tells us we have to do it via the citation. the 1977 act says the first line of defense for miner safety is the mine operator. it s very clear about that. this is obviously being ignored by these non-union operations. we have to change it appears to me this is going to be a defining this is going to be a defining moment in mining history in this country. i mean, we ve got a president that wants to do something about it. a congress that can do something about it. and a motivated public that wants to see something done about it. bob, good to have you with us tonight on the ed show. thanks so much. let s bring in associate editor and columnist for the hill, a.b. stoddard. a.b., what can the president do? you know, what do you think he can do in working with the congress to make this a better situation? well, i think it s very impressive that the president called your last guest. i think that he your guest on
very profound point. he said if he could put someone on the moon we ought to be able to figure out how to mine safely in this country. joining me now, bob federer, he s senior mine safety and health specialist in the mine safety program at the colorado school of mines. this is a tough one, bob. there s no doubt about it, but you can t get away from the politics of this. there is a mindset here with one party that does not respect labor and there is another mindset from a party that believes that we have to do more to keep workers safe. where do you come down on this? how do you see this whole situation? well, let me give you some facts here, just to start this off before we get into the discussions. in 2006 we had the sago mine disaster that killed nine people. after that, another mine
olson, represented george w. bush in the recount and david boy who represented al gore in the recount. working together to overturn prop 8 as unconstitutional denial of fundamental rights. the person who replaces john paul stevens could be a leader on the liberal side of the supreme court who recognizes people s liberty to form a same-sex marriage who sees need for equal protection of the laws. equal protection of the laws was the grounds for the supreme court decision that gave the 2000 presidential election to ted olson s client, george w. bush. it s hard to think of a case that will be more historical than the one now working its way from california. same-sex marriage deserves a ruling. do we as americans have the right to engage in the same-sex marriage? do we have the right to equal protections of the laws in this matter? do wru have the fundamental right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness or don t we? that is the question and the strength with which president obama