Internationally, the support has been outstanding. From winch cable from Austria to the drillers, now considered hero's, from the United States. NASA has provided 5 support personnel to assist with Engineering and psychological concerns. The rescue pod itself (and the 2 copies) made in Chile.
Unfortunately, there have been mixed reactions and appalling rhetoric in reference to the rescue on the net. Those who want to start arguments about American technological and intellectual superiority are nothing more than Fox news watching, Wal-mart shopping, wrestling fans.
The swift action of the Federal Government has brought a great sense of pride. Chileans helping Chileans and with the support of the international community. Everyone focusing on the good of everyone. Its everything this world should be, instead of what it is. The second miner rescued celebrated by handing out "souvnir" mine rocks and leading the crowd in a patriotic chant. His first act after being trapped underground for 2 months. He was known as the joker out of all the trapped miners and he totally lived up to the reutation.
As with everything there is good and bad aspects to all of it. Its good that theyve been rescued, the reason it happened is bad. Poor regulation from the Ministry of Mining is that culprit. One of the miners has the spotlight on his personal life after his wife and mistress showed up to support him and then got into a physical altercation. Oops. The trapped miners will be recieving roughly $10,000 each. A contribution made by a lone businessman. Though good for the miners, their peers who werent trapped (some of them) are somewhat bitter that they, who lost their jobs at the mine, are now left with nothing. Again, as with everything, there are good and bad apects to even this situation.
Jeff Hart, the lead driller of the rescue shaft was flown in, along with his team, from Afghanistan because they were known as "the best" drilling team there is. For the equipment being used that is. There were three holes started, Jeffs last. Yet he was the frst to break through to the miners. He stated that "a good driller" uses the vibration from the machine in the ground to tell him what he needs to do. And follwing suit, he stood the entire time he drilled. He and his team watched the rescue from a Santiago hotel where he was interviewed and said he was proud to be involved and proud of his team and everyone associated with the rescue effort. His humbleness was startling and refreshing seeing as how he had the major role in the creation of a rescue tunnel that would rescue 33 lives.
The actual rescue effort began shortly after midnight (Chilean time) and it takes each rescuer between 15-20 minutes, at an 11 degree angle, in a 21 inch tube, to get to the miners. The first rescuer in was a high angle paramedic, with 12 years experience, from the Chilean Armada. The rescue pod is named the "Fenix". "Phoenix" in english. Symbolic of the new chance at life that each miner now has.
Little stories, like the ones mentioned above, exist throughout the rescue efforts. Its somewhat spooky how many times the number 33 appears in relation to the rescue. But thats another story for another day. Maybe.
All in all I believe that as a whole, this story is just another shining example of the spirit, humanity and determination we as a species are capable of when we come together to help eachother.
"CHI-CHI-CHI! LE-LE-LE! LOS MINEROS DE CHILE!"
