Yesterday, the chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, James Comer (R-KY), the chair of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, Pete Sessions (R-TX), the chair of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, Glenn Grothman (R-WI), and the chair of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, Nancy Mace (R-SC), along with seventeen other extremist Republican members of Congress, sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Good response. A piece that keeps getting left out is that the Gov. of Ohio at least initially (and may still, haven't seen an update) refused to call for FEMA. That requires a state declaration of emergency, but he didn't want to give Biden a "win".
The terrorists are "inside the building" quite literally. Thank you Heather for this summary of more deliberate destruction of government----and for showing the stupidity of the right-wing leadership in the House. But of course, even stupid people can do some very dangerous things---and indeed evil things. On the other hand, Buttigieg put it to them in his reply. BUT, the Democrats need to be a bit of direct shouting to make sure the voters understand what is going on. Too much control of the narrative goes to the GOP. Yes, the enemy is within---as well as outside.
I laughed so hard at "(There are slightly fewer than 8 billion people on earth.)". Oh how I wish there was a real time way to put these facts into the "followers" heads. What a bunch of misguided uneducated folks.
Re: "Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) claimed that “6 billion” people have illegally crossed the border since President Biden took office. (There are slightly fewer than 8 billion people on earth.)"
The extremist members of the Republican Party do not want government to function. Whether they are conveniently ignoring the responsible agencies that perform investigative functions and oversight, or are one of the new members of Congress that have no knowledge or interest in learning such details, their aim is only to detract from the current administration and lie if necessary to cause the American people to distrust their government. That has been their strategy for several years now. The Marjorie Taylor Greenes of the Republican Party don’t want government to work, they want to burn it down. They have no platform, no proposed legislation to improve the lives of average Americans. They seek to follow the strategies of Steve Bannon to dismantle government, divide Americans and create chaos.
A good explanation of the derailment and who has done what. A piece that doesn’t seem to be getting enough airtime is that Norfolk Southern (and other railroads) have been allowed to replace human inspectors with wayside detectors (hot bearing detectors known as HBD’s). Norfolk Southern was also allowed to set the alarm setpoints, so a temperature of 103 degrees above ambient air temperature did not cause an audible alarm.
“Between 170°F and 200°F, warm bearing (non-critical); stop and inspect
• A difference between bearings on the same axle greater than or equal
to 115°F (non-critical); stop and inspect
• Greater than 200°F (critical); set out railcar”
By the time the bearing alarm was sounded and the crew tried to stop the 149 car train, it was too late to prevent a derailment. Perhaps if the train had been equipped with the electronically controlled pneumatic brakes called for in the Obama-Biden rules (rescinded by the Trump administration), it could have stopped before it derailed.
"My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with the facts." seems to be the motto of the House GQP these days. While the saying may have been used in the past as a joke, this attitude on the part of our lawmakers is not humorous. It is dangerous.
This is the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. The Keystone Cops. Or choose from among the 28 synonyms for “inept.” They are a national embarrassment. Utter fools who don’t know it.
The Republicans are dragging the country down. Yet they think they’re patriots who are saving it from evil. Spare us all!
When I was a kid (how last century!) My grandfather had a private car because he was an NYCRR executive. I was sitting on the observation deck with him when we passed a freight going in the opposite direction. In the caboose, the conductor waved, and my grandfather waved back. I asked why, and he told me that on the railroad it was everyone's responsibility to look for smoke coming from the journal box when trains passed each other. "Hotbox" detection, before disaster hit, was really important. He said that if either he or the conductor had seen evidence of a hotbox, they would have held their nose instead of waving. In the wreck HCR refers to, "hotbox" detection was allocated to software, which failed to inform the engineer until the journal box, containing the wheel bearings, was 258 degrees hotter than normal. No caboose, no conductor, no human smarter than software, was on the job. That's the way railroads choose to run now. Fewer employees, greater profit. The only downside is bigger accidents, and everyone associated with rail transport knows that. It's like having airports without people in the tower. Res ipse loquitur.
