Rebuilding unlikely in tornado-ravaged Okla. town (lead pollution)

[jpak]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SEVERE_WEATHER?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

PICHER, Okla. (AP) -- No government money will be awarded for rebuilding any of the 100 homes leveled by a deadly tornado that tore through one of the nation's most polluted areas, state and federal officials said Tuesday on a tour of the region.

Saturday's tornado was responsible for seven deaths in Picher. The severe weather killed another 20 people in the Plains and the Southeast.

"It really is like a small nuclear bomb went off," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said at a news conference. He was joined by David Paulison, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry.

Paulison promised quick consideration of Henry's request for federal disaster recognition.

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[thunder rising]

1. Oh, a minor side effect of mining without cleaning up the mess

The tornado struck the heart of a federal Superfund site, where a government buyout of homes is under way in an area beset with mine collapses, open shafts, acid mine water that stains Tar Creek orange and mountains of lead-contaminated mine waste. Local children have tested high for dangerous levels of lead in their blood.

[madokie]

2. a pretty good argument can be made for the need to have government entities to regulate

our corporations in their rape of our lands, water and air. These poor people have not been treated fairly from day one. inhofe and company wants to and have been stealing their homes and land, and then leave this cesspool of open mines and polluted water open to the elements for ever. This polluted water drains into the neosho (grand) river on its way to the ocean.