<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Monday, March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Letter: Disaster safeguards lacking

The Columbian
Published:

The tragic explosion in the town of West, Texas, underscores a lesson that had been forgotten.

On April 16, 1947, a cargo ship loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire and exploded, destroying most of Texas City, Texas. The blast started a fire onboard another ship packed with the same material, which exploded as well. About 600 were killed or listed as missing, with 5,000 injured.

How is it possible that a similar disaster can happen near a populated area? In the same state, no less. A town erects a school and a nursing home next to a fertilizer factory, a virtual ammunition depot. Then history repeats itself.

I wish that politicians who are exploiting the Boston Marathon bombing for partisan gain would address this topic for a spell. Perhaps Congress could pass a law, even one that abolishes our right to build a nursing home next to a fertilizer factory (or an ammunition depot).

Yes, I know this would encroach upon our God-given liberty, and free market ideologues will vigorously denounce it, but does anyone have a better idea?

Gerald R. Johnson

WASHOUGAL

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter
Loading...