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Subscribe to RSSI can't get enough information about the mine rescue in Chile. The headline, the good news, is simple enough: 33 men found alive after 17 days, more than 2,000 feet down. There is a pipe the width of the average grapefruit down to the escape room where they remain. The problem is, the effort to get them out must now proceed gingerly. It may take until Christmas. Obviously, the physical and mental health of the miners now takes precedence.
For example—I was theorizing in our news meeting this morning: Will they set up a Telco line for them to Skype with family? Will they be sent iPods with broadcasts or movies or music they like? Will lighting be sent down to mimic day and night above ground to give them a living schedule, as is required during all shifts aboard a submarine at sea? How will waste be disposed of (think about that for a moment)? How does the group dynamic hold up under a sensory deprivation, how can tempers be held in check and "unit cohesion" be achieved and sustained?
It’s a dynamic not unlike that experienced by some POW's—for whom it gets tougher when things are taken away...or when other factors are added. I heard today they've approached NASA—the experts in sustaining life in a hostile, closed environment...and that's a good thing.
We will someday read the definitive book or see the definitive documentary about these brave men and their brave rescuers. Until then, I'll say what I said after the last domestic mining disaster: Our hunger for energy requires some among us to pursue a noble occupation: going deep underground for the raw materials we need. It requires so much of the miners and their families—as we're seeing play out in Chile right now.
I want to thank all of you who watched my Dateline hour—and all of you who have written about it. It was powerful to work on, and it is hard to watch at times—but I think the anger and sadness is important. We can't forget how it made us feel five years ago. It is re-airing this Friday night on MSNBC.
We hope you can join us tonight.
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Brian,
Then this Christmas will truly be special and sacred.
Phyllis
Brian - Thinking about the miners brings up so many questions, quite a few of which you mention above. Are they at least in an area where they can stand up straight, and just how much room is down there to begin with, not to mention the human sanitation problem, as Phyllis mentions above, if they do in fact make it to Christmas, then it will be a blessing, but can't help but think of what kind of physical condition will they be in if does take that long.
On a totally different note, saw you on Letterman last night and just wanted to mention that I'm glad you were able to pull yourself away from Flashdancers to get back to the studio in time for the 6:30 broadcast last night.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening! Enjoyed seeing you on "The Late Show with David Letterman last night! You were very funny! And also enjoyed the more serious discussions. Look forward to seeing you on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" tonight! Always fun!
Regarding the 33 miners trapped in a gold and copper mine in Chile it is extremely difficult to imagine how those men will be able to exist down on the mine for that long. So many factors as you mentioned in your posting tonight can lead to problems arising amongst the men. One truly hopes there will be a way to get the men out much sooner than Christmas. Thoughts and prayers go out to the men and all their families.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Diana Olick about the housing market and how sales have dropped to a new record low of 27%. the supply of houses to buy is in abundance, but people are in tough times with their money and simply aren;t buying. People are trying to save more for the future and it is tough for people selling homes to get any purchasers. The housing market is uncertain right now and people are being extremely cautious.
It is good news that Hurricane Daniellle has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm and so far no threat to any land. One hopes that even though it is supposed to be an active hurricane season that none will cause any damage to the United States.
Sad to learn about George David Weiss passing away who was responsible for so many famous songs such as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "September Song" ( I believe it is called) for Louis Armstrong. A very moving and touching song.
The piece by Mr.Lewis about bringing too many gadgets on vacation is certainly telling of the times. All the great gadgets of technology to record ones trip to send by to friends is amazing! One used to have to wait for pictures taken from a trip to be developed before one saw any record of what was visited. The world of technology has come a very long way! And oen shoud be smart and Stay Away from the wild animals like the bison who charged at the woman. Glad to know she is okay!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams! See You on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" later tonight!
Peace to You and to All!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard! Hope you are enjoying being back home!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
Brian, Sorry about the death of George David Weiss. "I think to myself what a wonderful life" which
reminded me of a friend who always said "It's a wonderful life if you don't weaken, and It's a
Wonderful life reminds of a young Jimmy Stewart and I think you bear a strong resemblance to him.
I never heard the September song by Armstrong, my birth month. Not good news about the wildfires
north of Los Angeles. Shirley, a good point and well taken. It occurs to me that President Obama
will have to make another "CAIRO speech" (which I still have a copy of) this month to bring the
usual suspects together so it is not a fear election. I will mark Friday-MSNBC on my calendar.
Great broadcast and have a nice evening.
Phyllis
PS Brian I thought the vacation story was funny but my husband did not. There are married couples
who do not travel well together, and maybe the husband needs a stuffed animal. Whatever works!
whether it's a British thing or not:o)
hola, brian, the sanitation thing could be handled the way the armed forces handled such things when they had to hole out in homes in baghdad where the toilets were no longer working. they used plastic bags and then collected them and disposed of them. i learned that in dexter filkin's book, 'the forever war'. they could send the plastic bags down and then just haul them out, the bags hooked up along a long chain through that very small opening. here in bisbee, we had the copper and gold mines, i think they still do tours in the old 'copper queen mine', which is pretty cool. they take you down on small rail cars. latinos have the capacity to bear much discomfort and i would imagine the miners are already doing isometric/yoga -type exercises in their cramped quarters to stay fit. latinos are great storytellers. that will help pass the time and keep up their spirits. and they are very religious, they will hold tight to their Poderoso Dios, prayer will be a very powerful vehicle for their spirits. people who have known hardship are much more resilient than others used to all of the comforts of a modern society. they truly trust in God. they do not go into panic mode as easily. it is second-nature for latinos to go into a trance-like, meditative state under duress, which is very beneficial for the brain. it comes from their indio heritage. like a vision quest. if they sent down rosaries, they could pray the rosary, which in itself, lends to a trance-like state and it is very comforting. that would help their nerves alot. such a miracle, already, that they are alive! and they will have the prayers of the world with them. best, anna martina
hola, brian, on twitter, Astro_Mike, astronaut Mike Massimino of NASA, has an interesting video in the lab of making the next generation trash bag which will keep the smells in the bag. the link is http://tinyurl.com2f3u4hv. the miners could probably use some of those for their sanitation purposes . . . . .
oops, that's http://tinyurl.com/2f3u4hv.
Brian, In this morning's Louisville Courier-Journal there was an article "Economic disaster averted"
Anyway, a coincidence, Froma Harrop wrote about Clarence the Angel of "It's a Wonderul Life" It
got my attention because I mentioned the movie last night on your blog. The gist is that happily
government (Clarence) stepped in and America bucked a catastrophe. How fortunate for us all
that the tea party wasn't running government." I agree with the tea party comment. Phyllis
What interesting read. All serious informative posts / response.
When man needs to survive, they will. The human mind fight for survival is one to reckon with. My focus is not on "getting rid of waste" (and this is essential)..
Normal human bodily functions will be considered and handled correctly.
I am more concerned with the miners' mental health. How will they cope, mentally--- having to deal with the depth of their current surrounding, the grave void of where they now are, others behavior / actions, coping with a most likely depressing environment, the constant memories of family and just wanting fresh air.
If we can put a man on the moon and invent Google..providing survival essentials should not be a task.
Great post, Mr. Williams.
Compassionate.