A Failure at all levels
Link to Quote: East Palestine residents blast response to train derailment (nypost.com)
The primary role of government is to protect its people. That comes before "rights," budgets, entitlements and everything else. In the case of the Ohio hamlet of East Palestine, Ohio every stage of government, including local officials, state government and the federal government has failed. Ever since a railroad accident occurred earlier this month spilling dangerous chemicals into the water & air, certain questionable actions were taken. East Palestine sits near the PA line and the Governor of PA Josh Shapiro decided to set fire to the chemicals, which led to a highly toxic cloud which covered the area. Mike DeWine the Governor of Ohio agreed. Two days later evacuation orders for the people of East Palestine were lifted. Fish in the river have dies. Domestic animals have died. There is the unanswered question of anyone testing the air or water.
"The main chemical burned was vinyl chloride, an ingredient used to produce plastics and PVC, which has been shown to cause cancer at high levels of exposure ."
East Palestine residents blast response to train derailment (nypost.com)
Environmentalists have been strangely silent.
The EPA has made an appearance. They showed up wearing hazmat gear. Have test results of the air or water been announced? So much is still unknown. There are also rumors of politicians taking donations from the railroad company involved. The accident seems to involve a brake failure. Where safety measures put into place?
Michael S. Regan EPA Administrator
Michael Regan is Biden's EPA administrator. Like all of Biden's appointments, Regan was chosen more because of identity than merit. Regan has yet to visit East Palestine.
"Local and federal officials have insisted tests show the air and water supply is safe to breathe and drink following the Feb. 3 incident — where authorities burned tons of hazardous chemicals to prevent an explosion — but many residents are reporting negative effects to their health and remain skeptical.
“The sentiment from the residents seems to be they’re super annoyed at how the federal government, how the Biden administration in particular is handling the situation,” said video journalist Nick Sortor."
East Palestine residents blast response to train derailment (nypost.com)
Then there is the man who is in charge of transportation. The same man who is always AWOL when it comes to a transportation crisis. He was missing when the railroads were facing a strike. He was missing when the airlines had an issue with their computers. On this occasion he was busy telling us about white construction workers:
"During the National Association of Counties Conference, Buttigieg urged those in attendance to work with their contractors and community colleges to build a workforce that reflects the community.
"We have heard way too many stories from generations past of infrastructure where you got a neighborhood, often a neighborhood of color, that finally sees the project come to them, but everyone in the hard hats on that project, doing the good paying jobs, don't look like they came from anywhere near the neighborhood," Buttigieg said."
Buttigieg tells crowd White construction workers are taking jobs from communities of color | Fox News
Buttigieg was chosen basically for two reasons: He is gay and he can talk endlessly without really saying anything.
Pete ( Beaver Cleaver) Buttigieg
That brings us to the president. He has had little to say about the incident. Why?
The answer may be obvious.
East Palestine is a poor mostly white working-class community. Not exactly the kind of people that Joe Biden or those he serves care about.
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A town meeting was held last night. Representatives from the railroad did not attend.
Joe Biden is expected to arrive around noon today.
A failure at all levels.
Are you talking about the former 'president' because indeed he and his criminal enterprise of an 'administration' was/were a failure at all levels.
This is about YOUR president.
No, it's not. You're blaming President Biden, that's what it's about.
Correct.
We are talking about something that happened a week ago, during the Biden administration. Hope that helps focus your attention on the actual topic.
What does the Trump administration have to do with this?
Your TDS is so far gone it has consumed you.
I was hoping for a cure for it by now. But I wonder even if there was if some people would refuse to take it.
You're wrong, as usual.
Nope. It's you both who have TDS and HBDS. Plus PD&D.
What US president and administration should be blamed for lack of transparency or immediate action in 2023 regarding the E. Palestine, OH railroad toxic chemicals debacle?
Look, the president called me and said, “Anything you need.” I have not called him back after that conversation. We will not hesitate to do that if we’re seeing a problem or anything, but I’m not seeing it.’ — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine
Pay attention. Trump’s Runaway Train of Deregulation Oil trains won’t get better brakes, air conditioners won’t get safer chemicals, and children lose their EPA advocate. September 28, 2018 Brian Palmer https:// eesi.org/articles/view/ trump-administration-loosening-regulations-for-rail-transportation-of-flammable-natural-gas
Correct
Speaking to investigative news outlet The Lever , Steven Ditmeyer, a former top official at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), said the "severity" of the accident was likely increased by the lack of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes.
A rule was passed under President Barack Obama that made it a requirement for trains carrying hazardous flammable materials to have ECP brakes, but this was rescinded in 2017 by the Trump administration.
The industry said it would cost more than $3 billion to implement. The FRA under Obama said it would be around half a billion.
