In the midst of our news-packed spring, older stories raising questions about how we live that didn’t seem to have resolution have been put on the back burner. Since the terrible February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Last Saturday a train derailed on a bridge crossing the Yellowstone River, destroying the bridge and sending four cars into the river, just one of 518 derailments since January.
The proposed Railway Safety Act went from committee to the Senate floor in May but is still sitting in the Senate. Opposed by freight companies because of restrictions it would place on the length of freight trains (one-mile-long) and requiring two crew members and certain detectors, the question remains how it will fare in the House.
Freight lines crisscross our towns all over the country. Several states, concerned about the standstill in the House on enacting anything meaningful, have begun passing their own laws. Can you imagine a derailment along the busy Northeast Corridor full of large cities? It’s only a matter of time until something terrible happens unless Congress acts.
Prayer for the Day
Listener of our words, Hearer of our hearts,
Keep us from looking for easy answers;
Perceiver of our minds, Searer of our souls,
Mold our desires to reflect your mercy rather than our fears
Engage us into conversation with the One,
Who calls us to reflect your righteousness.
In the name of the One who calls us to do justice,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
What one state does to regulate the industry will have impacts on all states. Logically we ought to be able to establish a comprehensive, integrated rule set, based on a firm understanding of the rail industry as an integrated whole.
- Joseph L. Schofer, civil engineering professor, Northwestern Uiversity
No family should have to fear being woken in the middle of the night and told to evacuate because of a train derailment. Derailments across the country from Raymond, Minnesota to East Palestine, Ohio underscore once again why we must pass federal rail safety legislation.
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator Minnesota
Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.
Why do the wicked renounce God, saying in their hearts, “You will not call us to account”?
Psalm 10: 12-13