May 13

I had to check my calendar this morning to see if it was really 2021 and not 1984.  Why? Because I was watching a segment on the news this morning where a number of "back bench" Fauxpublicans tried to "right think" what happened on January 6. Among the ridiculous comments: there was no violence or destruction from the Former Guy's supporters, all the people there were ordinary and orderly "tourists" who stayed "between the ropes,' no one threatened legislators and no one assaulted any of the Capitol police. I have trouble thinking about these (insert your favorite profane epithet) without uttering the most vile slurs. I have been trying to curb that tendency.

As Colonial is trying to get its system up and running after the Darkside cyber attack here is another problem with our fossil fuel infrastructure. Michigan's governor has ended the easement that allows Enbridge to run its Line-5 pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac after several accidents where boat anchors have damaged the pipeline causing various leaks. That is on top of a more than 60 year history of leaks that have spilled over 1 million gallons in 30 separate incidents throughout the state. The Line-5 pipeline is 20 odd years over its 50 year life expectancy and the company has been avoiding doing necessary replacements and repairs. The last paragraph sets up an interesting dynamic: an irresponsible company failing to meet even basic duties to maintain its property and deliver its product safely (to people and the environment) and various parties opposed to Enbridge for a range of reasons.

I just found this Reuter's article which describes the can of worms which is the Enbridge situation. But I have a very basic question: how to you bring to heel an irresponsible multi-national corporation whose operation is considered absolutely vital. Canada has obviously not been interested in ensuring it operates responsibly not when there is a 60 year history of ignoring maintenance and leaks.