"When you bite into a piece of fruit, it should be a mindless pleasure. Sure, that steroidal-looking strawberry with a toothpaste-white interior doesn’t seem right to begin with".
It may not seem right to those who have the luxury of buying from market gardens or Whole Foods as you say, but why not let your presumed market for this supposedly questionable food decide for themselves what, and how much, to eat? There's a novel idea! But they can't, right? They don't read and can't think.
Stop worrying about others so much, stop meddling and engineering over questions that are controversial and affect peoples' livelihoods.
I've eaten my share of all this for 60 years and somehow have remained hale and strong. Life expectancies, in a world that will never be perfect, have never been higher. How did that happen, Mr. Egan, when many in their 80s and 90s must have eaten foods sprayed with DDT, chlorpyrifos, and god knows what else?
And to trot the supposed great Obama record on the economy is derisory. You kind of give it away with the comment people can always argue about it.
They can always argue about food chemicals, too.
It may not seem right to those who have the luxury of buying from market gardens or Whole Foods as you say, but why not let your presumed market for this supposedly questionable food decide for themselves what, and how much, to eat? There's a novel idea! But they can't, right? They don't read and can't think.
Stop worrying about others so much, stop meddling and engineering over questions that are controversial and affect peoples' livelihoods.
I've eaten my share of all this for 60 years and somehow have remained hale and strong. Life expectancies, in a world that will never be perfect, have never been higher. How did that happen, Mr. Egan, when many in their 80s and 90s must have eaten foods sprayed with DDT, chlorpyrifos, and god knows what else?
And to trot the supposed great Obama record on the economy is derisory. You kind of give it away with the comment people can always argue about it.
They can always argue about food chemicals, too.
3
Berry farmers are particularly bad when it comes to pesticide use. Strawberry growers in California cover the fields with tarps then fumigate them to sterilize them from fungus, weeds, nematodes, and insects along with everything else alive.
Methyl iodide was a possible substitute for methyl bromide but it's too toxic and was received badly by the public. And it was more toxic to farmworkers than methyl bromide.
Sulfuryl fluoride has been promoted and it's got even more problems than the methyl compunds. "Sulfuryl fluoride is a toxic gas which acts as a central nervous system depressant (2). Symptoms of poisoning include depression, slowed gait, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drunkenness, itching, numbness, twitching, and seizures..." plus it's a major greenhouse gas too.
Sulfuryl fluoride is used on rice and lots of other crops as well, so Trump's unleashing the toxins will make subject many to chronic illness, disease as well as a lower IQ out of simple greed.
Ecosystems with more diversity are healthier than ones with fewer species but farmers just don't seem to be able to take advantage of this. There were some who built diversity into their borders surrounding their fields until the packaged greens industries had problems, and it's not easy to do when your neighbor sprays all the time, but we really have no choice since the current methods are killing off pollinators like the bees. Trump's actions are short term problems, not solutions.
Methyl iodide was a possible substitute for methyl bromide but it's too toxic and was received badly by the public. And it was more toxic to farmworkers than methyl bromide.
Sulfuryl fluoride has been promoted and it's got even more problems than the methyl compunds. "Sulfuryl fluoride is a toxic gas which acts as a central nervous system depressant (2). Symptoms of poisoning include depression, slowed gait, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drunkenness, itching, numbness, twitching, and seizures..." plus it's a major greenhouse gas too.
Sulfuryl fluoride is used on rice and lots of other crops as well, so Trump's unleashing the toxins will make subject many to chronic illness, disease as well as a lower IQ out of simple greed.
Ecosystems with more diversity are healthier than ones with fewer species but farmers just don't seem to be able to take advantage of this. There were some who built diversity into their borders surrounding their fields until the packaged greens industries had problems, and it's not easy to do when your neighbor sprays all the time, but we really have no choice since the current methods are killing off pollinators like the bees. Trump's actions are short term problems, not solutions.
4
There are likely a huge number of regulations which are simply unnecessary but there are many which if eliminated would result in avoidable harm to many people. One should consider that any constraint reduces the opportunities for people in business, which reduces the chances for people in business to succeed. One should also consider that once government sanctions any kind of behavior people will act accordingly even if doing so would obviously do harm to others, their consciences no longer considered with respect to their behaviors until something really bad happens.
4
I always find it rather humorous that so many folks worry about pesticides being sprayed on plants but do not worry about the primary source of pesticides (>99% of the the pesticides we eat) - namely, the plants themselves. With the exception of those plants that depend on something eating their seeds for propagation (i.e., some fruits), plants do not want to be eaten. Since plants do not want to be eaten and cannot run, they have only one way to prevent themselves from being eaten - chemical warfare. Plants produce large amounts of noxious and toxic compounds to discourage their being eaten. Furthermore, many of these compounds are just as toxic (or endocrine disrupting) as the residues of sprayed pesticides on the food we eat. In other words, if you are concerned about eating toxic compounds don't eat plants.
3
Time for Pruitt to give industries incentives to dismantle their pollution control equipment and monitors. We're clearly not destroying the environment fast enough for him.
17
It's very difficult to keep up with Trumps non stop dangerous actions.
How many poisons are in your dinner?You have NO idea!a little arsenic in your rice? That's from fertilizers it's there.whats the dirtiest fruit(with pesticides)
Apples .what about veggies?You have a responsibility to your children if not yourself to find out what you're eating.Even organic food has Acceptable pesticides.WAKE UP,and tell these ignorant political jerks to get their profits off of our food ,their stupidity is appalling.!
How many poisons are in your dinner?You have NO idea!a little arsenic in your rice? That's from fertilizers it's there.whats the dirtiest fruit(with pesticides)
Apples .what about veggies?You have a responsibility to your children if not yourself to find out what you're eating.Even organic food has Acceptable pesticides.WAKE UP,and tell these ignorant political jerks to get their profits off of our food ,their stupidity is appalling.!
8
How can you say Trump doesn't want to harm (and kill) American babies?
He is not (quite) brain dead.
Most people know about thee chemicals.. Trump has certainly been informed.
He is not (quite) brain dead.
Most people know about thee chemicals.. Trump has certainly been informed.
4
"If you're after getting the honey, then you don't go killing all the bees." - Joe Strummer
4
Great Trump does not know what he is doing? There goes the theory that a business man will be better at running the government. While we will be poisoned by our food, Paul Ryan will do his best that we have no health insurance. Don't these idiots think it will effect their families?
A nice bowl of chlorpyrifos strawberries, Mr. Potus? Or is it that little Donald ate too many of them when he was a boy?
How is it possible that a group of people with a real American college education like Trump and cabinet can be this ignorant?
1. Get elected, then kill the people that elected you by any means available?
2. American food was already suffering from GMO everything's fine-escapism and other issues; now it's going to be as toxic as possible?
3. Prove beyond doubt that your food exports can't possibly be safe?
4. Contaminate the water supply, just in case the food is accidentally edible and people might live long enough to sue?
5. Create an equation whereby American food = Suicidal?
6. Crash a presumably soon to be non-existent health system with more sick people in the course of points 1-5?
The image of US has gone from the "West Wing" to "Nosferatu, the Executive Years" in 3 months. America's credibility is also on the line, and it's looking pretty damn sleazy, irresponsible and totally untrustworthy.
If an elected administration can be so utterly servile to unelected interests, it's Failed State time.
1. Get elected, then kill the people that elected you by any means available?
2. American food was already suffering from GMO everything's fine-escapism and other issues; now it's going to be as toxic as possible?
3. Prove beyond doubt that your food exports can't possibly be safe?
4. Contaminate the water supply, just in case the food is accidentally edible and people might live long enough to sue?
5. Create an equation whereby American food = Suicidal?
6. Crash a presumably soon to be non-existent health system with more sick people in the course of points 1-5?
The image of US has gone from the "West Wing" to "Nosferatu, the Executive Years" in 3 months. America's credibility is also on the line, and it's looking pretty damn sleazy, irresponsible and totally untrustworthy.
If an elected administration can be so utterly servile to unelected interests, it's Failed State time.
6
Make America poisoned again
5
A common measure of chemicals is the mole. A mole contains 10 to the 47th power of atoms or molecules in the number of kilograms of the substance that is the same as the atomic number of the atoms or molecules. That's a big number. There are fewer gallons of water in all the oceans than atoms or molecules in mole, millions of times less. So when a mole of toxin gets dumped in the ocean, if it's thoroughly mixed in all the seas, millions of the toxin's molecules will in every gallon of sea water one will sea. Our blood is full of man made substances because of the scale of molecules actually released into the environment that gets into everything that circulates water or air. One should never pretend that what one does not know cannot hurt one.
3
Dropping bombs costs money. A lot apparently. $50 million for the strike in Syria that didn't seem to do much. Many more will be dropped no doubt. Chemicals kill far more Americans every year than ISIS. But if you're Trump, it's so much more fun to drop bombs. And the research on the detrimental effects of chemicals in our lives is so "sciencey". Much too complex for Trump limited attention span.
9
According to the CDC, approx 1 in 68 children have a form of autism. It is a heartbreaking diagnosis for a family, and will bankrupt the country as these kids grow up. Could the poisons sprayed on our food be a cause? I've seen statistics that track the correlation between the increase in Monsanto's glyphosate use and increase in children born with autism. Frightening!
9
The hypocracy of this free market capitalism is in control government is that they will resist informing consumers about various dangers because they believe in an information free market. Consumer choice is not a value for them.
3
Scary to think what it will take for USA to give human health, the environment and research the priorities they deserve. Since the beginning of documented history, we can see that humans have considered the earth to be ours to exploit. The concepts of exhausting some resources and species came too late, and is still not universally acknowledged. Can the human race really survive its flaws? Maybe not. But we are quite the phenomenon!
3
"But by being reflexively hostile to science that points out the hazards around us, he’s doing just that." While trying to explain Trump's hostility to science, you have missed the larger point. "Pinpoint bombs and the mother of all bombs" and nuclear weapons depend on the most revolutionary science of all time-relativity theory and quantum mechanics. Trump understands science very well. He would just prefer to ignore it when he wants to. In three months he has become the most inconsistent president of all time. His attitude about "science" is just another of his many inconsistencies.
2
Mr. Egan:
thank you,
again,
for a timely;
and,
still-necessary column.
all of these matters can be reduced down to the concept
that they all become, in the end, a Public Health concern.
in the sci-fi Star Trek universe,
Bones McCoy was the last and final gatekeeper ...
in the DJT universe,
there is no gatekeeper of any kind.
the reversion to rjreynolds and the tetra-ethyl corp
of circa 1960 is the new/old standard.
we will likely need a 21st century Rachel Carson to
reinvigorate the voting populace and to reestablish
the basic and fundamental rights of all of us to clean
air and water, along with safe and nutritious food products.
please keep these cards and letters coming full force.
2
Disgusting. Maybe Trump and Ivanka should be shown pictures of pesticide sickened children, or people suffering from mesothelioma (a consequence of asbestos exposure).
The desire of this government to pollute (in every sense) our society knows no bounds. They are gleefully, deliriously, mindlessly ignorant, and a clear and present danger to us all.
The desire of this government to pollute (in every sense) our society knows no bounds. They are gleefully, deliriously, mindlessly ignorant, and a clear and present danger to us all.
Chlorpyrifos probably contributes to autism.
The elites will buy organic. Of course can you really trust the labels? You need inspectors and regulations to make sure the elites are getting what they pay for.
The elites will buy organic. Of course can you really trust the labels? You need inspectors and regulations to make sure the elites are getting what they pay for.
4
The oft repeated trope by republicans is that regulations are job -killing. No the opposite is true; regulations create jobs because you need people to enforce them. Aside from that, what about poisoning ourselves more quickly is making america great again? Don't; republicans drink water, eat food and breathe
air?
air?
