Cutting Corners

A couple nights ago on the ABC news there were several unconnected
items that feel awfully connected to me.

First, the final report on the Minneapolis bridge collapse indicated
that the steel gusset plates that hold the beams to the deck were
only half as thick as what was called for in the design. One half
inch vs. one inch thick.

The report on the tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo finds that
the concrete barrier between the tigers and the humans was four feet
short of the recommended design height. Four feet too short. I wonder
why it took so long for the tiger to get out.

I have the odd feeling that the statue of limitations just ran out on
all responsible parties.

In the same news cycle the FDA approves the sale of cloned meat,
dairy and who knows what else for consumption by humans and does not
require the providers to label their products as such.

Well, it can hardly be any worse for you than what you're already
eating.

And, the night after that, the FDA says that drug companies must
publish the bad reports along with the good reports on all their
clinical studies but that they have up to two years to do so.

Does it seem like there is less and less responsibility being offered
up by those we entrust with our care?