but I will stay up as long as possible, probably sleeping on the couch in front of the TV! This is an amazing example of technology, and the human spirit of a group of minors-- it's history! And the Americans who helped are fantastic. What skill! I loved seeing the Chilean president and his wife embracing, kissing, and welcoming the families and the minors! This is about returning to life and a second chance! Can't beat that.
I am watching and I am in awe. This is totally a huge story. I am so happy for all who made this possible and for the rescued miners. It is on CNN and Fox here. I plan to watch a lot more before going to bed. I will read the book and watch the movie that is surely to come.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/2010 12:08AM by honestone.
and now they're sending the cage back down for No. 11. I can't take my eyes off the winch and I'm sure I'll fall asleep within the next couple of hours (it is 13:15 here now). Truly, wonderful, amazing and humbling. I've shed some tears of joy and my heart is leaping every hour.
I've been riveted to this all day, watching the cnn live stream here at work (shhh, don't tell on me!). Absolutely amazing and wonderful. I can't believe how fast it's going now, they've really got it down pat don't they? They're just picking up number 27 right now. So glad their ordeal is nearly over.
I love this Primary FPR-type story, which happens to be true:
A woman at our work had the news on this morning, and her little 5-year-old asked what was happening. His mother said, "Just watch! They drilled a tube into 1/2 mile of solid rock, and sent a metal capsule waaaay down into the mountain--on that big pulley-wheel. It took them since last summer to build everything. The siren means that now they're bringing the capsule back up."
The little boy said, "What is down there?"
She said, "The most valuable thing in the whole world!"
They had fun playing a little game for a few minutes, in which her son had to guess what was the most valuable thing in the whole world. Gold? Diamonds? Dinosaur bones? She gave him hints, as to the size, and how heavy it was. She told the boy that the woman in the picture was waiting for it. When the capsule came up, the son screamed out loud, "There's a MAN inside!"
The BBC online has had great coverage; I've been watching since last night. Saw the first three rescued then picked up at #12 this morning. The last 8 or so have been really speedy.
It all just goes to show what can be done when people work together.
In our country when Katrina happened the Democrats ripped on Bush, when the oil spill happened the Republicans ripped on Obama. Here things become political footballs. In Chile the government, the miners' union, the mine owners assn., the health people, all put aside their differences with the goal of rescuing the miners. That is why it was done so efficiently and so quickly. In this country they'd still be arguing over miniscule bs. Hooray for Chile!
I have been following this all day on the BBC website. Everyone's now out of the mine and the Chilean president put a metal "cap" on it. What a triumph of engineering and hard work this whole operation has been. Beautiful to watch.
This rescue was compared to the moon landing in it's power to capture the collective human spirit but I have also been reminded of the inspiring rescue of Jessica McClure who fell into a well in Midland Texas in the eighties. Anyone remember that? It went on for a couple of days or so and had such a similarly thrilling ending.
which says a great deal about the humanitarian spirit of the grass roots Chilean people. I feel humbled and uplifted watching this unfold so well. What a pity it would be if mormons got their claws into communities like that with their divisive and elitist tactics.
I agree with you brigantia. My thoughts were that the rescuers had a genuine love and concern for those miners. Willing to stay and see it through. The families looked like they would never let go when they hugged their family member as he emerged. Truly heart warming. A day full of wonderful news. I feel proud to be part of the human race.