6
I had not bought a lot of organic produce because of the higher cost. Maybe it's time to start spending more money to buy organic, and cutting back on optional purchases? My friend gave me a list of the 'dirty dozen' most contaminated produce items to buy organic:
• peaches
• strawberries
• apples
• spinach
• nectarines
• celery
• pears
• cherries
• potatoes
• sweet bell peppers
• raspberries
• imported grapes
This story may scare me into switching to the organic produce for these items.
Her list of least contaminated conventional produce items was:
sweet corn, avocados, pineapple, cauliflower, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, onions, broccoli, bananas, kiwis, papaya.
• peaches
• strawberries
• apples
• spinach
• nectarines
• celery
• pears
• cherries
• potatoes
• sweet bell peppers
• raspberries
• imported grapes
This story may scare me into switching to the organic produce for these items.
Her list of least contaminated conventional produce items was:
sweet corn, avocados, pineapple, cauliflower, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, onions, broccoli, bananas, kiwis, papaya.
5
Rescinding a proposal to ban a pesticide ( usually organophosphorus which is real poison! ) is handlng over the keys to the poison gentry. It is not very different from Assad's use of nerve-gas sarin. Both damage the nervous system irreversibly or even death. This Country is going into a death spiral, literally and otherwise. We are fast becoming a Country without laws and regulation, American lives surely but certainly going into a toxic swamp.
10
I buy organic from a local supermarket, and it's not Whole Paycheck. Its clientele ranges from professionals to blue collar. And more and more of what one has a choice to purchase is 'organic.' That said, I have mixed feelings about those Trump supporters who have no alternative but purchase non organic goods. Well, it's been a given that Trump has been a liar and a crook all his adult life. It's old news. And although these Trump supporters were warned about this guy, even got to watch him in action while riding on a bus alongside some admiring cronies saying how he'd grab women's genitals, heard how he stiffed contractors he hired, warned that he cheated on his taxes, refused to release his taxes, they didn't care. They voted for the bum. Well, now they've got to lay down in the bed they've made for themselves. And if they end up having to buy food that poisons their children, I guess It's the price they just may have to pay for being shortsighted and ignorant.
13
I have been reading about the Lewis and Clark expedition. At that time, mercury was thought to be good medicine. Are we going to bring back mercury? Maybe arsenic too. Let's see, what else...
3
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate and an anti-cholinergic. Sarin gas, recently alleged to have been used by Assad in Syria, is an organophosphate and an anti-cholinergic. Sarin gas was originally developed in German as a pesticide for use on crops.
All of this is easily and independently verifiable. I am at a loss to understand why the press has not made this connection, and emblazoned it across every headline.
All of this is easily and independently verifiable. I am at a loss to understand why the press has not made this connection, and emblazoned it across every headline.
7
Why is the author so scared to admit the cost of banning this pesticide?
A question. Would you ride a plane that you knew had one defective partdeeply hidden in its innards? Trump's idea as with everything he touches is out of sight so why worry. The plane may crash now or in ten years, but with a little foresight you can prevent it. Arsenic is a chemical known to kill, but why worry about just a smidge here and there if it may get my bank account to grow.
Is it genes or eating to many chemicals that make us so dumb. It is certainly cumulative. Well it is certainly reducing the surplus population mainly Republicans.
Is it genes or eating to many chemicals that make us so dumb. It is certainly cumulative. Well it is certainly reducing the surplus population mainly Republicans.
This is the inevitable result of Trump-Ryana-Ayn-Randian proclivities coupled with deregulative power. The rich truly are the ones who eat better vegetables.
1
"Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him?" I am not so sure. Less intelligent people are easier to fool. There are many chemicals that decrease intelligence both from long term brain damage and from short term affects. Maybe Trump isn't trying to make Americans less intelligent, but the GOP surely wants that. Not only their positions on poisons but their stance on education support that possibility. Their cruelty is more consistent with the idea that they are out to breed a good low intelligent underclass than simply that they are dimwits themselves. You think they are stupid and I think they are evil.
3
Trump has got to be one of the dumbest men ever "elected" to the presidency. Now all our children and grandchildren will be as dumb as he is.
2
Definitive proof that the term "pro-life" is at best a sick, sick joke.
7
Everything we experience with this man is mean-spirited. Does anyone in that White House have an ounce of good will? Think of Potterville!
1
This mother of all presidents drops new bombs daily on our collective safety and well-being. Intellect and curiosity are overrated by those possessing neither. Science is all fake news and left wing conspiracy to artificially orange flavored non-reader of the free world, Trump. Appearances ALWAYS trump harmful content and outcomes in the era of Trump. Joni Mitchell's song lyric, "give me spots on my apples and leave me the birds and bees." won't be sung by old farmer Donald any time soon. E-I-E-I-O, Sad.
3
Of all the deregulating that has transpired since 1/21 this is the most heinous.
Simply mind-boggoling.
Simply mind-boggoling.
1
Clearly something to be concerned about. The studies on humans are limited, particularly with regards to sample size and demographics. And one must remember, association is not causation. And associations, i.e. correlations, can be significant at relatively low levels (e.g. r > 0.3). So more study is necessary, as always, with well designed studies, well controlled methods, including larger sample sizes, etc. It is all about the strength/validity of the science. Meanwhile, eviscerating the EPA isn't a good answer either. But Mr. Egan generalizes much to quickly and broadly by using this one example. Not good journalism. Then again, it is an opinion piece. Err on the side of caution, not hyperbole and catastrophe.
Buy and eat organic produce as much as possible. Don't want to, or can't afford it? Then, at the very least, check out EWG's list of Clean and Dirty fruits and vegetables...https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/clean_fifteen_list.php
2
Only when the last tree has been cut down,
The last fish has been caught,
And the last stream poisoned
Will we realize that we cannot eat money.
Cree proverb
The last fish has been caught,
And the last stream poisoned
Will we realize that we cannot eat money.
Cree proverb
3
Chlorpyrifos persists long after its application and drifts. In addition to studies showing Chlorpyrifos harms human fetuses, children, and adults, at least one study has shown that it harms the foraging abilities of honeybees,
Although most people know about honeybees being important to agriculture, wild native bees are important pollinators of many crops. and there are about 4,000 species of them in the United States. Authorities believe chlorpyrifos harms some of the native bees, but the impact of chlorpyrifos on most species of native bees has not been tested Wild native bees do not come in boxes that can be moved out of harm's way and they cannot read any signs that growers may put up to inform humans about the dangers of recent pesticide applications.
A recent report by the Center for Biological Diversity said that of the native bee species with sufficient data to assess, over 50% were declining, and studies have found chlorpyrifos along with other pesticides in wild bees.
Those who use Chlorpyrifos believing they are getting rid of pests, could be harming their own economic interests by harming bees ability to pollinate. Hopefully, most growers will want to protect their workers, humans nearby, and pollinators regardless of what the EPA says.
2
"a green light for poisons will hit those living at the margins, people without the time or money to investigate where their food comes from. "
The sublimal msg in all official communications for the past 50 years has been:
"To eliminate poverty - eliminate the poor".
Trump is the first president not devious enough - not for the lack of trying - to make it an open policy.
The sublimal msg in all official communications for the past 50 years has been:
"To eliminate poverty - eliminate the poor".
Trump is the first president not devious enough - not for the lack of trying - to make it an open policy.
2
If you don't believe that toxins in the world effect how humans behave, just look at the decline of public discourse in America over the last half century.
Perhaps it is no accident that those Disney once called 'the leaders of the 21st century' just installed a hyper ignorant boob in the White House.
Did anybody else' children get exposed to air more polluted by leaded gas exhaust than America's in the 1950's and 60's? Here's another excuse for those who say don't blame the trump voters: It's not their fault; Standard Oil dumbed them down.
Perhaps it is no accident that those Disney once called 'the leaders of the 21st century' just installed a hyper ignorant boob in the White House.
Did anybody else' children get exposed to air more polluted by leaded gas exhaust than America's in the 1950's and 60's? Here's another excuse for those who say don't blame the trump voters: It's not their fault; Standard Oil dumbed them down.
3
Maybe he is intent on employing more toxicologists down the road.
"Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him? No, of course not." -- You give him too much credit. I think he genuinely doesn't care as long as he or his billionaire pals get a little richer.
2
Donald Trump has shown himself to be irresponsible and, from time to time, intentionally cruel. For the most part, however, President Trump’s greatest sin has been his willful ignorance.
Mr. Trump has placed his trust in people who purposely use a feigned denial of science to engage in pesticide use which they know – repeat, know – harm babies and children.
Even if Donald Trump’s ignorance of real science is genuine, he must stop relying on the denials of industries guided only by profit. Our president must summon whatever integrity he possesses and realize that no campaign promise of eliminating regulations justifies doing such irreversible harm.
Mr. Trump has placed his trust in people who purposely use a feigned denial of science to engage in pesticide use which they know – repeat, know – harm babies and children.
Even if Donald Trump’s ignorance of real science is genuine, he must stop relying on the denials of industries guided only by profit. Our president must summon whatever integrity he possesses and realize that no campaign promise of eliminating regulations justifies doing such irreversible harm.
We can now safely conclude, without overstating, that Donald Trump's vision of America is a danger to all living things.
4
For people interested in a more in-depth story about the multiple powerful influences and repression of the voice of their victims (such as whole communities in the toxic watersheds downstream from coal mining sludge, with death and cancer rampant), here's a useful video. The trailer is only 2 minutes, do have a look. Time to Choose is a very well researched global effort with imagery that should make even unskeptical "skeptics" pause for observation and thought. Though it starts with global warming, some of the material on big ag is appalling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLoEqg0PdM
"Time to Choose also delivers a clear message to audiences: we can take action to stop this global threat. It is the first major film to offer compelling stories of the innovators, leaders and average people fighting on the front lines for a cleaner, more sustainable world. Its scope is truly global, with footage and interviews from five continents. The film’s investigation of the true costs of fossil fuels and industrialized agriculture takes audiences inside the drivers of these global phenomena. Audiences meet Appalachian residents suffering from coal-poisoned waters, descend into the dangerous coal pits of China, see the red night skies of Nigeria’s oil and gas lands, and hear from courageous officials fighting corruption and deforestation in Indonesia."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLoEqg0PdM
"Time to Choose also delivers a clear message to audiences: we can take action to stop this global threat. It is the first major film to offer compelling stories of the innovators, leaders and average people fighting on the front lines for a cleaner, more sustainable world. Its scope is truly global, with footage and interviews from five continents. The film’s investigation of the true costs of fossil fuels and industrialized agriculture takes audiences inside the drivers of these global phenomena. Audiences meet Appalachian residents suffering from coal-poisoned waters, descend into the dangerous coal pits of China, see the red night skies of Nigeria’s oil and gas lands, and hear from courageous officials fighting corruption and deforestation in Indonesia."
17
It is highly unlikely that President Trump would risk the safety and futures of adults and children by using chlorpyrifos if it were detrimental and risky to Americans. He has grandchildren who would also be affected by this result and would never put their lives at stake nor anyone else's children for that matter. He is much smarter then that and should be given some credit for humanity.
We do not know for sure how safe organic food really is and where it originates. It is extremely costly and no better than fruit bought from other sources. I stopped purchasing my fruit at Whole Foods because it was no better than the fruit purchased at other places and no better tasting. Fruit should always be washed thoroughly before eating for eliminating bacteria and due to handling of it by workers in the field and in stores.
We do not know for sure how safe organic food really is and where it originates. It is extremely costly and no better than fruit bought from other sources. I stopped purchasing my fruit at Whole Foods because it was no better than the fruit purchased at other places and no better tasting. Fruit should always be washed thoroughly before eating for eliminating bacteria and due to handling of it by workers in the field and in stores.
3
You're naive if you believe that fruits and vegetables that have been systemically poisoned can be rendered harmless by washing.
Your faith is touching. Mr. Trump recently said, "who knew health care could be so complicated?". Well, lots of people did. I did. Mr. Trump is a chucklehead. And Pesticides and their impact upon human and environmental health is quite complicated, I assure you. I further assure you that Mr. Trump hasn't the foggiest notion of any of that, and relies purely upon ideology and emotion in making his decisions. Forget about Trump, he's a con man, an obscene blow up doll air head, a trust fund baby. Consider instead the humble honeybee, foundation of most all we grow and eat...the honeybee is telling us something is very wrong.