I spent years working with local, state and federal agencies that regulate hazardous chemicals. The minute I heard that a train had derailed in Ohio and spilled PVC's, my first thought was here's yet another toxic, dangerous chemical spill. They happen quite often, sadly, and we don't seem to be getting any better at regulating how such chemicals are regulated, handled or transported.
Rather than concern themselves with clean-up and helping those affected though, we get one more battle in these damn culture wars. PVC's are ungodly dangerous, toxic and will affect the area for a long time - depending on who handles the clean-up. If it is left up to DeWine and co., it is unclear what, if anything, will truly happen to ensure proper clean-up and protection of health - for humans, wildlife, plants, trees, all of it. And we will likely hear about a spike in several types of cancer somewhere down the road - not to mention that those with any current lung or kidney conditions will suffer and maybe even die sooner than they otherwise might. Real people, real problems. And Republicans don't give a rat's ass about anything except damaging Biden and Co.
This President and his administration have done incredible work to govern, regulate, keep the economy moving for everyone, and protect ALL Americans. But I knew, the minute that Biden shut down the rail workers strike, that there would be some damnable event that would shine a light on the problems with railroad companies worrying about managing only for profits rather than human well-being. Mission accomplished. Ugh.
Thank God for Buttegieg - not just for his management abilities and knowledge but his ability to communicate. Comer and company better watch themselves. They are batting waaaaayyy above their pay grade taking Pete on. Sigh. Back to writing postcards tomorrow. We HAVE to vote these bastards out.
Philosopher Harry Frankfurt defined the essence of bullshit as an utter lack of concern for whether what one says is true or not. He distinguishes BS from lying in that a liar at least has sufficient regard for truth to try to conceal the fact that the lie isn’t true. George Santos is a liar. These clowns are bullshit artists.
We are *here* because ever since Ronald Reagan, the right has united. And in every branch and at every level of government *this* is what Republican domination looks like.
Either the rest of us unite behind the Democratic party and between now and Election Day 2024 do everything we can to win Democratic victories in every contest - or as Republicans said of overturning Roe "this is just the beginning."
“Either 21 Republican lawmakers charged with oversight of our government don’t know how the government works and didn’t care to find out, or they are deliberately misleading their loyalists.
We are becoming accustomed to certain Republican lawmakers saying ridiculous things. Just two days ago, in a now-deleted tweet, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) claimed that “6 billion” people have illegally crossed the border since President Biden took office. (There are slightly fewer than 8 billion people on earth.)
But the letter these representatives wrote shows such a profound disinterest in how our government works that it suggests these representatives have no real interest in the job they were sent to Washington to do, and instead are weaponizing the government to mislead their followers into believing things that are not true.
Buttiegieg responded: “I am alarmed to learn that the Chair of the House Oversight Committee thinks that the NTSB is part of our Department. NTSB is independent (and with good reason). Still, of course, we will fully review this and respond appropriately.”
Before I even read the above paragraphs written by Heather, I thought “Do these guys understand how our government functions????” Thank you, dear Heather: great minds think alike!
Having the Repelicans led by Greene and McCarthy run the House of Representatives after Pelosi ran it is like having the kids from the permanent in-school suspension room replace the teachers in the AP program in a high school.
Astonishing how ignorant Republican office holders are. It’s as though they failed primary school, without basic knowledge and common sense, and realise, in adulthood, the only way they can get a job is to lie and cheat, muddle around for some fake charisma or find their inner bully and never take responsibility for anything. This qualifies them for Republican office. When the worst of a nation fake leading the nation the nation is in deep dooda
In the past I have seen constituents in MTG’s area say how embarrassed they are that she is their representative. She doesn’t seem the type that the Democrats can win a public debate with, so what about on the ground. I see Biden posting on twitter all the great things he and Congress have been getting done, can they take it to the streets in MTG’s backyard? Can they ask the people there if they know what she is attempting to demolish? It seems only when the more direct and personal PR happens that maybe oh maybe they wont vote for her again
Good response. A piece that keeps getting left out is that the Gov. of Ohio at least initially (and may still, haven't seen an update) refused to call for FEMA. That requires a state declaration of emergency, but he didn't want to give Biden a "win".
