CNN Nails Mine Owner Murray... With a Big Wet Kiss

When will the traditional media stop rolling out the red carpet for Utah mine co-owner Bob Murray? CNN anchor Kyra Phillips treated Murray like a hero on Wednesday, the same day the Salt Lake Tribune reported on documents that prove Murray had pushed for risky mining methods at Crandall Canyon. Risky mining methods Murray has strenuously denied employing, but which may have contributed to turning his mine into a death scene for three rescuers and six miners.

Phillips did show some grit at one point in the interview -- but not to take on Murray. Instead she stood strong in support of the job her network has done covering the story: "I can tell you right now as a journalist here at CNN, and our entire news operation, in no way shape or form have we forgotten what each one of those miners has done."

But no one has suggested that CNN has forgotten what the miners have done. The problem is that they have forgotten what Murray has done to the miners.

It took CNN 12 days, as Arianna pointed out here, to get around to questioning the safety of the Crandall Canyon mine, offering the chyron, "Safety of Rescue Operation Debated." Instead, the network has given endless air time to Murray and Richard Stickler, Bush's mine safety czar, who has offered more protection to the mining industry than to coal miners.

Phillips had the chance to ask Murray the kinds of questions that could expose dangerous mining practices -- and possibly save lives in the future. Instead, she let the interview become yet another opportunity for Murray to buff his image as the grieving surrogate father of the miners that were killed under his supervision.

Phillips ended the softball interview not by pressing Murray on the day's million-dollar question -- Did you place the recovery of more coal from your mine above the safety of your miners? -- but by asking Murray "How are you holding up?"

She then offered Murray the CNN stamp of approval, telling him: "I appreciate your time... and your honesty."

Perhaps in Phillips' lexicon, "honesty" means phony chest-beating from a mine owner looking to cover his tracks -- tracks that have contributed to the deaths of nine brave men.

John Amato has the video and the transcript at Crooks and Liars.

Follow Katharine Zaleski on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kzaleski

Comments

[Drill]

Bob Murray of Murray Industries is a hero who mined himself back in the day. How dare you attack the name of this good man! Those miners who have perished is a tragedy, but attacking Bob Murray won't bring them back.

[tandrmcdonald]

Drill,
How much did Murray pay you to blog that line of tripe? Who do you think you are? How dare I attack the name of this good man? It was real easy; I just looked at what this repulsive sack of guts did. Attacking Murray won't bring back the miners who were lost, or the rescuers who tried to save them. But don't forget for a minute, Robert Murray sent them into the mine.
Gramma Rose

[choirgirl]

the most trusted name in news? i dont think so. if you want fearmongering, you can watch them. otherwise, stick with cspan. this ratbag murray is just another gop contributor. skank.

[SouthpawSass]

Well, if Murray thought he'd get a tough interview, he probably would not have done it.

[hillaryj]

Can anyone tell me why everyone seems to be afraid of this old buffon? He is just the typical mine owner I knew about growing up.

[soupcity]

Saw this live. This twit had every opportunity to nail this creep, never took one. I kept thinking she'd just let him have it because she looked irritated as hell. Then she closes the interview asking how HE was doing. Pitiful.

[sgs23]

Mountains don't kill people, greedy little bald men kill people...and layers of negligent bureaucracies...oh and brain dead presidents...and...

[ZanIts1984]

Agreed. The mountains are a beautiful site and can be great place to live or visit. You can not force your will on nature. Nature always seems to have a way of fighting back when humans become cocky, negligent, and greedy. Unfortunately, it is usually the innocent who suffer because of this.

[sgs23]

...and surly old vice presidents, wait he's a greedy little bald man...

[LittleBrother]

Kyra's probably still ticked at not being the bimbo/infotainwhore who said "Navy SEALS rock!"

So she may be hoping that if Les Moonves is finally canned, and Katie Couric is finally flushed down the tubes along with him, she'll have a shot at the Big Chair.

[wcfar]

CNN has been off my watch list for a long time. I just can't stand Wolf's pinstripes and his wingtips. Pleazzzzz...the situation room! LOL. LOL. LOL.

[milbank]

The right wing majority who inhabit Utah and don't like the government "interfering" in their lives got what they wanted.

I don't weep for those gun loving states where some crazy with a gun shoots up a mall, school or university.

They need get out of their John Wayne Fairytale world and feel personally the price paid when laws aren't in place for the above-situations.

[LeftLeaner]

You are so right.
You should send this post of yours to CNN, attention: Kyra Phillips.
That is so typical of her "reporting" ha ha.
She tries to put on a tough posture, but the questions are pure fluff.
What is she afraid of.
She's no journalist in my eyes - just another kiss up as you described.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

A blogger on here stated this yesterday,

Michael Vick kills dogs and is facing possible jail time.

Murray kills human beings and gets away scot free.

I'm not advocating that what Vick did was wrong. However, killing a dog is nothing compared to killing a human being.

[LeftLeaner]

Whether you kill by intent, or Kill by inevitability, the end result is the same.

[wedidpredict]

Kyra Phillips has always been on the wrong side of EVERYTHING....I think her ride on that jet during the Bush MISSION ACCOMPLISHED thing snapped her brain. She is a Bushie girl.

[milbank]

Should we be expecting anything different from the Corporations' News Network (CNN)?

[andyboy]

That evil mountain.....

That evil mouintain is gonna get my ass sued fifteen ways to Sunday.

Murray is going to shut her down forever. So theres no revenue for the deceased families to share in.

Is this yet another example of the liberal media? I get so confused when they treat Republicans like their some kind of heroes. For cheating, lying, & stealing.

Now let's hear from a Rightie Failure & Excuse Monkey.

I love to read how they blame everybody and everything but themselves. That Stickler is a piece of work I tell ya. Looks like Rummie's evil twin.

[sgs23]

Shoot! We'll hit that evil mountain with a couple of 500 pound bombs, blow it into another time zone, know what I mean...god bless america

[ZanIts1984]

It is the "American Way."