west texas fertilizer plant

Texas Blast Exposes the New Normal

David Sirota / Truthdig May 17, 2013 If I told you that government officials possessed ironclad proof that an imminent threat to this nation had the capacity to create a 9/11's worth of injuries and deaths every year at an annual economic cost of a quarter trillion dollars, ask yourself: Would you say we should do something about it? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Hollowing Out of Government

Robert Reich / Truthdig May 5, 2013 The West, Texas, chemical and fertilizer plant where at least 15 people were killed and more than 200 injured a few weeks ago hadn’t been fully inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration since 1985. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

How Dick Cheney’s Son-in-Law Helped Deregulate Chemical Plants

Tracy Bloom / Truthdig Apr 27, 2013 MSNBC host Chris Hayes explained on his program Thursday how the Bush administration--and specifically the former vice president's son-in-law--played a critical role in defeating regulations that would have strengthened federal oversight of chemical plants like the one that exploded and killed 15 people in West, Texas, last week. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Don’t Ignore How Others See Us

By Ralph Nader Apr 25, 2013 What must the others in the Middle East theater of the American Empire think of a great city in total lockdown from an attack by primitive explosives when Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis and Yemenis experience far greater casualties and terror attacks several times a week? Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Texas Plant Had 270 Tons of Explosive Material, Was Not Being Monitored for Safety

Tracy Bloom / Truthdig Apr 21, 2013 The Department of Homeland Security monitors fertilizer plants with at least 400 pounds of potentially explosive ammonium nitrate. But apparently, it wasn't even aware that the West, Texas, plant that exploded Wednesday, killing at least 14 people and obliterating a small town in the process, even existed. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )