Bush's Mining Safety Official Ran Mines With Accident Rates Twice The US Average

Here we go again...another Bush crony appointed to a position they're not qualified for and end up responsible for the deaths of innocent Americans. This time it's Mine and Health Safety Administrator Richard Stickler. ABC reports, emphasis mine:

Stickler used to be a mining executive who - according to various media reports - ran mines which had several fatalities and "...an incident rate that was often twice the national average."

Stickler's nomination to head the mine administration was twice rejected by congress and rejected when republicans were still in charge. Rejected reportedly by senators who were concerned about Stickler's safety record when he operated mines.

After his nomination was twice rejected by the Senate, President Bush gave Richard Stickler the mine safety job with a recess appointment.That's a presidential appointment made when congress is not in session.

Finally, congressional investigations and hearings are now expected to look at a key provision of federal mining law, one which requires the U.S. Government to be the main communicator when an accident occurs.

ABC News now notes it took the mine safety administration two days to take public control of the Crandall Canyon Mine.