Massive Toxic Black Cloud, Brought To You by the Koch Bros, Blows Over Detroit (video)

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/further/2013/08/02



Massive Toxic Black Cloud, Brought To You by the Koch Bros, Blows Over Detroit
by Abby Zimet
08.02.13 - 10:18 AM

MInd-boggling video of a billowing, high-carbon, high-sulfur cloud from the mountain of petroleum coke - waste from Canadian tar sands shipped from Alberta to Detroit, and the dirtiest potential energy source ever - illegally stored by the Koch Brothers along the Detroit River. Produced by Marathon Refinery but owned by Koch Carbon, the pet-coke piles have for months been producing "fugitive dust" - ie: thick black crud - that blankets the homes of outraged residents and lawmakers; analysis shows the dust contains elevated levels of lead, sulfur, zinc and the likely carcinogenic vanadium. Environmental officials say the Koch Brothers broke the law by not getting a permit for their toxic dump, and they can't guarantee there won't be another "dust event," but not to worry: The Kochs reportedly plan to move the mess to some other poor beleaguered place. We await the day we can exercise our right, not just to free expression and clean air, but to the end of Koch power.

"Is that the petcoke?! Is that the petcoke?! But can we breathe it? Oh my god." - appalled spectator recording the cloud.

[djean111]

1. This is why the GOP wants all regulations tossed.

This is what America would look like.

[daleanime]

2. K&R....

[rurallib]

3. Isn't there anything they can be charged with and hauled into court?

[Maynar]

4. When you have more money than God

you don't worry about courts.

[freshwest]

8. All legal with the collusion of Snyder and the EM. 'This is your state on Tea.'

Remember, this is the state selling off the Commons in the cruelest of ways; who excused big money interests wrecking Detroit in order to send wealth to suburbia and demonized minority office holders in the city and allow it to be done.

And is currently planning a Libertarian utopia with a feudal city state in what was Benton Harbor's park and which they separate the wealthy from the masses on Belle Isle.

More proof Libertarian philosophy does not foster the public good. It's all private property and thus sacrosanct; the biggest property owner shafting the smaller ones, resulting in rule by monopoly.

I used to chat with Ron Paulites whose spiritual leader claimed pollution like this would be taken care of by respecting private property. Since the surrounding owners could sue polluters for ruining the enjoyment of their private property.

That doesn't believe that the environment belongs to all, nor factor in the relative wealth of the parties involved. It's why I am a 'statist, progressive, big government' type.

I see this as a result of the anti-labor movement that has been building since the days of Reagan. People that voted for him didn't see others as equals and thought they could still get theirs while leaving others behind.

Our government was formed to act as union for the masses against the big monopolies, and those who oppose unions and government are scabs, IMO.

[CanonRay]

5. We are descending into a third world country

As if poor Detroit didn't have enough problems. I cannot believe the Koch brothers can get away with this, and along a waterway, yet.

[PatSeg]

9. And one of the Koch brothers is a cancer survivor

He donates money to cancer research while at the same time pollutes rivers that other people rely on.

[Fuddnik]

6. Dump it in their front fucking yard.

And if they squawk, shove it up their fucking ass.

I'm so sick of those fascists and their enablers.

[heaven05]

7. why

would anyone think those corporatist would care about something like this past a little a little unpleasantness at the disclosure. After all it just affects a bunch of black people. What's the big deal? American corporate policy just really sucks. It's evil, vicious and heartless.