Liveblogged at Aggregator, including lots of video. I’ve been completely out of the loop today, so my apologies in getting to this one so belatedly.
Still photos
Joan Tintor, in the comments – “Since every one else is offering their theories, here’s mine: someone is going to blame Mike Harris.”
One of the explosion videos — big flash followed by a mushroom cloud — reminded me of this video from the last/current Iraq war (scroll to about 3:50 or so).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq082HmtPEM
Anti-war folks have used this video to “prove” that the US used tactical nukes in Iraq.
After watching the Toronto propane explosion, I have to wonder the same thing: are Albertans using tactical nukes in Toronto?
Lori: “Lately it seems like SDA is more about Toronto hating than about principled conservatism.”
Toronto hating and principled conservatism actually go hand in hand. (I agree with everything Brad said.)
I LIVE in this city and have to negotiate its mean, ugly streets every day. It’s falling apart. There’s no rhyme or reason for anything and one gets the distinct impression that no one’s in charge. It’s random chaos everywhere, all of the time.
His Blondeness (h/t bluetech) is never around when you need him and, natch, he was out of town when this happened and said he’d have a teleconference about the BIG BOOM. ‘Anyone know what he said?
Why the He** didn’t he leave his dock in cottage country and get his butt down to the city of which he is the moro…er, I mean, the mayor?
I can only assume, Lori, that either you don’t live in Toronto or, if you do, you live on a lovely, tree-lined street far away from the madding crowd. Or, that you have a high threshold for random civic chaos.
Toronto is a fine example of socialism in action.
No responsibility or accountibility just taking from those that work and giving to those that choose not to work.
50 years ago if there was going to be a Hydro plant built any mayor would be jumping at the chance for the jobs that came with it. Now neither Toronto nor Mississisauga want it. They’d rather have parks than jobs.
As much as I detest Toronto and It’s Commie Pinko
PC Government, I can’t believe that this accident, that has already taken the life on one and perhaps more persons, would be a catalyst to prompt smug and over-the-top comments from so many so-called decent people.
I’ve lost a lot of respect for some of you here today. Otherwise sane and thoughtful individuals that gloat over a tragedy. Disgusting.
Update on Mayor Miller:
From CTV: “Mayor David Miller, on vacation in Vancouver, was rushing back to Toronto to help co-ordinate the relief efforts. In a telephone news conference Sunday afternoon, he said his top priority is to ensure the area is made safe.”
So, he wasn’t in cottage country, at least Ontario Cottage Country. But don’t you think his rushing back from Vancouver is going to make him a little late to “co-ordinate the relief efforts”? If the relief efforts have to wait for his return, TO’s in big trouble.
His top priority is “to ensure the areas is made safe”? Wouldn’t that have been a good idea BEFORE the explosion?
I wonder if we’ll ever hear the real story here? Photoshopped photos and touched up commentary–or commentary that’s just deep-sixed. Whatever. I have no confidence that the unwashed public will hear what actually caused this explosion…
“Photoshopped photos” above is a reference to the Reuters story on another thread…my main point being that with the MSM and our politicians, you’ve got to be on your toes, asking questions they’re not necessarily asking–or answering–not taking their POV at face value, a job that Kate and a lot of other bloggers, thankfully, are doing.
Well, Malcolm, it’s OK for you to stand in judgment of those who stand in judgment of Toronto? Hmmm…I detect a definite double standard here.
Do you live in Toronto? Do you have to live with the inanities and indignities of Toronto the Terrible’s daily socialist, nanny-state awfulness?
What those of us who are critical of Toronto are pointing out, is that we may never know what caused this explosion, because if it was mismanagement–or no management–by the powers that be, it’ll be deep-sixed. If there was any kind of political or other motive–in other words, if this wasn’t just an accident–we’ll probably never know.
Is it wrong to make these observations because a firefighter died? (May he rest in peace.)
‘Seems to me that since there has been loss of life and huge disruption to thousands of Torontonians’ lives, it is not only appropriate, it is incumbenet upon people to ask just these questions–and to expect answers.
Toronto’s so-called “leadership” is so politically correct, so socked into the multi-culti “goodness” of Toronto that they just don’t recognize how dysfunctional and inadequate their leadership is when it comes to a) dealing with daily problems, let alone b) dealing with disasters like this one.
Are you saying that it’s not legitimate to ask some very pointed questions about just what happened? That it’s not legitimate to be critical of a chronically inadequate municipal administration disabled by its PC credentials?
Mushroom clouds ?? Just wait till we have ‘hydrogen highways’ !!
“Toronto is a fine example of socialism in action.”
This is actually right. You see, Torontonians generate about $8 billion more in taxes every year than they get back in services. So in a way, you’re perfectly correct – Toronto is a city which creates wealth, only to have it sucked away by other cities and provinces. Socialism in action.
batb- Your critique is unwarranted. I believe that anyone has the right to speak their mind about Toronto or any other place for that matter.
What I find disgusting is the barely hidden joy that some find in this tragedy just because it happened in Toronto. No, I don’t live there ( never would for obvious reasons) but It’s influence extends to my city. I fully realize what Torontonians are dealing with and sympathize with them.
