Official 2016 GOP thread: Is it really going to be Donald Trump?? (1 Viewer)

[RnR]

Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller

Rubio says he hasn't followed the Flint water crisis. "It's just not an issue we've quite frankly followed or been briefed on"

Boy... awful answer... it shows either a gross ignorance of current events or a real detachment with people. Makes him look like a fool.

This is the problem with getting your news in 140 characters.

The actual quote from his story:

“That’s not an issue that right now we’ve been focused on and for me to give you a deeply detailed answer on what the right approach should be on it, other than to tell you in general I believe that the federal government’s role in some of these things is largely limited unless it involves a federal jurisdictional issue,” Rubio said.“So, I’d love to give you a better answer on it, it’s just not an issue we’ve been quite frankly fully briefed or apprised of, in terms of the role the governor has played and the state has played in Michigan on these sorts of issues.”Not that it's a great answer, but it's also not what was Tweeted.

Better but still not satisfactory...

Better? It's not even the same statement. The Tweet misrepresents him in roughly 3 different ways. It's irresponsible journalism, even if you don't agree with his "real" answer.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller

Rubio says he hasn't followed the Flint water crisis. "It's just not an issue we've quite frankly followed or been briefed on"

Boy... awful answer... it shows either a gross ignorance of current events or a real detachment with people. Makes him look like a fool.

This is the problem with getting your news in 140 characters.

The actual quote from his story:

“That’s not an issue that right now we’ve been focused on and for me to give you a deeply detailed answer on what the right approach should be on it, other than to tell you in general I believe that the federal government’s role in some of these things is largely limited unless it involves a federal jurisdictional issue,” Rubio said.“So, I’d love to give you a better answer on it, it’s just not an issue we’ve been quite frankly fully briefed or apprised of, in terms of the role the governor has played and the state has played in Michigan on these sorts of issues.”Not that it's a great answer, but it's also not what was Tweeted.

Fwiw the EPA knew about the Flint situation several months before it was reported to the people. It is very much a federal issue.

At any rate the GOP has to realize people count on public infrastructure for a wide variety of things. I live behind 40 foot levees. People expect stuff to work.

 

[bigbottom]

https://m.facebook.com/MarcoRubio/posts/10153325517992708

 

[SIDA!]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

 

[bigbottom]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

This was my take at first. I thought his response seemed reasonable under the circumstances. But then I learned that opposing current EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act has been one of his big issues.

 

[RBM]

Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller

Rubio says he hasn't followed the Flint water crisis. "It's just not an issue we've quite frankly followed or been briefed on"

Boy... awful answer... it shows either a gross ignorance of current events or a real detachment with people. Makes him look like a fool.

This is the problem with getting your news in 140 characters.

The actual quote from his story:

“That’s not an issue that right now we’ve been focused on and for me to give you a deeply detailed answer on what the right approach should be on it, other than to tell you in general I believe that the federal government’s role in some of these things is largely limited unless it involves a federal jurisdictional issue,” Rubio said.“So, I’d love to give you a better answer on it, it’s just not an issue we’ve been quite frankly fully briefed or apprised of, in terms of the role the governor has played and the state has played in Michigan on these sorts of issues.”Not that it's a great answer, but it's also not what was Tweeted.

Better but still not satisfactory...

Better? It's not even the same statement. The Tweet misrepresents him in roughly 3 different ways. It's irresponsible journalism, even if you don't agree with his "real" answer.

And herein lies a problem in today's society. Twitter is not journalism.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

In my best Trump: I'm not saying this is true, but other people are saying it and it's really something he should take care of because it's something the Democrats will bring up in debates and so forth. More birther stuff

The "Deporter in Chief" should hop on this.

 

[timschochet]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

This was my take at first. I thought his response seemed reasonable under the circumstances. But then I learned that opposing current EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act has been one of his big issues.

That seems reasonable IF one can show a connection between the two. Was Rubio successful in making changes to the law? Did those changes have any effect on what happened in Flint? If Rubio is successful, would those changes make the situation worse? I ask because I don't know.

A reasonable question for Rubio would be, "Given what happened in Flint, will you reconsider your position on the Clean Water Act? If not, why not?"

