SMRs and AMRs

Monday, February 10, 2014

One Month After Toxic Spill, West Virginians Face ‘Crisis of Confidence’

By TRIP GABRIEL, NYT
FEB. 9, 2014

Weeks after health authorities had told West Virginians that their water was safe to drink again following a toxic spill, schools in Charleston sent students home abruptly last week when students and staff members detected the telltale licorice odor of the leaked chemical.

Officials have repeatedly backtracked since lifting a tap-water ban about a week after the Jan. 9 spill, first advising pregnant women not to drink the water and then resuming the distribution of bottled water.

Around Charleston, the capital, restaurants advertise that they cook only with bottled water.

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.

(More here.)

5 Comments:

Blogger Tom Koch said...

Those silly West Virginians, everyone knows you can trust officials. Why, just a few months ago there was an official who told everyone that they could keep their health insurance and doctors. Trust matters.

7:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tom Koch Are you an ignoramus or do you just pretend to be one? I think it's safe to assume these officials are of the business loving, regulation hating. Republican kind. You reap what you sow, West Virginians. You cant drink your water now but at least you have your crappy mining and chemical company jobs.

11:29 PM  
Blogger Tom Koch said...

Dear Anonymous, you seem angry. Is it because you are starting to realize more government will not help when we can't trust the one we have or because you secretly wish you had the courage to use your name? I'm just ask'n.... (-:

My wish is for clean water and a government we can trust. Would you would be satisfied if the government official responsible for WV water threw up their hands and exclaimed, "What does it matter?!?" Perhaps the IRS can get to the bottom of this. Trust matters.

9:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tom, since you're jusk "ask'n", I don't think it's as simple as you either trust "government" or you don't. As if you could just get rid of government and your problem is solved. It's your government, so as a citizen you have the responsibility to educate yourself and vote accordingly.

If you elect a government that is soft on safety and environmental regulations (which means less govt in your opinion, I presume), like the one in WV, you should not be surprised when some incompetent company cuts corners and poisons your drinking water.

The fact that the official guidance on the safety of the water supply has been bungled is important also, but beside the point when you should seek to have proper regulations and enforcement to prevent this kind of accident in the first place.

So instead of blaming "the government", blame the people in it and their constituents for voting them in charge in the first place.

Maybe Obama should just say "heckuva job, Gov Tomblin" and put up a "misson accomplished!" sign.

And lastly, Mr Tom Koch of N. Mankato, the line between bravery and stupidity is so thin you don't know you've crossed it until it's too late. Would it make my comments anymore valid and me any more courageous if I posted my real name? I don't think so. It certainly didn't for you.
~Anonymous

1:39 PM  
Blogger Tom Koch said...

Dear Anonymous, please read my original post. I am simply pointing out (albeit sarcastic) the importance of trust in a functioning society. Can you point out where I have said I desire a weak or no government? The situation in WV is bad, people deserve the facts and if crimes were committed, those guilty should spend time behind bars. Government has an important role and I realize that good people can and do disagree on the proper scope and scale of government.

I think you are reading things into my message that are not there and am sorry if it makes you angry when I point out how our current administration is eroding trust. Go back and read the original post. “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.”

My concern is larger than a serious water quality issue; it is with trust, a foundational issue. In my opinion, our current administration has badly eroded trust. As you rightfully point out, other administrations have done the same and if you knew me better, you would know that I urged people to not vote for old “Mission Accomplished” the 2nd time around. That being said, partisan support for ‘incorrect promises’ is bad for our country, no matter the party.

You still seem angry, even flirting with borderline name-calling - the last gasp of a person who has exhausted their argument. Is it because you are starting to realize that throwing more and more money at government doesn’t seem to help? Join the gang. Right now, I’d be happier if I thought I could believe what I am hearing out of Washington. I could be wrong but suspect that your news sources do not include Tom Colburn so I’ll end with a quote: “Without truth there can be no trust. Without trust there can be no consent. And without consent, we invite paralysis if not chaos.” Tom Coburn

Cheers!

2:46 PM  

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