Trump Thinks Asbestos Fears Are a Mob Conspiracy (Asbestos just "got a bad rap," Trump insists)

[Miles Archer]

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/the-trump-files-asbestos-mob-conspiracy

Believe Donald Trump, folks: There is an anti-asbestos conspiracy. In his 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, Trump warned America not to buy the crusade against "the greatest fire-proofing material ever used." He claimed the movement to remove asbestos—a known carcinogen—was actually the handiwork of the mafia:

I believe that the movement against asbestos was led by the mob, because it was often mob-related companies that would do the asbestos removal. Great pressure was put on politicians, and as usual, the politicians relented. Millions of truckloads of this incredible fire-proofing material were taken to special "dump sites" and asbestos was replaced by materials that were supposedly safe but couldn't hold a candle to asbestos in limiting the ravages of fire.

Trump claimed asbestos is "100 percent safe, once applied," and that it just "got a bad rap." That, unsurprisingly, was a stretch. Asbestos can be safe, but only if it's in perfect condition and not shedding any fibers, which are toxic and can cause cancer. But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the asbestos often used in fireproofing will "readily release airborne fibers if disturbed"—and that there's "no 'safe' level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber."

This isn't the first time Trump has been linked to unsafe work conditions and crooked contractors. Polish construction workers who worked on the construction of Trump Tower sued Trump, with some telling the New York Times that "they often worked in choking clouds of asbestos dust without protective equipment." The contracting company used by Trump hired the Poles—undocumented immigrants who were working off the books—at only $4- to $5-an-hour, dramatically less than the wages of union members working on the same site. Some of the workers charged they were paid even less. The case was settled in 1999, but the terms are sealed.

[madaboutharry]

1. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos

What is truly outrageous is that manufacturers of asbestos knew for many decades of its health dangers.

[Miles Archer]

3. Warren Zevon

As he was dying of the disease he told the story of how he used to hang out in his uncle's rug-cleaning factory. Asbestos everywhere.

[madaboutharry]

5. The actor Steve McQueen

died of mesothelioma. He was exposed to it while in the Navy.

[spanone]

2. probably the least educated man to ever seek the oval office. bullies are not usually smart.

trump is no exception

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Clearly, also the least educable. nt

[kwassa]

10. Trump is not interested in education, only in his personal advantage.

[Lance Bass esquire]

4. So did second hand smoke

This guy makes Archie Bunker look like a progressive.

[KT2000]

6. Dr. Irving Selikoff

proved the damage caused by asbestos - in New York by the way, trump. He was a physician committed to the care of working people and their occupational illnesses. He was a man of great integrity - the likes of which we do not see very often. The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic at Mt. Sinai in New York is named for him.
He was not in the mafia.

[mnmoderatedem]

7. yet another unhinged remark by der trumpster. The problem is

that he's made so freaking many remarks like this that I don't know if there is enough air time to get around to all of them. If it were possible to get around to each and every one of him it would not be difficult to expose trump for the unhinged idiot that he is.

[Dorian Gray]

8. Shut up shut up shut up

If I never hear this man speak again, it'll be too soon.

[dembotoz]

11. at least he is finally working towards full employment.....for lawyers