 

[Righetti]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

To be fair this has been on the front page of basically every major paper in the last two weeks

 

[squistion]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

The Flint response illustrates the underlying problem with Rubio. He does very well when he's prepped and coached - like in the debates. But he doesn't seem to have sharp political instincts. Even a mediocre pol could have mustered a 'blame Obama' response or found a way to pander "I think everyone in the great state of Michigan should have clean water," To come out and practically say "I haven't yet been told what my opinion is" - oof.

 

[Zegras11]

The number one reason for the housing bubble was that the federal government insured loans to unqualified borrowers thereby eliminating the risk to lenders.

The government basically handed out free call options to lenders.

Or are you really under the impression that capitalists would give 30 year loans at super low rates to borrowers with literally no skin in the game?

Do you know the percentage of bubble loans were actually backed by the federal government? It was less than 40%. Don't believe me? Check for yourself here (says 40% overall) or here (says 24% at the peak). It's true that Fannie and Freddie own a larger percentage of loans today, but that's only because so many private institutions went bankrupt after the housing crisis.

The fact is, the housing bubble was caused by greed. That greed was partly fueled by government incentives, but it was the unchecked and unregulated private lenders that did the most damage. Fannie and Freddie weren't even allowed to underwrite more than $417K for a home, which pretty much eliminated all the McMansions that were fueling the bubble in the first place.

But to answer your question: YES, capitalists were all-too-eager to give 30-year loans at super low rates. You know why? Because they knew they could immediately package the loans with some other securities and sell them at a massive profit to unsuspecting investors, all without the slightest bit of government intervention.

If anything, it was one of the last examples of pure capitalism that this country has seen. No rules, no regulations, just profits. It was the wild wild west all over again, if only for a few years. And don't forget that this ALL happened when Republicans controlled the White House AND both chambers of Congress! George Bush repeatedly praised the housing boom as a shining light of capitalism, and he did everything he could to loosen the regulations on home buying. NOBODY (except Ron Paul) suggested that we try to slow things down (not even the Democrats).

I can't tell if you're trying to re-write history or if you're a 7th grader who's just learning this stuff, but either way you should familiarize yourself with the subject. I suggest starting here and here.

BS. Clinton was the one that started the loosening of credit policies that started this part of the mess.

 

[RnR]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

Did you read the story, Tweetmaster funk?

 

[RnR]

The Flint response illustrates the underlying problem with Rubio. He does very well when he's prepped and coached - like in the debates. But he doesn't seem to have sharp political instincts. Even a mediocre pol could have mustered a 'blame Obama' response or found a way to pander "I think everyone in the great state of Michigan should have clean water," To come out and practically say "I haven't yet been told what my opinion is" - oof.

So you're saying that he doesn't want to commit to a position before he's considered all of the facts thoroughly?

ETA- I'm going to preemptively agree with you that he could have/should have said something obvious about the fact it was unacceptable for people to be exposed to that water, but I'm also going to recognize that he may very well have eluded to that prior to the quote featured in this story.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

The Flint response illustrates the underlying problem with Rubio. He does very well when he's prepped and coached - like in the debates. But he doesn't seem to have sharp political instincts. Even a mediocre pol could have mustered a 'blame Obama' response or found a way to pander "I think everyone in the great state of Michigan should have clean water," To come out and practically say "I haven't yet been told what my opinion is" - oof.

So you're saying that he doesn't want to commit to a position before he's considered all of the facts thoroughly?

No.

 

[HellToupee]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

Did you read the story, Tweetmaster funk?

 

[3C's]

https://m.facebook.com/MarcoRubio/posts/10153325517992708

Can't wait until the EPA is shut down (not that it will ever happen) and all those kooks calling for it start complaining about the toxic water in their state.

 

[bigbottom]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

This was my take at first. I thought his response seemed reasonable under the circumstances. But then I learned that opposing current EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act has been one of his big issues.

That seems reasonable IF one can show a connection between the two. Was Rubio successful in making changes to the law? Did those changes have any effect on what happened in Flint? If Rubio is successful, would those changes make the situation worse? I ask because I don't know. A reasonable question for Rubio would be, "Given what happened in Flint, will you reconsider your position on the Clean Water Act? If not, why not?"