5
". . . nor anyone else's children for that matter." You are aware that Donald Trump betrayed his promise to pay for the medical treatment of his nephew's child, who had cerebral palsy? What makes you think he cares any more about anyone else's children?
Yes, Trump wants to "free up" the country, but what he means is he frees up corporations to do whatever they want. The only good in a capitalist system is capital, by definition, and Trump is nothing but capitalist. If you can make money on it, it is good. If you can't, it is not good.
Trump says he wants to create jobs. It seems to me that every regulation he eliminates also some people out of their jobs, even beyond firing thousands of EPA employees. All the big-agriculture companies that want to use pesticides get to fire the people who performed more labor-intensive forms of pest control. All the coal companies that were prevented from pouring waste into the rivers now get to fire the people responsible for managing that waste. All the coal-powered power plants that want to avoid putting scrubbers on their smokestacks can dismantle the teams responsible for installing and maintaining the scrubbers.
Will the savings go to the customers? To the employees? Not a bit. It will all go to the shareholders or increased salaries for the CEOs.
Trump says he wants to create jobs. It seems to me that every regulation he eliminates also some people out of their jobs, even beyond firing thousands of EPA employees. All the big-agriculture companies that want to use pesticides get to fire the people who performed more labor-intensive forms of pest control. All the coal companies that were prevented from pouring waste into the rivers now get to fire the people responsible for managing that waste. All the coal-powered power plants that want to avoid putting scrubbers on their smokestacks can dismantle the teams responsible for installing and maintaining the scrubbers.
Will the savings go to the customers? To the employees? Not a bit. It will all go to the shareholders or increased salaries for the CEOs.
These comments, while thoughtful and accurate, show a misunderstanding of our adversary, Mr. Trump. (Scott Pruitt is not the constituency we need to reach.)
Trump is like ancient Anteaus. He is strongly defended against science and indeed rational argument; he derives strength from his ability to out-maneuver and demagogue logic, rising up stronger after ever rational attack.
What he doesn't like, where he is weakened, is when his image is attacked, including by calling him well-crafted derogatory arguments and names. Hence his insulting soundbytes for his opponents and his fondness for attacking abortion.
What is needed is a slogan something like "baby-killer Trump" and chants of "Poisoner, poisoner, go away, give us back the EPA" by enough people, together with repeated simple, virulent attacks on how he is poisoning our babies, backed of course by careful scientific evidence and argumentation.
Trump is like ancient Anteaus. He is strongly defended against science and indeed rational argument; he derives strength from his ability to out-maneuver and demagogue logic, rising up stronger after ever rational attack.
What he doesn't like, where he is weakened, is when his image is attacked, including by calling him well-crafted derogatory arguments and names. Hence his insulting soundbytes for his opponents and his fondness for attacking abortion.
What is needed is a slogan something like "baby-killer Trump" and chants of "Poisoner, poisoner, go away, give us back the EPA" by enough people, together with repeated simple, virulent attacks on how he is poisoning our babies, backed of course by careful scientific evidence and argumentation.
27
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there's a direct line between Donald Trump, Scott Pruitt, the E.P.A. and the poisons that will soon be effecting us all.
"Stand your ground" laws, as found in some of the more backward states, allows violent force to be used against someone who is perceived as threatening one's life. The Republican Party is threatening my life. Ergo...
18
We have a ballot box. Use it.
I wonder how the farmers are going to feel when pesticides finally kill off all the bees and their entire livelihoods come to an end. Not much job creation in that, is there. What we should be doing is the exact opposite of what this administration is doing, and that is to do whatever is necessary to ensure that crops that need pollination have the workers on this planet to make it happen. We're looking at a major shift in our civilization if we don't. Somehow, few seem to care about that.
26
Mr. Egan, you are one of the greatest columnists. I am sure you won't let the trolls here get you down.
17
well ken kesey sorta covered all this in sailor song. good to see the story is now not fiction. the planet is just fine. the planet's biggest problem is me and those like me. removed, the planet will be fine again.
7
"Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him?"
The real answer is "Yes". He doesn't want to be alone in low-IQ category. You know how it works with jealous zealots. If you can't advance, pull the others back with you.
The real answer is "Yes". He doesn't want to be alone in low-IQ category. You know how it works with jealous zealots. If you can't advance, pull the others back with you.
10
Until we get money out of politics whether through lobbying or simply buying politicians who are owned and operated by corporate interests, our government will be for sale to the highest bidders. Be it the tobacco industry, the drug industry, the agro-chemical industry, they have all had the power to put the health of our citizens at risk with the complicit aid of Congress and federal agencies.
Trump and his administration is symptomatic of how massive amounts of corporate money influences government and poisons our nation at every level.
Trump and his administration is symptomatic of how massive amounts of corporate money influences government and poisons our nation at every level.
62
The sky is always falling in Tim's World.
3
And public health would appear to be the last thing on your mind. If people breathe unhealthy air due to industrial contamination, it's their fault for breathing.
Got it!
Got it!
You are part of the problem. I hope YOUR children are the first to be harmed.
1
Poison from a poisonous mind, and " heart ". Nothing new here, besides it's a great way to get rid of the surplus population. The " takers ".
2
Interesting. I linked to this article from the Real Clear Politics site. The article I read previous to this was on Real Clear Science site relating how we need not worry about pesticide residue on our fruits and vegetables. Written by two scientists. Go read that one too.
1
Hopely - Who did those "scientists" work for? That might help us assess their credibility.
RealClearScience is a new site, but it is clear from a quick look that it has a "conservative" bias. While not as obvious as some, in today's world that means it deals in false equivalence and labeling. What I did read, for example, dismissed a great deal of science I *do* know about as biased. I try to be objective, but the dragon's teeth of creative naming of sites that are anything but unbiased while claiming bias from the real hardworking experts makes me suspicious.
While they're not obviously associated (yet), see Kochtopus, billionaires for the use of. Follow the money.
While they're not obviously associated (yet), see Kochtopus, billionaires for the use of. Follow the money.
11
If the population is dumbed down , misled and patronized , corporations can have their way- whether to manufacture and spew poisons or to control and influence our food supply through gmo crops designed to make higher profits for billionaires. The government needs to set limits and fines- we will not see a spontaneous conversion of corporate good will and concern for humanity. The first and most harmed are similar to the people of Flint- no financial resources to battle these bullies. Obama didn't do enough to curb Monsanto- neither did/would have HRC. This current administration is definitely worse - hopefully states will respond by not doing business with these companies and /or blocking use of these poisons
4
our choices, when it comes to holding corporations accountable for the harm they do, always seems to be between bad and worse...
Tim, great column. This is an important issue area. What we put into the biosphere, both chemicals, and electromagnetic radiation that are integral to our quality of life can have negative impacts -- some quite serious -- and must be monitored and regulated.
I strongly believe the media, education systems, and the government must make strong effort to educate the general public on the potential harm and benefits of our various industrial and standard of living processes.
Combustion of fossil fuels, which are now essential to our standard of living, put out a lot of waste products that harm human health including fetal brain and lung damage. So if possible, it would be better to spend the fetal and early baby development way from concentrated tailpipe corridors until we electrify transport and shift from fossil fuels for electricity to solar power.
I worked with Dr. James Powell on a recently published book titled "Silent Earth" to show that we can live a higher quality of life, for a much longer time if we make the shift to Space Solar for electricity because it is cheaper and a lot cleaner than fossil fuels and we have proposed supplementing our interstate highways with a very efficient, cheaper, 300 mph transport that Powell invented in 1966 that has been demonstrated by Japan. It is a great system for truck and passenger transport, including subways and it is a very low cost, more reliable space launch system that make space solar very cheap.
I strongly believe the media, education systems, and the government must make strong effort to educate the general public on the potential harm and benefits of our various industrial and standard of living processes.
Combustion of fossil fuels, which are now essential to our standard of living, put out a lot of waste products that harm human health including fetal brain and lung damage. So if possible, it would be better to spend the fetal and early baby development way from concentrated tailpipe corridors until we electrify transport and shift from fossil fuels for electricity to solar power.
I worked with Dr. James Powell on a recently published book titled "Silent Earth" to show that we can live a higher quality of life, for a much longer time if we make the shift to Space Solar for electricity because it is cheaper and a lot cleaner than fossil fuels and we have proposed supplementing our interstate highways with a very efficient, cheaper, 300 mph transport that Powell invented in 1966 that has been demonstrated by Japan. It is a great system for truck and passenger transport, including subways and it is a very low cost, more reliable space launch system that make space solar very cheap.
4
Most US foods are banned in Europe for obvious reasons.
24
Europe and Russia have banned GMOs.
1
How "obvious" is it when life expectancies are virtually the same in each continent? The minor difference, a year or two, is attributable to non-food causes: overdoses, car crashes, guns. In fact, if you factor that most of Europe has state health care, they should be living longer than Americans with their pristine food (like unpasteurized cheeses, salty hams, butter, cream etc.).
1
"This betrayal of public health...."
It is precisely the betrayal of the PUBLIC Welfare or the Common Good that lies at the core of not only Trump whom I think is just a stupid unconscious tool, but the .01% who are the deciders that run what we call the Republican Party.
This smallish group of retrogressively oriented people see a planet where the few deserving and superior beings live righteous lives of luxury. They are basically amoral, and except for the labor they need to have done are totally unconcerned about the rest of humanity.
Those who have been conned into thinking that they are O.K. and that the situation is "not their problem", are suddenly being awakened to this Beast.
Evolution eventually eliminates that which impedes its unavoidable Cosmic process.
It is precisely the betrayal of the PUBLIC Welfare or the Common Good that lies at the core of not only Trump whom I think is just a stupid unconscious tool, but the .01% who are the deciders that run what we call the Republican Party.
This smallish group of retrogressively oriented people see a planet where the few deserving and superior beings live righteous lives of luxury. They are basically amoral, and except for the labor they need to have done are totally unconcerned about the rest of humanity.
Those who have been conned into thinking that they are O.K. and that the situation is "not their problem", are suddenly being awakened to this Beast.
Evolution eventually eliminates that which impedes its unavoidable Cosmic process.
6
"Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him? No, of course not."
I disagree. It may not be his primary goal- profit is, of course. But to view the damage to citizens as an acceptable negative is actually to approve of it, or, to "want" it to happen.
I disagree. It may not be his primary goal- profit is, of course. But to view the damage to citizens as an acceptable negative is actually to approve of it, or, to "want" it to happen.
4
Horrific that Trump's Environmental Protection Agency - headed by Oklahoman Scott Pruitt - is dismantling everything the EPA does to make our lives safer. Tim Egan, your description of the deadly but beautiful pesticided strawberry (on steroids) makes me happy that I'm anaphylactically allergic to strawberries. Can anyone explain why President Trump is hostile to science, to climate-change and climate-warming? We who didn't vote for Trump or want him as our ignorant, demented, narcissistic betrayer of public health, wonder what we can do to oust him, impeach him, remove him from the most powerful job in the world? Polluted tap water, asbestos (Pruitt isn't ready to ban asbestos!), ashcanning restoration projects in America's waterways, cutting research into harmful chemicals? Bringing back chlorpyrifos pesticide, Lord have mercy on us. Mindless regulations are still on the books, inconvenient truths according to our almost President Al Gore, whose Presidency was snatched by Bush II who started two wars in the Middle East. Yesterday President Trump detonated "the Mother of All Bombs" in Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border, to do away with ISIS's safe tunnels. Tim Egan, what can we all do to remove poison from our food chain?Complaining about EPA's Pruitt is not "whining by alarmists" like you and me. We are not alarmists. We are shrieking, not whining! We are the beautiful almost dead canaries in the coal mines of our blessed country.
1
Nan - You state, "Can anyone explain why President Trump is hostile to science, to climate-change and climate-warming?" Yes, he has the religious right to appease.
