In a tv interview, Jeb Bush praised Michigan governor Rick Snyder for his leadership in responding to the Flint water crisis.

 

 

This morning, the New York Times criticized Snyder for his lack of leadership and said it was time to take action. The editorial says the state should replace the corroded water pipes in Flint, at a cost of $1 billion.

 

“The conditions on the ground in Flint still do not seem to have sunk in at the Michigan statehouse. Thousands of residents are still relying on trucked-in water, as if they were in a war-zone refugee camp, while worrying that their children may suffer developmental and other health problems from a water system poisoned by lead. Gov. Rick Snyder has been busy apologizing, but the tiny steps he is taking to repair the damage shrink beside the urgency of the problem.

“The challenge now is to replace the corroded pipes or perhaps the whole water system in this city of nearly 100,000 as quickly as it can be done. The cost may reach $1 billion or more, but that cannot stand in the way of moving forward to make the city fit for habitation. No Americans should have to live with poisoned water that is a direct result of the government’s decisions and neglect.

 

“Mr. Snyder and officials who work for him first wasted time trying to shift blame for the catastrophe to the city — at least until an independent task force and internal emails released last week showed that the state was responsible. Now he is wasting more time by maneuvering to get out of paying the bill for the huge repairs project.”

 

 

 

Remember that the shut-off of safe water was supposed to save millions. A very stupid, short-sighted, inhumane decision that will cost the state hundreds of millions and leave behind brain-damaged children.