Benghazi and the Presidential Debate: But What About Lives Lost in This Country?

The violence in Benghazi that left four Americans dead last month, including ambassador Christopher Stevens, was brought up at the presidential debate last night. I did not watch the debate and think that what was said last night doesn’t really matter. I just heard about the debate from the news this morning and know that the Benghazi incident has entered the fog of politics.

            One thing I do know is that there have been hearings in the House, lead by GOP representative Darrell Issa into the matter. There is also an FBI investigation.

            Now I am not saying that this is a matter that should not be investigated. The government should ensure the safety of its staff overseas. But look at the hearings and investigation in the context of other lives lost.

            In 2010 the lives of 29 miners were lost in the Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia, due to an explosion. In their report on the disaster the Mine Health and Safety Administration excoriated Massey Energy, the owner of the mine, for their disregard of safety regulations and their emphasis of profit over safety. The report says in essence that the miners lost their lives because of the criminal activity of the mine owner.

            Though the families of the deceased miners pleaded with Congress for improved mine safety and stiffer penalties for mine safety violations, Washington lawmakers did nothing.

            There were also no Congressional hearings on the matter either.

            So Congress is holding hearings on the Benghazi attacks, which left four dead and held no hearings on a mine disaster that killed 29. Unlike Benghazi, which is in another country in a different continent on the other side of the world, the coal mine those miners died in is right here in this country.

            Does this make any sense at all?