Dear Gov. Snyder: You Have to Go to Jail

[mfcorey1]

Thanks to you, sir, and the premeditated actions of your administrators, you have effectively poisoned, not just some, but apparently ALL of the children in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

And for that, you have to go to jail.

To poison all the children in an historic American city is no small feat. Even international terrorist organizations haven't figured out yet how to do something on a magnitude like this.

But you did. Your staff and others knew that the water in the Flint River was poison -- but you decided that taking over the city and "cutting costs" to "balance the budget" was more important than the people's health (not to mention their democratic rights to elect their own leaders.) So you cut off the clean, fresh glacial lake water of Lake Huron that the citizens of Flint (including myself) had been drinking for decades and, instead, made them drink water from the industrial cesspool we call the Flint River -- a body of "water" where toxins from a dozen General Motors and DuPont factories have been dumped for over a hundred years. And then you decided to put a chemical in this water to "clean" it -- which only ended up stripping the lead off of Flint's aging water pipes, placing that lead in the water and sending it straight into people's taps. Your callous -- and reckless (btw, "reckless" doesn't get you a pass; a reckless driver who kills a child, still goes to jail) -- decision to do this has now, as revealed by the city's top medical facility, caused "irreversible brain damage" in Flint's children, not to mention other bodily damage to all of Flint's adults. Here's how bad it is: Even GM won't let the auto parts they use in building cars touch the Flint water because that water "corrodes" them. This is a company that won't even fix an ignition switch after they've discovered it's already killed dozens of people. THAT's how bad the situation is. Even GM thinks you're the devil.

Maybe you don't understand the science behind this. Lead, in water -- now, bear with me, this involves a science lesson and you belong to the anti-science party, the one that believes there's not a climate problem and that Adam and Eve rode on dinosaurs 6,000 years ago. Lead is toxic to the human body. There's no way to fully eliminate it once it's in your system, and children are the most damaged by it.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/dear-gov-snyder-you-have-to-go-to-jail_b_8925670.html

[malaise]

1. This should have 500 recs

Snyder must resign and the hacks in the media and Dems must ask ReTHUG candidates about Snyder's callous poisoning of Flint's citizens.

[Sherman A1]

3. K&R!

I can only do one, but it's a start!

[Enthusiast]

12. We had a couple of DUers defending Snyder here just the other day.

Some of the things done since Snyder took office are truly amazing. Things like the Benton Harbor golf course.

[timdog44]

24. Is this the golf course

that was made from the public lands that were to be for the people of Benton Harbor to be saved in perpetuity? Then I suppose that your comment should have a "sarcasm" emoji next to it.

[Enthusiast]

30. I don't understand why I need a sarcasm emoji.

It was a public space, picnic area, a place for kids and adults to play, a beach. But I suspect it was mostly enjoyed by people of color. So the emergency management team saw fit to sell it off, turning it into what is essentially a white only golf course. Do I have that part correct?

Privatizing the commons is not a good thing.

[catbyte]

34. The EM did the same thing with the only community radio station, too. I have no words to describe

the evil of the Snyder Administration and the state legislature.

[timdog44]

75. No intent to offend.

Mr concern is that some people don't understand what really happened in Michigan, especially Benton Harbor. It was truly a dastardly thing to do. It was an area that was mostly enjoyed by people of color, because that is what had occurred in the "twin" cities of Benton Harbor - St Joseph. The demographics were almost totally opposite of each other. And the poverty in Benton Harbor is so bad as to be embarrassing. While in St Joseph, everything is basically peaches and cream. So rather than disturb anything that belong to rich white people, the governor and his allies took private lands from the people of Benton Harbor and turned it into a fat cat golf course. Jack Nicholas and his ilk claiming that this would bring economic improvement to the people of Benton Harbor, a usual claim made by these people. So, anyway, again, no offense intended, just some history.

[Enthusiast]

83. Thanks, timdog44.

[louis-t]

50. It's called "Deeded in Perpetuity"

Meaning forever. Until well-connected repukes decided differently.

[tblue37]

63. Because many people will read "amazing" as meaning "awesome" rather than "unbelievable." nt

[malaise]

57. Snyder belongs in prison

Nothing less is acceptable

[Stellar]

28. Agreed!

[demwing]

79. 295 and counting /nt

[malaise]

80. Getting there

Snyder should be in prison

[demwing]

81. You're very polite

I think he needs a nice Flint River enema...daily

[malaise]

82. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

That would be perfect

[MeNMyVolt]

2. K&R. Hopefully everyone signs the petition at the bottom of the article. n/t

[Hortensis]

4. Yes, I signed the petition. This man belongs in prison.

[MinM]

5. Sounds like a long shot but it's worth a try. Since the GOP controls every branch ..

of the State of Michigan Government. Largely thanks to Citizens United and gerrymandering.

