WacoTrib and others: "Abbott siding w/chemical companies against neighborhood residents

[cal04]

Last edited Wed Jul 9, 2014, 03:33 PM - Edit history (3)

Abbott ruling leaves public in dark, suggests his interests are elsewhere
http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-abbott-ruling-leaves-public-in-dark-suggests-his-interests/article_fc1ceeb9-0ff5-5029-8356-a6b1d37c3a9d.html

Good luck trying to connect state Attorney General Greg Abbott’s stunning, out-of-the-blue decision to block from communities formerly accessible information about potentially dangerous chemical facilities in their neighborhoods and The Dallas Morning News’ revelation that thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to Abbott come from the famous Koch family, whose holdings include widespread chemical interests. Whatever the truth, the appearance is damning.

Granted, in Abbott’s gubernatorial race, it’s beyond belief the Koch faily would ever donate to his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Wendy Davis. Then again, Abbott’s decision to yank from the public long-available information about chemical inventories and the absurdity of his suggestion that ordinary folks, if they want to know, gather such information on their own invite real skepticism about his judgment.

Consider the scenario since a fertilizer plant in West caught fire and exploded in 2013, claiming the lives of 12 first responders who, testimonials indicate, only partially understood the dangers they faced in combating a blaze in a facility storing volatile ammonium nitrate. The subsequent blast left a death toll of 15; injured some 300 other residents; and destroyed homes, schools and a nursing home in the northeastern section of the town.

(snip)
Abbott’s siding with chemical companies against neighborhood residents raises serious questions about his candidacy. He should reconsider the entirely preventable disaster in West, figure out for whom he’s working and reverse his decision in favor of the public. If he doesn’t, state lawmakers with some guts should do so for him.


Tweeted by Rachel Maddow
https://twitter.com/maddow


Top Ten Texas Stories Slamming Abbott on Chemicals
http://progresstexas.org/blog/slammed-across-state-abbotts-chemical-ruling

Wendy Davis
Texans #DeserveToKnow if explosive chemicals are being stored in their communities.
https://twitter.com/WendyDavisTexas/status/486954957682122752/photo/1

[GeorgeGist]

1. They're not even pretending to be smart any more.

[herding cats]

2. My best wishes to the Davis campaign!

May they exploit this for all it's worth. If she beats Abbot you'll be able to hear the Republican heads exploding from sea to shining sea!