Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:23 PM Dec 2012

McConnell, Paul Urge Governor To Seek Disaster Declaration Because Of Low River Flow

Source: Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Kentucky — U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are urging Gov. Steve Beshear to seek a federal disaster declaration because of the potential economic consequences of a drought that has led to low water levels on the Mississippi River.

Beshear said Friday he appreciates their concern and that he's closely monitoring the situation.

McConnell and Paul said in a letter to Beshear on Thursday that commercial traffic on the river could "come to a complete halt in coming days" unless the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes action to increase the water flow.

"We are informed that shipment of over $7 billion in goods on the Mississippi River could be blocked over the coming months due to this entirely avoidable event," they wrote.

Read more: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e67caeb26ea14374b0a235e7969ea789/KY--Kentucky-River-Shipping



Send these 'small and limited gov't' hypocrites a box of shovels and tell them to 'start dredging'...

65 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
McConnell, Paul Urge Governor To Seek Disaster Declaration Because Of Low River Flow (Original Post) Purveyor Dec 2012 OP
Well, Shouldn't the "market" and private corporations being doing something about this? dballance Dec 2012 #1
They are. wickerwoman Dec 2012 #7
Excellent tabulation of the truth Berlum Dec 2012 #37
very good points wordpix Dec 2012 #55
You Want Disaster Relief? liberalmike27 Dec 2012 #61
Less of a libertarian these days, huh? no_hypocrisy Dec 2012 #2
But ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #3
Not when you're an entitled to rule teapublican, no! 'Take that back, that's a lie!' freshwest Dec 2012 #4
i can see it now.... our President in a photo op with Mitch & Rand oldhippydude Dec 2012 #20
Make sure that photo op happens. LiberalFighter Dec 2012 #26
Wait a second, they're not holding a Prayer-A-Thon? Joe Bacon Dec 2012 #60
IMO the disaster declaration is at most weeks away HereSince1628 Dec 2012 #5
who has ICG now?.... i'm sure its been consolidated into one of big 5 oldhippydude Dec 2012 #24
Canadian National owns the IC HereSince1628 Dec 2012 #28
thanks.. as a model railroader i remember the fallen flags.. oldhippydude Dec 2012 #42
What do you want, food or transport? NickB79 Dec 2012 #49
Exactly. The Corps can dredge, the railroads can haul freight HereSince1628 Dec 2012 #52
Approve Sandy-related relief, and then we can talk. geek tragedy Dec 2012 #6
That's exactly what I'm thinking LynneSin Dec 2012 #11
Exactly! BlueCaliDem Dec 2012 #22
Right! "You built that" now "You dredge that!" KansDem Dec 2012 #34
LOL!!! Plucketeer Dec 2012 #8
Aw, now who's running to big gummint? TheCowsCameHome Dec 2012 #9
I know. Such Hypocrites. dballance Dec 2012 #14
I think Pres. Obama should TheCowsCameHome Dec 2012 #10
Or at least Paul's rug KamaAina Dec 2012 #12
This message was self-deleted by its author KansDem Dec 2012 #30
Tell me that's a photoshop! tabasco Dec 2012 #54
Okay, it's a photoshop. KamaAina Dec 2012 #57
Odd, wasnt Rand saying the Red Cross and Salvation Army are better than the feds cstanleytech Dec 2012 #13
The Law Governing The Corp Of Engineers DallasNE Dec 2012 #15
It's not just them - the GOP states are such hypocrits Smilo Dec 2012 #16
Hey Mitch... Rand... progressoid Dec 2012 #17
Why don't they go to private industry to solve the problem? UCmeNdc Dec 2012 #18
They can have their disaster relief Beowulf Dec 2012 #19
Where's Halliburton when they need them..... n/t durablend Dec 2012 #21
Do these two deny climate change? sakabatou Dec 2012 #23
Let the free market fix it. RedCloud Dec 2012 #25
As the Governor of S.D. said (and I'm sure this include McConnell and Paul) They are able bodied men world wide wally Dec 2012 #27
Hmm. . . I don't believe that's my problem matt819 Dec 2012 #29
No money for turtle impersonators! AAO Dec 2012 #31
Cut off and isolate tax sucking red states. nt onehandle Dec 2012 #32
Why do they need the feral guvmint? jsr Dec 2012 #33
Send them Rush "Climate Liar" Limbaugh (R) and his freaking Golden Mic Berlum Dec 2012 #35
My initial reaction, as a NJ resident is to tell them to go pound sand Kber Dec 2012 #36
I am not bashing the people Liberal1975 Dec 2012 #40
Well I'll drink to that! Kber Dec 2012 #41
It is not "Us vs. Them". That's their insanity and false equivalent. It's me...me...me...me...me libdem4life Dec 2012 #46
Obama should do it... Liberal1975 Dec 2012 #38
Don't They Need To Hype Spending Cuts First skrempi313 Dec 2012 #39
State's Rights equal State's Responsibilities equals Small Government. libdem4life Dec 2012 #43
"to demolish rock formations that could cause a bottleneck for shipping on the river." Kolesar Dec 2012 #44
deny them the funds for their own good Enrique Dec 2012 #45
this is`t the time to get political... madrchsod Dec 2012 #47
Oh now mcCONnell and paul want gubmint handouts?! They want dem entatlemints?! Dont call me Shirley Dec 2012 #48
Another red state looking for help... aaaaaa5a Dec 2012 #50
GOP hypocrisy aside, that is a massive disaster in the making NickB79 Dec 2012 #51
APNewsBreak: Corps not budging on Miss. River flap PoliticAverse Dec 2012 #53
maybe it will occur to these a-holes that their river is not some oil field to be mined wordpix Dec 2012 #56
Takers! Rider3 Dec 2012 #58
Wassamatta, Rand---Can't John Galt Fix This For You? (nt) Paladin Dec 2012 #59
DRY IN THE WINTER AND DRYER THIS SUMMER ROBROX Dec 2012 #62
Don't you silly Liberals Understand? Wolf Frankula Dec 2012 #63
Newly converted Environmentalists. Time for the Liberal Grownups. I'd vote for Ashley Judd. libdem4life Dec 2012 #64
Sorry guys. Don't want KY to turn into a socialist paradise Doctor_J Dec 2012 #65
 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
1. Well, Shouldn't the "market" and private corporations being doing something about this?
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:26 PM
Dec 2012