So you know the GOP legislature and the corrupt as hell State Attorney General (Bill Schuette) won't do a damn thing about this.

Governor Snyder: how to get away with murder

[Proserpina]

7. Then we have to go to federal courts

I'm sure there's a federal crime in there somewhere...

[rhett o rick]

49. Problem is that the Fed Government is run by conservatives appointed by Obama. Not

much hope there.

[Ilsa]

6. Kick. nt

Prison is too good for this bastard. These people have decades of problems ahead, all because of him.

[Fast Walker 52]

8. he's horrible for so many reasons.... every GOP governor is horrible

Still, what Snyder did is especially criminal.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

9. K & R...nt.

[Mbrow]

10. k&R!

[Moliere]

11. Just another day in a Republican led world.

It's just so sad and preventable buy will continue until people actually start voting their interests. That turd should never have seen office

[mountain grammy]

13. I completely agree

I wrote a letter to the governor expressing my disgust and I don't even live in Michigan.

[Vinca]

14. I totally agree.

And before he goes he might explain how it's legal to ignore elections and install cronies in the first place.

[liberal from boston]

44. Snyder belongs in Jail.

I agree--Snyder got rid of elected officials & installed his lackeys as emergency mangers. I signed the petition--Snyder needs to prosecuted.

[Buzz Clik]

15. It was a cost-saving move that was tested ... sort of.

They tested the water before it entered the pipes but not out of the tap.

The problem was a lack of orthophosphates in the water to "coat" the pipes and prevent lead and copper from leaching into the drinking water. (Moore has this part wrong: "And then you decided to put a chemical in this water to 'clean' it -- which only ended up stripping the lead off of Flint's aging water pipes, placing that lead in the water and sending it straight into people's taps.&quot

Not sure this rises to the level of criminal activity, but it was an economic decision made with not enough information.

[MinM]

19. Snyder ignored and then tried to cover-up a test conducted by EPA scientist Miguel Del Toral

Too late to apologize for poisoning Flint’s water supply

On January 5, 2016 Gov. Snyder finally declared a state of emergency on the same day the Environmental Protection Agency launched its own investigation and that an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office was revealed. Snyder's decision came more than two weeks after newly elected Flint Mayor Karen W. Weaver announced her own state of emergency for the city.

Snyder's declaration also comes nearly a full year after a February 2015 test conducted by EPA scientist Miguel Del Toral revealed that the level of lead "was 104 μg/dL and the level of iron in the water exceeded the capability of the instrument to measure."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the presence of lead at levels greater 10 μg/dL can cause severe chronic diseases and neurological impairment in children. It also recommended prompt communication between authorities and families and frequent follow-up testing for victims of lead poisoning...

Instead of open and immediate communication, the Snyder administration chose to suppress or deny mounting evidence of lead poisoning. According to an NPR story last October, MDEQ spokesperson Brad Wurfel (now forced to resign) called Del Toral's report the work of a "rogue employee." One Detroit Free Press article described Snyder administration statements about lead poisoning in Flint through the summer and fall of 2015 as full of "inconsistency and obfuscation."

While Snyder, through his hand-picked Flint Water Task Force, seems intent on blaming everyone else for the problem, his decision to set aside that city's elections and create an emergency manager for Flint played a central role in the events. As part of an ongoing Republican campaign to eviscerate public sector labor unions, weaken environmental protections and enforcement, and to disfranchise African American voters in the state, Snyder signed the controversial Emergency Manager Law. According to one analyst, since the law went into effect in 2012 some 80 percent of Michigan's African American population has lived under a non-elected emergency manager...

http://www.peoplesworld.org/too-late-to-apologize-for-poisoning-flint-s-water-supply/

[Buzz Clik]

25. Thank you.

Lots more relevant details that out Snyder in a very bad light.

[Scuba]

16. Bizarre that this would be defended on this forum. Just bizarre.

A long prison term for Snyder, nothing less.

[Buzz Clik]

17. Somebody defended his actions? Not on this thread.

Elsewhere?

[Scuba]

18. Defense comes in many forms.

[Buzz Clik]

26. Ok

[intersectionality]

22. Lol? Didn't see post 15?

Where the poster claims it was merely an "economic" decision gone awry?

[Buzz Clik]

27. I did not read the post that way...

... Not was it written that way. But you would know better than I.

[Enthusiast]

32. The bizarre has become commonplace.

[DinahMoeHum]

20. Signed the petition. Screw prison, he deserves worse. . .

. . .unfortunately it's not fit for further mention here.

[meow2u3]

41. Only what he deserves violates the 8th Amendment

against cruel and unusual punishment. Bummer.

