Imagine That! Putting Venal Sociopaths In Charge Of WV Gov. Fuels Public Distrust!

[hatrack]

EDIT

What began as a public health emergency after chemicals contaminated the drinking water of 300,000 people has spiraled into a crisis of confidence in state and federal authorities, as residents complain of confusing messages and say they do not trust experts. The spill continues to arouse fear and outrage, and it threatens a political crisis in a state where lawmakers have long supported the coal and chemical industries.

Joe Merchant, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service who moved to the area two years ago, said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration and federal health officials had “refused to communicate uncertainty, and completely lost credibility with the people here.”

There have been emotional public hearings and town hall meetings, some with the environmental activist Erin Brockovich. Some 50 residents complained to the State Legislature last week about the Tomblin administration and demanded that lawmakers pass a tough bill regulating chemical storage tanks to help prevent future spills. The governor said he was frustrated, too. “I share your concerns about the water crisis,” he said at a news conference on Wednesday. “I heard you, and I am listening.”

EDIT

The federal officials offered assurances about the safety of the water. “You can drink it,” said Dr. Tanja Popovic of the C.D.C. “You can bathe in it.” But that same day, two schools in Kanawha County, which includes Charleston, sent students home after the chemical’s odor was detected. A teacher at Riverside High School who fainted and a student with burning eyes were taken to the hospital, a spokeswoman for the State Education Department said. On Thursday, three more schools closed.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/us/one-month-after-toxic-spill-west-virginians-face-crisis-of-confidence.html?_r=0

[phantom power]

1. not nearly enough distrust, though

[BrotherIvan]

2. This is a good example of how someone could run on liberal policies in these areas

once thought to be red forever.

People don't change when they see the light, but when they feel the heat.

If a real leader (not some DINO bluedog wrapping himself in populism) stepped in and ran on a platform of putting health & safety, jobs, education, all those scary librul ideas, would the voters vote for her now? Would a governor Jerry Brown, someone who is turning a bankrupt California around, would he be able to get elected in WV now?

If the people of WV are so indoctrinated by Fox, the NRA and the pulpit, then we are lost indeed. If they are cool with drinking poisoned water because "freedom", then perhaps it's for the best. This is your last snooze alarm.

[freshwest]

3. Increasingly, these stories are much the same as those told from different parts of the globe.

India, China, Africa, South America and the early days of the industrial revolution in the United States and Europe. A giant leap backward to the glorious days of laissez faire capitalism and the rape of the environment and using people like tools to be discarded.