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Business is booming in Texas! (Original Post) KamaAina Apr 2013 OP
That's not a funny cartoon. Using tragic death for a "joke" is just plain mean. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #1
So is trying to raid another state's businesses KamaAina Apr 2013 #2
No, not on the same level. Making jokes about dead first reponders is just plain offensive. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #8
I chuckled hard nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #11
I have t shirt that says Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #21
Lmao nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #23
That kind of gallows humor is as thick as chicken gravy in ANY newsroom. calimary Apr 2013 #51
Yup...that too nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #54
Did any first responders die in West? KamaAina Apr 2013 #13
Yes. Here is a link for you. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #16
So is not enforcing regulations in which workers are put in danger neverforget Apr 2013 #12
No regulatory action or inaction make jokes about dead firemen OK. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #14
And this is a result of not enforcing regulations or deregulation. neverforget Apr 2013 #18
Well if OSHA was properly funded nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #25
But the Pentagon is well funded neverforget Apr 2013 #28
Sorry to say it nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #30
I don't know about that. Democrats such as Sen Durbin think something needs to be neverforget Apr 2013 #35
Something will be done nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #37
It's Worst Than That DallasNE Apr 2013 #47
this is not a joke. it is commentary. ZRT2209 Apr 2013 #27
Neither is the reality, but that won't stop'm from laughing all the way to the bank... usGovOwesUs3Trillion Apr 2013 #32
Agreed Major Nikon Apr 2013 #33
Not even if it helps Prevent just a single other death from lack of regs? ErikJ Apr 2013 #42
Again, not tragedy, but crime KamaAina Apr 2013 #60
no, but it i sadly accurate arely staircase Apr 2013 #38
It's a political cartoon RetroLounge Apr 2013 #40
It is a complete condemnation, a shaming to cause positive change. Fire Walk With Me Apr 2013 #56
no it's not funny. that's why it is so effective. spanone Apr 2013 #57
This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Apr 2013 #62
Political cartoons aren't always supposed to be ha-ha funny. Bake Apr 2013 #64
I live in Texas. The reason I moved here was the economy. It's true. Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #3
But, but, but it's Texas! That can't possibly be true! Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #9
Love the shades, dude. Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #15
unless you are a kid in public school or a poor woman in need of health care arely staircase Apr 2013 #39
Medicaid exists here in Texas. In fact, it applies to assisted living facilities Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #61
yeah, its like sweden arely staircase Apr 2013 #63
My "socio-economic" background? Ha! I'm just a regular workin' gal. Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #67
i don't think poor people are "beside the point" arely staircase Apr 2013 #70
Yes, your point is beside MY point. Your "poor women in SE Texas"? They're rich... Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #71
Missed the story of Perry visiting California Brother Buzz Apr 2013 #4
That'd be back in February KamaAina Apr 2013 #6
K&R for this very timely and on point cartoon! n/t CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2013 #5
That's really Newest Reality Apr 2013 #7
who needs chechen terrorists? arely staircase Apr 2013 #10
Nobody does. They are brutal murderers. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #17
and rick perry is a sorry son of a bitch who couldn't care less who gets blown up arely staircase Apr 2013 #20
pRick Perry...the best little corporate whore in Texas. SammyWinstonJack Apr 2013 #52
+1 eom arely staircase Apr 2013 #66
AP: Perry disgusted by cartoon depicting explosion pinboy3niner Apr 2013 #19
fuck rick perry arely staircase Apr 2013 #22
Good for the editorial page editor for answering Perry's poutrage. Boomerproud Apr 2013 #24
Perry does not believe in freedom of speech for all ZRT2209 Apr 2013 #29
I wonder if the survivors and families left behind want, or care, about an apology from jtuck004 Apr 2013 #43
Perry is an idiot. dballance Apr 2013 #44
Hey Perry Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #48
wow ZRT2209 Apr 2013 #26
This message was self-deleted by its author usGovOwesUs3Trillion Apr 2013 #31
Sometimes satire hits too close to home as when Swift suggested the English take up cannibalism. gordianot Apr 2013 #34
Excellent cartoon. K&R. Brickbat Apr 2013 #36
Disgusting to use this too push an agenda. Skip Intro Apr 2013 #41
"Come to Texas! ReRe Apr 2013 #45
It Would Have Been Nice If Those 10 Dead First Responders DallasNE Apr 2013 #46
This message was self-deleted by its author Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #49
Deserved??? Are you effing serious?!? TXleigh Apr 2013 #53
That Is Completely False DallasNE Apr 2013 #55
They are not saying the firefighters deserved to die but deserved to know what they were getting int uppityperson Apr 2013 #58
That's what happens when you have a lack of regulations to benefit the wealthy Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #50
Cuts right to the heart of the matter. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2013 #59
Rick Perry Disgusted By Cartoon Depicting Explosion HarveyDarkey Apr 2013 #65
cartoonist Ohman responds, and well RussBLib Apr 2013 #68
I actally read that before I saw the cartoon HarveyDarkey Apr 2013 #69
 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
2. So is trying to raid another state's businesses
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 11:48 PM
Apr 2013