The National Transportation Safety Board, a federal agency responsible for investigating rail accidents, told The Lever that the Ohio train that derailed was not fitted with ECP brakes.
"Would ECP brakes have reduced the severity of this accident? Yes," Ditmeyer said.
Referring to opposition from within the rail industry to fitting ECP brakes, he added: "The railroads will test new features. But once they are told they have to do it ... they don't want to spend the money."
Nor have rail regulators in Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg 's department proposed reinstating the safety rule in question, The Lever reported. A spokesperson for the FRA told the outlet that it was continuing to evaluate ECP brakes to improve safety.
Newsweek reached out to Donald Trump , the Norfolk Southern Railway and the White House for comment.
And since Trump is still President, it's his fault. What power does Biden have?
Let me completely correct the latest lie regarding Donald Trump:
"The claim is completely irrelevant to what happened in Ohio. For starters, the train did not have braking issues. Rather, it derailed because of a broken axle . Further, the train was not carrying oil, which is what the Trump-era regulation rollback specifically pertained to."
They got their talking point. The facts don’t matter
Buttigieg is doing the important things, like complaining about too many white people working construction. Ecological disasters pale in importance.
Too many white construction workers may become more of an issue than the "racist" roads!
It all makes sense now. It was a concerted effort by all those white construction workers to make racist roads. Thank God for mayor Pete to be focused on it. ( do I need an s/ ?)
Let libertarians run everything !
Oh wait a minute, then there would be no regulations at all.
That sounds worse than what we have.
As opposed to the deep state letting these people suffer?
What deep state?
They want to use this tragedy as an example of racism against whites.
Have they ever heard of Flint Michigan or Jackson Mississippi?
You know, the one that spies on parents.
Not this time, John! Stick to the topic.
Oh yeah, the one that doesn't exist.
Thanks for the acknowledgement.
Please supply a link to support that claim.
Ya! Whites are ALWAYS the victims in their perpetual state of denial.
You want Flint, MI?
I live in Michigan [ removed ] I know more about the Flint, MI water crisis fuckup than you ever will!
Democrats went along with the whole Flint, MI water crisis every last damn step of the way. The Emergency Managers put in charge of Flint and Detroit were Democrats! The Democrat Mayor and Democrat city council in Flint voted for their water treatment plant to be brought back online! That is after the fucking Democrats in Detroit cut off Flint when they wanted to switch their water to the Lake Huron Project and away from Detroit! The mayor, city council, and emergency manager were all at the ground breaking ceremony for the reopening!
Read the link below- mlive is hardly a conservative source.
Want to know why Flint's pipes had lead in them? Democrats that have run Flint forever didn't use the money they received from the state to replace the pipes for the intended purpose. The water park they created instead shut the hell down after a about 20 years. Flint was and is a Democrat run bastion of stupidity.
Of course Democrats went whole hog after Snyder and the Republican administration- too bad they had to charge several Democrats as well. All wasted money since the current Democrat Administration and AG of Michigan dropped all charges. Wasting 30.6 million of tax payer money is nothing new to Democrats. But hey, they didn't like what the evidence showed; so scrap it and start all over. Nessel is such a gigantic POS. Need to keep it in the news; and give Michigan/Flint Democrats cover for not being able to do their jobs.
Flint has cost Michigan tax payers more than $625 million in settlements; and billions more to replace the lead pipes in Flint.
My problem is Snyder is he tried to fix the problems in Flint and Detroit- instead of just prosecuting the Democrat criminals in the local governments. He trusted Democrats to fix the problems they created. Michigan has been paying for it ever since!
Please supply a link to prove that claim.
Wow. Looks like you found a quick way to make some disappear.
Good luck with that. This article doesn't make Biden look good (like there is much that does) so they ALL have to distract somehow.
How so?
Give it a little thought, I have faith in you. The comment was a reply to someone else. I am pretty sure they understand.
No one actually disappeared so, so what?
Wrong again, keep looking.
And while you are at it how about responding to 3.1.10?
Not necessary. I'm correct.
I had a feeling you would give up or found it and decided to ignore it like usual..
How about responding to 3.1.10? Or are you admitting you are just talking shit?
You are incorrect, as usual.
That's all you have, 'talking shit'
Thanks for admitting it through your usual projection, deflection, and denial.
Truth is truth, no link necessary.
Truth can be proven. Bullshit can not.
Thanks for admitting you are just talking shit
When all else fails just make stuff up, like usual.
How about a comment on what is actually happening ( you know, the actual seed) and not what might be if someone else was in charge?
They have no answers. It's as if this took place in another country.
Anyone have an answer?