8
Yet, he has built a wall to protect his golf course in Scotland from rising seas.......
such hypocrisy......money money money the only game in town for some.
such hypocrisy......money money money the only game in town for some.
2
Greed and ignorance. We suffer.
8
Things are bad; things are getting worst. I just renewed my garden plot at the community garden again this year and will be getting the list of farmers markets in my area. I am going to start getting really, really careful about what I eat. I'm beginning to accept that in the trump-era the government will not be working for me, but they darn well shouldn't be working against me.
6
We buy certified organic and still keep our fingers crossed. How about that dead bat in the lettuce mix those people ate? It is unreal.
We shop local, visit the health foods store, and pick and chose wisely when elsewhere. And are careful where we eat and drink.
Because I cannot seem to contain myself, I must report that right before the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Abe to Trump's Mar-a-Lago, Florida restaurant inspectors found potentially dangerous raw food and cited the club for storing food in two malfunctioning broken coolers.
Raw meats and fish sat in warm temps. Shelves were rusty.
13 violations at the kitchen were called “high priority,” since they would carry illness-causing bacteria to plates served to club patrons.
Meanwhile his administration is obsessed with cutting regulations nationwide.
We need to stay woke, as they say.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/restaurants/article144261894.ht...
We shop local, visit the health foods store, and pick and chose wisely when elsewhere. And are careful where we eat and drink.
Because I cannot seem to contain myself, I must report that right before the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Abe to Trump's Mar-a-Lago, Florida restaurant inspectors found potentially dangerous raw food and cited the club for storing food in two malfunctioning broken coolers.
Raw meats and fish sat in warm temps. Shelves were rusty.
13 violations at the kitchen were called “high priority,” since they would carry illness-causing bacteria to plates served to club patrons.
Meanwhile his administration is obsessed with cutting regulations nationwide.
We need to stay woke, as they say.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/restaurants/article144261894.ht...
9
A horror, to be sure, but I'm tired of this sort of myth-making about those of us who didn't vote for Trump: "This betrayal of public health won’t affect many of the people who didn’t vote for Trump: hipsters, urbanites, blue-state foodies."
What? You are talking about a small minority who can afford this sort of life. Why do yo have to sully an important piece with these easy characterizations of non-Trump voters. We're chastised regularly for painting the poor Trump voters, neglected by the urban elites, with a broad brush, but this sort of garbage appears on your pages every single day.
Everyone--every single American who eats--will be affected by this idiotic policy, except perhaps the super rich who might be able to avoid the poisons on everyday food, but even that I doubt.
What? You are talking about a small minority who can afford this sort of life. Why do yo have to sully an important piece with these easy characterizations of non-Trump voters. We're chastised regularly for painting the poor Trump voters, neglected by the urban elites, with a broad brush, but this sort of garbage appears on your pages every single day.
Everyone--every single American who eats--will be affected by this idiotic policy, except perhaps the super rich who might be able to avoid the poisons on everyday food, but even that I doubt.
14
Dumb is, as dumb does. We already have a country full of dumb people, poison spray notwithstanding.
10
Perfect description of today's grocery store strawberries. Blech.
3
Then don't buy them. Others should have the right to decide.
It's ironic that this misleading article appears on the same day as another about our "post-truth" society, because it is a prime example. Here is a more accurate and complete account of the EPA and the pesticide chlorpyrifos: http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/321764-epa-pest....
10
Sigh. The NYT tries to be "fair and balanced" by picking a fringe attack on science as if it was true. The evidence against Chrorpyrifos is supported by a lot of science, in the US and abroad. The cite from an "Opinion" piece is a fringe attack that exactly fits the description of fake news.
himillermd has it exactly backwards.
himillermd has it exactly backwards.
7
The NYT's own news story about Pruit rejecting the EPA chlorpyrifos ban mentioned that it was against the scientific advice of career staff at the US Department of Agriculture and farmers across the nation. One line. With no explanation. Buried near the end of the "doomsday" article. Readers deserve more.
The standard used by EPA was that it could be "proved safe," effectively proving a negative. The chemical has been in common use for decades and has never been shown to have damaging effects.
There seems to be far too much deference accorded to EPA's opinion, often given the cover of their "science" that is easily contradicted by other equally valid but conflicting results.
Worth reading the link provided by himillermd above.
The standard used by EPA was that it could be "proved safe," effectively proving a negative. The chemical has been in common use for decades and has never been shown to have damaging effects.
There seems to be far too much deference accorded to EPA's opinion, often given the cover of their "science" that is easily contradicted by other equally valid but conflicting results.
Worth reading the link provided by himillermd above.
1
So do a search on chlorpyrifos evidence and see what comes up.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chlorpyrifos+scientific+evidence
The Hill article was a fringe piece in "Opinion". It is severely in the minority on this one.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chlorpyrifos+scientific+evidence
The Hill article was a fringe piece in "Opinion". It is severely in the minority on this one.
5
Trump's "amazing job" on regulations (by removing them) that "freed up this country so much", has really only freed up the amoral forces of Capitalism to further exploit a populace largely ignorant of the harm being done them. Large corporations benefitting from wholesale deregulation could care less whether poisons in our food, and our environment generally, are causing brain damage or deaths...as long as the dollars keep rolling in.
6
The 'freedoms' the president speaks of here are the bottom lines of corporations opening up to higher profits because any consumer protections which were in place will soon be erased. Our lives are becoming increasingly capitalized with this administration's moves to 'free' us from regulations which protect us from dirty air and water, cancer causing chemicals and inferior building materials; we will all pay the price in the years to come.
7
Trump in a nutshell: for the rich "I have your back"; for the rest of us "buyer beware".
Buyer beware has always been portrayed as a trait of rugged individualism aka don't need government to know what's good for me, pass the strawberries.
Buyer beware has always been portrayed as a trait of rugged individualism aka don't need government to know what's good for me, pass the strawberries.
5
Trump has no conscience. If he truly cared for human beings, he would not have agency appointees poised to gut regulations which protect the safety and well-being of citizens. No, he has assembled a toxic group of industrial supporters, whose only mission is profit. As long as they deregulate, privatize and grow wealthier, suffering and harm will go unacknowledged.
See, there are bushels of alarming reasons why electing a narcissistic, autocratic sociopath is a bad idea. The warning signs were all there — they voted for him anyway.
See, there are bushels of alarming reasons why electing a narcissistic, autocratic sociopath is a bad idea. The warning signs were all there — they voted for him anyway.
5
Trump is an idiot, the GOP is ethically bankrupt and we are left holding the bag.
12
You want to keep your brain cells?
Gee, that’s swell.
But money Trumps staying well.
Pesticides making you ill?
Sorry, but I guess that’s just God’s will.
Gee, that’s swell.
But money Trumps staying well.
Pesticides making you ill?
Sorry, but I guess that’s just God’s will.
3
Someone needs to explain to Donald Trump, Scott Pruitt, and all of the other so-called businessmen and capitalists an economic verity known as negative externalities. Negative externalities are created when my product causes verifiable costs to society at large. I dump my pollutants in the river, and people downstream get sick. Their hospitals, doctors, and governments have to pick up the tab to clean up the mess. Schools and other social institutions have to deal with children with developmental problems caused by chemicals at issue. Perhaps we are freeing up business, and the bottom line may look good, but the true cost of the product is not reflected in this new freedom. In other words, these businesses are privatizing profit while socializing cost. Every good capitalist is always a socialist at heart.
10
Terrific piece! Those of you interested in industrial and environmental pollution might want to check out the new website: toxicdocs.org . It is a collection of about 4 million internal corporate memos, letters, publications and studies from a host of chemical, asbestos, and lead companies that produced everything from lead paint, PCBs, DDT, other pesticides,a host of asbestos products and the like.
4
Mankind is going through growing pains. A lot of willy-nilly decisions were grandfathered in because we did not know any better. It took 200,000 years to develop and institute liberty, equality, fraternity, etc.
Eventually we are going to have to control ALL manners of waste, personal and public, and, as a society, pay for that control. Waste control will have to be set on an equal footing with essential principles such as separation of church and state etc, however unglamorous.
It took 200 years to bring climate problems to the fore, in other words a very short time.
Nature which operates in eons does "clean up" one way or the other (if you decide to be a learner you will discover that). It is part of the system but we may not like the way it does it at times. Tornados are part of an ongoing cleanup/rebalancing act.
Any civilization worth its salt will have to bring the concept into its DNA and institute through law and best practices..
Why is it that, nowadays, a lot of selfish idiots with no interest for future generations are to be found always on the same side of the fence? Because of this mantra about "market economy" which is proving itself as only workable in very specific conditions?
We do not have to prove chlorpyrifos or other such compound are dangerous. The science tells us it is and I believe this because this information comes from multiple sources. The only conspiracy I see is from worthless individuals/entities such as trump,pruitt,dowchemical.
Eventually we are going to have to control ALL manners of waste, personal and public, and, as a society, pay for that control. Waste control will have to be set on an equal footing with essential principles such as separation of church and state etc, however unglamorous.
It took 200 years to bring climate problems to the fore, in other words a very short time.
Nature which operates in eons does "clean up" one way or the other (if you decide to be a learner you will discover that). It is part of the system but we may not like the way it does it at times. Tornados are part of an ongoing cleanup/rebalancing act.
Any civilization worth its salt will have to bring the concept into its DNA and institute through law and best practices..
Why is it that, nowadays, a lot of selfish idiots with no interest for future generations are to be found always on the same side of the fence? Because of this mantra about "market economy" which is proving itself as only workable in very specific conditions?
We do not have to prove chlorpyrifos or other such compound are dangerous. The science tells us it is and I believe this because this information comes from multiple sources. The only conspiracy I see is from worthless individuals/entities such as trump,pruitt,dowchemical.
52
Mother Nature, the only true God, eventually solves all problems. The earth will be kinder to all species once humanity becomes extinct through our ignorance and greed.
3
“Today’s generation is going to raise children with learning disabilities and take care of parents with Alzheimers because of toxins in our drinking water, food, drugs and environment.” - Susan Kanen, biochemist formerly with Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Aqueduct, water treatment plant for Washington, DC, whistleblower on lead in drinking water and fluoridation opponent (2016)
Words fail me. The propagandized marketing and corporate science that began with fluoridation policy and extends to GMO is mind blowing. Per IOM reports, Americans are the sickest they've ever been and sicker than our peers in other countries. It's because our government places corporate health above public health, and this isn't anything new. It's just more blatant with the Trump administration.
American children:
1:6 has a learning disability,
1:9 has asthma,
1:20 has a seizure disorder,
1:50 has autism,
30% of young adults are diagnosed with mental illness.
Words fail me. The propagandized marketing and corporate science that began with fluoridation policy and extends to GMO is mind blowing. Per IOM reports, Americans are the sickest they've ever been and sicker than our peers in other countries. It's because our government places corporate health above public health, and this isn't anything new. It's just more blatant with the Trump administration.
American children:
1:6 has a learning disability,
1:9 has asthma,
1:20 has a seizure disorder,
1:50 has autism,
30% of young adults are diagnosed with mental illness.
8
you could have added obesity, which is a serious public health crisis also.
1
Now we know what the Donald ate for breakfast every day when he was a kid. Explains a lot.
3
ALL regulations are not equal and some, maybe many, are in place for the wrong reasons. Environmental regulation decisions are NEVER made lightly and are very closely scrutinized by the public through drawn out notice, public meeting, and comment periods. Critics complain that the EPA sits in its tower gleefully making up numbers to screw their enemies (who does that?). Critics assume that those in support of limits on toxic chemicals and other pollutants are fruit and nut-eating Luddites who want everyone else to be too. This is absurd. The trouble is that we live in a world of risks, some of which are avoidable by choice and intelligence (smoking, drugs), many of which are known (chance of getting in a car accident, breaking a leg skiing), but a lot of which are unknown and therefore unavoidable. As we learn more about the insidiousness of this last category (lead in Flint water pipes, arsenic in ground water, nutrient excesses that result in cyanotoxins in Lake Erie and the citizens of Toledo), we take steps to avoid them. Those with money can buy bottled water, for example, for a price much higher than tap water (good for them, I guess), put a point-of-use filter on their taps (don't forget to change the filter!), or just drink Coke (my dentist needs a new boat!). For the rest of us, tough luck. We spend trillions to make roads safer, but are unwilling to spend a dime on research to see if chemicals DESIGNED to kill things will hurt us, well that's burdensome regulation.
