Is Norfolk Southern Putting Profit Over Safety Regulations? Explaining the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment

Brian Wohlgemuth and Vaughn Spargur join me to explain the basics of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where a Norfolk and Southern train carrying dangerous chemicals derailed and dumped about 50 cars on the ground. Despite the severity of the incident, the mainstream media coverage has been inadequate but has shown the power of alt media to hold mainstream media more accountable. We discuss the concerns around the chemicals being released and the lack of trust in the EPA to handle the situation. Additionally, we touched on other pollution issues in Ohio, including Superfund sites. People are getting their testing done privately due to distrust of the EPA's testing practices, and the administration has been largely absent.The episode also covered a New York Times article that discussed Norfolk Southern's profits and accident rates. The article revealed that the company paid shareholders nearly 18 billion dollars through stock buybacks and dividends in the past five years, twice the amount invested in railways and operations. The company neglected to invest in safety regulations, such as modern braking systems and stronger tank cars. A recent train wreck raised questions about the company's safety protocols and inspection practices, and the recent strike was partially due to safety concerns. We also discuss the controversy surrounding a 2015 safety regulation requiring electronically controlled pneumatic brakes for certain high-hazard flammable trains carrying at least 20 consecutive cars filled with liquid liquids like crude oil. The Trump administration repealed the rule in 2018 after lobbying by the railroad industry. According to experts, this rule wouldn't have mattered with this accident.Transcript - https://share.descript.com/view/7tZiR8OdLBxLysander Boomer Thread Norfolk Southern’s Profits and Accident Rates Rose in Recent Years - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/business/energy-environment/norfolk-southern-derailment-safety.htmlJoin our Patreon now for commercial-free shows, bonus content and our complete archives - https://www.patreon.com/wearelibertarians----Make magazine re-loading faster than ever with the Trijent Mech-loader! Compatible with any magazine that fits your M4 or AR-15, this 5.56 Mech-loader uses leverage to make loading easier. Whether you mount it, use it on the go with the provided ammo can, or take advantage of its magnetic base for use on surfaces like a truck bed, the Trijent Mech-loader is the only speedloader that allows you to load faster and longer. Buy yours today at www.trijent.com.----This episode is brought to you by Iconic Insurance. Fifteen percent of Americans are left to find health insurance on their own. You might feel overwhelmed, lost, or frustrated, and if that's you, feel in control of your health with Matt Allen's help. Visit www.iconic-insurance.com/libertarians to get started.----Thanks to our sponsor, Lions of Liberty. Unlock the power of freedom with Lions of Liberty - the premier libertarian/anarchist podcast network. Join John Odermatt on Mondays for a dose of inspiration, health, and faith with 'Finding Freedom.' Get a good laugh with Brian McWilliams on Wednesdays as he takes on the broken world with 'Mean Age Daydream.' And don't miss out on the infamous 'Libertarians in Living Rooms Drinking Liquor' episodes and 'Meme Wars' and 'Hatewatch' on Fridays. Take the first step towards true freedom and listen to the Lions of Liberty Network on all major podcast platforms today. Learn more at https://www.lionsofliberty.com.---Q Sleep Spray assists in achieving a more restful sleep so you can wake up refreshed. Q SLEEP contains incredible ingredients, including melatonin, 5-HTP, and L-theanine, as well as a proprietary herbal extract, which synergistically promotes restful sleep and helps your mind and body rejuvenate. Buy Now - https://wearelibertarians.com/sleepspray/---Chris Spangle and Leaders and Legends, LLC edited and produced this podcast. If you're interested in starting a podcast or taking yours to the next level, please contact us at LeadersAndLegends.net.----Looking to start a podcast? Download my podcast Podcasting and Platforms now, and check out my recommendations for buying the right equipment. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.chrisspangle.com/subscribe