White House cites deficiencies in bridge but buck stops with the states

[babylonsister]

White House cites deficiencies in bridge

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer 12 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The White House said Thursday that an inspection two years ago found structural deficiencies in the highway bridge that buckled during evening rush hour in Minneapolis.


White House press secretary Tony Snow said the Interstate 35W span rated 50 on a scale of 120 for structural stability.

"This doesn't mean there was a risk of failure, but if an inspection report identifies deficiencies, the state is responsible for taking corrective actions," he said. The bridge was 40 years old.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070802/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_bridge_collapse;_ylt=Aimg3Sr7M0.VY19_knjlhpiyFz4D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. And this state is run by an antitax Republican governor

who has prevented the passage of legislation for transportation infrastructure. If the state is responsible, the responsibility falls right in the lap of White House fave Timmy Pawlenty, who has been named as a possible VP choice.

Fat chance, Timmy.

[softwarevotingtrail]

3. Romney let Massachusetts' roads and bridges fall into disrepair

That's how he balanced the state budget without raising taxes. Really farsighted thinking, isn't it? I'm so sick and tired of the lack of accountability in just about everything. "Now is not the time for politics," these right-wing lapdogs say. I say, bullshit.

[madrchsod]

2. let`s play the blame game tony.

of course it is`t the feds fault..

oh by the way that yahoo report made me ill

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

4. The White House just stabbed Pawlenty in the back.

They just blamed him for the bridge's collapse.
Oops.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more.

Awkward. Timmy the Tool has been mentioned as a potential VP pick. After this, maybe not?

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

6. Of course, now Bush is blaming Congressional Democrats

for not sending him a responsible spending bill.
um...um... :mad:

(I can't type what I'm thinking, or it'd get deleted.)

[rucky]

7. Why can't they just express their regret over the loss of life?

Like a real fucking human being would do. finger-pointing and ass-covering from is tacky in and of itself, but while the bodies are still warm?! totally out of line.

[LTR]

8. Ultimately, the federal government is responsible for interstate highways

I-35W is an interstate. While local and state government foot some of the bill, the ultimate responsibility lies on the federal level.

About 56% of the construction and maintenance costs are funded through user fees, primarily gasoline taxes, collected by states and the federal government, and tolls collected on toll roads and bridges. The rest of the costs are borne by the federal budget.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_highway