We do.
Here is a perfect example of why government regulations and oversight are necessary for the safety and well-being of our society.
From the BBC:
Louisiana town evacuates over explosives stockpile
A Louisiana town has been evacuated after officials discovered 6m lb (2.7m kg) of explosive material that they say were stored illegally.
State police found the stockpile of M6 artillery propellant stacked outdoors and without authorisation in buildings in the 800-inhabitant town of Doyline.
That's
6 million pounds of gunpowder. Stored improperly. In Louisiana. In a town of 800 inhabitants.
(Follow me below the fold for more, after you finish scratching your heads and asking "What the fuck?")
This started from an investigation into an explosion at the facility in October.
The discovery was made by officials during a follow-up inspection after a blast at Explo Systems in October.
Officials expect to work over the next two days to secure the explosives.
'Reckless disregard'
But police officials have said the operation might be suspended if lightning is seen within 5 miles (8km) of the site.
The town was evacuated, and is expected to remain so until at least Tuesday.
From local News9 WAFB in Louisiana:
Doyline evacuation extended; 6M pounds of black powder to be moved
CAMP MINDEN, LA (KSLA) -
Authorities now believe they're dealing with more than 6 million pounds of M6 powder at Camp Minden.
Original estimates had the stockpile officials say was improperly stored on property leased by Explo Systems, Inc. at 1 million pounds.
"That's a lot of product, a lot of dangers in there, there are a lot of worst case scenarios, we need to work through those safely," says Louisiana State Police Colonel Michael Edmondson.
The new estimate comes two days into operations to move and secure the smokeless black powder into authorized storage facilities on the site.
The operation is now expected to continue into Tuesday, extending the evacuation of the town of Doyline at least that much longer.
"They are a resilient town and community, and I certainly want to make sure safety is the number one priority," says Louisiana State Police Colonel Michael Edmondson.
Doyline schools were already closed on Monday. Now officials expect for them to be closed Tuesday, as well, but they are waiting to speak with school board members to confirm that.
At a briefing Sunday afternoon, Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said that so far, a million pounds have been safely stored. That's almost 27 eighteen wheelers' worth, he said.
Authorities also revealed at the briefing that they now know that the owners of Explo have been in South Korea. They say they plan to meet with them when they return.
Copyright 2012 KSLA. All rights reserved.
So tell me again, Libertarians and Conservatives, how de-regulation and removal of government oversight agencies is a
good thing? Cuz' I really am having trouble wrapping my brain around that one.
ADDENDUM
For an idea as to how devastating this could be if the stockpile were to be detonated, consider the Port Chicago disaster of 1944.
3.6 million pounds of munitions detonated during loading.