On January 19th security cameras noticed that a sewage pipe began leaking raw sewage into the Potomac River. These spills are always a mess and since it’s on a river that separates Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia the clean up will require coordination among several agencies. President Trump, never one to pass an opportunity to blame others has shoehorned himself into the event to criticize everyone he can think of. He posted on social media this phrase: “If they [Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia] can’t do the job they have to call me and ask, politely, to get it fixed.”

Yes, America, you heard this right. They have to ask for help in a way that massages this man’s ego. I’ve said it before and will keep saying it: good leaders command respect and poor leaders crave approval. His words belie a profound lack of concern for the health and safety of the people near the spill and focus only on how people are supposed to treat him. For everyone who voted for him: I hope you’re happy.

By the way there is an excellent post from the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority. The pipe that is leading is 72 inches (6 feet) in diameter and was built in the 1960s. Drinking water is not affected as the intake for drinking water is upstream from the spill.

Again, and I can’t say this enough, local public servants are hard at work on this. They deserve our thanks and respect.