'Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le'

The nation of Chile exploded in joy as the last of the trapped miners was hauled to the surface. Squares in most towns were packed with people watching the drama unfold as rescuers first descended into the shattered San Jose mine, before bringing up each man one by one.


Chileans sounded car horns as they drove through the streets of the capital Santiago, waved the national flag and led chants of 'Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le' as each miner emerged.

Most people know the incredible story of the Chilean miners. In early August one of the Chilean mines collapsed, leaving 33 men caved in half a mile underground in about a 600 square foot hole. Not knowing if they were going to be rescued, the miners expected the worse. After 17 days of surviving on their own, drills were finally able to reach them. Through a tunnel that seemed to served as an umbilical chord for the miners, rescuers we able to send essential necessities to the miners such as food and water. After spending 69 days in a mine, rescuers were finally able to bring these gentlemen up one by one in an operation called "San Lorenzo" that lasted almost 24 hours. All 33 men were rescued and brought to a local hospital where they would be evaluated, and taken care of. There were many heroes is this mission, but in our world today where media and news has become almost disgusting to watch because of all the lies that go on, I think the media did an excellent job covering this story.

Media's Job

The media played an important role in this rescue and demonstrated that the media still does a good job covering stories.The media kept us informed step by step with what was going on in this situation. From the time that the miners were buried alive, to the time that they released their first video, to the very last miner being brought up the shaft. I thought it was incredible how the media covered this event.

On the day of the rescue, there was an important debate going on for the Delaware state senate seat and at times the media interrupted that to cover the rescue.

I thought that this story was a classical example of how hard news still rules the media world. Hard news is what informs us and tell us what is going on in the world. Soft news such as Lindsay Lohan's trial a few months ago, tells us nothing beneficial and makes us dislike the media for choosing to cover those stories. I also thought that this was a good example of how hard news can cause emotion to its viewers. People around the world watched this even praying and jumping with joy as each miner came up the shaft.

The media played the role of a guardian in covering this story. The settled in "Camp Hope" or "Camp Esperanza" and never left until the very last miner was brought up. They stayed there to show they supported the miners, and that they were not going to be forgotten.

After everything was said and done this marked the end of the most incredible rescue operation in mining history that saw the men trapped underground for the longest time.

I remember hearing the Chilean president say that Chile is not the same anymore after this event. How could it be? This was a remarkable event and a miracle that should give everyone hope in their owns lives to do better and fight to survive.

After the final rescuer was brought up, the Chilean people celebrated so hard that one might confuse their celebration for another event such as wining the FIFA World Cup. What the heck this just might be bigger than the world cup, and the Chilean people deserve to celebrate their victory. 'Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le!!!!'

-HR