The terrorists are "inside the building" quite literally. Thank you Heather for this summary of more deliberate destruction of government----and for showing the stupidity of the right-wing leadership in the House. But of course, even stupid people can do some very dangerous things---and indeed evil things. On the other hand, Buttigieg put it to them in his reply. BUT, the Democrats need to be a bit of direct shouting to make sure the voters understand what is going on. Too much control of the narrative goes to the GOP. Yes, the enemy is within---as well as outside.
I laughed so hard at "(There are slightly fewer than 8 billion people on earth.)". Oh how I wish there was a real time way to put these facts into the "followers" heads. What a bunch of misguided uneducated folks.
Re: "Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) claimed that “6 billion” people have illegally crossed the border since President Biden took office. (There are slightly fewer than 8 billion people on earth.)"
The extremist members of the Republican Party do not want government to function. Whether they are conveniently ignoring the responsible agencies that perform investigative functions and oversight, or are one of the new members of Congress that have no knowledge or interest in learning such details, their aim is only to detract from the current administration and lie if necessary to cause the American people to distrust their government. That has been their strategy for several years now. The Marjorie Taylor Greenes of the Republican Party don’t want government to work, they want to burn it down. They have no platform, no proposed legislation to improve the lives of average Americans. They seek to follow the strategies of Steve Bannon to dismantle government, divide Americans and create chaos.
A good explanation of the derailment and who has done what. A piece that doesn’t seem to be getting enough airtime is that Norfolk Southern (and other railroads) have been allowed to replace human inspectors with wayside detectors (hot bearing detectors known as HBD’s). Norfolk Southern was also allowed to set the alarm setpoints, so a temperature of 103 degrees above ambient air temperature did not cause an audible alarm.
“Between 170°F and 200°F, warm bearing (non-critical); stop and inspect
• A difference between bearings on the same axle greater than or equal
to 115°F (non-critical); stop and inspect
• Greater than 200°F (critical); set out railcar”
By the time the bearing alarm was sounded and the crew tried to stop the 149 car train, it was too late to prevent a derailment. Perhaps if the train had been equipped with the electronically controlled pneumatic brakes called for in the Obama-Biden rules (rescinded by the Trump administration), it could have stopped before it derailed.
https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/RRD23MR005%20East%20Palestine%20OH%20Prelim.pdf
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2023/feb/17/occupy-democrats/obama-era-safety-rule-high-hazard-trains-was-repea/
"My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with the facts." seems to be the motto of the House GQP these days. While the saying may have been used in the past as a joke, this attitude on the part of our lawmakers is not humorous. It is dangerous.
This is the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. The Keystone Cops. Or choose from among the 28 synonyms for “inept.” They are a national embarrassment. Utter fools who don’t know it.
The Republicans are dragging the country down. Yet they think they’re patriots who are saving it from evil. Spare us all!
When I was a kid (how last century!) My grandfather had a private car because he was an NYCRR executive. I was sitting on the observation deck with him when we passed a freight going in the opposite direction. In the caboose, the conductor waved, and my grandfather waved back. I asked why, and he told me that on the railroad it was everyone's responsibility to look for smoke coming from the journal box when trains passed each other. "Hotbox" detection, before disaster hit, was really important. He said that if either he or the conductor had seen evidence of a hotbox, they would have held their nose instead of waving. In the wreck HCR refers to, "hotbox" detection was allocated to software, which failed to inform the engineer until the journal box, containing the wheel bearings, was 258 degrees hotter than normal. No caboose, no conductor, no human smarter than software, was on the job. That's the way railroads choose to run now. Fewer employees, greater profit. The only downside is bigger accidents, and everyone associated with rail transport knows that. It's like having airports without people in the tower. Res ipse loquitur.
Thank you Heather! 🙏🙏 No doubt they sent a copy to FOX before releasing it on a Friday, to allow time for the propaganda to percolate.
