The Right-Cheek Ass Clown for February, 2016

Yes, Dear Readers, it's that time again ... the Friday when we name our first Ass Clown award recipient of the month. As always, it's difficult to make a selection from the enormous locust swarm of candidates, but it has to be done; and so it is that with the usual flatulent blare of trumpets I announce a group award to the

Right-Cheek Ass Clowns

for

February, 2015

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder

Flint, Michigan Mayor Karen Weaver

and

Flint, Michigan Emergency Manager

Darnell Earley

This month's award recognizes the stupendous level of ass-clownery that allowed both elected (Governor Snyder and Mayor Walker) and appointed (Mr Earley) government officials to save money by - literally - poisoning the people of Flint, Michigan. In April, 2014, the City of Flint's water supply was switched from Lake Huron (via the city water system of Detroit) to the Flint River - a move which was estimated to save about $5 million over two years. However, the water of the Flint River was heavily polluted and quickly began to leach lead from old transmission pipes into the homes of Flint residents. The result was an environmental and public health catastrophe that has cost at least $45 million so far, with an ultimate price tag to repair the water delivery infrastructure of $750 million to $1.5 billion and a medical bill of incalculable magnitude to care for the citizens poisoned by the tainted water. Mayor Weaver (who, to be fair, was not the mayor when the decision to switch the water supply was made) was quoted as saying that "This is bigger than the city can handle financially, so we need some federal assistance."

Yes, Dear Readers, the city and state governments that poisoned an entire city in a misguided attempt to save money are asking for financial aid from the tyrannical, overreaching federal government.

It is clear that the Environmental Protection Agency* should share in the award for having failed to sound the alarm over water quality even after discovering the problem early on. But while this was a tragic and unforgivable error, I believe that the ultimate responsibility for the disaster lies squarely on the shoulders of those who tried to solve their budgetary problems by putting cost-cutting ahead of public safety.

For their actions which poisoned an entire city and may ultimately cost the nation's taxpayers more than a billion dollars to repair, Rick Snyder, Karen Weaver, and Darnell Earley are named our Right Cheek Ass Clowns for February, 2015.

Don't use the local water when you toast them.

Have a good day. See you tomorrow for Cartoon Saturday.

Bilbo

* An agency of the tyrannical, overreaching federal government.