A Derailment In More Ways Than One
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

A Derailment In More Ways Than One

A derailment is no different than a mass shooting in terms of politics.

73
A Derailment In More Ways Than One
NBC News

When a tragedy strikes, no one wants to make a “political agenda” out of it. Or so that’s what we’re told.

And yet, it’s okay to do just that when a train derailment happens, killing six people and injuring many others.

I was close to the tracks when it went down. My hometown is a mere 30 minutes away from the accident, and it affected all of us. Every single person in Washington state was shaken to the core when we heard that an Amtrak train had derailed in our homestate – had killed people we may have passed on the street.

It not only affected those on the train but those who travel I-5 every day. Who had to drive past the wreckage, preserved just as it had been when it fell for investigation purposes. Who saw the train fall. Who had to see the results of that tragedy.

And that is just what this was: a tragedy, due to negligence. But this is not the time to push a political agenda, as our President tried to do. Just hours after the train collapsed, he tweeted that it was the time to push for his infrastructure plan to “be approved immediately." But the Amtrak train was on its inaugural run on new tracks from a brand new infrastructure plan just approved in Washington. How could this be considered a reason why President Trump's infrastructure plan should be approved?

Everyone always says to not politicize a tragedy. That was said with Las Vegas, with London and with Orlando. So why is it okay to do such a thing with a train derailment? Infrastructure had nothing to do with the derailment, so it is not the time to use it to support an agenda.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50292
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32114
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955493
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180624
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments