Sunday, September 15, 2019

Bill Crawford: Preying Catching On in DC

Let us prey.

No, not "pray," but "prey," like in prey upon the poor, elderly, ignorant, and ordinary citizens.

More preying of this sort seems to be an in thing in Washington these days.

So, it's okay for human traffickers to get away with forcing children into prostitution? "Several federal efforts to combat human trafficking in the U.S. have slowed under the Trump administration, according to government data and human trafficking advocates," reported Axios.com, adding that the Trump administration has cut back on prosecutions of these crimes.

So, it's okay for unscrupulous offshore drillers to put coastal residents at risk by skipping tests designed to prevent disasters like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Time.com reported the Trump administration has announced plans to "loosen off-shore drilling regulations" and remove "the requirement for the Interior Department to externally verify safety operations and equipment used by offshore drillers."

So, it's okay for unscrupulous medical groups to prey on the sick? "The bipartisan desire to protect insured consumers from unexpected bills is now facing fierce headwinds after persistent attacks from well-funded providers and dark money groups over August recess," reported Politico.com.

So, it's okay for unscrupulous private colleges to prey on students? InsideHigherEd.com reported the Trump administration's final borrower-defense regulations, promulgated by Education Secretary Betsy Devos, add a new three-year time limit on claims borrowers were defrauded with each case will to be considered individually "even if there is evidence of widespread misconduct at an institution."

So, it's okay for unscrupulous loan companies to prey on the poor? “Payday lenders have a predatory business model where they profit while families are plunged into an unaffordable debt trap of loans at rates that reach 400 percent APR or higher,” CNBC quoted a consumer advocate after the Trump administration rolled back protections set to make payday loans less risky.

So, it's okay for unscrupulous debt collectors to prey on borrowers? The Trump administration's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, reported the Washington Post, has proposed rules that would give the debt collectors permission to send borrowers unlimited amounts of texts and emails.

So, it's okay for unscrupulous businesses to put the public at risk by emitting hazardous air toxins like benzene, dioxin, and lead that cause health problems such as cancer and birth defects? The New York Times cited a report saying the Environmental Protection Agency "took a dramatic step toward deregulating some major sources of toxic air pollution, which could have huge implications for public health." (Permitting pollution near streams and wetlands is next up.)

So, it's okay for unscrupulous plant operators to stonewall local responders when chemical spills put communities at risk? Reuters reported the Trump administration suspended regulations requiring companies to coordinate with local emergency responders.

And don't forget the general inaction from DC that enables the unscrupulous to prey on children, the elderly, and the ignorant via Internet, email, social media, and telephone scams and pornographic solicitations.

Hmmm, scary stuff.

Then there's Ezekiel 34:29 where the Lord God pledges to free His people from those who prey on them. "They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid."

Crawford is a syndicate columnist from Meridian.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sadly, too many Republicans were convinced that all regulations are bad and all businesses are good.
All of us hate filling out paperwork and while some is unnecessary or could have been streamlined, instead lobbyists and criminal enterprises saw de-regulation as an opportunity to gouge, con and steal.
And, those who do, have even more money to put into PACS and ads and PR to make sure conservatives never look past the slogans to what is actually happening.

By the way, Madison County has become a garbage dump for the country while you weren't paying attention to detail.

Madison county's geology, like 90% of Mississippi, is underground aquifers that flow into our creeks and rivers. We have large clay deposits in other parts of the State that would be suitable for disposal not as lucrative because they would have boundaries that would require closure when full.

And, now because of de-regulation, not just hazardous materials once banned but also low to mid level radioactive waste will go into the soon to be 3 garbage dumps. And, those owning/managing those site don't have to have expertise or be legit. No one's looking.

Indeed, most cities water problems are from what containments make there way into the water supply. Some of those containments are from contaminated aquifers, creeks and rivers.

But, the details of how things work in life, isn't part of our political discussions. We hate details, love slogans. And, since the public doesn't know the details, politicians and those with nefarious agendas, can " muddy the waters". That is actually what politicians and nefarious people call making you believe nonsense or keeping you from believing facts.

We've become a nation of " marks" as every consumer protection, every health and safety protection has been systematically It's not your guns or unborn babies you should have been worked up about...in the end, you'll lose all the other rights first ( see Russia, see North Korea, see China). Once the government is an oligarchy, you have NO rights.

