Bob Murray, Who Sued John Oliver For Mocking His Support Of Trump's Plan To Bring Back Coal Jobs… Files For Bankruptcy

from the eat-shit-bob dept

Remember Bob Murray? If you don’t, then I highly recommend you go back and watch this 2017 episode of John Oliver’s show in which he calls out Bob Murray, as a Trump-supporting coal boss, who pretends to be all about “protecting workers,” and who insists that the election of Donald Trump will help save coal miner jobs.

Murray then, famously, sued John Oliver and HBO in what was obviously a totally ridiculous SLAPP suit. He even tried to get a gag order on Oliver and HBO, to stop him from even talking about the lawsuit. The lawsuit did not go well for Bob Murray, though Murray took the somewhat amazing step of directly sending the judge a whiny letter about how people are being mean to him. The judge was not happy (parties in a case are certainly not supposed to be reaching out to the judges in their case directly).

But at least Murray had the Trump administration and all those coal jobs he was going to bring back to save the coal industry, right? Oh, about that. Murray Energy has just declared bankruptcy and is being handed over to investors who are loaning it money to keep the business going.

Robert E. Murray, the U.S. coal baron who pressed the Trump administration to help save America?s struggling miners, placed his company into bankruptcy as demand for the fossil fuel continues to weaken.

Murray Energy Holdings Co. filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Columbus, Ohio, to restructure more than $2.7 billion of debt. The miner — the largest privately owned U.S. coal company — reached a restructuring support agreement with lenders who hold more than 60% of a $1.7 billion loan, the company said in a statement. The deal provides a new $350 million loan to keep operations going during the reorganization.

Of course, this shows yet another way in which Oliver’s story about coal jobs was largely true: in that he noted that the decline in coal jobs in the US was a long, ongoing process, having little to do with any particular presidential administration, but the natural end result of a shift in energy sources, combined with new mining techniques and efficiencies.

Perhaps rather than suing his critics (he sued a number of other news organizations as well) and running fundraisers for Trump or appearing on TV as a Trump supporter, Murray should have been focused on actually helping his company and its employees adapt for the future?

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Comments on “Bob Murray, Who Sued John Oliver For Mocking His Support Of Trump's Plan To Bring Back Coal Jobs… Files For Bankruptcy”

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bhull242 (profile) says:

Re: Re: "Stone", it pains me you're such a waste to feel GOOD:

Yeah, it’s a strategy to keep yourself from drowning when your income doesn’t come close to paying off costs and existing debt. It’s a strategy you take when you’re failing so hard you need to reset everything.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: Re:

In a way, he’s technically not wrong. Perfect 10 tried time and time again to harass Google and USENET and small news sites for money, to the point where it just pissed off the judges. After Perfect 10 got slammed with sanctions, the company promptly refused to pay the fines – instead transferring all their assets to the owner, Norman Zada, and filed for bankruptcy, arguing that they didn’t need to pay.

So in a sense, Perfect did win – in the same sense that having a heart transplant is a great way to avoid future heart attacks.

out_of_the_blue (along with his fuckbuddy antidirt) also spent the last few years crowing about how the Perfect 10 cases were "setting great precedents for copyright enforcement"… so it’s understandable why filing for bankruptcy counts as a win.

blue boy probably thought Prenda filing for bankruptcy was a win too!

This comment has been deemed insightful by the community.
Thad (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re: Re:

Not only is it explained in the embedded video, there’s a link to a previous article titled Judge Tells Coal Boss Bob Murray The Judicial Equivalent Of ‘Eat Shit, Bob’ in the "If you liked this post, you may also be interested in…" box. The one right below the article and right above Stephen’s post.

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Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

As was stated, the full explanation of Stone’s post is in the video but the premise is this.

Bob was in trouble and tried to cover it up with some money he gave to employees with checks. One employee wrote on the check "Eat Sh** Bob" and returned the check without cashing it because he didn’t want to let Bob off the hook so easily.

So the commenter Stone just reiterated what that employee and John Oliver both said back to Bob for his crummy behavior.

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California Whineries Burn says:

You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-site pay!

I notice too that your laughable Silicon Valley propaganda site "Copia Institute" is now moribund, nearly a year since your last unread "white paper".

More than twenty years out of the Ivy League, yet you don’t have a single positive achievement to show, except your ridiculous quip of how long ago now?

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California Whineries Burn says:

Re: Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-site pa

It’s not Masnick that’s filing for bankruptcy here….