4
when i saw the hed, i wasn't too sure you were writing about the environment or politics in the good old usa.
how anybody could be surprised that el trumpo is doing this hasn't been paying attention for the past 18 months or so.
as for children getting dumber, look at the election results. it's too late for the adults, never mind the kids.
how anybody could be surprised that el trumpo is doing this hasn't been paying attention for the past 18 months or so.
as for children getting dumber, look at the election results. it's too late for the adults, never mind the kids.
3
America is under chemical attack, illegal pesticide attack, dirty water attack and polluted air attack. We blame Assad for killing his people. But we are also getting sick and slow killing. Who is going to save us? EPA is going out of business slowly and surely.
4
Given Trump's erratic behavior and indifference to logic, it seems that he may have been raised on a steady diet of chlorpyrifos drenched foods.
2
Deregulation is a long-standing mantra of the Republicans. Ronald Reagan proclaimed gleefully that he would get government off the backs of ordinary Americans, a clarion call that immediately made him electable. Deregulation is the holy grail for the back-room boys like the Koch brothers, and a pledge of allegiance for aspiring GOP politicians. Perhaps Trump is more egregious in his drive to deregulate, but, given his enormous ego, he strives to be the greatest in every category, including deregulation. How such a detrimental trend could deliver to the Republicans a frightening control over all the major levers of government would require a political treatise on the art of campaigning.
4
Who are these nefarious Koch brothers I keep reading about in comments to NYT articles and similar media? Why are they so important to warrant this kind of repeated mention? It's some rich guys who own media or something and support conservative causes?
Lots of rich guys have a liberal, social engineering viewpoint, as George Soros, say.
They can all support the causes and politicians they wish within the limits the law permits.
It balances out.
Let's focus on the issues. To wit: There is too much business regulation in America. It squelches initiative, harms jobs, and pre-judges too many controversial issues. Discuss.
Lots of rich guys have a liberal, social engineering viewpoint, as George Soros, say.
They can all support the causes and politicians they wish within the limits the law permits.
It balances out.
Let's focus on the issues. To wit: There is too much business regulation in America. It squelches initiative, harms jobs, and pre-judges too many controversial issues. Discuss.
1
Perhaps someone should whisper in Trump's ear that pesticides are germs.
8
One wonders why the GOP is making war against the American people, depriving them of health care, clean water, clean air, later attacking medicaid, medicare and social security. Give me one example of what this party has done or will do to help people other than the ephemeral promise of jobs. I have my theory on this but let's just say, to simplify things, that the GOP represents rural, Anglo Saxon America which is now undergoing a pandemic of suicides and drug overdose. This bespeaks of a society that has, literally, lost its mind. The party, exemplified by Trump, has become insane and highly self destructive.
3
I must disagree. I am quite certain that all Republicans are determined to dumb-down the electorate. It was obvious, starting with Charter Schools movement. A stupid electorate will enable the single-party rule they crave.
Resist.
Resist.
6
Those low income Trump voters can not afford fresh fruit and vegetables and may be spared from their toxins but will die from the only food available to them, starches and sugar.
2
Hey! Bid'ness is Bid'ness! The god of capitalism supersedes science and health of the consumers formerly known as citizens. Have you not known this law! The law of corporate authority and righteousness. Poisons are US....lead and poisons in most water, chemicals in most agriculture. We are now in the land of 'prove this is harmful', not IRS do no harm!
However now that Chemical Corporations are living human beings with religious rights, maybe they could pray to their god for mercy!
However now that Chemical Corporations are living human beings with religious rights, maybe they could pray to their god for mercy!
1
Well if you poison or gas your own people in the light of day t rump will send bombs at you because you're an evil person.
But if you poison or gas your own people under the cover of anti-government ideology you get put into the so called president's cabinet.
An American governor poisoned the people in a city in his state with lead in an effort to get around some regulations.
The so called president sent our troops to gas people who were doing their Constitutionally allowed protest at Dakota pipeline.
The word we are looking for regarding t rump, his aides and cabinet, and the republican party in general is EVIL. That is the only word I can find to describe what these so called human beings are doing.
But if you poison or gas your own people under the cover of anti-government ideology you get put into the so called president's cabinet.
An American governor poisoned the people in a city in his state with lead in an effort to get around some regulations.
The so called president sent our troops to gas people who were doing their Constitutionally allowed protest at Dakota pipeline.
The word we are looking for regarding t rump, his aides and cabinet, and the republican party in general is EVIL. That is the only word I can find to describe what these so called human beings are doing.
5
There is really only one response to the people gutting the EPA such as Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt. It's this minute and a half clip from "Erin Brockovitch":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ7ZuPTc09E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ7ZuPTc09E
2
This is the GOP way to guarantee themselves plenty of mentally challenged voters for the future .
Talking about shrewdness and amorality !
Talking about shrewdness and amorality !
8
I always knew the corporatists were trying to sneak poison under the "smoke screen" of climate denial. When it comes to "less regulation" I was sortof hoping for a loosing of rules on small business, startups, you know, SMALL... Not for Dow Chemical to grow cancer clusters.
Environmental issues have always been more than just climate change, but by putting the focus on that, and only on that, Corporatist Republicans are getting away with pollution worse than before I was born.
Environmental issues have always been more than just climate change, but by putting the focus on that, and only on that, Corporatist Republicans are getting away with pollution worse than before I was born.
5
It is too late, we're done.
There are so many tipping points in addition to poisons that we have crossed or are about to cross, all driven by the population explosion. Within the 7.4 billion humans there are at least 100 million that would have no problem dumping any kind of poison into the environment, shoot the last member of any animal species, pump the last drop of water out of an aquifer, keep spewing CO2 into the atmosphere even knowing that we have shot 400ppm.
Pesticides are bad enough, but how about all the endocrine disrupters we are pouring into the environment. Are they classified as poison also?
Trump is ignorant and incurious, but more importantly he is a septuagenarian. Why should he care about the environment as he is only going to be around for at most 2 more decades. He is also simply incapable understanding what kind of future hell is creating for his own children.
There are so many tipping points in addition to poisons that we have crossed or are about to cross, all driven by the population explosion. Within the 7.4 billion humans there are at least 100 million that would have no problem dumping any kind of poison into the environment, shoot the last member of any animal species, pump the last drop of water out of an aquifer, keep spewing CO2 into the atmosphere even knowing that we have shot 400ppm.
Pesticides are bad enough, but how about all the endocrine disrupters we are pouring into the environment. Are they classified as poison also?
Trump is ignorant and incurious, but more importantly he is a septuagenarian. Why should he care about the environment as he is only going to be around for at most 2 more decades. He is also simply incapable understanding what kind of future hell is creating for his own children.
108
@oldBassGuy:
And yet, many religions ban effective and safe birth control. How stupid!
My Catholic wife had a grandmother who was the 14th of 15 children. My wife studied what Jesus had to say on the subject (nothing) and we are very proud of our two children.
Where is it written that a woman's role is to be a fetal incubator?
And yet, many religions ban effective and safe birth control. How stupid!
My Catholic wife had a grandmother who was the 14th of 15 children. My wife studied what Jesus had to say on the subject (nothing) and we are very proud of our two children.
Where is it written that a woman's role is to be a fetal incubator?
2
Corporations are willing to damage the biosphere and human genome for short-term profit for the 1%. Despite the delusions of GOP on the SCOTUS, corporations are not persons, or people -- they have no heart, no soul, no conscience, no body to lock up for their crimes. Bottom line: corporations are willing to poison us, our children and world for money.
Corporations introduce thousands of new unregulated chemicals into the environment every year, and the EPA cannot test but a fraction of them, much less examine interactive effects. We are all unpaid involuntary test subjects & lab rats.
Sixty years ago, childhood allergies & asthma were extremely rare, as were autism and other mental or developmental disabilities. Now, 40% of American children have allergies, 8% have asthma, 1 in 68 is autistic, some 10% have other learning, mental or developmental disabilities. The rates continue to grow.
The human endocrine system, all the glands together, the ovaries, testes, pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, etc., in a year secrete a mere teaspoon of hormones, total. It does not take much to disrupt hormonal balances: a tiny amount of chemical does the job. Pancreatic cancer, autoimmune disorders, diabetes take increasing tolls.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides & herbicides effect reproduction, sex development, metabolism and have given the world novelties: sterile fish, lionesses growing manes, sexually-confused humans, harm to mammals, birds, fish, life. Not good.
Corporations introduce thousands of new unregulated chemicals into the environment every year, and the EPA cannot test but a fraction of them, much less examine interactive effects. We are all unpaid involuntary test subjects & lab rats.
Sixty years ago, childhood allergies & asthma were extremely rare, as were autism and other mental or developmental disabilities. Now, 40% of American children have allergies, 8% have asthma, 1 in 68 is autistic, some 10% have other learning, mental or developmental disabilities. The rates continue to grow.
The human endocrine system, all the glands together, the ovaries, testes, pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, etc., in a year secrete a mere teaspoon of hormones, total. It does not take much to disrupt hormonal balances: a tiny amount of chemical does the job. Pancreatic cancer, autoimmune disorders, diabetes take increasing tolls.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides & herbicides effect reproduction, sex development, metabolism and have given the world novelties: sterile fish, lionesses growing manes, sexually-confused humans, harm to mammals, birds, fish, life. Not good.
I'm guessing that your "No, of course not," with respect to djt wanting to make kids a little dumber, was sarcasm. 30 years ago, as a new teacher at a small state college, I was lectured by a banker about the dangers of excessive education.
11
Trump poisons our bodies, as well as our minds.
14
Same old liberal canard: "The Republicans are poisoning the air and water." How many times have we heard that line before? Mr. Egan needs some new material.
2
We have heard it so many times before because the Republicans are so fond of doing it.
And previously, we had the EPA and the free press to hold them accountable. Now we are down to just the journalists - the ones not part of the State News Agency (aka Fox News).
And previously, we had the EPA and the free press to hold them accountable. Now we are down to just the journalists - the ones not part of the State News Agency (aka Fox News).
12
. “Tell me what you eat,” goes the French saying, “and I will tell you what you are.” In the age of Trump, the poison in the food chain will explain much."
Finally an explanation for why we have been behaving so mindlessly. Good job Mr Egan.
Add in the endocrine disrupting chemicals and Round Up and a lot more gets explained.
For a start, avoid non organic wheat! Its got more roundup residue on it than any other foodstuff.
Finally an explanation for why we have been behaving so mindlessly. Good job Mr Egan.
Add in the endocrine disrupting chemicals and Round Up and a lot more gets explained.
For a start, avoid non organic wheat! Its got more roundup residue on it than any other foodstuff.
8
Spot on. It is even worse for what we put into vaccines for many years.
• Many vaccines contain mercury in the form of thimerosal. Thimerosal was patented in 1928, and has been used ever since, despite it being tested on humans only once, in 1929…a test in which all 22 subjects died within 2 days of receiving thimerosal.Mercury is a known toxin and neurotoxin, with no safe amount for a human. It can kill when applied externally. With vaccines, it is injected internally. Claims that mercury has been removed from vaccines given to children are false.
• Many vaccines contain ingredients that have never been clinically approved by the FDA. Defying common sense and violating basic safety and ethics standards, the FDA approves vaccines that contain never-proven-safe and known-to-be-dangerous ingredients. For example, there are two forms of aluminum adjuvants used in vaccines, aluminum hydroxyphosphate salt and aluminum oxyhydroxide salt. Neither has been clinically approved by the FDA, both are known toxins and neurotoxins, yet both are in vaccines approved by the FDA. These are but two examples, there are more.
