Some "alternative facts" are going to kill us
If you have no other reason to spend the next few days researching ways that you might help defeat Donald Trump next year, this should do it. The Washington Post reports that even Trump's own hand-picked Scientific Advisory Board says that the wrecking ball he and his Republican accomplices are using to destroy environmental regulations are in direct conflict with established science:
For example, regarding the EPA’s plan to reverse a rule that limits what sort of dredging or pesticide applications can take place near smaller streams and wetlands, the advisory board said the proposal “neglects established science” that shows how contamination of groundwater, wetlands and waterways can spread to drinking water supplies. A separate report says the economic models used to justify reducing the average mileage targets for cars and light trucks between now and 2026 were “implausible” based on assumptions about the kinds of vehicles consumers will drive in the future.
….The moves come as the agency has overhauled how it factors science into its decision-making. More than a year ago, the EPA disbanded an expert panel charged with updating assessments of the public health risks posed by soot. In December, EPA’s inspector general concluded it failed to analyze how a plan to loosen emissions standards for truck components would affect children’s health. And it is now drafting a rule to restrict which scientific studies it uses to develop public health policies.
The EPA blew their report off saying basically, "that's nice, but we're going to do whatever we want." As usual.
This rejection of science is not confined to Trump. Republicans have been doing this for years. If the science conflicts with their rich plutocratic benefactors profits or their voters' superstitions, they simply ignore the science. But as with everything else, Trump takes it to a whole other level by abandoning even the pretense of caring. They either ignore all evidence that conflicts with their goals or make up data to back up their claims --- and they do it openly. They are, in essence, declaring that science doesn't exist.
It is literally hell on earth in Australia right now. And it's because of climate change. We can't afford to coddle and appease these greedheads and selfish imbeciles anymore. We have to do everything in our power to elect people who will work feverishly to turn this ship around before it's too late.
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