On that very same day, there was a train that carried tons of chemicals (mostly PVC) riding through Ohio. It exploded in East Palestine, unleashing the dangerous chemicals in the atmosphere. While The US was overreacting over the balloon, the chemicals were contaminating the air and waters. The chemicals were killing people’s chickens, dogs, cats, and other animals. The crows were circling and flying about in a strange motion as if they were drugged. The fish that flourished now lifelessly float along the river.

If the chemicals are getting to the animals, it’s getting to the people too. People who lived there experienced lung issues, breathing difficulties, and more. The PVC chemicals are causing higher risks of cancer. People are still not able to live in their homes due to the nauseating air. Those who come back are faced with dangerous conditions. Officials however, (including the FDA) have told everyone that the air is completely safe and the water is drinkable. People who drank the water described it as “smelling and tasting like chlorine.” So basically the officials were lying and trying to sweep it under the rug.

All while this was happening, you see the media overreacting over the balloon. And they pulled another stunt with Canada again this week. Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern lobbied to ease federal regulations and cut costs on the train.

Which makes me question… What are we living for? With the capitalist powers having it’s grip on the world, we are living to be slaves and to fill the wealthy man’s pockets while our lives are constantly in danger. We are just pawns in their game of wealth, power and fame. Tragedies are swept under the rug until one day there’s a large tragedy, and then there’s a compromise from those wealthy pigs that just isn’t enough. Then the cycle starts all over again.

In America, we are going backwards. At this point, we are entering back to the Gilded Age. Or maybe we’re already in it? Or never got out of it?

  • Sunshiner@lemmygrad.mlOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    2 years ago

    Mhm, and wanna know what’s crazy? The contamination has spread to other states, and has created an issue in drinking water for FIVE million people. And guess what? It’s near my state :))

    • redtea@lemmygrad.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      2 years ago

      Jfc. I hope you can stay safe.

      Does that map show the fallout reaching the great lakes? That’s worrying considering the biodiversity of the lakes has already had to be rescued as it was on the brink of collapse.

      • RedSquid@lemmygrad.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        2 years ago

        No, the Ohio river flows southwest, away from the lakes and feeds the Mississippi. It’s just that the watershed/drainage divide between the Ohio and the lakes is very close to the shore so from this zoomed out map it looks like it connects.

        • redtea@lemmygrad.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          ·
          2 years ago

          Still a disaster, then, but marginally less bad than it could’ve been.

          Thanks for the info.