I spent years working with local, state and federal agencies that regulate hazardous chemicals. The minute I heard that a train had derailed in Ohio and spilled PVC's, my first thought was here's yet another toxic, dangerous chemical spill. They happen quite often, sadly, and we don't seem to be getting any better at regulating how such chemicals are regulated, handled or transported.
Rather than concern themselves with clean-up and helping those affected though, we get one more battle in these damn culture wars. PVC's are ungodly dangerous, toxic and will affect the area for a long time - depending on who handles the clean-up. If it is left up to DeWine and co., it is unclear what, if anything, will truly happen to ensure proper clean-up and protection of health - for humans, wildlife, plants, trees, all of it. And we will likely hear about a spike in several types of cancer somewhere down the road - not to mention that those with any current lung or kidney conditions will suffer and maybe even die sooner than they otherwise might. Real people, real problems. And Republicans don't give a rat's ass about anything except damaging Biden and Co.
This President and his administration have done incredible work to govern, regulate, keep the economy moving for everyone, and protect ALL Americans. But I knew, the minute that Biden shut down the rail workers strike, that there would be some damnable event that would shine a light on the problems with railroad companies worrying about managing only for profits rather than human well-being. Mission accomplished. Ugh.
Thank God for Buttegieg - not just for his management abilities and knowledge but his ability to communicate. Comer and company better watch themselves. They are batting waaaaayyy above their pay grade taking Pete on. Sigh. Back to writing postcards tomorrow. We HAVE to vote these bastards out.
Philosopher Harry Frankfurt defined the essence of bullshit as an utter lack of concern for whether what one says is true or not. He distinguishes BS from lying in that a liar at least has sufficient regard for truth to try to conceal the fact that the lie isn’t true. George Santos is a liar. These clowns are bullshit artists.
We are *here* because ever since Ronald Reagan, the right has united. And in every branch and at every level of government *this* is what Republican domination looks like.
Either the rest of us unite behind the Democratic party and between now and Election Day 2024 do everything we can to win Democratic victories in every contest - or as Republicans said of overturning Roe "this is just the beginning."
“Either 21 Republican lawmakers charged with oversight of our government don’t know how the government works and didn’t care to find out, or they are deliberately misleading their loyalists.
We are becoming accustomed to certain Republican lawmakers saying ridiculous things. Just two days ago, in a now-deleted tweet, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) claimed that “6 billion” people have illegally crossed the border since President Biden took office. (There are slightly fewer than 8 billion people on earth.)
But the letter these representatives wrote shows such a profound disinterest in how our government works that it suggests these representatives have no real interest in the job they were sent to Washington to do, and instead are weaponizing the government to mislead their followers into believing things that are not true.
Buttiegieg responded: “I am alarmed to learn that the Chair of the House Oversight Committee thinks that the NTSB is part of our Department. NTSB is independent (and with good reason). Still, of course, we will fully review this and respond appropriately.”
Before I even read the above paragraphs written by Heather, I thought “Do these guys understand how our government functions????” Thank you, dear Heather: great minds think alike!
Having the Repelicans led by Greene and McCarthy run the House of Representatives after Pelosi ran it is like having the kids from the permanent in-school suspension room replace the teachers in the AP program in a high school.
Astonishing how ignorant Republican office holders are. It’s as though they failed primary school, without basic knowledge and common sense, and realise, in adulthood, the only way they can get a job is to lie and cheat, muddle around for some fake charisma or find their inner bully and never take responsibility for anything. This qualifies them for Republican office. When the worst of a nation fake leading the nation the nation is in deep dooda
In the past I have seen constituents in MTG’s area say how embarrassed they are that she is their representative. She doesn’t seem the type that the Democrats can win a public debate with, so what about on the ground. I see Biden posting on twitter all the great things he and Congress have been getting done, can they take it to the streets in MTG’s backyard? Can they ask the people there if they know what she is attempting to demolish? It seems only when the more direct and personal PR happens that maybe oh maybe they wont vote for her again