although perhaps not quite on the same level.

edit: The deaths in West were not "tragic", they were criminal. Aided and abetted by Goodhair's "regulators".

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
11. I chuckled hard
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:04 AM
Apr 2013

Believe it or not this is the kind of joke that will make first responders laugh...just a tad.

The gallows humor...can be epic

calimary

(80,700 posts)
51. That kind of gallows humor is as thick as chicken gravy in ANY newsroom.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 03:42 AM
Apr 2013

And I must say I miss it. You get pretty perverse pretty quickly in the news biz...


Pterodactyl

(1,687 posts)
16. Yes. Here is a link for you.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:12 AM
Apr 2013
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Fertilizer_Company_explosion#Aftermath

It was announced on April 19 that 60 people were missing, 12 bodies had been recovered and there had been at least 200 injured.[27] The twelve dead included 10 first responders as well as 2 civilians who had volunteered to fight the fire.[28]

neverforget

(9,434 posts)
12. So is not enforcing regulations in which workers are put in danger
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:05 AM
Apr 2013

Or weakening regulations that put workers in danger.

neverforget

(9,434 posts)
18. And this is a result of not enforcing regulations or deregulation.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:15 AM
Apr 2013

The fact is, that if the regulations were enforced, then there would not be any dead firemen or anyone else. I don't find any of this funny. This all could have been prevented had the state or federal government enforced regulations.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
25. Well if OSHA was properly funded
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:33 AM
Apr 2013

They could do their job...they have been defunded over 30 years...same goes for EPA FDA and the rest of the alphabet soups.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
30. Sorry to say it
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:39 AM
Apr 2013

But there are really no war drums on Syria. And the Libya model is what will be used if this goes anywhere.

Republicans at the Federal level are radicals who don't believe in government, with a few Democrats as well.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
37. Something will be done
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:52 AM
Apr 2013

But none has an appetite for at minimum 70k US troops on the ground.

There are many things that can be done without actually putting 70k troops...personally they need 120k...and with the drawdown, we don't have them. Also it means moving a lot of armored vehicles, and sea lift command don't have it.

So once again...Libya. Logistics support, some air missions, worst case targeted SOF strikes. Somebody else will have to provide them thousands of boots.

DallasNE

(7,392 posts)
47. It's Worst Than That
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 03:04 AM
Apr 2013

I believe it was in 2011 that the Republicans attached an amendment to a bill that transferred regulation of the chemical industry from an operational unit (the EPA) to an umbrella group without an operational arm (the DHS), effectively killing regulation of the chemical industry. DHS didn't even know that this plant existed, let alone know about how to conduct inspections and enforce regulations. Maybe someone should ask John Boehner about how this happened. While State regulators knew about the plant it didn't know about the 270 tons of highly explosive fertilizer and neither did the 10 first responders that walked into that death trap. The plant management had an obligation to inform the first responders so they could have spent their time evacuating the surrounding area rather than walking into sure death. People need to go to jail over this.

 

usGovOwesUs3Trillion

(2,022 posts)
32. Neither is the reality, but that won't stop'm from laughing all the way to the bank...
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:41 AM
Apr 2013

And our owners approve this reality!

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
33. Agreed
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:41 AM
Apr 2013

I wouldn't piss in Goodhair's ear if his brain was on fire, but using a horrible tragedy to take a half-fast cheap shot at Perry is nothing more than contemptible assholery. Anyone who disagrees can argue with themselves. The subject is not open to debate with me.

 

ErikJ

(6,335 posts)
42. Not even if it helps Prevent just a single other death from lack of regs?
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 01:51 AM
Apr 2013

Last edited Sat Apr 27, 2013, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I think not.