• Aluminum is an undisputed toxin and neurotoxin. Its toxicity has been known for some 90 years. The two aluminum adjuvants mentioned above are used in vaccines for the express purpose of inducing toxicity. Permitting the use of aluminum in vaccines is akin to permitting lead paint in government approved toys and teething rings.
• Many vaccines contain mercury in the form of thimerosal. Thimerosal was patented in 1928, and has been used ever since, despite it being tested on humans only once, in 1929…a test in which all 22 subjects died within 2 days of receiving thimerosal.Mercury is a known toxin and neurotoxin, with no safe amount for a human. It can kill when applied externally. With vaccines, it is injected internally. Claims that mercury has been removed from vaccines given to children are false.
• Many vaccines contain ingredients that have never been clinically approved by the FDA. Defying common sense and violating basic safety and ethics standards, the FDA approves vaccines that contain never-proven-safe and known-to-be-dangerous ingredients. For example, there are two forms of aluminum adjuvants used in vaccines, aluminum hydroxyphosphate salt and aluminum oxyhydroxide salt. Neither has been clinically approved by the FDA, both are known toxins and neurotoxins, yet both are in vaccines approved by the FDA. These are but two examples, there are more.
• Aluminum is an undisputed toxin and neurotoxin. Its toxicity has been known for some 90 years. The two aluminum adjuvants mentioned above are used in vaccines for the express purpose of inducing toxicity. Permitting the use of aluminum in vaccines is akin to permitting lead paint in government approved toys and teething rings.
2
I agree with Egan 100%. But just to play devils advocate here, if you give research subjects enough of any substance all at once, you can kill them. Salt is a perfect example. So while I agree that government should regulate many, many substances, I also think that we have to guard against hype and hysteria and keep things in perspective. After all, measles killed more people than thimersol ever did.
1
Mularkey. Except for profits for the vaccine makers. Thimerosal has no efficacy use. It is only a preservative to allow for multi-dose vials instead of all delivery via single stick. It is merely cents to have produced only single dose vials of many of the vaccines. Killing people is bad in ANY quantity.
"But Trump, with his absurd edict to eliminate two regulations for every new one proposed, is making things more dangerous for them."
Ah! Pruit of the poison tree! Have a bite!
Ah! Pruit of the poison tree! Have a bite!
8
To add insult to injury Trump tried to make it seem like he was helping the poor local farmer instead of helping big agribusiness save a few pennies by degrading our foodstuff's. With the CEO of Dow chemical looking on at the Executive order signing, I tried to remember where I had seen the, sickly, smiles they had on their faces before. Mr. Burns from the Simpsons came to mind. Excellent.
6
Let me tell you about the poisons industry foists upon our citizens without a care for human life and only an eye toward profits.
My family was destroyed by PCB exposure. When I was a kid, my mother was an office manager for a company which made resins used in sealing shipping cartons for all sorts of companies. I was hired during the summer to help out in the office. One of my jobs was to laboriously type out form letters to clients informing them of this great new additive to the adhesives: poly chlorinated biphenyls (manufactured by Monsanto). I typed this word over and over again.
My mother's office was right next door to the company chemist's lab and she complained vociferously about the horrid smell. He was very sloppy she said, leaving traces of his potions on various surfaces.
Within six months, she became ill with breast cancer and two years later, liver cancer. I didn't put two and two together because I didn't know better. She died at the young age of 47, never seeing me graduate from college or any of the important moments of living. Our entire family split apart because she was ironically, the glue that held it all together.
A decade later I worked in a job which required reading the US Federal Register from the government. I read that PCBs definitively caused liver cancer and was to be banned and stored like radiation, the exposure danger was so great. My body became hot from head to toes. PCBs killed my mom and ruined big parts of my life.
My family was destroyed by PCB exposure. When I was a kid, my mother was an office manager for a company which made resins used in sealing shipping cartons for all sorts of companies. I was hired during the summer to help out in the office. One of my jobs was to laboriously type out form letters to clients informing them of this great new additive to the adhesives: poly chlorinated biphenyls (manufactured by Monsanto). I typed this word over and over again.
My mother's office was right next door to the company chemist's lab and she complained vociferously about the horrid smell. He was very sloppy she said, leaving traces of his potions on various surfaces.
Within six months, she became ill with breast cancer and two years later, liver cancer. I didn't put two and two together because I didn't know better. She died at the young age of 47, never seeing me graduate from college or any of the important moments of living. Our entire family split apart because she was ironically, the glue that held it all together.
A decade later I worked in a job which required reading the US Federal Register from the government. I read that PCBs definitively caused liver cancer and was to be banned and stored like radiation, the exposure danger was so great. My body became hot from head to toes. PCBs killed my mom and ruined big parts of my life.
198
I'm so sorry you had to live through that suffering, and especially sorry for your mother who suffered and died from that horrid chemical. I'm sorry for all of us that have been exposed to it over decades of our lives and for profit only. How many of us have lost people we love or will face illness caused by it in our future? Thank you for your post.
2
There is no record of anyone, anywhere ever being harmed by legal use of any pesticide.
As a medical writer, I have seen plenty of documentation of once legal chemical agents --including those you cite--that turned out to be dangerous. Your comment claiming they are all safe is not accurate.
8
That is a bold statement. Do you have evidence?
2
In Canada, the government has a mandate to re-evaluate pesticides in use after 15 years--regardless of safety documentation initially. The reason: It often later becomes evident that they are not as safe (to humans, pollinators or ecosystems) as initially believed. They are the same products that often remain in unmodified use in the USA.
5
The nasty little truth is that Trump is not an outlier among Republicans- this is the kind of stuff they have been salivating for all along- he is like Mitch McConnell in that he is shameless about doing the things he wants. The suckered voters who thought he was going to be their savior have instead installed a monster who is the spokesmodel for all that is wrong in Republicanland.
The simple and sane question for all these who treat our one and only Earth like a dumping ground is this:
When you have ruined life on this planet so as to make it uninhabitable for humans, exactly where do you expect your family and offspring to live?
Since this is the week of Passover and Easter, I will pose a moral question. If you were to give God (whichever one you may worship) an account for your stewardship of this planet and how you treat your neighbor, what excuse would you offer for polluting everything you touch and poisoning your neighbor?
The simple and sane question for all these who treat our one and only Earth like a dumping ground is this:
When you have ruined life on this planet so as to make it uninhabitable for humans, exactly where do you expect your family and offspring to live?
Since this is the week of Passover and Easter, I will pose a moral question. If you were to give God (whichever one you may worship) an account for your stewardship of this planet and how you treat your neighbor, what excuse would you offer for polluting everything you touch and poisoning your neighbor?
17
Sick, dumb, and underemployed, that's how they want us. If we're not sick enough to be driven to penury by background healthcare costs alone, they will poison us until we are.
5
In response to his own question "Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him?", Mr. Egan replies "No, of course not."
Mr. Egan - are you sure about that?
Mr. Egan - are you sure about that?
12
I simply can't understand why these men would make these decisions ... with glee and pride, as if they'd won a game.
Donald Trump has grandchildren. Does he know their names? Has anybody told him that he can build the highest tower in the world, and live in a gilded penthouse on the top floor with his progeny, but he and they will still have to eat? Something. And those bright pretty strawberries that come up on the elevator may be sprayed with bad stuff. (Also, all that gold spraypaint may create fumes that rot his brain. Hmmmm.)
Trump's and Pruitt's (and Puzder's and Bannon's and Sessions's and Flynn's and Ryan's and McConnell's) instincts are all so desperately masculine. These guys don't care what happens to kids ... taking care of kids is a woman's job. What they seek, and eat, is money and power.
I am married to a patient man and am the mother of two thoughtful grown sons, and I loved my dad. I honestly don't DISLIKE men. But when they join a pack like this Republican pack, they scare me. Because they're stupid.
Donald Trump has grandchildren. Does he know their names? Has anybody told him that he can build the highest tower in the world, and live in a gilded penthouse on the top floor with his progeny, but he and they will still have to eat? Something. And those bright pretty strawberries that come up on the elevator may be sprayed with bad stuff. (Also, all that gold spraypaint may create fumes that rot his brain. Hmmmm.)
Trump's and Pruitt's (and Puzder's and Bannon's and Sessions's and Flynn's and Ryan's and McConnell's) instincts are all so desperately masculine. These guys don't care what happens to kids ... taking care of kids is a woman's job. What they seek, and eat, is money and power.
I am married to a patient man and am the mother of two thoughtful grown sons, and I loved my dad. I honestly don't DISLIKE men. But when they join a pack like this Republican pack, they scare me. Because they're stupid.
1
In my very own 21st Century America (21st century only according to the calendar) the concept of "Public Health" is an oxymoron.
If a country is to have a fully developed public health program the following must exist:
1) National databases uniform no matter where the individual whose data are being recorded lives.
2) Universal Health Care with as uniform access to care as technically and financially possible.
3) Nationally supported medical research
4) An understanding that we are all equipped with the same basic genome and that differences in health are profoundly affected by dose and exposure to toxins as made clear in Tim Egan's fine column. Using a variable as crude as black/white "race" won't do.
Not possible with a President who wants to cut NIH funding by 18%, perhaps shows momentary concern for the health of a few children in Idlib Syria but not the slightest for millions of American children, and does not believe in science.
Never In Trump's America.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
If a country is to have a fully developed public health program the following must exist:
1) National databases uniform no matter where the individual whose data are being recorded lives.
2) Universal Health Care with as uniform access to care as technically and financially possible.
3) Nationally supported medical research
4) An understanding that we are all equipped with the same basic genome and that differences in health are profoundly affected by dose and exposure to toxins as made clear in Tim Egan's fine column. Using a variable as crude as black/white "race" won't do.
Not possible with a President who wants to cut NIH funding by 18%, perhaps shows momentary concern for the health of a few children in Idlib Syria but not the slightest for millions of American children, and does not believe in science.
Never In Trump's America.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
5
From his efforts to make food dangerous, to the allowance of coal companies to dump toxic sewage in rivers and streams, and finally ending on his gutting of efforts to fight global warming, Don the Con reveals he is an imminent threat to all our health. When can we impeach him?
5
It's not just people at the margins who don't eat at Whole Foods. It's only the elites and childless hipsters that can afford organic fruits and vegetables. Let's make that very clear.
3
Enough with the tropes! -- it's not only "elites and childless hipsters that can afford organic fruits and vegetables".
Don't they have community gardens in Mpls??
We've even got them here in New York City!!!
Don't they have community gardens in Mpls??
We've even got them here in New York City!!!
2
I am a Dump Trumper for the duration but the ag/poison issue didn't start with him. It's been going on forever fueled and fed by the "better living through chemistry" crowd. Look at what agent orange did to Vietnam as a highlight. You can only thank Father Time, science and dogged activism for bringing about progress via what was a semi-functional EPA. So, good luck and prayers to us all as the newly elected Agent Orange puts his indelible mark on our environment.
6
The presidential oath...enjoins the new president to swear or affirm that he "will to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."--Wiki. Does this not mean protecting American citizens?
Mr. Egan, by embarking upon the destruction of every health safeguard--our food, our air, our water--not to mention the future(s) of our children and their children, posterity, this president of the United States has sworn his oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the narrow commercial interests of companies whose mission is to keep their shareholders afloat.
It should come as absolutely no surprise that this president's viral attack on ObamaCare is consonant with his "freeing up so much" the agents of poison in our land. Trump Nation, the citizens in what's known derisively as Flyover Country, stand to get killed off first. Flint, Michigan is coming to a town near them with toxins in the water they need to drink, to wash, to clean. With Neanderthals from Oklahoma like Scott Pruitt in Trump's cabinet and James "Mountain" Inhofe in the Senate, what can possibly go wrong? The Republican Party is nothing more than "climate-and-science deniers are us."