I tend to assume that people who lead government responses to disasters are doing the best they can, be they Democrat or Republican.
Please tell us what a Trump or DeSantis administration would do any differently.
A little government transparency would be nice. Maybe if "the best communicator in the white house " had something worthwhile to say for once.
We have about an hour and a half before Scranton Joe arrives. Let's see what they wrote for him.
Maybe "damn those MEGA republicans"
That would be a tough sell in a town like East Palestine. The people there would like to know what they have been exposed to and what is being done to clean up the poisons.
Agree, but being a tough sell has never stopped Joe from spouting shit before. But I am fairly certain he will blame Trump for not forcing ECP brakes.
In that case we'll see how well his shit flies in front of working people who live in the real world.
Sorry, I was confused there for a second. I obviously need more coffee.
One has to wonder, even though it only takes a few seconds, what the seed writer would have said had this same accident taken place during the last administration. Would there be the same critical approach?
More like
No answers?
How about a comment on what is actually happening ( you know, the actual seed) and not a comment on the seeder?
How about you make a comment about the topic instead of pestering people.
How about you not deflect.
A lot of "what-ifs" and deflections coming from you today, JR.
The Trump administration were the ones who scrapped the regulations because that is one of the primary functions of the Republican party is to "deregulate". They have been scrapping protections of our forests and parks which the Biden administration has restored. Why is it that Democrats are supposed to be responsible for the actions taken by Republican administrations. Ohio has flipped to an extreme right wing administration with DeWine and happens to be going through one of the worst corruptions trials for "pay to play" in their corrupt system of handing corporate energy interest free rein and allowing First Energy to blatantly purchase Republican politicians in Ohio. That is another reason that the far right Ohio government officials went along with no push back when the Trump administration scrapped certain protective rules allowing corporate interests to avoid regulations to stop this kind of disaster. Republicans can't have it both ways. They either support regulations or they support big business and it has bee crystal clear for a very long time that they side with business over the people.
“The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not,” he continued. “I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.”
Part of the reason for that law, later being scrapped was the length and weight of trains which have increased dramatically over the past 10 years.
In addition to these reports, there are others. You cannot put 10 lbs of shit in a 5 lb bag and expect to have the same results.
Additionally, Norfolk Southern was the lead in lobbying to have the rule overturned. NS and other RR spend millions lobbying politicians on items and this was one of them.
Karma, they might be paying through the nose for this fuck up.
So Trump was in charge for the past 10 years? Man that dude must have a lot of power to control the Obama and Brandon administration's decisions!
Train lengths have increased because of the lack of available crews plain and simple. Some of it caused by Covid; and the rail work force not returning to pre Covid levels.
They could force the rail companies to cut the train lengths; I am sure that would make OTR carriers very happy since it would increase there business (they are really hurting right now). It would work all the way up until the economy finally fixes itself- and commerce returns to normal levels. Then transportation costs will sky rocket; and you will get supply chain issues again.
What I am shocked at is that no one is going after the companies/shippers that didn't report the hazardous material like they are legally required to. Rails are compelled by the government to transport hazardous materials. They don't have time to check the contents of every last container to see what is in them; and if the material inside matches what the rail billing says. Most of the time they are dealing with improper blocking and bracing; load shifts; leaking; and other issues that are easily detectable and require the customer to fix before it will be loaded onto a flatcar. There are very stiff fines for improper hazardous material identification; and not placarding hazardous material appropriately. Without knowing every commodity on the train was it even legal for these hazardous products to be moving together? Flammables, combustibles, and poisonous commodities are not usually supposed to be mixed. Either they shouldn't have been on the same train; or spaced out on the train appropriately so they wouldn't have come into contact with each other in the event of a derailment.
The NS has the majority of the blame for the derailment; but the shipper that didn't identify/mark hazardous commodities properly shares equal blame.
The EPA; and federal/state government cleanup crew clown shows haven't helped any.
I don't care who is in charge- civilian safety comes first; and it seems to not been taken into account at all for the residents of East Palestine.
Did I say that, if you're going to comment to me use facts, not your usual BS.
That is more BS. Read the links that I supplied or do some research instead blowing smoke.
I read your damn links- which state jack shit of nothing about the cause of the train lengths.
I deal with rail roads every damn day. I know people that work on both the UP and BNSF at the ramps. I will take their word over yours any day about the train crews and lack of them. Or maybe I will follow your advise and call the next rail customer service rep that tells me a train is being delayed due to crew curfew; and waiting on a new crew; a liar. I am sure that will do wonders getting containers moving.
As I dealt with RR for decades so don't pretend that you're the last word on the subject.
That was in 2019 and they have increased more in the last three years. There was no COVID between 2009 and 2019.
As for the shortage of workers, this is an interesting stat.