[DinahMoeHum]

48. This was a cruel and unusual crime.

n/t

[marble falls]

21. Jail? He still thinks he can be President. But Moore's right: the Govenor belongs in jail.

[Siwsan]

23. As someone who was born in Flint, and still lives in the township - SIGNED

I love this city and have been so proud of the way the downtown has rebounded from the betrayal and abandonment by General Motors. It is important to note that Flint attracts people from all over the world for the Crim Road Race and Back to the Bricks/Bikes to the Bricks festivals. During the Crim, which is run through the city of Flint, most of the runners were handed cups FULL of water that came direct from people's garden hoses. The runners are people of ALL ages.

Snyder has been the enemy of the people, from Day one of his administration.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

47. someone who lives in Michigan told me

the voters passed this change in water suppliers. Is that true? Also, if it was on the ballot, who initiated that move? I can't find a timeline anywhere for the circumstances that led to changing water suppliers.

[Siwsan]

51. It was done by the "Emergency Manager"

I'm in the township and have a well so this doesn't affect me, but it is my understanding that, eventually, there will be a new pipeline from Lake Huron, which is where Detroit gets their water, and they sell some to Flint.

But this was not put up to the voters. It was Ed Kurtz, I believe, who initiated the change over to save money. I'm not sure which dimwit decided that treating the river water was unnecessary. Had they done that one step, all of this would have been averted.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

56. I thought as much

but this person (to whom I'm related) was insistent the voters approved the move.....

[Baitball Blogger]

29. Isn't it obvious that Republican cost-cutting measures are a danger to the public

because they never consider the long-term effects of their policies?

Snyder should be jailed for this. Punishment should be swift. His career is over.

[raouldukelives]

31. K&R nt

[lonestarnot]

33. Dougie Douchebag should go to. He appointed another douchebag to AZ Supreme Ct with no experience

as a Judge. What next...it's like watching a perfectly good ice cream cone melt under glass dome in 125 degree heat.

[U of M Dem]

35. Jail is too light of a sentence, multiple life sentences (1 for each poisoned) would be a good start

I still can't get the taste out of my mouth from when this asshole was chosen in replacement of Steve Jobs (due to his failing health) for my commencement ceremony at U of M in 2011 - a year after President Obama addressed the school mind you.

At the culmination of my undergraduate experience, I had to hear this fuckhead rant and ramble about his personal accomplishments without ever having a fucking point except, if I remember correctly, - 'be inspired by me.'

This is what you get when you elect a venture capitalist to govern people, the bottom line ($) is the only consideration of these pigs.

I am in total agreement with the OP. If Al-Qaeda or ISIS successfully carried out a terrorist plot and wreaked the same havoc as this man and his administration, the celebration on their part would be immense.

[jen63]

36. Prison would be too good for

this total fuckstick. There are many screwed up republican Governors out there with the big four clustered right there in the Midwest, but Snyder is beyond the pale. He's a vile human being.

[JoePhilly]

37. Start sending him that water and demand that he drink it.

[Oldtimeralso]

54. He might get lead poisoning!

I think some of the people of Flint would like him to get another form of lead poisoning.

[WillyT]

38. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[Jack Rabbit]

39. Signed

[kimbutgar]

40. He is responsible for this genocide of the citizens of flint.

All those poisoned by lead are the victims of his greediness. Snyder has blood on his hands. I wish some reporter would offer him a glass of water from Flint to drink on camera!

[spanone]

42. heard the press conference this am...they take no fucking responsibility at all

'moving forward' bullshit

[KamaAina]

43. Where's Michael Moore on this?

It is Flint, after all.

[cui bono]

46. The OP is his letter.

.

[nolabear]

45. Thom Hartmann posted this OP and thread on his FB page.

Nice to know he's watching. You know if this had been done by an individual they'd be UNDER a jail.

[lark]

52. Thinking more, I now call for say indict and impeach.

He's a proven criminal. A class action suit should also be filed against him and every person involved in this decision by every parent in Flint Mi. whose child drank the tap water.

[burrowowl]

53. Prison for LIFE!

[niyad]

55. seppuku would be even better, so we don't have to pay to keep his disgusting ass in jail.

but then, if he had any sense of honour, this wouldn't be happening.

[llmart]

58. I signed the petition.....

I knew from day one of his administration that he would be a disaster, but I also know many Dems in Michigan voted for him and fell into the trap of believing his campaign ads about he was "one tough nerd" or whatever the hell they claimed. Like most Republicans he could care less about urban areas like Flint.

[myrna minx]

59. K&R.

[lovemydog]

60. Why did the mayor and his administrators

cut off the lake water of Lake Huron?

Were business or big money interests involved?

What would cause a mayor to have such reckless disregard for the lives of his town's children?

I agree he should go to jail.