I'm not sure, but I think you may have missed my point. What I was saying was that I could see that it would be reasonable for a candidate not to know what was going on with this particular issue. But if you're a candidate who has made the Clean Water Act one of your major issues, I would think that you would be slightly better informed on the disaster. It's not so much about whether the regs he opposes are directly linked to the contamination. It's really just a matter of being informed about topics that you supposedly care a lot about.

 

[Rove!]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

This was my take at first. I thought his response seemed reasonable under the circumstances. But then I learned that opposing current EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act has been one of his big issues.

1 this is a pretty big story and deserves more attention than what Ted Cruz means by ny values. I would think he would have a more informed take on it. It's not a show stopper, but it's not a good look. It feeds the image of the college kid who prepares only for the questions that are supposed to be on the test...

1a. This story hasn't gotten a lot of play in the media from what I've seen

2. the clean water rule applied doesn't seem to directly relate to the Flint crisis...

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/01/3697012/why-is-everyone-celebrating-the-clean-water-rule-injunction/

 

[timschochet]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

This was my take at first. I thought his response seemed reasonable under the circumstances. But then I learned that opposing current EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act has been one of his big issues.

That seems reasonable IF one can show a connection between the two. Was Rubio successful in making changes to the law? Did those changes have any effect on what happened in Flint? If Rubio is successful, would those changes make the situation worse? I ask because I don't know. A reasonable question for Rubio would be, "Given what happened in Flint, will you reconsider your position on the Clean Water Act? If not, why not?"

I'm not sure, but I think you may have missed my point. What I was saying was that I could see that it would be reasonable for a candidate not to know what was going on with this particular issue. But if you're a candidate who has made the Clean Water Act one of your major issues, I would think that you would be slightly better informed on the disaster. It's not so much about whether the regs he opposes are directly linked to the contamination. It's really just a matter of being informed about topics that you supposedly care a lot about.

That's a good point which I had not considered.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller

Rubio says he hasn't followed the Flint water crisis. "It's just not an issue we've quite frankly followed or been briefed on"

Boy... awful answer... it shows either a gross ignorance of current events or a real detachment with people. Makes him look like a fool.

This is the problem with getting your news in 140 characters.

The actual quote from his story:

“That’s not an issue that right now we’ve been focused on and for me to give you a deeply detailed answer on what the right approach should be on it, other than to tell you in general I believe that the federal government’s role in some of these things is largely limited unless it involves a federal jurisdictional issue,” Rubio said.“So, I’d love to give you a better answer on it, it’s just not an issue we’ve been quite frankly fully briefed or apprised of, in terms of the role the governor has played and the state has played in Michigan on these sorts of issues.”Not that it's a great answer, but it's also not what was Tweeted.

Well, reading deeper, I see this preceeding what you posted:

Rubio, a Republican presidential contender, was asked by reporters before a campaign stop Monday in Coralville, Iowa, about the crisis in Flint

So it doesn't appear, based on the available information, that Rubio was asked about

-the role of the federal government

-what role the governor had

To know that insomuch as the governor should be invoked shows that he had at least a general knowledge of the situation.

Someone asks you, "what do you think"

An average person in America knows about this. He is purportedly is positioning himself to be much much more than an average person as he seeks the Presidency. He demonstrated knowledge mentioning the governor.

Yet he can't even say what he thinks.

Who wants, who needs, a puppet like this?

An entire city has had their water destroyed. But wait, I need to be briefed to tell you thats an awful thing.

Its either detachment, ignorance, or the demonstration that as an executive, a sitting U.S. senator can't build a team to get him up to speed on a news story that has lead national cable news for a week to ten days.

EDIT: Full disclosure fairness.... reading further for more background, I found this

Asked by a Detroit reporter to in Coralville to comment on Democratic criticism of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s handling of the crisis, in which the city’s water supply has been contaminated with lead, Rubio demurred. “I didn’t watch the debate so I have no idea what they said,” Rubio said.

When the reporter asked whether he had an opinion on the water crisis, and how Snyder was handling the situation, which has prompted a National Guard call-up and a federal emergency declaration, Rubio only said that the role of the federal government was limited in such situations.

