Arkansas Times

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Public welfare? Hah.

Some day the New Madrid Fault will rumble again and the earth will buckle. Property will be savaged. People might die. Perhaps some enterprising reporter will comb the archives then for the day that Arkansas legislators, ever watchful of lobbyists' interests, decided construction standards geared to potential earthquake damage were simply too expense. Leave that silliness to places like California that know the worth of an ounce of prevention.

Comments

The common man is well represented in the Arkansas Legislature in some ways. His interests are sacrificed like so much trash to line the pockets of a few but, you have to love the folksy way it is done.

Instead of a lottery, we need to just turn the legislature into a reality TV show. We would make millions.

If you think that was a mistake, check the Arkansas Code Annotated. If you live in NE Arkansas and the New Madrid does cough hard again, your personal helicopter better be in good repair. With all the bridges out, it will be a long wait for relief efforts or food and water beyond what you have on hand.

Chapter 80 Earthquake Resistant Design for Public Structures . . .

. . . 12-80-107. Exemptions for roads and bridges.

None of the highway, road, street, or bridge facilities in this state shall be included in the requirements of this chapter.

History. Acts 1995, No. 569, § 1.


Now that would be a story for a newpaper.....a 2 parter or maybe 3, of course the "common man" does not know "that nothing is earthquake proof or even bulid to any standards that might provide a smigen of protection.
Can you imagine all bridges out?

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