There is, believe it or not, a significant difference in having the IRS look into an organization (even if it really is to harass or discombobulate the organization in question)that is politically harass them; and wiretapping or eavesdropping on a US citizen.  At the receiving end, it all seems like government harassment but: to the folks who do the listening, it is a big deal.  (I mean, career ending, go to jail kinda issue).  

and the EPA has certainly seemed to overstep it bounds, as have the tree huggers.  That is why we have management and oversight committees.  It  is a shame that the two parties rather fight with each other than doing their jobs,, making the place suitable for both industry and habitat.  When the two can't coexist, I would rather the business go elsewhere so our children can drink our water etc.  We, as the richer nation most of the time, can invest in an industry elsewhere and make some money on it that way.  

A cleaner environment makes for prosperity and wealth...

Serowbot wrote on 03/05/17 at 11:05:05:


It's the other way around. The cleanest and most pristine environment in Missouri where the  trout streams are, are also among the poorest counties in the state. They stay that way only because of funds from wealthy areas.

Ed L. wrote on 03/05/17 at 15:18:38:


Wealth is created any time raw materials are used, modified to be able to use it in life, and sold.
Yes, some people destroy the environment to make money. Usually the people who live in a place utilize the resources in a way that doesn't destroy the livability of the place. Corporations that are owned by people distant from the resources don't have a vested interest in protecting the environment THERE.
You get enough corporations harvesting resources in enough distant places and pretty soon, they've crapped everywhere.
It's not Necessary to destroy in order to create wealth, but it's apparently the most efficient way.
If a man ran his personal finances the same way the government does, he'd go to prison.
If anyone else had made that mess in the river, they would be in jail. But, since the goobs did it, it's a palms up, shoulder shrugging Oopsies.. and just Look at them fix it..

Each county should have a citizens committee and an Environmental Protection officer. Local policing and local indictments and jails and when the EPA fines someone, where does the money go? Do the injured or damaged get compensation? Is the clean-up done with corporate money or tax money or is it just ignored?
I still think British Petroleum should be paying for doctors for the sick and paying the incomes to fishermen they ruined, and I don't mean for a week or a month, but for life.
They should be paying for the medical problems and the financial problems they caused. And any roughneck who had any clue about the role of the drilling fluid would have known that you Don't pump off the drilling fluid and replace it with something that isn't heavy enough to create the hydrostatic pressure required to hold the formation pressure in check.

Pipelines aren't perfect. They get old. Railroad tracks and trains aren't perfect. Accidents
Per barrel miles, which is safer? Railroads run through towns all across the country. Pipelines can at least be routed through uninhabited areas, run underground, I expect it's safer.
Pipelines Can be fitted with flow and pressure monitors. Valves Can be set up to close automatically if sensors detect a leak.
Yes, Martha, it Would be prudent to stop the pumps before the valves shut.

Unhappy man

Warren Buffett, BNSF owner, pushes for stronger rail cars for oil ...
Star Tribune › warren-buffett-bnsf-owne...
Mar 4, 2014 - He notes that oil from North Dakota more volatile than expected. ... BNSF transports six out of every 10 barrels of oil produced in North ... Warren Buffett owns the BNSF Railway

Now, if for Soome Reezun, the pipeline Duznt happen, then we will all know this big to do about okaying the pipeline was really just to shakedown Buffet. I'll bet he's doing everything he can to figure out How much Munnee needs to go in Whose Pokkit to stop the pipeline from going through.
Of course, there Iz the possibility that Trump is not Friends with Buffet and the pipeline Will go through, even If it's a bad idea. I don't know. I just don't Trust anyone anymore.
Not One Word about War Powers or the Fed.
Much about
Rebuilding our bloated, war causing
De Fense Duh Partment.
As America feigns outrage over a Russian fighter buzzing one of our ships. Yeah, I know, Right of  Right of Free Passage, international waters, blahh blahh..
Let a Russian warship waltz down our coast and see how we handled it.

Trippah wrote on 03/05/17 at 19:16:52:


Says the guy who rides over pipe lines under the road all day long. ...

JOG even double posting doesn't get it done!
What's a guy gotta do, hunh.

While we wait out the libel/slander issue; pipelines to the fore.  I am not against the pipeline as the railroads have proven not as safe as one would hope.  Apparently, if I remember the false news stations the last time a train hit a car/truck, there is actually a crash a day on our rail system. And you are right that when the rail cars tip over and explode in a town, well it is a bad scene.  I think a town in Canada almost disappeared this past year in an accident.  It is a shame they had to route it (the pipeline) through  a sacred (to the natives)site but hey, in reality, we have moved or simply buried cemetaries in the name of progress all along so no big deal. In Mass we buried 4 towns BUT did move the dead into a new location when creating the Quabbin Resevoir years ago.