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
60. Again, not tragedy, but crime
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 01:35 PM
Apr 2013

The difference is, unlike, say, a tornado, this could have been prevented.

Response to Pterodactyl (Reply #1)

Bake

(21,977 posts)
64. Political cartoons aren't always supposed to be ha-ha funny.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 07:32 PM
Apr 2013

This is one of them that's not. It does, however, make a point.

Bake

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
3. I live in Texas. The reason I moved here was the economy. It's true.
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 11:51 PM
Apr 2013

The economy here in Dallas seems to be doing fairly well. It's not too polluted. It's hot as hell, though.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
61. Medicaid exists here in Texas. In fact, it applies to assisted living facilities
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 06:28 PM
Apr 2013

and not just nursing homes, I believe.

We have food stamps, like the other states.

The public schools are better, and better funded, than Louisiana, where I hail from. Additionally, many schools provide bilingual education.

We have a great free hospital, Parkland, that accepts Medicaid or non-insured people.

People here speak Spanish a lot. The stores have Spanish signs. Free care for people without insurance, regardless of whether they are citizens are not (if they are poor enough...not for people like myself, should I lose my job and insurance). Although I COULD go to the sliding scale clinic, but it's pretty far. Unless there's another one closer.

A lot of work for people with and without authentic visa papers...bus boys, roofers, waiters, landscape workers, store stockers, janitors, maids, clerks, constructions workers, etc.

Secretaries can make a living (albeit a skimpy living) by signing on with temp agencies. There's enough work here to do that.

A healthy number of jobs in a variety of industries, since the economy here is diverse (apparel, banking & finance, oil & gas, headquarters of a few corporations, telecommunications, law firms)...and there's DFW, a hub airport in the country, that flies to just about anywhere in the world, which attracts businesses.

There's a free or sliding scale health care clinic in south Dallas, for those that qualify. There may be others, but I just know about that one. That's not Medicaid....it's sliding scale for those who don't qualify for Medicaid.

There's no state income tax, but the property taxes are high. So the working class who don't own homes pay less in taxes than many other states. (Middle class homeowners like myself get hit hard, though. My property taxes are several hundred dollars a month for mid-level house.)

We have a good bus system, and a partial decent rail system, so it's possible for poor people to get around MAIN parts of Dallas. We're no New York or Boston, but we have a system that enables people to get around main areas economically.

But as I say, it's hot as hell here. And with global warming, that will get worse. Air conditioning is necessary to the point that the more vulnerable might die without it. And do.

arely staircase

(12,482 posts)
63. yeah, its like sweden
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 07:20 PM
Apr 2013

I am glad that your socio-economic background allows you to live comfortably in Dallas, but the fact is in my part of rural East Texas Planned Parenthood provides the only health care services for poor women for miles around. And yet Rick Perry has decided to forfeit hundreds of millions of federal dollars in order to defund the program.

He also cut 5 billion dollars from our public schools and has threatened to veto the bill passed this session by the (overwhelmingly GOP legislature) to restore a portion of that funding.

Again, I am sincerely glad you are doing well in our state (welcome), but I work with kids every day whose families are the victims of Rick Perry's "business-friendly" policies.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
67. My "socio-economic" background? Ha! I'm just a regular workin' gal.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 08:46 PM
Apr 2013

Not rich, not poor. Have a job, make decent money. Worked hard all my life. I'm in my 50's. I've been working for 40 years. I have paid for everything I have by the sweat of my brow. No man has given me anything. I worked 12 years working extreme overtime so that I could save some money for my old age, because I don't have kids or anyone to help me in my senior years.

My dad started as a roughneck on oil rigs...my mom was a stay at home mom. My grandma was a maid and waitress all her life, being widowed at a young age with three boys. My other grandma & grandpa were wealthy, though.

I'm a college dropout who has waited tables, cleaned windows, worked in stereo shops, was a mail gal in an office, worked at Burger King...and finally decided to learn a vocation/paraprofession.

My "socio-economic" background? Ha! That's a laugh. I MOVED away from south Louisiana because the economy there was rotten. If the economy is rotten where you are, you have to work you ass off to save your pennies to MOVE to an area where it's better. It won't be perfect. But it will be BETTER.

The women in southeast Texas live in a beautiful area. There are poor women and men everywhere. But the fact that someone somewhere has it worse there than here is beside the point. There is ALWAYS someone somewhere who will have it worse.

Sweden, you say? You mean the country that has the highest rate of suicide? THAT Sweden?

