The Cuyahoga River was once one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. It has caught fire a total of 13 times dating back to 1868, including this blaze in 1952 which caused over $1.3 million in damages. Another fire in 1969 helped get the Clean Water Act passed in 1972.

Sharon Lerner at The Intercept writes—EPA'S New Water Rule Will Gut the Clean Water Act:

A NEW WATER rule will greatly reduce federal water protections, imperiling drinking water, endangered species, and ecosystems across the country. According to the rule that the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release next week — some details of which were leaked Thursday — streams that are dependent on rainfall and wetlands not physically connected to year-round waterways will no longer be covered by the Clean Water Act. As a result of the change, an estimated 60-90 percent of U.S. waterways could lose federal protections that currently shield them from pollution and development, according to Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. Alaska and the arid west will be hit particularly hard by the new rule, which will be subject to a comment period before it is finalized. Environmentalists are bracing for what they predict will be disastrous consequences for our nation’s waterways. “For some parts of the country, it’s a complete wiping away of the Clean Water Act,” said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. By removing water quality standards and permitting requirements, the rule will open these streams, rivers, and wetlands to being paved over, filled in, or polluted. The result, environmentalists say, may take us back to the days of river fires. “You’ll be able to dump as much crap into them as you want,” Hartl said of our nation’s waterways. “Anyone will be free to destroy them as they see fit.”

TOP COMMENTS • HIGH IMPACT STORIES

QUOTATION

“Totally clears the President. Thank you!”

~~Donald J. Trump, December 7, 2018, 3 p,m.

TWEET OF THE DAY

x TWENTY TWO! In the last 24hrs, 3 new Representatives have signed on to support @Ocasio2018's Select Committee on a #GreenNewDeal. Thank you @RepEspaillat @RepDerekKilmer @GerryConnolly!



Join us Monday in DC and around the country to build on our momentum: https://t.co/BrpsT1wzsU pic.twitter.com/HTaCg8xGvO — Sunrise Movement Ã°ÂÂÂ (@sunrisemvmt) December 7, 2018

BLAST FROM THE PAST

On this date at Daily Kos in 2005—Democratic Radio Address: Mr. President, Where Is the Victory Strategy for Iraq?

It is President Bush whose disastrous policies created the Iraq Debacle, and it is he who has the responsibility to provide a strategy for the Iraq Debacle and the power to implement such a strategy. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), West Point graduate and former 82nd Airborne Platoon commander, understands this, and thus asked President Bush to present a strategy for the Iraq Debacle in the Democratic Radio Address this morning. […] While it is very interesting to hear about Joe Lieberman's plan, and Howard Dean's plan, and John Murtha's plan and General Wesley Clark's plan, and Senator Joe Biden's plan, the ONLY plan that matters NOW is President Bush's plan. Is it "stay the course"? More of the same? As Senator Reed says, the current Bush strategy is an abject failure. While it may be fun for us and the Media to play the political parlor game of "pin the Iraq Debacle on the donkey" - in the meantime, the critical business of the Bush failures on Iraq are ignored. An opposition party must provide vigilant oversight to the party in power, especially now where a supine Media has abdicated its responsibilities for at least four years. Instead of playing at President, members of the Democratic Party need to do their jobs as an opposition party - until the 2006 election campaign commences, when it will be their duty to articulate an alternative to offer to the voters. Senator Jack Reed did that today. Kudos to him.



On today’s Kagro in the Morning show: Trump's already wigging out, so let’s add another scandal or two to the pile: illegal coordination with the NRA, and emoluments aplenty, funneled through his hotels & properties. NC Gop knew about NC-09. Can Harris be blocked? Can the results be reversed?

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