“That’s not an issue that right now we’ve been focused on and for me to give you a deeply detailed answer on what the right approach should be on it, other than to tell you in general I believe that the federal government’s role in some of these things is largely limited unless it involves a federal jurisdictional issue,” Rubio said.

So in fairness, he WAS asked about the role of the governor.

However, in fairness, to feign knowledge on a Federal role when your state has had Federal disaster areas four times since he's been in office is curious to me. There was little debate about the federal role there.

 

[squistion]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

Did you read the story, Tweetmaster funk?

I have been following it since Rachel Maddow first started covering it.

 

[SIDA!]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

What about Porter Ranch in SoCal...have you heard about that story?

From the wiki page I linked above:

On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas Company workers discovered a leak in one of the over 110 wells at the Aliso Canyon natural-gas storage facility, about one mile north of homes in Porter Ranch. The gas leak began spewing 110,000 pounds of methane per hour. SoCal Gas estimated that it would take three to four months to stop it. The leak involved gas stored under pressure in an underground well; the stored gas included mercapatan (tert-Butylthiol), an odorant added to the odorless natural gas to produce a "rotten egg" smell for safety.[6] The California Air Resources Board estimated that the leak increased California's methane-gas emissions by 25%.[7]

By order of the Los Angeles County Dept of Health, the company relocated thousands of families from the Porter Ranch area; the Federal Aviation Administration established atemporary flight restriction over the leak site until March 2016.[6] On December 15, the county of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency,[8] and two days later it approved a plan to close two schools in the area.[7] Officials estimated that the leak would take months to repair.[6]

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0116-porter-ranch-pets-20160118-story.html

Of the 2,479 households that have relocated out of Porter Ranch, 40% have pets, primarily cats and dogs, gas company spokeswoman Anne Silva said. The gas company is not keeping data on how many customers say their pets have fallen ill or died as a result of the gas leak.

A big community in a suburb of Los Angeles is having a crazy issue dealing with methane gas leak.

It is very wealthy and predominantly white/asian community where household income is around 120K.

Pets have gotten really sick. Humans have been getting really sick and nobody knows how serious or if these health issues are permanent.

And I wouldn't give two ####s about it if any of the presidential candidates on either side didn't know a damn thing about it or weren't informed enough to have an opinion.

 

[squistion]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

What about Porter Ranch in SoCal...have you heard about that story?

From the wiki page I linked above:

On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas Company workers discovered a leak in one of the over 110 wells at the Aliso Canyon natural-gas storage facility, about one mile north of homes in Porter Ranch. The gas leak began spewing 110,000 pounds of methane per hour. SoCal Gas estimated that it would take three to four months to stop it. The leak involved gas stored under pressure in an underground well; the stored gas included mercapatan (tert-Butylthiol), an odorant added to the odorless natural gas to produce a "rotten egg" smell for safety.[6] The California Air Resources Board estimated that the leak increased California's methane-gas emissions by 25%.[7]

By order of the Los Angeles County Dept of Health, the company relocated thousands of families from the Porter Ranch area; the Federal Aviation Administration established atemporary flight restriction over the leak site until March 2016.[6] On December 15, the county of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency,[8] and two days later it approved a plan to close two schools in the area.[7] Officials estimated that the leak would take months to repair.[6]

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0116-porter-ranch-pets-20160118-story.html

Of the 2,479 households that have relocated out of Porter Ranch, 40% have pets, primarily cats and dogs, gas company spokeswoman Anne Silva said. The gas company is not keeping data on how many customers say their pets have fallen ill or died as a result of the gas leak.

A big community in a suburb of Los Angeles is having a crazy issue dealing with methane gas leak.

It is very wealthy and predominantly white/asian community where household income is around 120K.

Pets have gotten really sick. Humans have been getting really sick and nobody knows how serious or if these health issues are permanent.

And I wouldn't give two ####s about it if any of the presidential candidates on either side didn't know a damn thing about it or weren't informed enough to have an opinion.

Sorry, Porter Ranch is nothing close to Flint.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

The GOP has to pretend like it wants to govern. Just act like you're interested in competence and you will do the job. People may differ on whether coal jobs are more important than global warming or vice versa but everyone wants clean water. At a minimum it's just good retail politics.