Masnick will never have to file for bankruptcy — except when to advantage as this may be for Murray — NOR has Masnick EVER had to WORK for what he’s gottten, he’s a privileged little idiot.

I’m not jeering Masnick, but expressing my low opinion of his merits.

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bhull242 (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:3 You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this

Well, sure, you’re not guaranteed an income, but that’s an entirely separate question from earning or deserving an income.

I’m just saying that Masnick has done work that justifies his earning an income. I’m specifically disputing this bit:

NOR has Masnick EVER had to WORK for what he’s gottten, he’s a privileged little idiot.

(sic)

I’m saying that he’s doing work to earn his income. I’m not saying that he’s guaranteed an income. I’m just saying he’s worked for any money he’s gotten.

Dave P. says:

Re: Re: Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-sit

Obviously been attending the Trump school of charm, spelling, grammar and social graces and how to make friends and influence people. Do everyone a really, REALLY big favour and walk off a high cliff/skyscraper/tower, fall out of an aircraft without a parachute, run out under a bus/big truck/excavator, or anything else that would qualify for a Darwin award, meaning that humanity would never have to suffer your meaningless, misguided and revolting ravings ever again.

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California Whineries Burn says:

Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-site pay!

You’re SO feeble, Masnick, that at times I’ve felt ashamed for pointing out your flaws and lapses. But you’re resolutely nasty, and with no visible reason to be — you ought to be joyful every day for what you’ve simply been GIVEN! — Let alone do you have superior accomplishments from which to sneer down.

Try to put out some positive of your own, kid.

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Anonymous Coward says:

Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-site pay!

More than twenty years out of the Ivy League, yet you don’t have a single positive achievement to show, except your ridiculous quip of how long ago now?

Masnick has something to show for those twenty years…he’s got you dedicating your life to bitching about him and Techdirt.

That is some serious dedication on your part, and obviously if he wasn’t worth it you woudln’t continue on this years long whine session…unless you are mentally deranged.

So which is it? You mentally deranged or does Masnick have something to show for the past 20 years that irks the living hell out of you?

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Anonymous Coward says:

Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-site pay!

I notice too that your laughable Silicon Valley propaganda site "Copia Institute" is now moribund, nearly a year since your last unread "white paper".

You’re not too good at this.

Earlier this year, the Sky is Rising Report from the Copia Institute:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190407/23033141947/sky-is-rising-entertainment-industry-is-thriving-almost-entirely-because-internet.shtml

Earlier this year, the Don’t Shoot The Message Board Report from the Copia Institute:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190624/22162242469/dont-shoot-message-board-data-driven-look-impact-section-230-innovation-economy.shtml

Earlier this year, the Working Futures project, from the Copia Institute:

https://workingfutur.es

Doesn’t look very moribund to me.

Also, seems to show significant positive achievements that you only "jeer" at as you do every single day. What have you ever done?

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Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-site pa

Wait who is “not good at this”?

The idiot card playing late stage teenagers who couldn’t sell a book to save their lives?

Techdirt?

Me?

I’m not good at this?

Have you bee7watching my 401k?

I mentioned it in my first post.

And My personal fiend DT the magnificent. Is he no good too?

Face your fears.

Trump is here to stay.

Forever.

bhull242 (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re: You can only jeer, kid. Can't even make this web-sit

Wait who is “not good at this”?
The idiot card playing late stage teenagers who couldn’t sell a book to save their lives?
Techdirt?
Me?
I’m not good at this?

Don’t play dumb. It was obviously referring to you.

Have you bee7watching my 401k?
I mentioned it in my first post.

No one cares about your 401k.

And My personal fiend DT the magnificent. Is he no good too?

Correct. Also, “my personal fiend”? Is that a Freudian slip?

Assuming you

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That One Guy (profile) says:

Ah sweet schadenfruede...

The only regret I have reading this is that the company going under is likely to leave a lot of workers(you know, the people he claimed he was protecting with the legal threats/lawsuits?) in a hard place as a number of them suddenly find out that coal isn’t coming back as promised and if they want to keep a paycheck they’re going to need to find another job.

As for Murray himself, while I imagine he’s got enough squirreled away that this won’t hit him too hard other than cutting out a source of income I can’t help but hope that he ends up sharing at least a portion of the suffering his workers will be facing, and if nothing else having yet another Oliver claim proven right has got to really annoy him.