Anonymous said...

We hate details, love slogans.

And we loathe anonymous blowhard know-it-alls such as yourself.

Anonymous said...

It there aren't sources or footnotes, it's FAKE NEWS!

Anonymous said...

Folks who vote Republican are sadly voting against their self interest.

Anonymous said...

9:46, you say that Madison is becoming a dumping ground for hazardous and low level radioactive waste, yet you propose it should be shipped to other parts of the state. Are they not as important as you? Did you know that a particular individual who works for MDEQ who is over that department lives in Madison? I guess it doesn’t bother him. He is overseeing the chemical injection wells for plants and industries to dispose of their chemicals on site through deep well injection. He has one of those real cushy state jobs. If you want to get to the bottom, find out who paid who to get those three landfills approved. I do agree with you that our aquifers are being damaged but there is a chemical waste dump just across the state line in Emelle, Alabama. It takes everything, but it costs to do so and it is done properly.

Anonymous said...

So what? Successful business is predatory by nature. If you're poor, illiterate, sick, or stupid you will be first victimized by corporate America. This is nothing new and the way our economy works. Mr. Trump understands this and will do all necessary to promote the interests of American business. If you want to avoid victimization get your education and accumulate wealth. Corporate business is not designed to give a damn about you or your children, only accumulation of capital today and right now. You and future generations must learn to fend for yourself. Why not?

Anonymous said...

Just who in the hell is Bill Crawford, anyway?

True Story said...

I know a woman whose daughter is a 'traveling embalmer'. That's right, the girl goes from funeral parlor to funeral parlor doing her work, preparing the shells of the departed.

She has convinced her mother that it's dangerous, even hazardous to dine at a very popular eatery that's located right close to a funeral home. Mom is sure the groundwater is so contaminated that if she sits down for a plate of grub here, she'll be feasting on groundwater contaminated by the remains of folks who transitioned through that funeral parlor.

And we're picking nits over a little plutonium?

Anonymous said...

"It there aren't sources or footnotes, it's FAKE NEWS! September 15, 2019 at 10:54 AM"

Really? When was the last time you saw posts on here that contained sources or footnotes? (Bullshit In Context; Ima Doubter pp.433 ibid and obid - Schuster and Shiester 1966)

Anonymous said...

11:06 am You seemed to miss the geology part.
Clay acts as a barrier to prevent hazardous materials from leaching into the ground water. If we can dispose safely, why would you rather do it in a less safe manner?

You are also comparing apples to oranges when you bring up Emelle. It's a disposal site with pre-treatment and barriers not a garbage landfill.

Mississippi adopted the minimal acceptable federal standards for hazardous waste disposal. Since we are blessed with some geologically safe areas, to go with the minimum was foolish. Indeed, the President of the then largest family owned paint and chemical company, Charles A. Brethren III, came to our legislature and argued for stronger regulation. He argued that later clean up of adverse effects would be far more expensive to him as both an owner and taxpayer.

He also pointed out that countries who had modernized their plants to reduce waste were increasing performance and that would continue as our plants aged and he predicted that manufacturing would move overseas where it would be cheaper, not just in labor but in building new plants. He thought we should be encouraging modernization with incentives.

9:59am Some of us aren't impressed and are unaffected by those who resort to elementary school yard level insults because they can't defend their position on an issue.










Anonymous said...

9:59am Some of us aren't impressed and are unaffected by those who resort to elementary school yard level insults because they can't defend their position on an issue.

You've not provided even ONE link to back up a damn thing you've written. Case closed.

Anonymous said...

4:25.... Bill Crawford is a piss ass prairie prick that used to be on the m a n a g e m e n t team at MDA. He helped decide where tax payer money went on projects..... he knew somebody that knew some people

Anonymous said...

8:54 am Perhaps you haven't the ability to do your own research .

Try " How much of Mississippi has underground aquifers" and " How is waste disposed in Emmelle, Ala" and " What are the water sources in Mississippi for ( fill in cities and towns)"
" Which counties in Mississippi have large clay deposits"?

You can also look for" Mississippi's Hazardous Waste Commission and RICRA." You might also want to look for " Mississippi's Nuclear Waste Commission". Though you might have to go to our archives for those documents.

You'll have to look through the Clarion Ledger's archives to find out about the convicted felon who wanted to put the first landfill in Madison County and why that ended up being rejected.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.