Thanks for the update Chuck. I am in DC for the summer and was alerted to all thsi by Aaron Landry via Twitter. I think the real compelling story of the day is how all you local Minneapolis bloggers really came through in posting photos, first-hand and second-hand accounts, and now your video. In the tragedy, at lease we can reflect on how we all came together to discover the news from many people's eyes and ears and not just from the talking heads on the TV. Thank you.

Hi Chuck,

I took a few shots here. Hope everyone you know is safe.

I agree with Graham. I already am going bonkers with the same ol' same ol from all the local news. It's good to just reflective piece. What an insane thing.

Hey Chuck. Thanks for sharing this. Travel safe.

Oh my God.
There is no justification for bridges collapsing in a rich nation with highly qualified inspectors and rules and laws to prevent exactly this.
The only things that can lead to this level of failure are insufficient budgets and poor inspections and repairs. So you can bet that the next five years will be spent with the politicians and the engineers blaming each other, while angry families mourn their loved ones and push for resolution and answers. Which will never come.
I hope you have some kind of public inquiry, and that it's not a whitewash with some minor level DoT official taking the rap for not writing the right thing on page 47 of a report.
In my mind, there's no question that a politician who vetos money being spent to prevent a specific tragedy, should resign or be forced from office when that tragedy occurs. Of course, they'll be some kind of disgusting spin put on it to confuse the voters.
If it was my child, spouse, sibling or parent who died in this kind of unnecessary bullshit, I don't know what I'd do. Probably go postal.

Thanks for the footage Chuck. Its great to see it through your eyes. Two eyeballs I trust more than most! Give my best to everyone in MN.

I put together some photos I shot the day after the incident of some of the media coverage and police posted near one end of the bridge.

http://www.craigvanders.com/slideshows/2007/35Wcollapse/