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Hugo S Cunningham (profile) says:

2007 Crandall Canyon mine collapse

A Murray-owned coal company’s involvement in the 2007 Crandall Canyon mine collapse (6 miners dead, also 3 rescue workers) made Murray’s political ambitions especially puzzling.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Murray#Crandall_Canyon_Mine_collapse

Scary Devil Monastery (profile) says:

Re: 2007 Crandall Canyon mine collapse

"A Murray-owned coal company’s involvement in the 2007 Crandall Canyon mine collapse (6 miners dead, also 3 rescue workers) made Murray’s political ambitions especially puzzling."

Not really. Murray is JUST the type who upon discovering that he might be in hot water with the law for operating an unsafe mine would IMMEDIATELY look to finagle a few laws exculpating him onto the tablets.

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jimb (profile) says:

"Perhaps rather than suing his critics (he sued a number of other news organizations as well) and running fundraisers for Trump or appearing on TV as a Trump supporter, Murray should have been focused on actually helping his company and its employees adapt for the future? "

What are you – nuts?! This guy is a "job creator", a wealthy and powerful person, not some whiny ‘care about my employees’ liberal. Sheesh!

JoeDetroit (profile) says:

But TAX CUTS!

Yep, a massive corporate tax cut, deregulation, & lots of rah-rah & still Bob’s company goes bankrupt. What happened to that windfall? I’ve got no idea what my employer did with it. Several business units closed, the products they made switched from make to buy (overseas of course), continued headcount reductions globally… & after staying fairly flat since 2010, huge increase in health insurance coverage.

But hot damn our CEO pocketed millions & our stock price is at a record high! Anyone could be walked out at any moment though so better not complain or ask for a raise. All I know is I will continue to try to vote in my best interest.

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KEVIN FEARS says:

the absolute truth...

What a butt sucking parasite scumbag you are … mike. To revel in the ruination of ANYONE, is the absolute definition of petty, self-absorbed, grade school childishness.
I usually don’t resort to name calling, because slapping a title on someone implies status. In this case, the lowest. And you shouldn’t acknowledge this kind of thing with anything but a spanking.
Can you say that you are desperate for attention? Sure you can.

bob says:

Re: the absolute truth...

What a poor poor snowflake… KEVIN FEARS. I usually don’t resort to name calling, because slapping a title on someone implies status. In this case, the lowest. And you shouldn’t acknowledge this kind of thing with anything but a spanking.
Can you say that you are desperate for attention? Sure you can.

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Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: the absolute truth...

Ok. I will point out exactly what you ask.

Then what? You will just run and hide like the fake named phony pony you have alway been.

You disgust every reasonable Republican.

We will soon rule the world.

Why?

Because of inspirational figures like you.

We have no choice bit to fill the void left by your nonsense.

Prepare yourself.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: the absolute truth...

Give it a rest. You have 5, maybe 10 years left on this planet. Shouldn’t you be out enjoying what remains of your life rather than spending it angry, in a dark room, surrounded by cigarette smoke and your own hate?

This world no longer belongs to you. You had your shot and you fucked it up. Step aside and let everyone else clean up your mess.

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bhull242 (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re: the absolute truth...

Ok. I will point out exactly what you ask.

Great. Then maybe we can have a discussion about whether that was warranted or not, or whether that example constitutes reveling in another’s misfortune.

Then what? You will just run and hide like the fake named phony pony you have alway been.

Uh… That’s just name-calling. That’s not answering the request at all. Oh well. I’ll just wait until you actually answer.

You disgust every reasonable Republican.

Still waiting…

We will soon rule the world.

Still waiting…

Why?

Still waiting…

Because of inspirational figures like you.

Still waiting…

We have no choice bit to fill the void left by your nonsense.

Still waiting…

Prepare yourself.

Still wai— Wait, what? That’s everything? You never actually did what you said you would at the start.

Well, it seems like all you did was spout meaningless drivel and empty promises, with some name-calling thrown in for good measure. There is nothing of substance in there.

Maybe you could start to “fill the void” by actually answering the question like you said you would, okay?

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: the absolute truth...

To revel in the ruination of ANYONE, is the absolute definition of petty, self-absorbed, grade school childishness.

Bob Murray is just another republican piece of shit getting an equivalent dose of the empathy that his party exudes. He can always just pull himself up by his bootstraps, amirite?

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shane vannatter (user link) says:

Robert E. Murray

This is a little late, but what the hell else is there to do. Has anybody looked at who he owes $2.7 Billion? Following in his idol, President Donald Trump, he filed for the biggest pay day he has ever had. He owns all the companies he owes debt to. Most of them are shell companies for just this purpose. Welcome to the world of business. When you fail, let the Government mandate the U.S. populations tax dollars pay you.

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