Posted by BJ Mariah on Aug 2 2007 12:49PM - Of all the presidents I've endured in my 66 years, never once has one proven so absurd as Bush, daring to blame the bridge crisis on a newly elected congress, because it hasn't as yet submitted a budget plan! What does a new budget have to do with problems the former republican congress is responsible for? That was the congress that diverted every possible dollar to the Bush war! Billions of dollars monthly have been drained from domestic needs to Iraq! Now Bush wants to help??? Spare me! It will break Bush's heart to divert funds from Iraq to America! It's past time that America wakes up to how dangerous Bush is to America!

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Posted by Angel on Aug 2 2007 5:39PM - Nice. It hasn't even been 24 hours before the political BS and blame game starts.

Congratulations BJ. I hope you feel better after your rant, its not going to help those who are no longer alive though, is it?

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Posted by Bj Mariah on Aug 2 2007 8:39PM - I have faith enough to hope the deceased victims of a mindless political horror, believe that life proceeds from & returns to, God. Survivors of lost victims express that faith as well. I'm not ranting, just dealing with available facts. We're being denied domestic attention in favor of war monger interests. That's an obvious. The reason America has served the world as a guiding light, is that primarily, America made America first...you sure can't help the world if you extend your hand and your heart's not in it! A broken bridge is more than political, if that's what you imply. It's a matter of priority. America first, then we can deal with international concerns. For the record, I also know the difference between a republican and neo con military industrial war monger!

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Posted by BJ Mariah on Aug 2 2007 9:22PM - More than a bridge crashed. more than a loss of life, but I hope it proves as a major awakening to domestic needs being shunned, and, serious international concerns. When the Berlin Wall came down, it obviousely just led to a fence between the USA & Mexico. What is it with walls/fences! People are dying just for the chance to live! People died because of a broken bridge that could easily have been repaired if tax money actually went to domestic concerns. I can't speak for others, but I'm not a funeral person! I also have family in Minnesota, and very dear friends I consider my adopted family, so spare me nonsense! I entrust the dead to God, the living to an intelligent, America oriented government! If Bill Clinton is willing, we'll have one!

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Posted by BJ Mariah on Aug 2 2007 9:59PM - It takes domestic caring to prevent broken bridges, broken lives. It serves as an invite to the problems with the mid-east. For over 5,000 years, the mid-east has been dedicated to war, violence, the influence of man-made religions, drugs. So be it! Pull out the news media, troops, and let's get on with issues that benefit those of us who apprciate life. Let's help promote America, anyone who apprciates life. America is a symbol of freedom, a model of building bridges...when others elect to be destroyers, pull the plug! Alot more then the bridge in Minnesota has crashed. with deadly results! I won't speak for others, but I refuse to fly an American flag made in China! Yes, there are political issues, but hardly BS. Reality check! My wife works herself sick to provide. I'm denied diability because she makes "to much money," No shortage of aid to non Americans! No shotage of money for the Bush war. Domestic...oh well! We repair problems with wishful thinking, short-cuts, when the real issue is an obvious lack of American oriented leadership!

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Posted by BJ Mariah on Aug 2 2007 11:08PM - How many more millions will the Bush visit to Minnesota cost America? Bush visits don't come cheap!

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Posted by Angel on Aug 3 2007 5:13PM - 5 consecutive comments makes for an essay, not a comment. Sometimes life isn't fair. Bad things happen to good people and there is no one to blame. If there is blame to be given in this situation, there is time for that. When people are still in the water and not even buried is certainly NOT the time.
Perhaps you should get your own blog and rant. But please, if you do - have the courtesy to employ basic grammar and proofreading skills first.

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Posted by Hmmm on Aug 7 2007 1:36AM - Angel, I thought consecutive meant in unbroken succession. BJ certainly did not do that. You commented about 5 hours after BJ's initial post. Three hours later BJ posted again. Do you think he types that slow? Looks like BJ is very passionate in his views. He has just as much right to post his thoughts as anyone else. He got you fired up enough to comment didn't he? I think BJ is right on. Even my 18 year old disabled daughter heard how Bush tried to put the blame on congress because of funds concerning the bridge incident.

