October 15, 2010
The Chilean mine rescue was thrilling; it provided a needed reminder of what technology, the human spirit and prayer can do. I liked what one of the miners said. "I was with God and I was with the devil. They both fought for me. God won!"
There was an excellent column yesterday in the Wall Street Journal crediting capitalism with the rescue. The special drill that successfully bored through nearly half a mile of rock was made by a small company in Pennsylvania. The for-profit company had the incentive to make this drill. Government didn't do it. A stimulus check didn't produce it. Private enterprise did.
The mine rescue again reminds us of the power of the individual and all of those things we once embraced and held dear before government began encroaching on every aspect of our lives.
There were reports that at least two of the men were saved during this experience. Stories of heroism, salvation and grit used to be part of our culture. Maybe this mine rescue will remind us of them again.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
