Hello Dolly

The Chilean miners find themselves in the news once again. Once their location in the mine was located different items for survival were sent down the small rescue shaft daily. Things like water; vitamins; and those essential items like porn; marijuana and blow up dolls; all the comforts of home and then some.

What went on behind closed doors or in this case, tunnels, is now in print in a book written by journalist Jonathan Franklin and recounts how both the rescuers and the miner’s families went above and beyond the call of duty in making life down under as manageable as possible for the trapped men.

Some of the miners received marijuana and shared their pot with others but not all. This caused some friction with at least one miner who was not invited to even attempt to bogart that joint. The marijuana, sent in letters from miner’s families, caused more tension than relief and at one point officials considered using drug sniffing dogs to weed out the weed.

The miners also asked for inflatable dolls. Just like a man. On the brink of death sex is still on their minds. An offer of ten inflatable dolls was made but turned down (it was 33 or none) when it was thought the men would become attached to one or more of the air filled artificial nymphs and fighting would ensue. When you think about it, this is nothing that a bicycle tube repair kit couldn’t fix. I am starting to realize why these men were not voted Times Person of the Year.

During their ordeal, when a spoonful of tuna every other day was their only food supply, the men admitted they considered cannibalism. They told the reporter they had a pot and saw ready. Again, just like a man. If they get hungry enough they’ll prepare dinner.

The book also tells how the Chilean government aired some previously recorded video footage during the rescue after a shaft became unstable and a rockfall cut the rescue cable. I was duped along with millions of others viewing the live rescue. It wouldn’t be the first time. That Millie Vanilli fiasco still bugs me.