[deleted] t1_j9jide9 wrote
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Excelius t1_j9jqefz wrote
> That's not true, according to campaign finance records. Since 2019, Mastriano has in fact received $1,000 from Norfolk Southern's political action committee, the Good Government Fund, per filings with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. The last contribution, amounting to $500, came in 2020 when he was running for reelection to the state Senate.
Searching for the NS "Good Government Fund" finds this page on their website where they disclose their contributions:
Seems like they only allocate about a half million per year to these activities, but it's spread out over like 20 pages of candidates. Looks like $500 per cycle is a pretty common amount for them to allocate to state legislative candidates.
[deleted] t1_j9jqpyg wrote
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Excelius t1_j9jrry6 wrote
It's also worth noting that prior to his 2022 run for Governor he was kind of an unimportant fringe figure in the state GOP. Republican leadership in the state legislature hated him and stripped him of committee chairmanship after various public feuds, including over pushing too hard on the election fraud craziness.
He probably wasn't seen as important enough to influence, he was just another rank and file Republican who got the standard donation. Of course once Republican primary voters handed him the nomination in 2022, Republicans fell in line because that's what they always do.
Doesn't look like the NS fund posted their contributions for 2022 yet...
wagsman t1_j9l84kg wrote
Oh they are going to hold out on posting that for as long as possible.
i_like_my_dog_more t1_j9jlw9q wrote
Considering how little money it took for DeVos to bribe Toomey, it isn't surprising.
Spre3ad t1_j9jkz4x wrote
Norfolk Southern must’ve evaluated & determined his worth as such
Phillipinsocal t1_j9jos7w wrote
He’s given 100,000$ Reddit: He’s corrupt! Burn him at the stake!
He’s given 1,000$ Reddit: The corporation didn’t think he was worth much, tee hee!
TacoNomad t1_j9jzzqg wrote
I don't think the second statement means he isn't corrupt. It just means it doesn't cost much to compromise his morals. It's worse to be able to be bought for less.
OhioJeeper t1_j9kegzx wrote
I'd argue it means this is another item on a list non-issue bullshit details that this subreddit is making a fucking mountain out of and that the manufacturered outrage does more harm than good.
I'm near the effected area of this derailment and the only helpful bit of information I've gotten so far has been from a republican congressman (Mike Kelly, shared info on free water/air testing for people in the area). At this point republicans have literally done more to help Pennsylvanians than the daily threads about the derailment and bipartisan bullshit that get posted here on the Pennsylvania subreddit.
TacoNomad t1_j9kqbkk wrote
You seem to be more outraged than anyone I'm seeing here.
If the 'best help available is free air and water testing, that's pretty pathetic all around, don't you think? Nothing to be cheering for. This should not be a partisan recovery effort. The representatives in that area should all be responsible for helping residents in a meaningful manner and for ensuring that the railroads are held accountable. Furthermore, they should be working together to prevent these things from happening again, providing resources for remediation efforts and declaring necessary emergency protocol for immediate and long-term benefits of those affected.
We should not be cheering on mediocrity. If you think testing is sufficient response, you don't truly understand the problem.
OhioJeeper t1_j9kv6qd wrote
Not really outraged, just offering up an additional point of view, but considering I'm close enough to this issue that I have to get my well tested while the rest of the comments here are fixating on a $1,000 campaign contribution don't you think any outrage would be justified?
>If the 'best help available is free air and water testing, that's pretty pathetic all around, don't you think? Nothing to be cheering for.
Where did I say that I was cheering or that this was all that was being offered?
If you want NS to pay for damages, what do you think needs to be done first to ass the damage?
>The representatives in that area should all be responsible for helping residents in a meaningful manner and for ensuring that the railroads are held accountable.
They have been? I'd make a post about what Marla Gallo Brown and Mike Kelly have been doing but somehow I don't think it would be as well received as a post criticizing a state senator over a $1,000 donation.
>We should not be cheering on mediocrity.
Who's cheering? The world isn't black and white, I can disagree with your assessment of the situation based on my own experience while also not being satisfied with how things are being handled.