This information on the continuing length of trains is from the RR directly.
From your wolfstreet link.
Do you think the Railroads were planning on losing 12,000 workers during the pandemic? That they would not be able to get them back; or hire new ones?
They do have to replace workers lost during the pandemic; and it is affecting their capacity to run extra trains.
Maybe you should talk to Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett why the BNSF has shed so many jobs prior to the pandemic? Then talk to Bill Gates about the CN. Then talk to the VanGuard Group about the NS. If you do enough research you might be able to find out who holds controlling interest in the UP, CSX, and CP.
Yes, the rails shed workers to move freight more cheaply and compete with OTR carriers. Remember when rail couldn't compete with OTR due to trains not running on time and grounding delays? Shorter trains moving more often didn't help that situation out. The savings as compared to OTR weren't nearly enough. The rails had to become more competitive.
But I am sure owners like Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway would never put anyone at risk running longer trains simply for increased profit alone.
Foresight is something that is required in senior management in RR or any industry. They made their choice to cut employees and increase their profits. The pandemic threw a wrench but that is on them, no one else. Which has nothing to do with my comment.
Why in the world would I do that. I suggest that you do the research yourself and you'll find out the information you looking for.
Nope, they cut workers to improve net profit, it's as simple as that. One of the biggest sections of traffic for the rails is I/E containers which control over 90% of all those moves. Some of the biggest users of the rail are truckers, Schneider, Knight, XOL, UPS and FFs, both domestic and international.
BTW, in 2022 the Class 1 RRs had record revenue and income.
The RR have locked in business due to type of cargo such as bulk commodities and intermodal and SS line business and the cost of moving it vs OTR competition.
The RR rarely if ever compete with OTR on moves of less than 500 miles it simply isn't profitable for them. The consolidation of the RR companies IE: Southern Pacific and Santa Fe has made it even more profitable for the RR.
Blaming the previous administration is nothing short of pathetic when they've had ample time to make the appropriate changes.
Within a month of taking office Joe pretty much erased everything Donald had done with regards to regulations. I guess they forgot this one.
It's willful ignorance.
You mean the former 'president' removing all regulations and then President Biden restoring them.
That what Pete came up with and the lefties are repeating it:
https://offthepress.com/buttigieg-blames-trump-for-ohio-train-derailment-crisis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=buttigieg-blames-trump-for-ohio-train-derailment-crisis
So you'll have no problem linking when this happened.
You have a point there? It sounds like you are saying Biden restored the regulations therefore you can't say it is Trumps fault.
That's exactly where the blame lays, on #45, the former 'president'
"State officials said that the release of chemicals had killed about 3,500 fish and that a contaminant plume of fire combustion materials was being tracked down the Ohio River.
Andrew Whelton, a professor of environmental engineering at Purdue University, said it was difficult to characterize any potential environmental and health risks without knowing the quantities of chemicals released.
“We don’t really know what chemicals are still there and in what magnitude,” he said."
And the EPA says the water is safe to drink.
"Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance has a challenge for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan: If the water in East Palestine, Ohio, is safe to drink despite concerns of contamination, then he should be willing to drink it."
I think there is a better chance of Biden going to the border than this happening.
You know what?
I think Trump goes to East Palestine before Biden does.
The situation illustrates how people and communities have become deeply dependent upon the Federal government. That Federal government is quick to take credit when things are good but can't be found when the crap hits the fan. EPA will show up to test and spread fear while reviewing paper reports to place blame. But testing and blaming won't clean up the mess.
Local first responders were there to confront the situation. Local first responders were trying to contain everything, issuing warnings, and making recommendations. Local first responders were dealing with the problem long before politicians and Federal officials became involved. Politicians and Federal officials are only trying to take credit and place blame. Where does everyone think public resources should go?
Armchair environmental activists have latched onto the situation for their own public relations benefit. If you don't want vinyl chloride shipped through communities by rail then ban PVC. It's pretty simple. Don't tout the miracles of modern science and technology and then fearmonger when that science and technology blows up. Accidents are going to happen. And no amount of regulation will eliminate accidents.
The spill happened over 10 days ago. Per the mayor, yesterday was the first time someone from the white house reached out to him. Biden ignores it like everything else unpleasant.
Buttigieg is off attacking white construction workers and Biden's ordering the shooting down a small towns club's weather balloon.
The incompetence is eventually going to become too much for their media cheerleaders to ignore.
Precision Scheduled Railroading ( 3 lies in one) is the blame. Trying to get a 50% operating.ratio to please the hege funds cuts to much to run trains safely and efficiently
Norfolk Southern won the Harriman Award for Railroad Safety 23 times in a row, so many times that they quit giving the award.