The Texas explosion should be very big news but it has become an afterthought because of terrorism and fear.

Because it's obvoius that many of those "missing" people aren't really "missing."

At least two or three fucktons more.

and yet, because this was commerce, no charge. Now, if heaven forbid this turns out to be related to the anniversary of the Waco raid, that MAY make news. But the ability to kill dozens of people and not get away with it is a privilege of the rich.

The universal and intense coverage of the Boston Marathon tragedies and how the event was perceived as handled is likely to result in the argument that we need to continue or add to more policing and terror prevention programs etc. for an even that is really very rare, sporadic, difficult to predict, and has a relatively low number of victims compared to other threats.

But, the West Texas explosion was actually representative of a wider spread problem that affects more people. Imagine how lives would change on a day to day basis as well as in the event of an accident if as many resources were put into assuring safer workplace conditions as go into fighting terrorism.

The filter that we, as a society, see things through focuses more on urgency than importance. In the long term that may not be a good filter for viewing, identifying, or resolving problems.

Bottom line is, while terrorism is rarer, it is still something that is a threat. We do have every right to demand protection from criminals, especially as these clowns might have had zero support from any established group.

Granted, we need both, and there is no need for "as many resources" we can and should spend on both.

They don't want to believe there are long-term consequences when developer property rights are at play. Especially when it involves a business that creates jobs. That trumps all common sense.

does anyone know (for sure) what caused the fire. I'm seeing a lot of speculation here, but the fire is barely out.

It might be a good idea to wait for an investigation into the cause before assuming we know everything about it.

High tax base, lots of money, lots of federal assistance. High personal property and sales taxes.

In Austin alone, billions have been spent on new roads, bridges, etc., in just the past few years.

Dallas is home to probably the only freeway interchange in the country that is also a tourist attraction: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Five_Interchange

It's not a coincidence that Texas has some of the highest speed limits in the country. The road system can generally support them.

As for arrests and/or jail time for the West explosion, we should probably have an investigation first, don't you think?

Texas has zero income tax protecting high income earners

Texas has high sales tax so that poor pay proportionately than in a progressive income tax

Texas gets substantial tax revenue from big oil and gas reserves

Texas has basically cut off use of gasoline tax at pump by diverting money from road building. Rick Perry's big achievement is relying on toll roads instead of state funding of road construction

Texas is 48 or 49th in many education, social services areas. Rick Perry goal is to surpass Mississippi

and do consider they were fined for failing to maintain before, that is at the very least ground for manslaughter, but frankly, I would not hold my breath.

This is the same state where Ken Lay died a rich and happy man.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/19/1203217/-Texas-fertilizer-plant-was-storing-highly-explosive-ammonium-nitrate
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-west-fertilizer-fined-safety-plan-20130418,0,684915.story
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/tceq-investigated-west-plant-in-2006