Having said that, I stand by my statement that using an event like this where loss of innocent life is involved to express some type of twisted schadenfreude is over the top.
I guess Toronto will have to wait until Mayor Miller comes back from vacation before he and McShifty call for a new BBQ registry.
“I LIVE in this city and have to negotiate its mean, ugly streets every day. It’s falling apart.”
Change its name to Gotham, don a bat suit, and you’re all set. The City, after all, deserves a better class of criminal.
So, Malcolm, as I suspected. You don’t live in Toronto.
My critiques are unwarranted? I DON’T THINK SO. What’s next to go BOOM in Toronto? What’s the next Tinder Box?
Because there’s sure to be one. Or ANOTHER shooting in my neighbourhood, two blocks away from where I live, on a strp I frequent. ‘Could have been me.
I can assure you, I feel no schadenfreude about what’s happened.
But, I am pi**ed off, big time, about the mismanagement of this city and the lack of leadership. Is it a coincidence that this explosion happened in Toronto, a city that is imploding and now exploding. What’s the story, BTW, on the explosion in the apartment building in the east end a few weeks ago? The trail’s gone strangely cold and quiet. Where are our intrepid, investigative reporters? Not on this case, that’s for sure. ‘Wonder when the trail goes cold on
this latest explosion? I mean, we don’t hear that Vancouver or Halifax or Winnipeg or Regina are blowing up, do we?
This is a giant wake up call to the mayor, to his council, and to the “whatever” citizenry of Hogtown, to begin to pay attention to the crumbling infrastructure in this two-bit town, which used to be quite a lovely–and definitely safe–place to live. It’s a wake up call for us to start speaking out: You know the line? I’M MAD AS HELL AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.
It’s time to hold Mayor Miller and his Council members to the fire and insist that things have to change around this town: more police presence–heck, ANY police presence, arresting and jailing criminals, not turning a blind eye to crime because it’s been perpetrated by visible and protected minorities.
My family and I aren’t a visible or protected minority–nor are the vast majority of Torontonians–but we’re the ones working our butts off and paying all the bills.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Sorry!!
It’s time to hold Mayor Miller and his Councils’ FEET to the fire… 😉
…the other scenario’s rather delicious, but not very nice… 😉 😉 😉
Buddy, I don’t think your problems can be blamed on Toronto. Judging by your rant, there’s clearly something wrong up-stairs, if you catch my drift. The wheel’s still spinning, but the hamster’s long dead.
I also have to wander … if you hate the city so much, what the hell are you still doing in it? There are dozens of small communities within an hours drive of where you live now. MOVE! It’s obviously not like you have some amazing job in the city which is holding you there. Go to Lindsey, Alliston, Guelph, or Bellvile. There’s certainly no shortage of alternatives!
Or do you just enjoy your megalomaniacal rants too much to ever give them up? I bet you’d be miserable living in a small town, with no Negros and Liberals to blame all your problems on. Aint that right?
batb- Again you missed my entire point.
I believe that relishing in the fact that because this happened in Toronto, that somehow the death of one or more persons is somehow mitigated by that fact.
Rant on all you want. You probably have good reason to but please understand the value of human life, even if they are Torontonians.
Please don’t be so thick.
Yep Alex just like a good socialist it’s always someone else’s fault. Raise property taxes and watch business flee to the suburbs. Just all part of the $8 billion right?
Whizz away property taxes on things that aren’t the city’s responsibly like “Climate Change” thats just someone elses fault right?
I’m not sure why Malcolm cross and Alex are so cross about batb’s comments. The municipal government in Toronto is virtually dysfunctional and will most probably use this disaster for political purposes. (Talk about disrespecting the dead.) Mayor Miller’s return to the city, despite his grandiose pretensions to the contrary, added not an iota of real help to the situation. E.g., He’s likely to say something really useful like, “I’ll ban night in this city so no one will be forced to flee in the dark.” What a useless jerk (and useful, socialist idiot).
It seems to me that this horrible catastrophe could well be seen as “an outward and visible sign” of what ails Toronto. However, acknowledging that Toronto’s a disaster–or few–waiting to happen (or one that already has, a few times over), in no way belittles the unfortunate victims of this tragedy. And I see nothing in batb’s comments to suggest any such thing.
Malcolm, from all I’ve read by batb over the years, she highly values human life: it seems to me that your comment here is gratuitously disrespectful.
Alex, your comments about Negros (sic: it’s Negroes) is over the top and offensive. (Though, if I were batb, I’d probably agree on the Liberal bit. BTW, as I and others will be WONDERing, could you please let us know which small towns are Liberal-free. Some of us might consider WANDERing over and relocating.)
DDT: what the hell are you smoking?
Seriously, your entire comment is one giant non-sequitur. I complain that Toronto is being taxed to death, and you think I want to raise taxes? Are you out of your mind?
I mean, it’s quite clear that quite a few of your fellow commenters don’t quite have all 4 wheels spinning in the same direction … but you are a level of messed-up that I can’t even BEGIN to understand ….
lookout:
“The municipal government in Toronto is virtually dysfunctional and will most probably use this disaster for political purposes.”
