RANT

Yes, it is terrible that there was a mining explosion down south. I am very sorry that the families are left without knowing what the situation is in the mine, and if anyone was injured, and especially sorry for those who have multiple family members missing.

What I am complaining about is the STUPID reporting. How does one mine explosion take up the ENTIRE news period (except for something about the Hamilton police cracking down on illegal driving practises (i.e., doing their jobs) and George Bush attempting to be funny? And the 'online' news also provides background on each of the miners, full details of their entire lives, past and present family relationships, a detailed timeline (and I quote) 'so that you can get the facts straight', people who may have known someone who once talked to one of the miners, etc. For goodness sake, people! Leave the poor families alone! Yes, report it, but it's not really worth the whole news hour. There's no reason to talk to everyone who has ever passed through Reefton! And asking the mine operator how many people are injured or dead, when he's just said that they've had no contact with the missing miners is just plain stupid - he's not done anything wrong - there is no reason to try and pin the blame on anyone yet. Makes the reporters look stupid. (And there have been other recent 'investigative' reports which just involved asking the same pointless, stupid, questions over and over again. Not smart, just plain irritating!)

Perhaps I should be glad they don't have to find a 'Kiwi connection' this time. Grrrrrrr!