The East Palestine train disaster of February 3rd has left a small rural town in Ohio reeling from the effects of over 1 million pounds of toxic vinyl chloride being spilled and later burned. The thick, black smoke from the burning chemicals has contaminated soil and water sources, leaving locals scared for their safety and their health.
In the wake of this disaster, locals are left wondering why President Biden chose to go to Ukraine rather than help them out with their own crisis. With 71% of the county voting for Donald Trump in 2020, it’s easy to see why they feel neglected by the administration.
Local mother Lindsay Johnston to NYP that officials have been telling residents that it’s safe to return home since five days after the derailment, but they don’t know how trustworthy those claims are considering that all data used was paid for by Norfolk Southern Railway Company.
“But how do they know it’s safe? They don’t … They think we’re all dumb hicks who voted for Trump and they can pull anything over on us,” said Johnston, whose family has been staying with relatives and in hotels since the crash.
“They do know we can’t vote against them if we’re dead … It’s not surprising [President] Biden chose going to Ukraine over us. Why would he care about us? He knows we’re not
Johnston fears that her family won’t be able to live in or sell their new home due to contamination and is frustrated because she doesn’t even know how to properly clean her house so as not to expose herself and her children (4-year-old Paisley & 1-year-old Cora) further.
Shelby Walker is another mother living right across from where the mile long train derailed who is feeling especially vulnerable with five children and four grandchildren living with her and Paul at their small wood frame house.
Workers bulldozed trees near her home, then moved two tankers labeled hazardous close enough that they were pointing directly at them! Walker reports experiencing respiratory issues such as breathlessness while smelling a bad odor on occasion; other members of her family have had eye infections & strep throats as well.
Unfortunately due to financial constraints Shelby Walker says she can’t leave yet; making matters worse is the fact that workers at the crash site wouldn’t even speak when asked about what was going on — an eerie feeling indeed!
The Biden administration’s response has been criticized heavily among locals who just want some real help & information so many questions still remain unanswered.
It appears clear now more than ever before that Democrats cannot be trusted by rural communities like East Palestine where everyone helps each other out — if only we could have expected our government representatives do do something similar…
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.