> If you think testing is sufficient response, you don't truly understand the problem.
If you don't think testing is a necessary response do you understand what's actually at stake here? This is literally the water we drink and cook with, don't be a twat and downplay it because ou(R) representatives get to take credit for it. Testing is also only the beginning, we won't know what the extent of the actual response is for years.
TacoNomad t1_j9kw5lc wrote
That's unnecessary overreacting.
People are focused on the 1k donation because that is the subject of this post. On the posts about train derailment, they aren't focused on the donation. There's a direct correlation between the post subject and responses. Why would you expect differently?
I never said said testing isn't a necessary resonse. Please read my comments as I write them.
>We should not be cheering on mediocrity. If you think testing is sufficient response
I Said It is insufficient.
Name-calling? Grow up. Don't reply if you are going to act like a toddler who lacks emotional regulation.
OhioJeeper t1_j9l3clm wrote
You don't think there's something wrong with an entire thread focusing on a $1,000 donation but radio silence about things that actually help people effected by the derailment? That doesn't make you question where this subreddit's priorities are?
>I Said It is insufficient.
Who said it was sufficient? You seem more concerned with being right than having an informed view of what is actually being done to help people in the area.
>Name-calling? Grow up. Don't reply if you are going to act like a toddler who lacks emotional regulation.
You're downplaying the free testing to someone that has a potentially compromised drinking water supply, you deserve to be called a lot worse. Don't reply if you're going to act like a toddler that lacks emotional understanding.
TacoNomad t1_j9l52r2 wrote
No. Why would there be something wrong with focusing on the title of a post. Want to talk about helping people affected by the derailment? Make a post about it! It's free, anyone can do it. Even you.
Don't gaslight and backtrack. I Said testing was insufficient. You suggested that I meant that testing was unnecessary. I merely corrected your statement, because you were derailing this conversation, I brought it back on track. If you agree it isn't sufficient, then stop trying to derail, road block and get off topic. I'm saying it is not enough. Period.
You keep talking about how much we should talk about what is being done.
OK here's your chance talk about it. Talk.
I'm not downplaying anything. And even if I was, which I'm not, that somehow justifies calling me a that? Lmfao. Control yourself.
If you agree with my Statement that it isn't enough, why are you arguing? Projection is quite obvious here.
Anyway, say something important here about what's being done to help, or argue back and call names because it's more about being RIGHT than being better.
OhioJeeper t1_j9lhgbb wrote
>No. Why would there be something wrong with focusing on the title of a post.
Because there's more to the story than the headlines but this conversation is starting to make a lot more sense if I'm having to explain that to you.
>Don't gaslight and backtrack. I Said testing was insufficient.
You said "If the 'best help available is free air and water testing, that's pretty pathetic all around, don't you think?" in response to me pointing out that the republican representative in the area has managed to be more helpful than a Pennsylvania specific message board. Not agreeing with you isn't gaslighting or "derailing" a conversation either.
>You suggested that I meant that testing was unnecessary.
In response to you suggesting that I said it was sufficient. "If you think testing is sufficient response, you don't truly understand the problem." was met with "If you don't think testing is a necessary response do you understand what's actually at stake here?".
>OK here's your chance talk about it. Talk.
What do you think I've been doing? Have you been "listening"? Just saying "it's not enough" and shitting on the things that have been done doesn't exactly add to the discussion.
>I'm not downplaying anything. And even if I was, which I'm not, that somehow justifies calling me a that? Lmfao. Control yourself.
Saying this then following it up with "anyway, say something important here about what's being done to help" is downplaying the testing that I mentioned previously by suggesting it isn't important. Literally the first step towards determining if there were damages and it's available to everyone in the area. It's also necessary to confirm to what extent the drinking water supply was impacted in the area.
But please let's stick to the important matters of a $1,000 donation, see you next time I need someone to remind me to stay on topic.
TacoNomad t1_j9llifh wrote
Make a post about it and grow up.
