7 wonders

If you sift through the crap on the idiot box on occasion you get something worth watching, this was the case the other day when a program called the seven engineering wonders of the world was on. This one was about the construction of the Hoover dam. Has anybody seen it? It was fascinating, taking you through the trials and tribulations, the construction methods, innovations, the human struggle and deaths, the threats, the well publicized law case. The obvious impact of the great depression to the building of a city out of the desert. It was one hellva construction effort.

But how things have changed, health and safety would have shut the site down in 5 minutes. The working conditions were horrific but due to the depression they had no option, it was ether put up or starve. Heat exhaustion and carbon monoxide poisoning was common place while the diversion tunnels were built, the company even manipulating the ensuing court case to ensure victory. 119 workers were killed during its construction one even being buried alive during a concrete pour. The concrete was almost set by the time they got to the poor blighter.

Having said that workers conditions like this were pretty common place. I'm not having a go at the companies, though to say exploitation wasn't happening would be a lie. It was also a sign of the times and what was generally accepted, the price placed on a human life, education, work practices, and the amount of risk you were prepared to accept to get the job done at the same time knowing some of the dangers. Yes I think there would have been a fair amount testosterone involved as well

Yes it was an interesting insight into a slice of history. if you get the chance watch it.

Ineffective unions, they went on strike for a couple of days the company sent in the police who beat the crap out of the union leaders, arrested them and took them away (some where?) and that was the end of that, but you're right they had no power back then

plus there were different values ;)

I have to agree with you Rikki. It is ridiculous in our age. Like I said in a different post, "raising pansies", and eternally "wiping noses". That's what we have today. There used to be a day when a man or woman went to work and took all the knocks and bruises that came along with it, and were happy to come home with a paycheck to support their family. It seems now that alot of people live on the principle that something is "owed" to them, instead of having to earn or work for it.
That's not to say that I dont have compassion or empathy for those who suffer legitimately
, such as those in the topic posted originally. I just get cynical and disgusted with how the "Goverment" finds a way to wipe asses and cover their own at the same time, and in the end no one is held accountable for their own actions or decisions.

^ here here love your work!