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
71. Yes, your point is beside MY point. Your "poor women in SE Texas"? They're rich...
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 03:41 PM
Apr 2013

compared to the "poor women in Rwanda." And the "poor women in Rwanda" are well off compared to the "poor women in Bangladesh." The "poor women in SE Texas" are better off than many areas of Louisiana. And so on and so forth.

Although Texas generally has a better economy than many other states, that does not mean that each and every person is doing well. But are they doing better here, or have the opportunity to do better here, than some other places? Yes.

If someone chooses to live in a rural area, far from health care facilities and doctors and schools and places where you can get work, they can expect to have a harder life in some respects. It's a trade-off. Some people still choose that life, rather than the rat race. Don't underestimate the factor of choice. Some don't have a choice, but many do. I know that from firsthand experience. They don't want to leave their family, friends, their local bars, their old school chums. They're comfortable where they are. They accept things for the way they are and don't want to make the plunge out of their comfort zone. It's very scary. I know because I did it. It's hard to do. But it must be done sometimes, if you were unlucky enough to be born in an area that is not good economically.

Brother Buzz

(36,217 posts)
4. Missed the story of Perry visiting California
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 11:53 PM
Apr 2013

California Group has been Deadsville lately.

Any bombastic quotes by the asshole?

Didn't Jerry Brown take him to task the last time he visited?

arely staircase

(12,482 posts)
20. and rick perry is a sorry son of a bitch who couldn't care less who gets blown up
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:25 AM
Apr 2013

as long as it doesn't cost his criminal business buddies a dime. if a dog shit manufacturer gave him a campaign contribution we (Texans) would all be required to buy a hundred pound sack of dog shit each month.

pinboy3niner

(53,339 posts)
19. AP: Perry disgusted by cartoon depicting explosion
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:22 AM
Apr 2013
By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press
Updated 8:25 pm, Friday, April 26, 2013

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Rick Perry said Friday he's disgusted a California newspaper ran a cartoon that depicts him boasting about booming business in Texas, then shows an explosion, a week after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 people in a Texas town.

Perry said he wants an apology from the Sacramento Bee on behalf of the town.

...


The Bee's editorial page editor, Stuart Leavenworth, responded Friday that the artist, Jack Ohman, "made a strong statement about Gov. Rick Perry's disregard for worker safety, and his attempts to market Texas a place where industries can thrive with few regulations."

"It is unfortunate that Gov. Perry, and some on the blogosphere, have attempted to interpret the cartoon as being disrespectful for the victims of this tragedy," Leavenworth said. "As Ohman has made clear on his blog, he has complete empathy for the victims and people living by the plant.

"What he finds offensive is a governor who would gamble with the lives of families by not pushing for the strongest safety regulations. Perry's letter is an attempt to distract people from that message."

...


http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/article/Perry-disgusted-by-cartoon-depicting-explosion-4467642.php



Boomerproud

(7,890 posts)
24. Good for the editorial page editor for answering Perry's poutrage.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:31 AM
Apr 2013

He pointed out exactly what the cartoon was about. Deal with it Ricky.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
43. I wonder if the survivors and families left behind want, or care, about an apology from
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 02:10 AM
Apr 2013

Perry, the regulators at the state and federal level who utterly failed at their job, or the company who failed to fund a municipal fire department to deal with the hazards they were creating and profiting from?

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
44. Perry is an idiot.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 02:13 AM
Apr 2013

First, good for the editor for sticking up for the editorial cartoon and cartoonist. It's not like it was printed in the comics section.

Second. Perry is an idiot for responding to it. All that does is draw attention to the cartoon and cause more people to see it than probably would have otherwise if he'd kept his yap shut about it.

Response to KamaAina (Original post)

gordianot

(15,226 posts)
34. Sometimes satire hits too close to home as when Swift suggested the English take up cannibalism.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:48 AM
Apr 2013

His specific comment was the English should eat Irish babies. At the time this caused a disturbance but Swift was pointing out the deplorable treatment of the Irish by English Colonialist. If blame for this tragedy falls on Rick Perry too bad!

Skip Intro

(19,768 posts)
41. Disgusting to use this too push an agenda.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 01:07 AM
Apr 2013

I get the point but it just isn't necessary to do that to make that point.

Free speech and expression, I'm all for. Wouldn't think of alerting for that very reason.

But it ain't right, imho.