OhioJeeper t1_j9lo4cb wrote
Telling me to grow up while you tag me in every thread related to this topic (one of which is about water testing) because I disagreed with you isn't the meltdown I was expecting but not one I'm surprised by either.
TacoNomad t1_j9lqg7b wrote
You could say thank you.
It's not a melt down. You're infatuated with the idea that it's being ignored and not being discussed. I'm showing you appropriate places to discuss the topic. Or are you only interested in taking politics 🤔?
It's not a melt down. It was an effort to facilitate discussion. I like how you only know how to talk down to people you aren't actually open for a conversation.
When I'm unaware of something, I like to educate myself. I guess you like to throw tantrums and name call. Not surprising since you are focused on politics rather than actions.
You don't disagree with me. You just don't comprehend logic.
OhioJeeper t1_j9lv2kv wrote
>Or are you only interested in taking politics 🤔?
In case you forgot here's the comment of yours that I replied to:
>I don't think the second statement means he isn't corrupt. It just means it doesn't cost much to compromise his morals. It's worse to be able to be bought for less.
I'm sure you saying that one of our senators sold out his constituents over $1,000 is grounded in reality and not your own political biases.
>It's not a melt down. It was an effort to facilitate discussion. I like how you only know how to talk down to people you aren't actually open for a conversation.
Tagging someone in a dozen different threads because they called out your political dig isn't facilitating discussion.
>When I'm unaware of something, I like to educate myself. I guess you like to throw tantrums and name call. Not surprising since you are focused on politics rather than actions.
Sure you do. I mentioned free well and air testing and immediately you dismissed it as "insufficient", but please go on about how you'd rather focus on actions than politics.
>You don't disagree with me. You just don't comprehend logic.
I do disagree with you on multiple points you've made, saying I don't, telling me I need to grow up, accusing me of gaslighting, accusing me of projecting, and dismissing literally everything I say isn't going to change that, it just means I was justified in calling you a twat earlier because if you weren't being one then you certainly are now.
Me choosing not to try and follow your shitty binary logic isn't the same as not comprehending it. I grew out of being an idealist in my 20s.
TacoNomad t1_j9m5gdv wrote
I Said that based on the topic of this post. And your respons was:
>republicans have literally done more to help Pennsylvanians than the daily threads about the derailment and bipartisan bullshit that get posted here on the Pennsylvania subreddit.
Cool, i understand you you favor a certain political party, cant relate because i think all politicians are fucking up.
Followed by
>don't be a twat and downplay it because ou(R) representatives get to take credit for it.
Still don't understand the infatuation with Republicans, but ok. Followed by
>you deserve to be called a lot worse. OK.
So eloquent, you are. And
>donation but radio silence about things that actually help people effected by the derailment
Hence the links, not exactly radio silence is it?
Followed by
>Because there's more to the story than the headlines
No shit, thats why I posted the links.
The only thing you've managed to say in all those words is, republicans are better than democrats, even if their efforts are insufficient we should praise them, ignore any otherconversations aboutthe issue, refuse to acknowledge that, oh and throw insults.
How many quotes and repeating yourself does it take to say the sme thing over and over?
If the message you're trying to send isn't that republicans are better than democrats because they're offering water testing, then I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say here. Because that's the theme. And sorry, but no, you're not going to convince this twat that politicians have our best interests in mind.
OhioJeeper t1_j9m9f5z wrote
>Cool, i understand you you favor a certain political party,
No, you think you understand. The only republican I voted for in the last election was Marla Gallo Brown and that was more because the incumbent democrat had been in office for close to 30 yrs. I said republicans have done more because the representatives in the area are republicans.
TacoNomad t1_j9mjl1b wrote
K bud. Enjoy!
Spre3ad t1_j9jt1pw wrote
Yes, accepting $100,000 in political bribes is a great example of the amount of money thrown into politics like it’s nothing- the idea that these political bribes are so effective in dictating policy that spending 6+ figures in campaign donations is economically viable for companies. And yes, the idea that NS only offered him $1,000 and expected that to be enough of a political bribe to sway his policies means that Mastriano can be bought out for that cheap of an amount. Accepting any amount of money as a political bribe is bad- but if you’re going to do it, you’d think you would want more, or reject lower offers on principle alone. Taking 1k is the equivalent of agreeing to suck someone off in the walmart parking lot for a gallon of DEF & a pack of newports.