Few of the 62-millions of Trump voters are stereotypical hayseeds but when these folks return Pruitt and Inhofe to office like clockwork, it says here that they're roosters and hens voting for the fox or the coyote in the forest just outside the yard.
This president to all of us: "drop dead."
Mr. Egan, by embarking upon the destruction of every health safeguard--our food, our air, our water--not to mention the future(s) of our children and their children, posterity, this president of the United States has sworn his oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the narrow commercial interests of companies whose mission is to keep their shareholders afloat.
It should come as absolutely no surprise that this president's viral attack on ObamaCare is consonant with his "freeing up so much" the agents of poison in our land. Trump Nation, the citizens in what's known derisively as Flyover Country, stand to get killed off first. Flint, Michigan is coming to a town near them with toxins in the water they need to drink, to wash, to clean. With Neanderthals from Oklahoma like Scott Pruitt in Trump's cabinet and James "Mountain" Inhofe in the Senate, what can possibly go wrong? The Republican Party is nothing more than "climate-and-science deniers are us."
Few of the 62-millions of Trump voters are stereotypical hayseeds but when these folks return Pruitt and Inhofe to office like clockwork, it says here that they're roosters and hens voting for the fox or the coyote in the forest just outside the yard.
This president to all of us: "drop dead."
6
One of the great ironies is this. You cannot throw away anything. We can find detectable if minute amounts of birth control pills in our waterways which get there after passing through the bodies of millions of women. We routinely use phthalates and other chemicals to stabilize plastics even after identifying many such chemicals as "endocrine disruptors".
We have seen a significant rise in the visibility of transgender men and women in our society. Is this a maturation of our openness and our society or have the absolute numbers of transgender youth and adults increased? Are they the canaries in our coal mine?
We have seen a significant rise in the visibility of transgender men and women in our society. Is this a maturation of our openness and our society or have the absolute numbers of transgender youth and adults increased? Are they the canaries in our coal mine?
4
Of course Trump & Co. want children to be "dumber." That's not a consequence; that is part of the plan.
People who either cannot think critically or refuse to think critically are easier to con. They more readily accept lies. They are more apt to vote against their own interests.
Why do you think that the Catholic Church actively fought education in the Middle Ages? Educated and engaged individuals who think critically pose a threat to authoritarians.
The GOP has been playing a long game to ensure that there is fertile ground for their rigid, narrow, evangelical view...and, sadly, it is working.
People who either cannot think critically or refuse to think critically are easier to con. They more readily accept lies. They are more apt to vote against their own interests.
Why do you think that the Catholic Church actively fought education in the Middle Ages? Educated and engaged individuals who think critically pose a threat to authoritarians.
The GOP has been playing a long game to ensure that there is fertile ground for their rigid, narrow, evangelical view...and, sadly, it is working.
6
So Trump dispatches 59 missiles because Assad used chemical bombs against Syrian people. Meanwhile Trump eliminates environmental protections and will cause the deaths of thousands of US residents through chemical poisoning. What a hypocrite. And that is an understatement.
Wouldn't it be ironic if all the easing of these environmental regulations caused a tremendous upswing in lawsuits, which directly benefits American trail lawyers, who contribute more money to Democratic candidates than anyone else.
3
Corporations are grinning. This is a shameful reversal of common sense practices. Profit first, people second. Just ask United .
Mr. Trump is indeed creating jobs by his drive to reduce the regulations that keep harmful chemicals from our food, water and air. He is creating more undertaker jobs.
1
Horrific that Trump's Environmental Protection Agency - headed by Oklahoman Scott Pruitt - is dismantling everything the EPA does to make our lives safer. Tim Egan, your description of the deadly but beautiful pesticided strawberry (on steroids) makes me happy that I'm anaphylactically allergic to strawberries. Can anyone explain why President Trump is hostile to science, to climate-change and climate-warming? We who didn't vote for Trump or want him as our ignorant, demented, narcissistic betrayer of public health, wonder what we can do to oust him, impeach him, remove him from the most powerful job in the world? Polluted tap water, asbestos (Pruitt isn't ready to ban asbestos!), ashcanning restoration projects in America's waterways, cutting research into harmful chemicals? Bringing back chlorpyrifos pesticide, Lord have mercy on us. Mindless regulations are still on the books, inconvenient truths according to our almost President Al Gore, whose Presidency was snatched by Bush II who started two wars in the Middle East. Yesterday President Trump detonated "the Mother of All Bombs" in Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border, to do away with ISIS's safe tunnels. Tim Egan, what can we all do to remove poison from our food chain?Complaining about EPA's Pruitt is not "whining by alarmists" like you and me. We are not alarmists. We are shrieking, not whining! We are the beautiful almost dead canaries in the coal mines of our blessed country.
This is how rich elites plan their meals. Everybody else not so much. Maybe we should focus on educating the masses on the benefits of fresh produce and proteins and stop confusing them with all the food religion rules that progressives (actually regressives) want everybody to live by. Science and technology are feeding more people more efficiently then ever in history. The religious left doesn't like this.
Just keep in mind that reason won over incompetence in the popular presidential vote. Not namin' just sayin'.
2
Regulations are good. Republicans have programmed their gullible supporters with the alternative fact that regulations are bad.
3
Yet more proof, as if it were needed, that citizens are just cows to be milked. The White House, Congress, and the supremes (five of them) feel the same contempt for us that United Airlines did for the customer it man-handled to get off the plane. We just in the way. Profit before people EVERY time.
4
" asbestos a second look. This carcinogen is banned by 58 nations and linked to the cancer deaths of nearly 63,000 Americans between 1999 and 2014. "
And many more before 1999, including my father.
And many more before 1999, including my father.
5
Call or write your member of Congress! Then call or write other members of Congress. Repeat. That's the only hope for this to change.
1
Trump is the great thief our money, our health, our earth. It was bound to happen. If you had read anything written by those who have followed him for years you would know that he is soulless and heartless. He cares for nothing but putting money in his pocket and how he looks to others. He is not doing to well in the latter concern with many people. Egan's article doesn't surprise, but merely confirms what we knew would happen if this unfit person got the job. It gives me pleasure to say "he's not my president."
1
What is the moral difference between Trump and Pruitt consciously allowing the poisoning of America's children and Assad's overt use of chemicals in a civil war? Is it ignorance? Is there some subtle difference in intent? The science on chlorpyrifos is incontrovertible. Of course, that has little meaning among the ideologues and Know-Nothings of the far Right.
1
We have evolved into a Plutocracy for quite some time now and with the new Administration, Team Trump appointed the dismantlers of "the Government"
1
Another instance of Trump hypocrisy. Let's not get in the way of the farming industry in order to protect the public's health. Wanna bet that Trump's family consumes only certified organic food?
We in the Great Lakes region are indeed concerned. This beautiful region is called America's Third Coast. We have 80% of all fresh water in the United States, and 20% of the world's fresh water. With all the water worries and shortages elsewhere in America, it is possible that someday much of the Great Lakes water will need to also supply households elsewhere in America. Why would any administration risk the health of these waters?
99
Greed and stupidity?
Trump and the republicans won. End of story. Hillary, whom I expected not to enter the race with tons of baggage, did, and then proceeded to run an awful campaign, which included both neglecting and taking for granted struggling families. What a tremendous disappointment! So grin and bear the next four, probably eight, years. The people have spoken.
Two ways to bring down unemployment: more jobs or less people. I guess Trump is going the less people way. Oh and making kids less intelligence, well then those kids will take the low paying service jobs that his his hotels supply. Trump's presidential power to do these things is a win win situation.
1
One aspect missing from Egan's excellent column is EPA's impotence with regard to tens of thousands of unregulated chemicals in current use.
EPA is allowed to regulate only those chemicals shown harmful to human health. Because no tests are required to demonstrate safety, in the vast majority of cases no clear evidence of harm exists. Assembling that evidence is expensive, not only in dollars, but in the toll on human health while the chemical remains in use.
Before a drug can be widely used, it is studied and tested. Before a food additive is used? Before a new chemical is introduced in a food container? No test, no study beyond efficacy. The effect on human health? Presumed safe.
Consequently we live in a world of hurt and rumor. Is this or that container safe? We can't depend on science or the government to certify it, so we rely on some magazine article or intuition.
We spent decades cooking in Teflon. Now Teflon is thought by some to be harmful, so those in the "know" buy ceramic nonstick pans. Better? So we think. Evidence? None, one way or the other.
Trump want to turn the regulation clock back. I want to turn it forward, to double the size of the EPA, and start examining these questions. If all we do is prove that something actually is safe, at least we'll reassure the American public their government is protecting them. More likely, we'll find some substances are causing harm, and be able to stop it.
EPA is allowed to regulate only those chemicals shown harmful to human health. Because no tests are required to demonstrate safety, in the vast majority of cases no clear evidence of harm exists. Assembling that evidence is expensive, not only in dollars, but in the toll on human health while the chemical remains in use.
Before a drug can be widely used, it is studied and tested. Before a food additive is used? Before a new chemical is introduced in a food container? No test, no study beyond efficacy. The effect on human health? Presumed safe.
Consequently we live in a world of hurt and rumor. Is this or that container safe? We can't depend on science or the government to certify it, so we rely on some magazine article or intuition.
We spent decades cooking in Teflon. Now Teflon is thought by some to be harmful, so those in the "know" buy ceramic nonstick pans. Better? So we think. Evidence? None, one way or the other.
Trump want to turn the regulation clock back. I want to turn it forward, to double the size of the EPA, and start examining these questions. If all we do is prove that something actually is safe, at least we'll reassure the American public their government is protecting them. More likely, we'll find some substances are causing harm, and be able to stop it.
94
What will we do when the EPA discovers that dihydrogen oxide can be lethal in doses as small as a teaspoon? Oxygen is highly explosive and dangerously corrosive? Ferric materials oxidize? The inert gases are not inert?
What we need is a Congressional Investigative Committee to investigate every
regulation Trump wants to get rid of. It might become public knowledge, then,
who benefits from the regulation and who benefits from the elimination of the
regulation. Who makes money from poisoning children and who benefits from not poisoning children?
regulation Trump wants to get rid of. It might become public knowledge, then,
who benefits from the regulation and who benefits from the elimination of the
regulation. Who makes money from poisoning children and who benefits from not poisoning children?
Science schmience! We don't need no science! It's all about jobs, people!
Here is an instance where I like having a federal government. Protecting our food sources. Protecting our waterways. Being a check on industry, because absent this, industry will do all they can to increase the bottom line, even if it means dumping toxins in our backyards and waterways. That is soooo paternalistic, but necessary.
Deconstruct the administrative state? OK, but how about looking for real life solutions for efficiency, instead of issuing ludicrous edicts like 1 for 2 regulations?
Here is an instance where I like having a federal government. Protecting our food sources. Protecting our waterways. Being a check on industry, because absent this, industry will do all they can to increase the bottom line, even if it means dumping toxins in our backyards and waterways. That is soooo paternalistic, but necessary.
Deconstruct the administrative state? OK, but how about looking for real life solutions for efficiency, instead of issuing ludicrous edicts like 1 for 2 regulations?
1
"Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him? No, of course not." For one thing, he's too impulsive to dream up such a long-term plan. But in my darkest and most cynical moments, I wonder if some of the Republicans in power secretly applaud anything that decreases the intelligence of the voting public, so that they are more easily gulled by shiny distracting lies. After all, the GOP is clearly bent on destroying public education.
3
I was thinking last night about what evil is and that it is this. It is allowing a chemical known to cause illness to be used in the name of profits. Evil is taking health services away from lower income people in the name of tax breaks for wealthy. Evil is ruining our world and denying climate change in the name of corporate profits, evil is building new jails to house illegal immigrants that haven't done anything wrong except seek a better life. EVil is taking lending protections away from vulnerable students trying to pay for college. I don't believe that Trump is innocent of evil because he is ignorant. He has surrounded himself with evil in the form of Bannon, DeVos, Sessions and Pruitt to name a few. We are living in frightening times.
