Chilean miners pulled to freedom

Great news indeed.

In the interests of accuracy (which doesn't always make for a good story) not sure it's quite right or fair for the Guardian (the paper we normally read) to claim that the Catholic Church is in the tussle for glory...

The Bishop did not say, 'It was us'.

He said (quote):

'"God has heard our* prayers," said the bishop. "I have received comments of encouragement from all over the world. Let us give thanks."'

'[The Bishop] declined to be drawn on the subject of competition but said he had received supportive emails from all over the world. "What matters is that God is acting through human ingenuity to rescue these men."'*

(*i.e. an inclusive not an exclusive 'our')

Funny I thought miracles were instantaneous and didn't take 69 days.

Still good to hear God was there in his omnipresence to help out the miners, even if he did work his ways through engineers and scientists.

For some reason I was awake at 4 this morning when they pulled the first one out. It's an incredible engineering feat, and I hope the media circus doesn't destroy the human story.
Fingers crossed for the others still to come out.....

Great news indeed .

If big G was involved maybe it would have happened a little quicker or even the cave in not happened in the first place?
One think is you can't dispute the church's claim , mores the pity.Superstitious people will still believe in it.

A fantastic achievement indeed. Everyone involved has done a wonderful job and I marvelled at the accuracy of the drilling through that enormous distance of solid rock. Good on the Chilean government for quickly involving experts from other countries too.

Now please don't let's have another religion-bashing thread - JWM was merely seeking to correct an inaccuracy in the press report.

If they all get out, who cares who did it?

Cheers,
OW

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
Now please don't let's have another religion-bashing thread - JWM was merely seeking to correct an inaccuracy in the press report.

Thank you Tony. Am I really so difficult to understand that only you do??

I've been dipping in and out of this story all day. Absolutely remarkable. Delighted to see them out of what would have been my own personal version of hell, being entombed alive.

Reminds me of the same spirit shown by the Uruguayan rugby team in "Alive", when their plane crashed in the Andes en route to Chile.

I would like to think that in the same circumstances I would be as strong, but you never know until you are tested.

Hats off to them.

Regards

Nic

Regards

Nic

It's been a superb achievement and I need to get to bed but at 31 out and one on the way how can I?
It's a harsh looking place is it not?

Can't help thinking International Rescue would have been in there with the Mole and they'd all have been out within a day or two

We traveled across parts of Bolivia some years ago. Beside each mine, either current or now abandoned is a graveyard of sad and unloved headstones. Many workers in these mines are migrants or just the very poorest with no alternative employment. They live away from their families and sadly too many die lonely deaths.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by TomK:
Can't help thinking International Rescue would have been in there with the Mole and they'd all have been out within a day or two

It's true that this would certainly have got there quicker - at least by the end of the programme

2 things intrigue me:

1-Why Chile and why now? Despite the appalling safety record of mining in China we seem less keen to report when they manage similar rescues. As to the latter, can't help but think that there's two things. One is UK repairing relations with Chile and the other is the BBC mending bridges with Tories BT providing feelgood stuff in run up to deficit day this week.

2-no mention of likely long-term effects eg miners nystagmus.