Part II of a series of diaries, more below.
My first diary explored/exposed the nonsensical and absurd "report" recently released by the federal NTSB regarding the collapse of the I-35 bridge. I continue to stand by my take that structural calculations done for the two bridge renovations done prior to the third renovation underway when the collapse occured would provide evidence that the structural capacity of the bridge was exceeded, possibly by the second renovation, and almost certainly by the stacking of construction materials on the end of the bridge prior to the collapse.
I also believe there is some sort of cover up going on here by the state of Minnesota to protect the current governor and/or the contractor(s) responsible for the work on the third renovation.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
This past Thursday, Feb. 28 Lieutenent Governor and Commissioner of Transportation Carol Molnau apparently took the fall for Governor Tim Pawlenty.
In a 44-22 vote by Minnesota's state Senate today, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau was removed from her post as Commissioner of Transportation.
The Senate declined to confirm Molnau, who has been under fire for her response to the Interstate 35W Mississippi River Bridge disaster and for subsequent media revelations about the state of MnDOT management under her regime.
"This is a responsibility that none of us takes lightly," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Stillwater, who chairs the Senate transportation committee. "These two full-time jobs are just too much for anyone to be able to discharge appropriately."
Murphy added, "This brings no one joy or satisfaction. None."
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, was blunt.
"We have a crumbling transportation system," said Pogemiller. "This is not about Carol Molnau, this is about leadership, the failure of leadership of the governor of this state to accept responsibility for a mistake he made."
Pogemiller added, "The level of leadership in this department is not what Minnesotans deserve."
Republicans denounced the move as "slash and burn politics," and accused the DFL of targeting Molnau for political reasons.
"We did see commissioners removed in the dead of night two years ago. That was a shameful moment for this body. And I fear that's what we're going to do again," said Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie.
"A crumbling transportation system? What? I don't see that," said Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna. "Why isn't society and why aren't Minnesotans looking at us and saying, 'why are you blaming this lady?'"
Again folks, what this is pointing to is gross incompetence and unconcern over the safety/viability of our nation's important infrastructure.
Under no circumstances should the victims of the bridge collapse accept the paltry $40 Million buy off offer by the state of Minnesota. How ironic the $40 Million bone is tossed to the victims, yet for at least ten years Minnesotans had been asking for something to be done about this bridge. only to be told "there's no money":
http://www.camdenews.org/...
http://www.startribune.com/...
http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/...