Standing the watch...

[90-percent]

12. The magnitude of the West Tragedy

In historical terms, it should have a place in history in the same zone as:

THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE of March 25, 1911, in which 146 workers lost their lives.

14 confirmed dead, 60 "missing", the West Tragedy may be "one of the worst industrial disasters since The Texas City disaster of April 16, 1947" Wikipedia states this was "the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history, and one of the largest non-nuclear explosions" (in history) This blast killed at least 581 people and was also in Texas and also involved ammonium nitrate.

I suspect the root cause of the West Texas Tragedy will be similar to the root cause of the Triangle Fire; Utter management indifference to anything besides making the maximum amount of money possible and risking your employees lives to do it. They also risked the lives of the people living very nearby, come to think of it.

Does any rational person think the 60 "missing" will eventually be found? "Missing" is merely a polite term for "blown to smithereens".

My prediction is the owners of the West Factory will be fined at least $50,000 and not greater than $100,000 for their industrial negligence. Merely the cost of doing business. And if the owners are found to be Republican political donors, you can cut my estimates in half.

Here's a link to my DU post about West vs. Boston, FWIW

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2720693

-90% Jimmy

PS - Will, you were mentioned on Thom Hartman's show a few days ago and he was referring to one of your DU posts. You've hit the big time! (Although there may be multiple "Will Pitt"s on DU?)