YESTERDAY'S HEROES

It was a media sensation. The newspapers and television coverage was immense. The heroism of the miners existing in awful conditions on the brink of death was lauded internationally, but this is capitalism and the heroes were members of the working class so the outcome was predictable."One of the myths surrounding the 33 miners who were so dramatically rescued after being trapped for 69 days deep inside a Chilean mine is that they're all millionaires and no longer need to work. The truth: nearly half the men have been unemployed since their mine collapsed one year ago Friday, and just one, the flamboyant Mario Sepulveda, has managed to live well off the fame. Most have signed up to give motivational speeches. Four, so far, have gone back underground to pound rock for a living." (Associated Press, 4 August) RD