Thread for Things That Made You Frown Today

[Warriorbird]

My father was told yesterday that there was nothing left to do for him, medically. He has a hospice intake tomorrow, and his liver is failing.

In related news, I haven't been sleeping much, and I feel a bit loopy.

That's awful. I'm really sorry. My Grandpa, who spent a lot of time raising me, had to go to hospice care before he passed this year. They really helped my Grandma and everyone else very much. They were good people.

[Taernath]

http://www.1011now.com/home/headline...255548001.html

[Atlanteax]

Seriously, 38 million gallons 'dumped' just because one kid pissed into the reservoir?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/17/us/ore...html?hpt=hp_t2

[Tgo01]

So the reservoir is just an open area apparently, right? Wouldn't there be all kinds of dead animals in there that drown or something?

Obviously I'm not saying he should have pissed into the water and I think arresting him is fine but to think there isn't all sorts of contaminants in that water is a bit naive.

[Gelston]

Think of all the bird poop in there.

[cwolff]

So the reservoir is just an open area apparently, right? Wouldn't there be all kinds of dead animals in there that drown or something?

Obviously I'm not saying he should have pissed into the water and I think arresting him is fine but to think there isn't all sorts of contaminants in that water is a bit naive.

It's not the first time they've had to do this either. You'd think they'd learn to take steps to prevent dumping all that freshwater again.

[Atlanteax]

It's not the first time they've had to do this either. You'd think they'd learn to take steps to prevent dumping all that freshwater again.

What about not dumping it? 38 million gallons = probably still testing 'clean'

[Taernath]

I thought all water has to do through a processing plant before it reaches the tap.

But this is Portland, so maybe not.

[cwolff]

I thought all water has to do through a processing plant before it reaches the tap.

But this is Portland, so maybe not.

I think the issue is more perception than reality unfortunately. They'll either have to provide better security or explain to the people that the waters getting treated before it comes into their home. I say this, but realize I'm assuming the water is going from this pond to treatment before it hits the taps.

[cwolff]

Think of all the bird poop in there.

This is pretty ridiculous. I guess they not only have no water shortage issues but are also unable to divert this water to some use. They should charge the kids for the cost of the water or they're going to have to keep doing this.

But Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff thinks Portland residents can’t handle the gross factor, so the open reservoir’s water has to go.

"There is at least a perceived difference from my perspective," Shaff told OregonLive.com. "I could be wrong on that, but the reality is our customers don't anticipate drinking water that's been contaminated by some yahoo who decided to pee into a reservoir."


What are the chances of downing some of that teen’s urine? A healthy bladder can hold up to 16 ounces of it, which makes the amount whizzed into the reservoir a drop in a 38 million gallon bucket.

It’s well known that animals use the reservoir as a toilet, but this incident has led the bureau to test the water. Though it anticipates the tests will say the water isn’t a health risk, it is flushing the reservoir anyway.

To Shaff, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, he said, "it's easy to replace those 38 million gallons of water.” That’s a statement that’s sure to make the heads of water conservation activists spin around like they’re that possessed kid in The Exorcist. Someone send Shaff some basic facts about the global water crisis, pronto.