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I really thought they were being satirical at first, and as I read on I realized they weren't.
So far, when the mainstream media is brought into this, it is Bush's fault first, the war in Iraq second, and global warming third as the causes for the bridge to fall.
Oddly, an overwhelming number of Minneapolis's record temperatures occured prior to 1960, and the bridge was built in 1967. Imagine that.
Without even bothering to read the blog I can say that global warming did not have any effect on the security or the collapse of the bridge. Irresponsible lack of maintenance did have a significant effect. However, the primary cause of the bridge collapse was simply gravity acting on corroded and fatigued metal.
I'm not from the north, but I would think all the salting in the winter would lead to corrosion of metal portions of the structure, and therefore, milder winters would lower the amount of salting needed. But again, I'm not from the north so I haven't heard much regarding bridges up there until this collapse happened.
It's entirely possible that over the years that EVERY summer, not just this one, cause extreme expansion. This would gradually stress the metal more and more until it simply could not take an additional stress. Metal becomes "tired" from repeated expansions and contractions from extremes in temperature. This wasn't a new bridge and there seems to have been a minimum amount of upkeep done.
I doubt that they will find an explanation that will suit everyone.
Sadly, as our politicians continue raising taxes under the guise of road improvements, more and more of our tax money (in this state) is headed towards mass transit for metropolitan areas instead of road and bridge improvements and maintenance issues. It would appear if GWB isn't to blame for any particular event, someone will make a case for global warming, will go full circle and will end up blaming GWB for global warming anyway. Until and unless a definite cause is ever determined, I have no desire to blame anyone or anything for the tragedy that will affect many families and travelers for years to come..global warming causes bridge failure?? Come on now
Sadly, as our politicians continue raising taxes under the guise of road improvements, more and more of our tax money (in this state) is headed towards mass transit for metropolitan areas instead of road and bridge improvements and maintenance issues. It would appear if GWB isn't to blame for any particular event, someone will make a case for global warming, will go full circle and will end up blaming GWB for global warming anyway. Until and unless a definite cause is ever determined, I have no desire to blame anyone or anything for the tragedy that will affect many families and travelers for years to come..global warming causes bridge failure?? Come on now
There are a long list of politicians to blame for the current state of our infrastructure. Personally, I would start at about Carter, and then run the list right through the Reagan, Bush1, and Clinton years too. And Bush2 has not done anything about it either. We are a good 30 years behind on this issue and we are likely going to be bit in the a$$ again by the problem.
I'm not from the north, but I would think all the salting in the winter would lead to corrosion of metal portions of the structure, and therefore, milder winters would lower the amount of salting needed. But again, I'm not from the north so I haven't heard much regarding bridges up there until this collapse happened.
I was surprised when I moved to Minnesota from Illinois that they used sand on icy roads rather than salt...I'd grown up with salting. But Minnesota, at least where I was, slightly southwest of the Twin Cities, did not use salt, period. This may not be the case anymore, however.
I was surprised when I moved to Minnesota from Illinois that they used sand on icy roads rather than salt...I'd grown up with salting. But Minnesota, at least where I was, slightly southwest of the Twin Cities, did not use salt, period. This may not be the case anymore, however.
They use a salt / sand mix, as well as mixtures of urea, salt, and sand. Salt does no good below -15f, I've never seen plain old sand used except when it is below the temp that salt doesn't work...that is why cars tend to turn to rust buckets here in a matter of a few years.
Why does this terrible tragedy have to be someones fault?
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