I mean according to these two government intrusion is the problem, not the solution. How many CEO's who ship goods on the Mississippi river have they talked to about doing their part?

wickerwoman

(5,662 posts)
7. They are.
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:41 PM
Dec 2012

They're syphoning off all the water to agribusinesses, bottled water companies, cooling nuclear power plants, etc. who aren't paying a penny for it. Then they can get tax-payer relief money on top of it for the "drought".

Berlum

(7,044 posts)
37. Excellent tabulation of the truth
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:01 PM
Dec 2012

Republican Socialism for corporations has led to these dire straights. Republicans 1% Socialists get their Money for Nothing...

liberalmike27

(2,479 posts)
61. You Want Disaster Relief?
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 02:51 PM
Dec 2012

OK, just admit Climate Change is a real thing, and we'll see what we can do.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
3. But ...
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:26 PM
Dec 2012

Mr. mcconnell and, especially, Mr. rand ... you do realize that the Governor declaring a disaster triggers FEDERAL action, right?

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
4. Not when you're an entitled to rule teapublican, no! 'Take that back, that's a lie!'
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:30 PM
Dec 2012
At least that's what they'll say if confronted for their beggarity.

oldhippydude

(2,514 posts)
20. i can see it now.... our President in a photo op with Mitch & Rand
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:17 PM
Dec 2012

just think what that would do to the tea party...

LiberalFighter

(50,343 posts)
26. Make sure that photo op happens.
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:31 PM
Dec 2012

And then blast it throughout the media world in Kentucky. Keep reminding teabaggers that McConnell and Paul ask for govt intrusion. Make sure the eastern Kentuckians think the govt will invade their lands because of their Senators.

Joe Bacon

(5,163 posts)
60. Wait a second, they're not holding a Prayer-A-Thon?
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 09:40 AM
Dec 2012

Gosh, it worked such wonders when Rick Perry ordered the Prayer-A-Thon for Rain in Texas. And the drought got a whole lot worse...

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
5. IMO the disaster declaration is at most weeks away
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:31 PM
Dec 2012

There really is no sign of the sort of precip needed.

Which crisis is worse? High traffic costs this year, or no water to support the Missouri valley next spring?

Good time to have stock in the Canadian National RR. The ol Illinois Central is gonna be a busy rail-way working things around low water in the mid-river.

