Irony was inescapable

Two articles on a recent day in the Business section were a lesson in irony, yet the connection between them went unremarked.

A group of citizens, working with the Arkansas Renewable Energy Association, gathered at the state Capitol to ask that the Diamond Pipeline project be reconsidered. Citing recent earthquakes in Oklahoma, they argue that crossing all waterways from Oklahoma to Memphis endangers state water sources.

On the same page: A series of class-action lawsuits filed against Welspun Ltd. charge that the company fraudulently labeled bedsheets as “luxury Egyptian cotton” since 2008, posting revenues of $900 million in 2016. Random testing in July found 90 percent had no Egyptian cotton at all, but were low-quality fibers from cheaper sources. Wal-Mart and Target are among companies canceling all business with Welspun, citing lack of trust. The stock has lost 40 percent since the fraud came to light.

So what’s the connection? Welspun makes pipe at its Little Rock facility, and was awarded a $47 million contract to produce pipe for the Diamond pipeline. The irony is inescapable: We sue over our bedsheet quality, but trust that the pipe crossing our waterways is not fake, low-quality cheaper grade. SONDRA McKELVEY

Clarksville