Isn’t the bigger part of this story that dozens of urban areas in northeast...are nearing the same situation, and infrastructure renovation which should have been discussed and planned in the 1980s and 1990s were simply left unattended? It’s not really a Flint problem....it’s a problem of urban leadership (mostly the Democrats who had control for 30-odd years).
Isn’t the bigger part of this story that dozens of urban areas in northeast...are nearing the same situation, and infrastructure renovation which should have been discussed and planned in the 1980s and 1990s were simply left unattended? It’s not really a Flint problem....it’s a problem of urban leadership (mostly the Democrats who had control for 30-odd years).
Any story that can have a Republican or a conservative Republican or a wealthy capitalist as the villain and a minority and or refugese and women and kids as the defenseless victim is guaranteed to be given large headlines above the fold for as long as possible. At least until a better one comes along.
Right now Flint is it.
I know, I know, Flint has a majority black population, black Democrat leadership as does Genesee County. BUT Michigan has a Republican governor. Doncha know.
As I see this, this damage is monumental.
1. The EPA, in their infinite lack of wisdom, told the people of Flint to switched from Lake Huron water to Flint River water.
2. Some weenie thought this would both save money and satisfy the EPA’s directive.
3. Flint River water was polluted but within EPA limits.
4. The Flint River water was also acidic.
5. In only 18 months the river acidic water ate away 90 years worth of scale and buildup in the City’s lead water pipes.
6. The pipes then started adding lead to the water and children started exhibiting signs of lead in their systems.
7. Switching back to Lake Huron water will not put 90 years of built-up scale back into the pipes, so even switching back won’t fix the problem or get rid of the lead.
8. The residents of Flint are so screwed.
9. This is the EPA’s fault.
It’s my understanding that it was recommended, but not ordered, that Flint add something to the water at the treatment plant that would have prevented this very thing. If the story disappears in the next week or so, it will be because they have figured out who is responsible and the media/politicians don’t like the answer.