 

[SIDA!]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

What about Porter Ranch in SoCal...have you heard about that story?From the wiki page I linked above:

On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas Company workers discovered a leak in one of the over 110 wells at the Aliso Canyon natural-gas storage facility, about one mile north of homes in Porter Ranch. The gas leak began spewing 110,000 pounds of methane per hour. SoCal Gas estimated that it would take three to four months to stop it. The leak involved gas stored under pressure in an underground well; the stored gas included mercapatan (tert-Butylthiol), an odorant added to the odorless natural gas to produce a "rotten egg" smell for safety.[6] The California Air Resources Board estimated that the leak increased California's methane-gas emissions by 25%.[7]

By order of the Los Angeles County Dept of Health, the company relocated thousands of families from the Porter Ranch area; the Federal Aviation Administration established atemporary flight restriction over the leak site until March 2016.[6] On December 15, the county of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency,[8] and two days later it approved a plan to close two schools in the area.[7] Officials estimated that the leak would take months to repair.[6]

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0116-porter-ranch-pets-20160118-story.html

Of the 2,479 households that have relocated out of Porter Ranch, 40% have pets, primarily cats and dogs, gas company spokeswoman Anne Silva said. The gas company is not keeping data on how many customers say their pets have fallen ill or died as a result of the gas leak.

A big community in a suburb of Los Angeles is having a crazy issue dealing with methane gas leak.

It is very wealthy and predominantly white/asian community where household income is around 120K.

Pets have gotten really sick. Humans have been getting really sick and nobody knows how serious or if these health issues are permanent.

And I wouldn't give two ####s about it if any of the presidential candidates on either side didn't know a damn thing about it or weren't informed enough to have an opinion.

Sorry, Porter Ranch is nothing close to Flint.

Of course it is nothing close to Flint. Not only are you a political scientist. ..You are an actual scientist and know for sure whether any of these people have sustained long term illnesses or whether or not they will ever be able to return to their homes and feel confident about their health.

10,000 people are forced to relocate, schools are shut down and homes near and above 1 million dollars may be worthless or worth a fraction of the cost.

Sorry I couldn't find an exact replica of Flint to make you happy. I take it back. Every ####### candidate for office should have a 5 point plan to fix Flint.

Let me go back to the illegal immigration thread now so we can discuss the thousands of Americans who are victimized by people who shouldn't even be here.

Since Flint isn't even close to that national debacle. Oh, but TRMS doesn't talk about that problem everyday...so I guess I need to re prioritize my outrage...

 

[Rove!]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

Children being poisoned from their drinking water with irreparable damage is national news. A high speed rail boondoggle, not so much.

What about Porter Ranch in SoCal...have you heard about that story?From the wiki page I linked above:

On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas Company workers discovered a leak in one of the over 110 wells at the Aliso Canyon natural-gas storage facility, about one mile north of homes in Porter Ranch. The gas leak began spewing 110,000 pounds of methane per hour. SoCal Gas estimated that it would take three to four months to stop it. The leak involved gas stored under pressure in an underground well; the stored gas included mercapatan (tert-Butylthiol), an odorant added to the odorless natural gas to produce a "rotten egg" smell for safety.[6] The California Air Resources Board estimated that the leak increased California's methane-gas emissions by 25%.[7]

By order of the Los Angeles County Dept of Health, the company relocated thousands of families from the Porter Ranch area; the Federal Aviation Administration established atemporary flight restriction over the leak site until March 2016.[6] On December 15, the county of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency,[8] and two days later it approved a plan to close two schools in the area.[7] Officials estimated that the leak would take months to repair.[6]

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0116-porter-ranch-pets-20160118-story.html

Of the 2,479 households that have relocated out of Porter Ranch, 40% have pets, primarily cats and dogs, gas company spokeswoman Anne Silva said. The gas company is not keeping data on how many customers say their pets have fallen ill or died as a result of the gas leak.

A big community in a suburb of Los Angeles is having a crazy issue dealing with methane gas leak.

It is very wealthy and predominantly white/asian community where household income is around 120K.

Pets have gotten really sick. Humans have been getting really sick and nobody knows how serious or if these health issues are permanent.

And I wouldn't give two ####s about it if any of the presidential candidates on either side didn't know a damn thing about it or weren't informed enough to have an opinion.

