Cell Phones, Traffic Deaths, and Politics

I note that under a "Freedom of Information Act" request, the New York Times forced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to release a copy of a 2003 report on cell phones and "Distracted Driving."

Supposedly, it was Congress (this time) which "ordered" that the report be withheld, not the science hating Bush Administration. I'd like to see some names. Who was involved, and was their "debt" to the cell phone industry so great that they "pushed" the NHTSA to suppress the scientific evidence?

Were the same forces at work over at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their examination of the facts and their conclusions regarding the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis? Was the lack of a public hearing to examine the facts done to avoid embarrassing Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican "star?" After all he vetoed money for road maintenance in Minnesota.

All politicians seem to lack a certain amount of candor and honesty. Republicans just seem to have taken dishonesty to entirely new levels.

I find it entirely plausible that Republicans might have "ordered" the suppression of research which might have "damaged" the cell phone industry while saving lives. Republicans have a long history of supporting big business at the expense of ordinary citizens.

I hope that news organizations continue to research the issue. The people who "ordered" the suppression of potentially life saving research to support the cell phone lobby should be named and asked to account for their actions.

And, now that the secret's out, how about publishing a clean copy of the report on the NHTSA web site, and formally submit it to Congress for review?

Norm Coleman - Getting It Done

In the days following the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, politicians of all stripes came forward, vowing to rebuild. Then, unlike what happened in New Orleans (remember, they were poor and unworthy of Republican support), they proceeded to do so. Money was appropriated. Money was spent. The new bridge nears completion.

This morning, we're treated to another message from Norm's "bowling buddy" spokesperson who claims that Norm's "leadership" provided the money to rebuild the I-35W bridge.

To be fair, Norm Coleman, and the Republicans, did help in securing bridge replacement funds. But, "leadership" from Norm? I think not. As a country, we have always come together after a crisis or a natural disaster (New Orleans being a major exception). Securing the money to rebuild was assured from the start.

Besides, the I-35W collapse happened on the watch of a Republican governor known for vetoing transportation bills, along with others necessary for infrastructure maintenance and repair. They had to support Tim Pawlenty (unlike what happened with a Democrat as governor in Louisiana).

As long as Norm wants to take responsibility for funding the I-35W bridge replacement, perhaps he's willing to take responsibility for the country's infrastructure decline while he's been in office.

Norm has voted to spend billions of dollars in his support for Iraq (which now has a huge budget surplus). Meanwhile, in our country, governmental agencies and programs suffer from inadequate funding.

Norm, and his fellow Republicans, have their priorities wrong. They'd rather run up huge debts funding a senseless war, while allowing our country's assets to deteriorate to the point of collapse.

Norm, when will you start to take responsibility for the failures of the Republican "trickle down" economic policies and quit rushing to take credit for the work of others?