De-Railed. . .

(De-Railed. . .)

One is generally familiar with the phrase "up in smoke." It is more than a metaphor these days  after a chemical-loaded train went off the tracks in East Palestine, Ohio and the subsequent decision by authorities to set the load ablaze. Toxic smoke has since been billowing since the wreck but assurances are being made to the public that the water is still safe to drink and the air is still fit to breathe. That is in spite of the fact that residents are getting head aches and the fish seem to have died off in the local stream. But the government has given assurances.

At some point, it should behoove people to not be so trusting of people in charge because, so often, it is the very people in charge who screw up the most. Who thought it was a good idea to set the load on fire and not anticipate any ill health effects ? Common sense usually suggests that burning chemicals in said manner would not be free of any effect. So, the people who are supposed to be in charge, like Mayor Pete Buttigieg, were, could one say, "missing in in-action."

But what about the people who still live there and who need an idea of what happens next ? The Transportation Secretary in his absence is not forthcoming and what one has is a marked lack of competence. And just Buttigieg but also over in Chicago, Mayor Ms. Lightweight has placed homeless people in the "un-claimed baggage" section at O'Hare. In both instances, these have been problems created by people in charge and people who have not proven capable of resolution.

One remembers how property values plummeted at Love Canal. Or at Three Mile Island. If this East Palestine spill such as it is proves to be a similar event, where might they find their own redress ? In this case, however, don't look for someone in charge. Those in charge have apparently been asleep at the switch. Literally.