NYTimes: The Poisoning of Flint’s Water
"Some of the water tested so high for lead contamination that it was “more than twice the amount at which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies water as hazardous waste,” according to Guyette."
Thursday, January 21, 2016
NYTimes: Republicans Ignore a Poisoned City
NYTimes: Republicans Ignore a Poisoned City
"On Tuesday, Rick Snyder, the state’s Republican governor, acknowledged that his government had “failed” the city’s nearly 100,000 residents. That is an understatement. His appointed task force reported late last month that the state’s environmental agency had responded to those who tried to bring attention to this unfolding tragedy with a “persistent tone of scorn and derision.”
Friday, January 15, 2016
NYTimes: Is Vast Inequality Necessary?
NYTimes: Is Vast Inequality Necessary?
"Now, recent experience has not been kind to the conservative position. President Obama pushed through a substantial rise in top tax rates, and his health care reform was the biggest expansion of the welfare state since L.B.J. Conservatives confidently predicted disaster, just as they did when Bill Clinton raised taxes on the top 1 percent. Instead, Mr. Obama has ended up presiding over the best job growth since the 1990s. Is there, however, a longer-term case in favor of vast inequality?"
Monday, January 11, 2016
Saturday, January 09, 2016
Dolly Parton and her 'lack of judgment'
Dolly Parton and her 'lack of judgment'
"Dollywood attracts lots of church groups, but it has also become a draw for the LGBT community. What does that say about you?
It's a place for entertainment, a place for all families, period. It's for all that. But as far as the Christians, if people want to pass judgment, they're already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody.
You have a large gay following. To what do you attribute that?
They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people. I've struggled enough in my life to be appreciated and understood. I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love. I don't think we should be judgmental. Lord, I've got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else.
As I smiled at those words and silently thanked Dolly to myself, I knew that heads would be exploding across the tracks. These people didn't disappoint. The Christians she was directly speaking to became unhinged for being so directly called out."
Friday, January 08, 2016
NYTimes: What Donald Trump Owes George Wallace
NYTimes: What Donald Trump Owes George Wallace
"DONALD J. TRUMP, reality television star and real estate mogul, is different in many ways from major political figures in our past. But there are striking similarities between Mr. Trump and George C. Wallace, the Deep South politician who ran for president each opportunity he got from 1964 through 1976. The connections between the two — their rhetoric and their ability to fire up crowds — give us a better sense of what Trumpism will mean once he is gone from the campaign stage. After all, political losers as well as winners can shape the future.
Barack Obama: Guns Are Our Shared Responsibility
Barack Obama: Guns Are Our Shared Responsibility
"In the article, Mr. Obama urged Americans who agree with him on gun control measures to join him in pushing to elect new lawmakers in Congress."
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Michigan Governor Declares State of Emergency in Flint Over Drinking Water | TIME
(FLINT, Mich.) —Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint on Tuesday over problems with lead in the city’s drinking water, the same day federal officials confirmed they’re investigating the matter that prompted a local public health emergency.
Snyder’s action follows emergency declarations by the city and Genesee County, which requested help from the state. Michigan’s declaration makes available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery operations.
U.S. attorney’s spokeswoman Gina Balaya said in an email that the federal investigation is “an effort to address the concerns of Flint residents,” but she couldn’t say whether it is a criminal or civil investigation.
The city switched from Detroit’s water system to Flint River water in a cost-cutting move in 2014, while under state financial management. That was intended as a temporary step while a pipeline was built from Lake Huron.
Residents complained about the water’s taste, smell and appearance, and children were found to have elevated levels of lead due to the water supply. Exposure to lead can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children.
The city returned to Detroit water in October.
Michigan Governor Declares State of Emergency in Flint Over Drinking Water | TIME
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