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Hi. I’ve been working on parts of this story for the paper I write for. Just wanted to add— the train cars didn’t explode, there was a controlled burn of the dangerous chemicals inside 4-5 of the cars. It went on for 1-2 days. It was either they burn it off or they were going to explode sending shrapnel everywhere. All in all, this is absolutely devastating.

Trump plans to visit on Feb. 22. Erin Brockovich will be at the Town Hall meeting on Feb. 24th. I’ll be reporting on that— along with talking to other residents.

Legacy media in my area has been covering the train derailment, meetings, interviews, pet deaths, burning skin due to showering, and the devastating effects to local businesses and it’s towns people extensively— but, it’s not being shared everywhere.

Stories and information has been changing hour by hour. It’s alot to cover and overwhelming. I also live 15 miles away.

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I can’t imagine how stressful the situation must be for you. From what I’ve seen it looks really awful, and the fact that it’s not getting the coverage it deserves and the government just seems to be ignoring it (surprise, surprise) is as absurd as it is frustrating.

Thank you for bringing up what happened with the carts! I did learn some more of what happened with them subsequently after posting this when more information made its way down the pipeline.

The controlled burn that they did seems to be a, and I’m putting this nicely, “big whoopsie” any way one spins it. First off, a controlled burn or a controlled explosion is just a straight up fallacy -- there’s the illusion of control with them but shit can go sideways real fast. The major thing that’s off about it though is the fact that the people who did the “controlled burn/explosion” should have known what is was they were burning and what the consequences would be -- documents for this type of thing are supposed to be really easy to get a hold of for situations like what happened with the derailment. So, knowing this, that seemingly leaves us with two options: either they didn’t know what was in the carts and burnt them, or they knew what was in the carts and burnt them anyway. Regardless of whichever option it may have been, both outcomes are the same: extreme negligence.

Hope that you, Sassy, and everyone in the area is and remains safe.

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Listen, I’m not trying to argue with you.

But, explaining to me— who has been there— boots on the ground in the town— understanding the best that I can choices that had to be made quickly. There wasn’t much choice— let the tankers explode or bust holes into the tankers and burn off the contents. Risks were evaluated— and time wasn’t on anyone’s side.

The other tanker contents were down played— I can tell you that. The way things were and are being cleaned up— I can’t even comment.

Also— EP is teaming with reporters, government officials, the EPA— it’s packed down there. License plates from all over.

More reporting needs to be done outside the area and in PA. That’s for sure.

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I apologise if any of what I’ve said comes across as ignorant. There’s just so much about the situation that’s difficult to make head or tails of -- I certainly don’t know as much as you do who’s on the ground over there. All I know for certain is that carriages containing hazardous chemicals derailed, subsequently got burnt, released a bunch of hazardous chemicals into the air, and that there’s been some really suspicious activity going on with the reportage with even one instance of a reporter getting arrested for doing his job. It’s all just really frustrating and unsettling to see.

Regardless of the situation with the first responders and what decisions were made with the carriages, I think it would be fair to say that what happened next has definitely not been handled properly. It’s the response, or lack there of rather, that’s the most baffling and frustrating part. The fact that everyone’s seemingly being told that’s everything is fine when there’s rivers of dead fish, fields of dead animals, people complaining of burning eyes, skin irritation and such -- clearly everything is NOT fine and the downplaying and even just straight out ignoring of the situation (like there being no aid on its way, etc) on the legacy media’s and government’s part is just bewildering.

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I don’t see it as you being ignorant. You’re strong in the beliefs you have from what information you have gathered. As a reporter, I have to see both sides and write like a fly on the wall. I cannot take sides. I have to talk to officials and experts. It’s a lot. It’s emotional as well. Especially, seeing the devastation on animals and who knows what to come for people, livestock, crops, THE WATER, people’s wells—- Covid-19 transmissions from people coming in from out of town. The area is already moderate to high.

What should have been handled properly was the deregulation of the braking system. Take a look at what administration cancelled that.

And I agree with you. Our Governor stating that the water is fine is a huge misstep. HUGE.

As of today, almost 3 weeks later— health testing is there. The EPA is there to stay “as long as it takes.” Wells are being tested— but, I just don’t know if any of this will be enough. The damage is irreversible— it’s already traveling in the water and out of the area.

Just the whole thing is a an enormous mess no one will know the extent of for years to come.

Thank you for conversing with me on this matter. It’s just really hard to not come to arms over what has happened and the amount of misinformation coming from it.

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No need to thank me for talking about this -- it’s something that NEEDS to be talked about. I should be thanking YOU for filling me on more of the details.

Also, though different in how it happened, the situation has reminded me a little of (other than ‘White Noise’) what happened with the water in the town of Flint a few years back. People being lied to at the expense of their health and a failure on the government’s part to take correct action. How many times does this thing have to happen until people finally lose all faith in the institutions that are meant to protect them?

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Also— there was video released of the reporter being pushed by a National Guardsman and it escalated from there. DeWine did not request anyone to silence the reporter. He was doing his job and had to go live. The meeting started 2 hours late. All charges have been dropped against him.

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There was also a 2 car train derailment in Detroit, Michigan. Same company. The issue again is the braking system over heating.

For the EP derailment— there was video footage from a local business of the braking system sparking not long before it derailed. The train was having issues 20 miles before everything as well.

Seriously, there is so much going on.

I can say one really good thing— the citizens that this has happened to even beyond EP— are banding together and staying informed. They’re STRONG and ready to fight.

https://www.tribtoday.com/wire/?category=5031&ID=279840

Brandan— what area are you in?

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The amount of weird stuff that’s been going on with trains derailing, livestock factories going up in flames -- that they’re all happening in such a short amount of time of each other. Throw in some Chinese spy balloons and alleged UFO sightings and you’ve got a recipe for conspiracy theories galore.

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I cannot argue with you there. I think the MOTHMAN has been warning all of us, prior.

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If only people had listened to and translated the strange buzzing sounds he makes...

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Area? Like where do I live?

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I live in (not so ye merrie) England.

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Lucky for me, Im hanging out just north of there tomorrow for Story Night.

Anecdote: my driveway crossed the railroad tracks when I was a kid. My bedroom was about 35 feet from them. I miss being able to sleep through anything.

Chuck has predicted several things. It happens when youre tuned in with the æther. Were you at the reading when I shared the sexual misadventure I brought to life?

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If authors keep predicting the future, we may just end up with some kind of bootleg ‘Minority Report’ team comprised entirely of them.

I don’t think I was in that particular reading. Sounds like a neat use of a superpower though.

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Thats already happening. The FBI now surveils people without any cause. Future crime prevention. Thanks, George W.

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