Today, we're going to start off the new year with some new evidence -- as if you really needed any more -- that right-wing policies cause increased human misery, suffering, pain and death. This example concerns thousands of unnecessary highway deaths from accidents involving large trucks.
Safety advocacy groups, along with the insurance industry, presented studies showing that tired truck drivers caused a high percentage of accidents.
But trucking company associations countered with their own statistics that supposedly proved it was passenger cars that caused more than 80 percent of the accidents, fatigued truckers being responsible for only 2 percent.
The federal agency, filled with right-wing Bush appointees, adopted the trucking industry position.
In April 2003, as modified in 2005, the agency increased the maximum continuous driving time from 10 to 11 hours. This is even though the better research shows that
After 8 hours of consecutive driving, crashes increase dramatically, and even more steeply in the 10th and 11th hours of consecutive driving.
Are they crazy?
The continuous driving rules hadn't been changed since the 1930's. Just think of it: what kind of safety rules haven't been toughened since the 1930's? But the Bush administration not only doesn't toughen them, it loosens them!
For more details, and to hear a debunking of the ludicrous justifications offered by the right, listen to the entire podcast!
Jack Clark 3:40 PM
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comments
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Jack
Clark documents the right's wars on the poor,
civil liberties, the right of workers to organize
at work and obtain a decent working wage and work
conditions, and against other countries who refuse
to accept American domination. Jack provides all
the sources so that you can see for yourself how
the right is out to enrich itself at the expense
of everyone else. Great job, Jack!
Submitted By: magyarbill
awesome
show
Clark
always backs up his statements against
the right wing with fact and data, which
gives him all the more credibility.
As conglomerate media controlled by
politics clouds the mainstream news
media, Jack Clark, along with NPR and
Democracy Now! have become my primary
news source. Awesome podcast!
Submitted By: jgates118
In-Depth,
Meaty, Hardcore Knowledge
This
podcast is not just entertainment, humor,
chimp-bashing, or gee-whiz recap of
the weeks events. Instead, it hits hard
and in-depth on the world economic situation
and how right-wing policies impact the
poor and less advantaged all over the
world. He examines Americas support
of the World Bank, IMF,multinational
corporations, etc., and connects the
dots. This is a podcast for grown-ups.
He gives good reasons why the right
wing is NOT living up to its precious
Bible, without putting down the Bible.
As a Jesus-loving Christian and moderate
Democrat, I respect this podcast for
its subject matter. The grown-up manner
of the speaker is just icing on the
cake. He IS funny, but hes not trying
to be, he just has a deadpan delivery
but doesnt have to make jokes to make
it interesting. The facts make it interesting
and devastating.
Submitted By: ebrenn1
A
Breath of Fresh Air
Jack
Clarks Blast the Right podcast is truly
a breath of fresh air when it comes
to political commentary. Jack is not
like some commentators who simply climb
on their soap box and state their own
opinions as fact. Instead, Jack welcomes
competent challenges to his way of thinking,
and with logical analysis and sound
research, debunks the lies, distortions,
and self-deceptions of the right wing.
I strongly recommend Blast the Right
for people who seek the truth and care
more about the long term health and
well-being of the whole citizenry than
the short term personal gain advocated
by modern conservatives. Listen as Jack
carefully shows how the high-sounding
"God and country" rhetoric
of the right wing is really just a smokescreen
for policies that ultimately lead only
to the increased misery, suffering,
and death of the less fortunate for
the particular benefit of the wealthy
and the well-connected. And, if you
find yourself in agreement, return to
Podcast Alley to place your vote! Thanks!