NickB79

(19,063 posts)
49. What do you want, food or transport?
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 05:25 PM
Dec 2012

Because without that water held back, next year's irrigation plans are shot to hell. And since it's now almost guaranteed that next year will be another year of drought in the US Breadbasket, that water is more vital than ever.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
52. Exactly. The Corps can dredge, the railroads can haul freight
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 05:31 PM
Dec 2012

but no one can make major weather patterns that bring the needed rain.

Mother nature is asking for a reality check.

But, I expect the disaster declaration it will release funds for dredging in the mid-river section. I'm not sure what can be done to really help reduce shipping expenses.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
22. Exactly!
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:18 PM
Dec 2012

Why doesn't McConnell use some of those tens of millions he "made" in a few years to help his constituents instead of asking for MORE Federal welfare?

Kentucky is already 11th at getting Federal funding, taking in more than they send to the U.S. Gov:

2007-2009 Federal taxes paid, avg.: $23.80 billion
2007-2009 Federal funding received, avg.: $46.61 billion
2007-2009 Amount received per tax dollar paid, avg.: $1.96
2007-2009 Change in federal funding received: +43%
http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2011/04/04/state-finances.html#slide11

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
14. I know. Such Hypocrites.
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 02:29 PM
Dec 2012

Now that it suits their needs - and their needs are getting re-elected in 2014 - they're willing to go to the Feds so when they campaign they can tell the voters about how they did everything they could to protect jobs during this horrible drought that certainly has nothing to do with global climate change.

Response to KamaAina (Reply #12)

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
57. Okay, it's a photoshop.
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 12:22 AM
Dec 2012

There. I told you.

But it's still a rug. Voted "worst toupee in the universe" at that site.

DallasNE

(7,390 posts)
15. The Law Governing The Corp Of Engineers
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 02:31 PM
Dec 2012

Is quite specific and requires a balance between competing needs. Drop the water levels in upstream dams and the recreation people would scream. Interestingly, only a year ago traffic on the Mississippi was hampered by high water on the Mississippi. Climate change is causing a lot of disruptions and that will not turn around until something more is done about greenhouse gas releases and these climate deniers are contributing to their own problem.

Smilo

(1,944 posts)
16. It's not just them - the GOP states are such hypocrits
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 02:46 PM
Dec 2012

it is amazing how many delcare federal emergencies at the drop of a hat.

UCmeNdc

(9,584 posts)
18. Why don't they go to private industry to solve the problem?
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 02:57 PM
Dec 2012

Leave your government hands off my drought water levels.

world wide wally

(21,714 posts)
27. As the Governor of S.D. said (and I'm sure this include McConnell and Paul) They are able bodied men
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:31 PM
Dec 2012

So let them get to work pronto.

matt819

(10,749 posts)
29. Hmm. . . I don't believe that's my problem
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:37 PM
Dec 2012

Or that of the federal government. Shame about that small government thing, hey?

Berlum

(7,044 posts)
35. Send them Rush "Climate Liar" Limbaugh (R) and his freaking Golden Mic
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:59 PM
Dec 2012

that's all the help they should need, since all compliant Republican Socialism-for-the-Rich Wankers choose to believe the lies about climate change.

Kber

(5,043 posts)
36. My initial reaction, as a NJ resident is to tell them to go pound sand
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:00 PM
Dec 2012

but then, I'd be giving into their (and especially Rand's) world view that divides Americans against Americans.

We are one country and we have a federal government so that one state or region that is suffering can be helped out by another that has the ability to do so.

Someday California might need wild fire relief. Or Texas may get hit by a superstorm. Or Michigan may suffer when the Great Lakes water level drops too low.

I am an American. I refuse to let someone else's petty "us versus them" mentality goad me into acting otherwise.

(oh - and i assume the Sandy relief check is in the mail, right?)

Liberal1975

(87 posts)
40. I am not bashing the people
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:08 PM
Dec 2012

Of Kentucky, my states southern neighbor (hell its possible we might be next) And of course no one is suggesting that any aid be withheld from any American who needs it. But these two pieces of SHIT who have made political careers out of turning the people against each other and against their government need to be hammered HARD for their pathological hypocrisy.

Kber

(5,043 posts)
41. Well I'll drink to that!
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:25 PM
Dec 2012

they are shits and they need to be called out and treated as such

(i.e. with rubber gloves and a toilet plunger)

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
46. It is not "Us vs. Them". That's their insanity and false equivalent. It's me...me...me...me...me
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:38 PM
Dec 2012

To hell with you. It is not inappropriate to call out adult-children for misbehavior or social/political/human illiteracy. We fund their ignorance and their lack of social responsibility and holding them accountable is the adult thing to do.

