Tag: Buttigieg

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DANGER LURKS IN TRAIN TOWNS

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT TRAINS?  Life as we know it would come to a standstill.  For one thing, they transport toxic chemicals too dangerous to be carried by trucks. This latest train derailment in Ohio caused a massive spill of vinyl chloride that is threatening the health of the entire town of East Palestine. Why should I care?  Because I have lived in a train town for a major part of my life.  Danger lurks in train towns.

Not being a chemist, I’ve never paid much attention to  vinyl chloride.  But apparently it’s a  compound  needed to make polyvinyl chloride, a hard plastic  resin used to produce tons of important products: pipes, wire and cable coating, packaging material.   It’s also used for life saving devices such as medical tubing and blood bags.  It is in footwear and kids toy.  Also, paints, rubber products, and some cosmetics.  Polyvinyl chloride has been in use since 1926.

As the saying goes, somebody has to do it.  Transport vinyl chloride, that is. It’s typically shipped in liquid form, but can turn into poisonous gas under certain conditions, like in Ohio.  Apparently, there are safety features available  that trigger  automatic braking on trains carrying hazardous materials, before they derail.  But somewhere along the way, those safety features were deregulated under the Trump administration.  I guess they cost too much money or something.  Anyway, the Biden administration under Transportation Secretary  Buttigieg didn’t do anything to re instate the regulations, so I guess we can blame just about anybody for what happened in Ohio.

DANGER LURKS IN TRAIN TOWNS when trains derail and spread toxic fumes
DANGER LURKS IN TRAIN TOWNS when trains derail and spread toxic fumes from hazardous material spills

Why should I be concerned when I live across from a beautiful, green, well maintained city park that covers 177 acres? Because there is a railroad track going straight through the park.  I can look out my window and–through the bare trees  in  winter– see railroad cars gliding across the hills.   A lot of classy homes have recently been built along the train tracks down the road.  And a whole new subdivision of high end condos continues to grow less than a mile away..

There are 40 railroad crossings in this small college town, with a dwindling population of 57,699 people. We have  beautiful parks, 5 colleges and universities, a new convention center and a casino in the works.  Why don’t people want to stay here?  Are the railroads the elephant in the room?  Is there a subconscious reaction to the sight of trains running  through our city at all hours of the day and night?  We may never really know.  All we can do is hope we don’t have a train derailment like the one that just occurred in Ohio.

Danger lurks in train towns.

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BUTTIGIEG VS. PENCE 2020?

Last week, this may have sounded crazy.  Mayor Pete’s chances of winning the presidential nomination were very slim.  But this latest debate might have been a deal breaker.  Buttigieg came across as the only candidate who seemed authentic.  He challenged Elizabeth Warren’s pie- in- the-sky promises as to the real cost of Medicare for all.  He calmly spoke with the voice of experience on the US withdrawal from Syria.  Now, there’s a real possibility that Trump will be impeached.  Therefore, it’s not a pipe dream to imagine a presidential election with two Hoosiers on the ballet . Buttigieg vs Pence 2020?  It could happen.

There's a possiblity that two Hoosier will be on the ballot in 2020
Two Hoosiers could be on the ballot during the 2020 election

Of course, I’m not at all biased (: However, I believe our country would be well served if we had a POTUS who brings some good old Hoosier Values to the table.

What are HOOSIER VALUES?  The very phrase brings to mind a dull, penny pinching, religious fanatic who’s never traveled more than 100 miles from his home town. I’ve surfed the internet and found that there are no clearly defined Hoosier Values.  Different sources say the following character traits define an Indiana native:  Patriotic, Honest, Responsible, Faithful, Humble.  Others  claim that  the typical Hoosier has  a strong work ethic, family values and a sense of community.

Wow! That’s a lot of good stuff.  Does that mean that no one in my state is cruel, vulgar, promiscuous, dishonest or rude?  Hardly.

When I think of Hoosier Values, I envision someone who doesn’t brag, or make false promises, and behaves with dignity in public.   In other  words, someone with just plain old common sense.

Buttigieg vs Pence  in the 2020 presidential election would be a win-win situation for Indiana. .  No matter which party prevailed at the polls, we could rest assured  that Hoosier Values are well represented  in Washington DC.