Gee, imagine that. You mean the way you and “batb” are doing? No! That would be unimaginable!
“Talk about disrespecting the dead”
Yes. Maybe you should stop it.
Alex, settle down and good night.
Thanks, lookout, for your accurate discernment in this situation.
‘Funny that Malcolm and Alex are fulminating about my anger at Toronto, given that residents of the area around the disaster who have been displaced by this explosion are also expressing frustration and anger at the mismanagement of the situation:
* mismanagement of the propane storage site itself and
* mismanagement of the aftermath of the explosion. Apparently, as of 4:00 or 5:00 tonight, residents had been told next to nothing about what has happened.
You know, if I was a loved one of the person who is missing, and I suspect dead, because of this explosion, I think I’d have a lot of questions about the way things have unfolded in this catastrophe.
I don’t see how asking questions and expressing genuine frustration about the way things are handled in Toronto can be considered “over the top” or that my “critiques are unwarranted.”
If ever a critique was warranted, it’s at a time like this when a catastrophe of this magnitude has taken place.
I’m with alex and malcom, there are some over the top comments in here, and some that are not relevant to the topic
on other occasions we could be discussing a flat tire on a tractor trailer and some wingnut will denigrate gays, howl about abortions or start thumping the bible. When you do these things you make yourself look like the fools you so often denigrate at other times!!!!
and as far as people (those effected by explosion) commenting on the storage site, I read repeated references to one resident, and she is of the same demographic as those of my customers who always complained, so we should wait and “see” what is eventually reported and then judge if there is any merit to resident complaints. I remember a lot of bitching by malton residents about plane noise at Pearson intl. airport, did these A-holes not consider that when they bought, as most of these complainers new the airport was there when they bought.
I left Toronto when I realized it took half an hour to get from my crappy apartment at St. Clair and Dufferin to the Loblaws at St. Clair and Bathurst. Walk, bike or take the car, all the same. Maybe shave a couple minutes off if you cut traffic on your bike, at the risk of getting run over by a road raging Torontonian driver.
That was 1992. Things have not improved since then. I can drive from Caledonia to Ancaster quicker than I can go two miles to get to the freakin’ grocery store in Toronto. You’d have to be retarded to put up with that. Looks like 4.5 million retards live in Toronto. No wonder they vote NDP.
BTW Alex, I think you’ll find if you look it up that the GTA is a net consumer of tax funds, and has been since the 1980’s. Meaning much tax is collected, but much more is consumed. You can’t p1ss away money on “shade inventories” for 30 years and not have it show up on the bottom line.
Talk about all over the map–and with no supporting detail either. (To use penny’s words, is GYM a young person, perchance?)
What over the top comments? Criticism of Toronto seems fair comment to me and in no way denigrates any of the victims of this disaster. However, this vague comment of GYM’s seems to: “and as far as people (those effected by explosion) commenting on the storage site, I read repeated references to one resident, and she is of the same demographic [?] as those of my customers who always complained, so we should wait and ‘see’ what is eventually reported and then judge if there is any merit to resident complaints.” That wouldn’t be very hard to do . . .
I did a little check this morning and found that the Malton situation GYM sites as possibly a propos, re the recent explosion and unwarranted complaints, has nothing to do with the present situation. If this person had wanted to know, (s)he could quite easily have found out that the propane company is a very recent addition to this well established residential neighbourhood. It seems that the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand’s doing in Toronto. (No surprise.)
From a Globe and Mail article, “Toronto mayor, regulator trade blame/Two sides point fingers over who authorized Sunrise Propane to operate so close to residential area” (August 12/08):
“The TSSA [Technical Standards and Safety Authority], which reviews the proposed design and then inspects new propane facilities, received an application from Sunrise to build the Downsview plant in late 2005, said John Marshall, director of field operations for the safety regulator.
“After determining in writing from the city that the company had planning authority to locate the plant on a site, the plans and construction were approved, Mr. Marshall said.”
GYM’s cavils seem like the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.
That’s where they MAKE liquid oxygen and stuff.
Phantom, I remember that facility and did a fair amount of design work on it. Older parts of the plant have reversing exchangers, and those indeed do go ‘boom’ on a regular basis, but it’s a planned boom and can scare the sh1t out of you if you’re in the shelter at the time.
PS: I almost forgot about this
http://www.pipingdesign.com/chris/Energy.pdf
“Energy Contained in Pressurized Gas”
I don’t pretend to understand it.
I see that Miller is now making it look like McGuinty is to blame for allowing the Storage depot to be set-up , this is no real shock since I already assume that not one Civil servant or Politician for Toronto will be called up on the carpet to face charges for the 2 deaths .
Just because Toronto dodged a bullit and didn’t see hundreds of people killed by the explosion it does not absolve people of being accountible for their free-will choice to not oppose it , but , ever since the AdScam farce by Sgt.Schultz and Col.Klink who ran the Liberal Party at that time it appears as if Politicians want the Titles, Money,limo,Resposibility,fame and media coverage but don’t want to be Accountible when the fit hits the shan .
It’s so nice of Miller to focus on who to blame at the Provincial levels.