Maybe try the “hurr durr Reddit CriNgE! fuNnY! hE hE ho Ho!” meme with something else instead, because it doesn’t make any sense here.
PickledEggs420 t1_j9jx81v wrote
Try decaf lulz
IamSauerKraut t1_j9jtydr wrote
He is kinda worthless, his ego notwithstanding.
Ok_Season_5325 t1_j9jsksl wrote
you have any idea how cheap it is to bribe a politician nowadays.
huzernayme t1_j9jwaax wrote
I think they run like Walmart, volume more then revenue per bribe. A hundred companies giving 1k is less suspicious then one company giving 100k.
RDGCompany t1_j9kn1bz wrote
All of the GOP candidates have IPC codes on their backs.
AgentDaxis t1_j9jpmo2 wrote
Doug Mastriano is easily bought.
IamSauerKraut t1_j9ju39r wrote
Takes the cash while in the house of the Lord, then lies thru his teeth to deny his sin.
[deleted] t1_j9jq6xm wrote
[deleted]
mopar39426ml t1_j9l5arv wrote
>Christianity is essentially a death cult.
"What's the difference between a religion and a cult? About 100 years."
HeyZuesHChrist t1_j9k1us3 wrote
A lie is a lie.
AlVic40117560_ t1_j9kc85n wrote
His quote was "I know my own finances. I didn't get any money from that train network."
And he received $1,000 from Norfolk Southern’s political action committee, the Good Government Fund.
There’s a very real chance that he didn’t lie and was just wrong. He may not have known that the Good Government Fund is associated with Norfolk Southern.
There are a million real things to criticize him for. He’s a giant piece of shit. I don’t necessarily think this is one of them.
ticktocktoe t1_j9kebfv wrote
> There are a million real things to criticize him for. He’s a giant piece of shit. I don’t necessarily think this is one of them.
Agree with this take - there are so many other low hanging fruits to call this guy out for - this one seems like its grasping at straws.
reverendsteveii t1_j9knpox wrote
If he knew, then
>I didn't get any money from that train network
Is a lie. If he didn't know, then
>I know my own finances
Is a lie. Either way, the traitor lied.
AlVic40117560_ t1_j9ksdwh wrote
Sure. But again, weird thing to use as a “gotcha!” You could just look at what he campaigns on and quote it directly and it’ll be way better than this one. You can do this with literally anybody. Politician or not. To assume every single thing they a person is going to be correct is insane. People are wrong at times.
Diarygirl t1_j9l1zjo wrote
Well, not every politician has participated in an insurrection.
AlVic40117560_ t1_j9l2tqe wrote
Again, a much better thing to point out than this $1,000 thing.
Diarygirl t1_j9l3asq wrote
There is no sane person that thinks any person, much less a politician, is going to be a perfect person at all times, and asking a pathological liar to stop lying isn't asking much at all.
AlVic40117560_ t1_j9l6rn0 wrote
I agree with all of that. What I’m saying is this little thing he said is something that could easily be something he was just wrong about isn’t necessarily lying. It’s very reasonable to think he didn’t know the PAC was at all associated with the railway. Knowing all of your campaign finances off the top your head is definitely a stretch, but it’s not really worth attacking a guy over. Especially when you’re talking about one of the worst politicians in recent memory. There are so many things to get this guy on. Why is this something to write an article about?
HeyZuesHChrist t1_j9kcyxd wrote
Fair enough. I’m not up in arms about this quote from him anyway. To claim he knows his finances and then he’s wrong just proves he at least doesn’t know his finances.
[deleted] t1_j9jkx4t wrote
[removed]
IamChantus t1_j9jwv92 wrote
Before reading the article, my prior to coffee brain thought he went and picked up that $1,000 "inconvenience fee" check that was given to East Palestine community members.
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