That's a big story too and needs its own thread...hint hint...

 

[Blick]

Lol at jumping on a,GOP candidate because they aren't up to speed on an issue pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Do I need them all to have an opinion on Steve Avery's case in Wisconsin, and the high speed rail boondoggle in California or whether California should have built a delta bypass tunnel to protect us from droughts?

This was my take at first. I thought his response seemed reasonable under the circumstances. But then I learned that opposing current EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act has been one of his big issues.

That seems reasonable IF one can show a connection between the two. Was Rubio successful in making changes to the law? Did those changes have any effect on what happened in Flint? If Rubio is successful, would those changes make the situation worse? I ask because I don't know.

A reasonable question for Rubio would be, "Given what happened in Flint, will you reconsider your position on the Clean Water Act? If not, why not?"

The Clean Water Act has nothing to do with this.

 

[The Commish]

Why is term socialist deemed derogatory? Ignorance? Brainwashing? As a finance major who is rounding out my degree this has always confused me.

Capitalism, running full bore and completely unfettered, will do nothing but produce more financial crises similar to the 06 housing bubble. The truth is you need to find a happy balance between the two.

Because everyone needs it to be in order to beat Bernie and it doesn't help their cause when he's out actually explaining to people it's not the boogie man they think it is.

 

[timschochet]

It seems to me SIDA that in many ways Porter Ranch represents the opposite of Flint: immediate response and action by the government, no cover up or inaction. Could the fact that it's a wealthy white community vs a poor black one have anything to do with that?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

It seems to me SIDA that in many ways Porter Ranch represents the opposite of Flint: immediate response and action by the government, no cover up or inaction. Could the fact that it's a wealthy white community vs a poor black one have anything to do with that?

The Associated Press reported that SoCalGas was under-reporting levels of the carcinogenic benzene. (SoCalGas called it “an oversight.” It’s a failure.) On top of all that, it turns out the original environmental documents drafted to build Porter Ranch made no obvious references to the nearby storage wells.

http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20160118/porter-ranch-methane-leak-a-problem-long-in-the-making

That's your problem right there, mister.

 

[squistion]

It seems to me SIDA that in many ways Porter Ranch represents the opposite of Flint: immediate response and action by the government, no cover up or inaction. Could the fact that it's a wealthy white community vs a poor black one have anything to do with that?

Exactly.

 

[SIDA!]

I love how Tim and Squistion know everything...about every thing.

They know that nobody is facing any long term debilitating injuries from this gas leak.

They know that there hasn't been any cover ups by anybody.

And I am sure they are aware of the fact that this methane gas leak accounted for more than 2% of the state's carbon footprint.

No reason why any Democratic candidates for president should be aware of this story at all.

And then on top of it all...because it isn't exactly like Flint I am wrong and they are right. I never said that it was exactly like Flint. I was making the point that there are very big news stories in many states that are very big deals...but I don't expect presidential candidates to be up to speed on them.

I am not going to sit here and criticize Dem candidates for not taking a stand on a story that is impacting the health, well being and lives of 10,000 people. A situation that has resulted in the closures of schools and relocation of children. Nor am I going to chide lefties for being oblivious to a story that is a major environmental catastrophe according to climate change proponents.

 

[kface]

I love how Tim and Squistion know everything...about every thing.

They know that nobody is facing any long term debilitating injuries from this gas leak.

They know that there hasn't been any cover ups by anybody.

And I am sure they are aware of the fact that this methane gas leak accounted for more than 2% of the state's carbon footprint.

No reason why any Democratic candidates for president should be aware of this story at all.

And then on top of it all...because it isn't exactly like Flint I am wrong and they are right. I never said that it was exactly like Flint. I was making the point that there are very big news stories in many states that are very big deals...but I don't expect presidential candidates to be up to speed on them.

I am not going to sit here and criticize Dem candidates for not taking a stand on a story that is impacting the health, well being and lives of 10,000 people. A situation that has resulted in the closures of schools and relocation of children. Nor am I going to chide lefties for being oblivious to a story that is a major environmental catastrophe according to climate change proponents.

I feel like presidential candidates should know when a drinking water system in a rich first world country is killing people and giving them lead poisoning. These things are not supposed to happen here and are entirely preventable.