Obama and FEMA and whatever other federal government agency they suddenly want to participate in...go on Meet the Press and the other pundit shows and publicly request the funds you've gone on there and made fun of. Do it. Then we'll talk about helping out your constituents with federal funds.

Liberal1975

(87 posts)
38. Obama should do it...
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:01 PM
Dec 2012

I would love to see the photos of tea bagging protesters with signs that read "keep your govt hands off my federal disaster relief"...
Hey, I thought the scariest thing was someone saying I'm from the government and I'm here to Help. Isn't that the funny St. Ronald douchebag coined?

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
43. State's Rights equal State's Responsibilities equals Small Government.
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:28 PM
Dec 2012

So let me get this straight. One year you want federal funding for flooding, the next you want federal funding to manage your drought. Yet another year you want federal funding for tornadoes and hurricanes and the like.

These are called Acts of God. Perhaps your god forgot his/her end of your Grand Bargain, as we're pretty certain it isn't to punish the gays and sinners and such even in your back yard. Then there's that Romney guy... Time to get on your knees and filibuster to your god who seems to be acting up quite a bit in your region.

But, we liberals will probably, yet again, step in and with our socialist tax dollars and kind hearts send you the funds you need. It's all about the thing we call a Social Network. Grown ups understand that. So grow up, already.

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)
44. "to demolish rock formations that could cause a bottleneck for shipping on the river."
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 04:32 PM
Dec 2012

This has been known for years and will take a long period to ameliorate. This isn't a "disaster declaration" after towns or infrastructure were destroyed.

madrchsod

(58,162 posts)
47. this is`t the time to get political...
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 05:00 PM
Dec 2012

if there is`t enough snow or rain it`s going to cost this country ten`s to hundreds of billions of dollars in added costs. there`s a few rail lines and inadequate road system to handle the traffic at the port of new orleans.

do the math...one barge holds 70 trailers of goods

aaaaaa5a

(4,667 posts)
50. Another red state looking for help...
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 05:26 PM
Dec 2012


from the back-wards, liberal, agnostic blue states, and the mean evil federal government.


Do voters in these states understand just what hippocrates they really are?

NickB79

(19,063 posts)
51. GOP hypocrisy aside, that is a massive disaster in the making
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 05:28 PM
Dec 2012

Without barge traffic, the upper Midwest's economy will be hurt badly. Without significant rain and snow over the next few months, our ability to grow staple crops like wheat, corn and soy will be devastated.

Climate change is driving this drought, and we can look forward to this kind of hard decision much more often going forward into the next decade and beyond. Welcome to the new world we have created.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
53. APNewsBreak: Corps not budging on Miss. River flap
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 05:42 PM
Dec 2012

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers has turned back requests by federal lawmakers and the barge industry to release more water from the Missouri River, believing the drought-starved Mississippi River it feeds still will remain open to shipping despite mounting concerns about water levels.

Army Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy, in a Thursday letter obtained by The Associated Press, told lawmakers from Mississippi River states she doesn't consider it necessary to boost Missouri River flows into the Mississippi — something the politicians urgently had sought.

Read the rest at: http://news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-corps-not-budging-miss-river-flap-160747106.html

wordpix

(18,652 posts)
56. maybe it will occur to these a-holes that their river is not some oil field to be mined
Fri Dec 7, 2012, 11:20 PM
Dec 2012

You have to take care of it. Stop taking for irrigation, sprawl, fracking and the like, and start giving back, why don't you?

 

ROBROX

(392 posts)
62. DRY IN THE WINTER AND DRYER THIS SUMMER
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 08:44 PM
Dec 2012

Get ready for WAR WARS. We in the west have gotten use to water wars and we do not require federal emergency aid. we have utilized federal funds to work out a solution to sharing water.

The private enterprise should find a solution for getting their CRAP to where it needs to send it and then pay for it the good old AMERICAN way with CORPORATE money.....

Wolf Frankula

(3,595 posts)
63. Don't you silly Liberals Understand?
Sat Dec 8, 2012, 10:06 PM
Dec 2012

Not taking Federal money is for OTHER PEOPLE, not conservatives like us! We're entitled to all the public largess and small ess we can grab. It's for OTHER PEOPLE to do without what we call handouts.

TAKE THE 1% OFF WELFARE!!

Wolf

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»McConnell, Paul Urge Gove...