As for bush visiting the site. Isn't one disaster enough in one place. Lightning rarely strikes twice. Why add insut to injury with his pathetic show and tell visit.

I'm angry too, that people have lost loved ones. It is a terrible tragedy. God be with them all in this dark time.

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Posted by shoemart_37 on Aug 7 2007 5:51AM - BJ Mariah -
66 years young, and still you've not been educated? It's time to take off the sundress. . .
I love your comments, and they seem to make your smart. You've just forgotten one factor: FACTS!!!! I don't know about us A-hole Republicans, but it's been my experience that lies are bad rhetoric.

I stubbed my toe!
Dang GWB!!!!!

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Posted by North Dakota Resident on Aug 7 2007 8:28AM - BJ Mariah I would also like to know why you go on and on about President Bush ok so you don't like him thats not our problem. The point is this Article says "A Bridge Collapses In Minneapolis" and if you read it it DOESN'T say one darn thing about President Bush.

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Posted by USA on Aug 7 2007 10:45AM - I had son in-law who made it accross the bridge ten minutes before it went down, He is from a small town in ND, also my nephew from Minot who was in MN for a meeting decide to go around the traffic and missed it by ten minutes.

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Posted by Again????????? on Aug 7 2007 2:27PM - So BJ Mariah - you are off the Moe Gibbs and Minot homicide ranting kick - now it's time to go off on this subject? You are one strange individual. First of all -speak english. Second of all -
WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK. SHUT UP. When is your next psychotherapy session? Time to get one scheduled.

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Posted by GREEN100 on Aug 10 2007 7:05AM - I hope nothing like this happens here in Iowa - I was born in Minot in 1982. and traveled along that bridge which collapsed in MINNEAPOLIS probably 1000 times. and I do have family living in uptown Minneapolis.

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Posted by papah on Aug 13 2007 4:32PM - Didn't I see on other posts from BJ Mariah that she was a stay at home mom? If she is 66, wouldn't that make her kids like in their 30's or 40's??? Just curious. I guess I'd be a little crazey if my 30-40 year old kids were still living at home!!!

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Posted by caroline on Aug 14 2007 9:25AM - We were on our way to Wisconsin Dells the next day when that happen Lucky we had friends that told us not to turn into Minneapolis We would of been stuck there for along time!

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Posted by Chaplain Dan on Aug 15 2007 11:39PM - As a chaplain on the scene, I found it the most draining and honoring experience I've ever been a part of. WE worked with families of those waiting for their loved one to be found and some of those who survived the tragedy. So many people helping, encouraging and praying for each other. We didn't care about politics, but were honored to have our country's leaders show up with support for all of us, but mostly for the hurting families. Please don't use this tragedy to promote your personal gain by slamming politicians. Give the families some time to heal and remember there are still those that have not been recovered. Life may have to go on for many, but I’d rather be one that grieves with those that are grieving.

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Posted by ladybug on Aug 21 2007 3:13PM - I found this in an article Time magazine did.
"The bridge was deemed "structurally deficient" starting in 1990. That didn't result in an emergency repair order, but rather an intention to replace the bridge by 2020 — not unusual, evidently, since the designation doesn't suggest imminent danger. According to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, speaking Thursday afternoon at a press conference, there are no fewer 70,000 to 80,000 bridges in the U.S. in the same category; at least another 80,000 are considered "functionally obsolete," or not up to current design standards, another label that fails to testify to a structure's safety for travel.
"Officials at all levels of government tend to defer maintenance on bridges and roadways; the voters wouldn't stand for the required expenditures."

1990...if my memory serves, Bush wasn't president. While his father was, the democrats' precious Clinton didn't do anything about it either. But then again he was too busy diddling everybody in Washington. And quite frankly, I don't think we need to "promote America" - we're already being swarmed by immigrants. Mission accomplished.

This event is a true tragedy and should be treated with a little more compassion and a little less politics. You really think the loved ones of those who were lost blame the bridge collapse on the war? Um, NO. My thoughts and prayers remain with these families and friends.

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