 

[SIDA!]

I love how Tim and Squistion know everything...about every thing.

They know that nobody is facing any long term debilitating injuries from this gas leak.

They know that there hasn't been any cover ups by anybody.

And I am sure they are aware of the fact that this methane gas leak accounted for more than 2% of the state's carbon footprint.

No reason why any Democratic candidates for president should be aware of this story at all.

And then on top of it all...because it isn't exactly like Flint I am wrong and they are right. I never said that it was exactly like Flint. I was making the point that there are very big news stories in many states that are very big deals...but I don't expect presidential candidates to be up to speed on them.

I am not going to sit here and criticize Dem candidates for not taking a stand on a story that is impacting the health, well being and lives of 10,000 people. A situation that has resulted in the closures of schools and relocation of children. Nor am I going to chide lefties for being oblivious to a story that is a major environmental catastrophe according to climate change proponents.

I feel like presidential candidates should know when a drinking water system in a rich first world country is killing people and giving them lead poisoning. These things are not supposed to happen here and are entirely preventable.

Are you saying that none of the candidates are even aware of the story?

I am pretty sure they are all aware of the story. Do you want them all to put on their political superman capes and then rush into Flint and hold a press conference so they can re-assure the American public that they believe all Americans should have clean drinking water?

 

[the moops]

Yea, I think Rubio just started the answer with the wrong sentence. I think the gist of his opinion was this “So, I’d love to give you a better answer on it, it’s just not an issue we’ve been quite frankly fully briefed or apprised of, in terms of the role the governor has played and the state has played in Michigan on these sorts of issues.”

 

[Sand]

It seems to me SIDA that in many ways Porter Ranch represents the opposite of Flint: immediate response and action by the government, no cover up or inaction. Could the fact that it's a wealthy white community vs a poor black one have anything to do with that?

Highly doubtful. Much more likely it was simply complete incompetence by the authorities and the EPA in Flint.

The authorities in Flint are going to get their butts handed to them, as they should. And as you'd expect the malfeasance by the EPA will go unpunished (like the mine effluent case not too long ago). The EPA is untouchable.

 

[Eephus]

You'd think Rubio of all people would care a lot about the safety of drinking water

 

[Mr.Pack]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

 

[cstu]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Explain why you guys are not supporting Jeb.

 

[kface]

I love how Tim and Squistion know everything...about every thing.

They know that nobody is facing any long term debilitating injuries from this gas leak.

They know that there hasn't been any cover ups by anybody.

And I am sure they are aware of the fact that this methane gas leak accounted for more than 2% of the state's carbon footprint.

No reason why any Democratic candidates for president should be aware of this story at all.

And then on top of it all...because it isn't exactly like Flint I am wrong and they are right. I never said that it was exactly like Flint. I was making the point that there are very big news stories in many states that are very big deals...but I don't expect presidential candidates to be up to speed on them.

I am not going to sit here and criticize Dem candidates for not taking a stand on a story that is impacting the health, well being and lives of 10,000 people. A situation that has resulted in the closures of schools and relocation of children. Nor am I going to chide lefties for being oblivious to a story that is a major environmental catastrophe according to climate change proponents.

I feel like presidential candidates should know when a drinking water system in a rich first world country is killing people and giving them lead poisoning. These things are not supposed to happen here and are entirely preventable.

Are you saying that none of the candidates are even aware of the story?

I am pretty sure they are all aware of the story. Do you want them all to put on their political superman capes and then rush into Flint and hold a press conference so they can re-assure the American public that they believe all Americans should have clean drinking water?

No but if i am presidential candidate and people are dying and getting lead poisoning my first thought is how did this happen and how do we prevent it from happening again...you know like they should be doing as politicians. My first thought isn't f$#%% flint...nobody gives a s$%$%

 

[Ministry of Pain]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Explain why you guys are not supporting Jeb.

Are you serious? You think Jeb would make a good President? He did OK as FL Gov but Rick Scott has accomplished a lot more since and I'm not a huge Scott supporter.

He has that last name. His father and brother both served, no reason to see more of that story IMO.

 

[The Commish]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Explain why you guys are not supporting Jeb.