Can a district attorney bring charges?

Where does governmental immunity come into play.

What State charges can be brought? What federal charges?

Is anyone defending him and if so why?

I think the people who voted for him were really stupid. But still, I'd like to know more.

[Babel_17]

61. I hate to toss around the term lightly, but we might have cause to think about using ....

I hate to toss around the term lightly, but we might have cause to think about using "depraved indifference" as a descriptor for some of this thinking. Just not caring enough, becoming immersed in the bottom line and not looking at the bigger picture until you come to that point.

This looks bad, and it needs to be opened up to an honest review.

I'm wondering if this is a case of the zealotry that can happen when ideology becomes policy, and policy becomes a quasi-religion.

[moondust]

62. Or attempted murder.

Rachel just did a segment on Flint and nobody is delivering bottled water to the people of Flint. The Mission of Hope was distributing some voluntarily but they're out for a few days.

[Babel_17]

64. I'm glad Rachel is covering this

Hopefully this logjam of inaction will break and people will be able to get clean water, and then we can have an honest investigation.

[shadowmayor]

67. Depraved Indifference

Indifference to the suffering of others, while seemingly depraved to normal people, is the hallmark of conservatism. That's why Repukes care more about money than people, more about money than the environment, more about money than any moral issue you can list. Chris Hedges (I believe) has stated that conservatism is a developmental disorder. Flint is the Republican Party governance on full display.

The President should declare a State of Emergency and call out the Guard to deliver water and set up RO plants if needed. He doesn't need the governor's approval if it's in the national interest. I think providing safe drinking water to our citizens in all parts of our country is in the national interest.

[ecstatic]

69. It's actually worse. Try genocide:

Excerpt from the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of Genocide: http://www.preventgenocide.org/genocide/officialtext.htm

"Article II: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(a) Killing members of the group;

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Article III: The following acts shall be punishable:

(a) Genocide;

(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;

(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;

(d) Attempt to commit genocide;

(e) Complicity in genocide. " (Snyder knew about the situation for months before apologizing and still hasn't done anything)


...

Causing serious bodily or mental harm includes inflicting trauma on members of the group through widespread torture, rape, sexual violence, forced or coerced use of drugs, and mutilation.

Deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy a group includes the deliberate deprivation of resources needed for the group’s physical survival, such as clean water, food, clothing, shelter or medical services. Deprivation of the means to sustain life can be imposed through confiscation of harvests, blockade of foodstuffs, detention in camps, forcible relocation or expulsion into deserts.

Genocidal acts need not kill or cause the death of members of a group. Causing serious bodily or mental harm, prevention of births and transfer of children are acts of genocide when committed as part of a policy to destroy a group’s existence.

[Babel_17]

70. That involves intent, depraved indifference is what I used for the neocons destroying Iraq

Not something they particularly wanted, they wanted flowers and parades in their honor, but they were oblivious to the obvious risk of the actual outcome.

I get the seeming similarity, but in my experience it's a mistake to overcharge. Nixon didn't leave because we had him on other more serious stuff. Bush/Cheney polling numbers aren't because of what we know here at DU. They're unpopular because of what the MSM allowed to be demonstrated as true to the public.

[2naSalit]

77. He's so much like

W and the incredible destruction he brought with him to office.

[burrowowl]

65. Signed and K&R!!!!!

[Katashi_itto]

66. Watch him get reelected.

Let alone prosecuted for any of this.

[ecstatic]

68. K&r. I signed MM's petition as well.nt

[young_at_heart]

71. When will people notice Republican 'leadership'?

It's been going on for years in so many states ('What's The Matter With Kansas?', for example) and yet......

[Liberal_in_LA]

72. k&r

[lonestarnot]

73. The fucker should get the Khalid Shaikh Mohammed treatment with Flint water.

[Separation]

74. Didn't they even shut the water down

On some people? Or am I thinking of Detroit?

[2naSalit]

78. Detroit is where the water

was shut off for a time. In Flint the water has been switched back but the damage has been done to the city's plumbing and it all needs to be replaced regardless of the origin of the water from now on... the lead will continue to separate from the pipes.

And then there's the larger issue of the poisoning of an entire community and NOT calling for alternative sources for water, like why hasn't he called for water to be shipped in to the 100K people who have absolutely no access to safe water for drinking and bathing... NADA!!???!

[Hotler]

76. I suggest a public hanging. Okay that may be a tad harsh. How about...

a good old fashioned tar and feather. edit to add, and a swift kick in the nuts.

[Calista241]

84. Unless you can prove

That he wanted to kill / poison people, or that after learning they killed / poisoned people they tried to cover it up, then there is no case.

There may be a cover up case here, but the act of accidentally poisoning people is not a crime by Snyder or anyone working for the state gov't.