Just How Cheap Is Human Life?

       There are two stories that stand out in my mind of late. The chemical spilled in Charleston, West Virginia, is used to process coal and the story of an Indian woman who was given diplomatic status when she was caught keeping a servant in near indentured servant status. These two stories really aren't related in any way, except they bring into question how we treat human life.
       On the one hand the spill was an accidental chemical loss into a river that provides the drinking water for 300,000 people. This stuff is used to "process coal". In other words some of this stuff has to get into the environment all the time. So even if it's no big deal in small amounts, how long have they been using this stuff? A bunch of small amounts adds up to a big bunch.
       Then there's this diplomat, sort of, who felt she was above the rules. By that I mean diplomats are supposed to respect the rules and laws of the countries they serve in. Because they can't be prosecuted in those countries without their home country's approval, isn't an excuse not to abide by those rules. And if paying servants so little they cannot afford to leave the employ of such a person is acceptable in India, then shame on India.
       The problem I see that brings these two cases together is the apparent disregard for human life. It's okay to use toxic chemicals to make a profit and it's okay to use slave-like conditions for employees because , I guess, because you're cheap. Either way, there's no conscious thought for how that person should be treated. Nobody thinks about how it would be to have the shoe on the other foot.
       I'll bet this Ms. Khobragade, the Indian diplomat, would find it unsettling to serve in the same capacity and under the same conditions as her servant, now wouldn't she? And what about the owners of all the coal processing plants? Ya think that 4-methacyclohexane is used on their steak as a condiment? Well, maybe as a condemn-ment. So why doesn't our government show more concern over the well-being of all Americans and why does India allow some of it's citizens to treat others like virtual slaves?