The list would probably be shorter if you asked why one would support him

 

[RBM]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Pretty disappointing Rubio isn't getting more support.

 

[psychobillies]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Explain why you guys are not supporting Jeb.

I wonder why the left isn't supporting Jeb.

 

[Righetti]

Somebody asked what Star Wars characters each candidate would most identify with.

Trump. Han Solo, brash, loud, irritating and likes chicks in bikinis. In it for himself and will die alone having lost all his friend when Eric Trump stabs him on the catwalk overlooking the atrium at Trump Tower.

Carson. The easy answer would have been Lando Calrissian but he doesn't look Armenian enough, so the answer is... Yoda not because he is all knowing or because he has any hope of doing anything anymore (his time to shine was a long time ago) but because he speaks in such an odd manner that I forget what he is talking about almost immediately.

Cruz. The Emperor. There are two sides of the force and most struggle between dark and light, right and wrong, love and anger. Anakin fell to the dark side, Luke was tempted and Kylo Ren obviously fell too, so the distinction is not that clear even for the best Jedi...the one distinction is Darth Sidious, he is pure unadulterated evil, he has no redeeming values of good and his desires if ever fulfilled would destroy the Galaxy. He is that dangerous

Rubio. Darth Vader. He is a puppet for the establishment, mostly because he is not that bright. A Total hawk but somehow believes that he is doing right by turning far right even if it means leaving behind all that he should hold dear but in the end, you know/hope there is still good in his heart

Christie. This is too easy. Jabba The Hutt. Christie is a loud mouthed gangster who desperately wants to get the attention of the real warlords.

Kasich. R2D2. Nobody quite knows what he is saying and it all sounds wonky and weird but it is pretty certain that he is the smartest one in the room

Big Mike Huck. One of those silly bears from Return of the Jedi, he looks cuddly and sweet but he probably smells like a wet dog and really is just in for the merchandise

Carli. I won't go the easy route so will go with that Admiral Ackbar that weird fish looking commander who helps the rebels blow up the Death Star II, she is just that ugly

Rand Paul. That little rat thing attached to Jabba.

Lindsey. Nien Nunb. Total twins (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Nien_Nunb)

(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindsey_Graham#/media/File%3ALindsey_Graham%2C_Official_Portrait_2006.jpg)

Scott Walker. Joe Skywalker, the lost brother with the weird eye and the bald spot who dropped out of Jedi school after a week and was banished to some freezing state-planet in the outer reaches of the universe never to be seen again

Santorum, Jindal, Pataki completely faceless Storm Troopers

Jeb C3P0

 

[lod01]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Explain why you guys are not supporting Jeb.

They are all thinking fool me once, fool me twice.....who the hell would go back for round 3?

 

[bigbottom]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Explain why you guys are not supporting Jeb.

They are all thinking fool me once, fool me twice.....who the hell would go back for round 3?

Won't get fooled again?

 

[sho nuff]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Pretty disappointing Rubio isn't getting more support.

Id be slightly ok with him...just more and more the thought that he is nothing but a puppet keeps showing through.

I don't know what he really believes in sometimes. Id prefer that to Hillary...but if nothing but a puppet for the right, with the right controlling congress is not the best way to govern (IMO).

With times the way they are internationally, and economically...it is disappointing to me that the candidate that likely has the best thoughts with those two major issues is an afterthought to so many (Paul).

IMO, those 2 issues are far more important than immigration.

 

[The Commish]

So is it too late for a decent GOP candidate to swoop in take the nomination?

I just cannot believe they can't find better candidates. What a pile of rubbish

Pretty disappointing Rubio isn't getting more support.

Id be slightly ok with him...just more and more the thought that he is nothing but a puppet keeps showing through.

I don't know what he really believes in sometimes. Id prefer that to Hillary...but if nothing but a puppet for the right, with the right controlling congress is not the best way to govern (IMO).

With times the way they are internationally, and economically...it is disappointing to me that the candidate that likely has the best thoughts with those two major issues is an afterthought to so many (Paul).

IMO, those 2 issues are far more important than immigration.

Every time I listen to him I get that "say whatever's necessary to get to the next level" vibe. If he's paying the slightest bit of attention to the path Hillary's on he should know it won't end well.