DallasNE

(7,392 posts)
46. It Would Have Been Nice If Those 10 Dead First Responders
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 02:44 AM
Apr 2013

Would have had an inkling that 270 tons of highly explosive fertilizer was stored at that location. They could have instead spent their time evacuating the surrounding area and be alive today. Hard hitting but deserved under the circumstances.

Response to DallasNE (Reply #46)

TXleigh

(14 posts)
53. Deserved??? Are you effing serious?!?
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 06:17 AM
Apr 2013

What a disgusting remark. All fertilizer is highly explosive in confined spaces... The main component is ammonia. The place was on fire. That's what firefighters do... they go and help when there's a fire. They knew the risks, just like the firefighters in 911 knew that there was a risk that the building would collapse. They chose to do their jobs and help out the victims, despite the known risks. I'm all for political satire, but too soon IMHO... And fucking classy on your part.

DallasNE

(7,392 posts)
55. That Is Completely False
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 11:47 AM
Apr 2013

Only the granular type of fertilizer is highly explosive. Everybody knows that. Yes you need protective gear when being around the gas based fertilizer but there is a world of difference in the risks and the firefighters deserved to know what they were dealing with here because it impacts the choices they take in fighting such blazes or simply evacuating an area depending on the risk assessment. As far as I am concerned, the owners/executives of this plant need to be brought up on manslaughter charges.

uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
58. They are not saying the firefighters deserved to die but deserved to know what they were getting int
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 12:56 PM
Apr 2013

into. They deserved to know what they were dealing with as they would probably have made a different choice and be alive today.

Firefighters do not rush into a fire where they know a huge explosion will happen. They deserve to know what is in there.

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,781 posts)
59. Cuts right to the heart of the matter.
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 01:05 PM
Apr 2013

It might feel like "too soon" but there's a critical point to be made about insufficient regulation and the risks to our lives; when two current events converge to throw the issue into sharp relief like this, you almost can't not go there.

 

HarveyDarkey

(9,077 posts)
65. Rick Perry Disgusted By Cartoon Depicting Explosion
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 07:39 PM
Apr 2013

AUSTIN, Texas -- Gov. Rick Perry said Friday he's disgusted a California newspaper ran a cartoon that depicts him boasting about booming business in Texas, then shows an explosion, a week after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 people in a Texas town.

Perry said he wants an apology from the Sacramento Bee on behalf of the town.

The cartoon in Thursday's edition shows Perry crowing that "Business is Booming," flanked by signs saying "Low Tax!" and "`Low Regs!" It's a play on the Republican's often-repeated mantra that his state's low-regulation, business-friendly climate has its economy humming.

The next panel reads "Boom!" as a blast engulfs the area behind the governor and his signs.

An April 17 explosion in the town of West, which is outside Waco, left a crater more than 90 feet wide and is estimated to have caused more than $100 million in damage. The blast occurred moments after a fire was reported at the West Fertilizer plant.

Ten of the people killed were first responders who rushed to the nighttime blaze.

In a letter to the Bee's editor, Perry said it "was with extreme disgust and disappointment I viewed your recent cartoon."

"While I will always welcome healthy policy debate, I won't stand for someone mocking the tragic deaths of my fellow Texans and our fellow Americans," Perry wrote. "Additionally, publishing this on the very day our state and nation paused to honor and mourn those who died only compounds the pain and suffering of the many Texans who lost family and friends in this disaster".


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/rick-perry-cartoon_n_3169320.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

RussBLib

(8,985 posts)
68. cartoonist Ohman responds, and well
Sat Apr 27, 2013, 08:59 PM
Apr 2013

Ohman wrote that he was being accused of being "insensitive and tasteless". To which he responded: "Let's explore the question of tastelessness." He notes that the fertilizer plant had not been inspected by the state for seven years. Its last inspection was in 2006.

Gov. Perry travels the country, Ohman explained, describing Texas as a "state as free from high taxes and burdensome regulation". "One of the burdensome regulations he neglected to mention was the fact that his state hadn't really gotten around to checking out that fertilizer plant," Ohman wrote. Zoning laws are also lax to non-existant.

"So when the plant exploded and killed 14 people, people started asking the inevitable questions about whether this tragedy could have been prevented," Ohman wrote.


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/27/1205200/-West-Texas-explosion-political-cartoon-strikes-a-nerve-with-Rick-Perry?fb_action_ids=496541270394991&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582#

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