| By Bob Weaver
Gov. Joe Manchin kept his promise to West Virginia's mining families that he would take action to help make the state's mines safer.
He showed up yesterday at the door of the legislature, when the opening bell clanged.
They voted to suspend the rules to consider the bill, requiring a four-fifths vote in each chamber.
West Virginia's top lawmakers agreed to fast-track action for better coal mine safety.
The bill was passed in a single day.
Manchin had said after 14 coal mine deaths in three weeks, "We can't afford to wait any longer."
The governor's legislation requires improved communications and the electronic tracking of underground miners.
It would also require faster emergency response and the storage of additional air supplies.
The proposal also seeks to fine coal operators $100,000 dollars if they fail to report an emergency within 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, there are hearings in Washington about mine safety.
The governor is on his way to Washington today to meet with the state's Congressional delegation. He is also expected to meet with President Bush.
A vote to suspend the rules and pass the state bill in a single day would require a four-fifths vote in each chamber.
LOGAN FAMILIES GOT SOME PRIVACY
A few weeks ago media warriors like Geraldo Rivera, weeping and emoting, burst through the doors of the Sago Baptist Church with camera, crew and lights, thanking God and proclaiming the miners were alive.
Later, Rivera ranted, saying "the media was victimized" by the "bad information."
What about the those who lost their loved ones. They're the real victims here, not Rivera.
I spare my comments regarding the self-proclaimed media warrior.
This past week the Logan County families of two missing coal miners were kept out of sight and inside a nearby Baptist church while rescue crews frantically fought a fire to find the men.
Far different from the media assault at the Sago Mine three weeks ago, which surely was embarrassing to watch the corporate media jockey for the best story.
Much of their behavior was pathetic.
Governor Joe Manchin says how the families and the press were treated at the Aracoma mine fire is a result of what was learned at Sago.
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