on their lap. A free social experiment with a random assortment of people, all the while its in the DARK!

Early in this saga, I read that NASA had volunteered advice on keeping the men mentally stable in this situation and advice about nutrition etc. The only detail I remember was suggesting that they somehow get some exercise and that they keep/be kept busy. Easy to say. And yes, congrats to Precision Drilling.