The latest grim tragedy following hurricanes Katrina and Wilma is that of the West Virginia miners who, after an announcement of their survival, turned out to have suffered tragic deaths.  Once more the mainstream media talked around the specifics rather than boldly confronting them, a familiar and highly regrettable pattern.

In the case of Hurricane Katrina there was the story of neglecting the levees, of snail-paced reaction, and the vanity of a thoroughly unqualified administrator, FEMA director Michael Brown, who registered concern about clothing style for upcoming television appearances while lives were on the brink of loss from the pummeling force of onrushing floods.  

In the case of West Virginia we hear the same piously innocent pronouncements from George W. Bush, that he deeply regrets what happened in the mining tragedy, is praying for the victims' families, and promises that there will be a thorough investigation of the grave tragedy.

The point being avoided rather than discussed by the media is the potential effect of policy on tragedy.  There is a department of the federal government entrusted with the well being of workers.  It is called the Department of Labor.  From the onset of the first term of the ruling Cheney-Bush Junta in 2001 the individual entrusted with heading that department has been Elaine Chao.