Why would anyone be surprised at Trump's position on natural resources and chemical exposure, or the effect of food on health.He is about as connected to the natural world as a plastic bottle. Just look at the guy - he rarely leaves his inside realm for the outdoors, except to ride a golf cart on a pesticide-greened turf. By us own admission, he lives on diet soda and fast food.
Yet another unseen tax/cost for the American people. Corporations to get tax cuts while the rest of us pay a silent tax with our health and healthcare dollars. When Americans are unsure of their food supply we are in trouble. Eating poisonous fruits and vegetables and McDonalds does not make America great. Polluting our waters and not fixing the problems does not make America great. These things make us sick, more healthcare dependent and less productive.
I am sick just thinking about it all.
If you want good things you have to pay somewhere along the line.
I am sick just thinking about it all.
If you want good things you have to pay somewhere along the line.
1
contrary to the media's meme, trump Is getting a lot done. a lot of bad stuff.
2
The reality is that the cost savings from eliminating essential public health regulations will not result in creating new jobs, but rather will line the pockets of the 1% that own the companies "enjoying" the elimination of said regulations. Meanwhile, the larger public will bear the health and financial costs from the resulting increase in death and disease.
2
There are lots more poisons out there. One is Neotame. Neotame is not the same as aspartame but was invented about 2002. It was been patented until both the patent and it's extension expired.
As it is 10,000 times as sweet as sugar it is not listed in any list of ingredients. The tiny amounts that are required are exempt from labels. It is not sold in any envelopes nor is it seen in restaurants or food stores. It is simply added to our food without telling us. It is a true poison in every sense of the word.
As it is 10,000 times as sweet as sugar it is not listed in any list of ingredients. The tiny amounts that are required are exempt from labels. It is not sold in any envelopes nor is it seen in restaurants or food stores. It is simply added to our food without telling us. It is a true poison in every sense of the word.
The alarm bells should have started sounding with the nomination, and subsequent appointment of Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency; a long-time opponent of the agency, no worse candidate could have been found.
It's bad enough that Pruitt thinks climate change is a hoax, but by undermining air and water safety, even after the recent catastrophe in Flint, Michigan, he has proven himself to be no friend of the environment, or to that extent, of the American people.
And judging by Donald Trump's efforts to to dismantle both the E.P.A. and the Affordable Care Act, and by not recognizing the dangerous toxins he is allowing into our food chain, neither is he.
It's bad enough that Pruitt thinks climate change is a hoax, but by undermining air and water safety, even after the recent catastrophe in Flint, Michigan, he has proven himself to be no friend of the environment, or to that extent, of the American people.
And judging by Donald Trump's efforts to to dismantle both the E.P.A. and the Affordable Care Act, and by not recognizing the dangerous toxins he is allowing into our food chain, neither is he.
3
How about Roundup, sprayed on crops for years, claimed by Monsanto to be safe. Now evidence of collusion between Monsanto and the FDA has arisen.
Is it any wonder that Autoimmune Illnesses, Autism, Alzheimer have gone through the roof.
I'm a 30+ years physician. When I started S.L.E. (Lupus), was so rare, now it's so common that I see it almost daily in the office. I'm not saying there is a definite connection, but there certainly can be. These chemicals interfere with the central nervous system, and that part is fact!
Is it any wonder that Autoimmune Illnesses, Autism, Alzheimer have gone through the roof.
I'm a 30+ years physician. When I started S.L.E. (Lupus), was so rare, now it's so common that I see it almost daily in the office. I'm not saying there is a definite connection, but there certainly can be. These chemicals interfere with the central nervous system, and that part is fact!
This article shows that the dangers of poisons in our foods are real and really scary, yet Trump ignores them. Poisons are him, a noxious mix of indifference and cynicism. Beware and boycott this toxic product. Label his heart with a skull and crossbones. Make haste to get it off the shelves.
1
Missiles and 21,000 pound bombs, oh my! Instant death and destruction is so exciting! The slow pace of gradual poisoning, the incidental death and injury from chemical products? That's just business.
See what I did there? Using chemical weapons to purposefully kill and injure people bad. Very bad. Using chemical products that inadvertently kill and injure? Eh.
Flint, Michigan is not an anomaly. Poisoned children is the price "we the people" pay so corporate aristocrats can hoard more and more profits.
See what I did there? Using chemical weapons to purposefully kill and injure people bad. Very bad. Using chemical products that inadvertently kill and injure? Eh.
Flint, Michigan is not an anomaly. Poisoned children is the price "we the people" pay so corporate aristocrats can hoard more and more profits.
3
Excessive excessive fear about chemical use without knowledge about how it is actually used. Needlessly scaring people about their fruits and vegetables.
This particular chemical is sprayed on orchards while they are still dormant, before the fruit buds ever open up to expose the fruit. The chemical never touches the fruit.
Should research your subject better before trying to make people think their food is unsafe to eat.
This particular chemical is sprayed on orchards while they are still dormant, before the fruit buds ever open up to expose the fruit. The chemical never touches the fruit.
Should research your subject better before trying to make people think their food is unsafe to eat.
2
We already live in a dystopian world but it has crept up on us so stealthily that most people are simply unconscious about it.
1
"The Obama administration moved to ban asbestos."
I thought America was supposed to lead the world. Asbestos has been prohibited in Britain for so long that my team was pleased when we finally managed to get the last of the asbestos removed from the National Gallery, London 30 years ago.
I thought America was supposed to lead the world. Asbestos has been prohibited in Britain for so long that my team was pleased when we finally managed to get the last of the asbestos removed from the National Gallery, London 30 years ago.
1
Mr. Egan,
Thank you for writing this article and summarizes all the dangers we face as Trump and Pruitt destroy our environment and our health and our destiny.
Please keep updating this article and tell us which bills have passed and been signed already and what other safeguards have been eliminated.
Also tell us what Zinke/Interior is planning to do to our National Parks and lands.
A chart would also be helpful.
Keep telling us about the terrible direction the administration is taking us all.
Thank you for writing this article and summarizes all the dangers we face as Trump and Pruitt destroy our environment and our health and our destiny.
Please keep updating this article and tell us which bills have passed and been signed already and what other safeguards have been eliminated.
Also tell us what Zinke/Interior is planning to do to our National Parks and lands.
A chart would also be helpful.
Keep telling us about the terrible direction the administration is taking us all.
1
Strong condemnation of the troglodyte we have as president, deeply ignorant , highly arrogant, a narcissist whose only interest is himself. Otherwise, he is unscrupulous and irresponsible towards the well-being of others. And, as noted, has the full attention of thugs (Pruitt being one of them) ready and willing to do his awful bidding. The only rational option left, before this country goes to hell, is to oust this opportunist "ugly american-in-chief", whose closed mind is mind-boggling....and whose actions are barbaric and destructive.
3
I guess Trump cares more about the beautiful little Syrian babies then he does about the US babies. When the choice is to govern through meaningful domestic policy or launch 60 tomahawks as a warning (and to boost his ratings in the polls), the answer is clear to that vacuous reality star. The moral equivalency of using sarin to immediately poison a child and slowly poisoning them over years is lost on this administration.
What is needed are some horrific images of the people that are effected by his actions plastered all over the media. Barring that, we will just have more of the same.
What is needed are some horrific images of the people that are effected by his actions plastered all over the media. Barring that, we will just have more of the same.
82
Except he doesn't want any Syrian refugees seeking asylum. They're only beautiful on TV, you see.
4
Trump's and Republican's concerns for beautiful babies ends when they are born and are no longer important to Evangelicals. The exceptions are beautiful babies whose demise is an excuse to launch cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield that have no discernible effect beyond allowing Trump to look presidential.
1
Healthcare as a hostage to Trump's "plans," food poisoned for profit, crises in Syria and North Korea being met by someone who never knew it was so complicated.... Thanks Trump voters - now tell us how we get out of here alive.
5
Let Scott Pruit stand there and get sprayed with
chlorpyrifos. Either he'll faint like the American flag did for Jeff Sessions or it will lower his i.q. enough that he'll suddenly regain his sense of humanity.
chlorpyrifos. Either he'll faint like the American flag did for Jeff Sessions or it will lower his i.q. enough that he'll suddenly regain his sense of humanity.
4
We've got to get this guy and his crew out of there quickly.
4
So Syrian children he'll protect from poisons but not Americans?
4
He and two siblings got daddy's will changed so as to remove medical insurance for nephew's disabled child. This was covered by NYC news. He cares not one whit for any child. His proclamations are only, ever self-serving lies.
1
In the mind of Trump*, if MaraLago looks good, then the world is fine. He, and it, is that simple.
2
Thank you for this column. More needs to be written about how Trump's agenda is affecting people.
He lies -- so what else is new? He poisons.
He lies -- so what else is new? He poisons.
1
And yet we wonder why immigrants are so much smarter than us!
3
Why are these old white guys trying to kill us all? They are seriously off.
4
Maybe Trump and the Trumpettes have consumed too many themselves and that is why THEY are toxic
2
Monsanto.
For 50 years- it's not our fault.
("borrowed" from "the Simpsons")
For 50 years- it's not our fault.
("borrowed" from "the Simpsons")
Take a deep breath, calm down, and eat your Freedom berries. It's good for Big Business.
Toxic substances were being introduced into our environment long before Trump. Neither Democrat nor Republican politicians have paid much attention to this exploding problem that affects the entire planet. Chronic toxicity testing is very difficult, so it has largely been ignored, in favor of profit and efficiency. Thus, unwitting human subjects become the guinea pigs, and occasionally (e.g. asbestos) correlations with harm are discovered. This process is unethical and unnecessary in most cases.
4
I am sorry I read this editorial, but only because I had just finished a breakfast of cereal with sliced strawberries. As I cut into each beautiful berry ("steroid-looking . . . with a toothpaste-white interior"), its uncanny perfection struck me, but I was still sleepy--and hungry! After reading this piece, I am now wondering precisely what I ingested. ". . . a little whiff of chlorpyrifos," maybe?
The perfect strawberry may be the best symbol yet of the "corporatization" of America. When will we learn that what's good for business isn't necessarily good for America?
The perfect strawberry may be the best symbol yet of the "corporatization" of America. When will we learn that what's good for business isn't necessarily good for America?
103
When it's too late.
I don't know what poison it was that made enough Americans so brain impaired that they voted for Trump. Wait a minute, I do know, it was the Republicans and Fox News poison.
24
The Trump Adminstratoon is the real death panel. If people die
for lack of health insurance, they die, if you die due to poisoned
or conraminated food, tough tuds but.
I note that Trump's Florida retreat was cited for health code
violations.
Who needs clean air or water anyway?
for lack of health insurance, they die, if you die due to poisoned
or conraminated food, tough tuds but.
I note that Trump's Florida retreat was cited for health code
violations.
Who needs clean air or water anyway?
7
What could possibly go wrong?
8
Many people think of this president at breakfast every morning while being exposed to his noxious and toxic policies and staffers. They ignored the danger signs and admonitions of "do not enter" and now wonder if the arsenic they swallowed is harmful. What the entire global community is saying to America is "tell us who you voted for and we will tell you who you are".
15
What Trump and his minions are doing is simply creating a two tier America. Dismantling the protections for food, water and air allows our environment and food supply to progressively be poisoned; but only in poor people's neighborhoods. Rich folks will get good health care in enclaves where the food and water is pure, because they can afford to pay for it. The rest of us be damned.
14
Apparently, Trump's parents fed Donald chlorpyrifos by the pound when he was a child. And of course, he wants to poison our children with fewer regulations which allow all sorts of harmful chemicals into our biosphere. Psychopaths have no empathy. All this psychopath sees are dollar signs. The public health be damned.
6
Making corporate profits great again!
Here is the GOP cheerleader:
"Drill, baby, drill, even in national parks! Then build those leaky pipelines and beat the hell out of the protesters. And you can thank us for removing the Democrats' prohibition on selling US crude oil to foreign countries.
"For a modest fee, we offer you a nation of guinea pig citizens to test your GMO crops and poisons; if some get sick, at least you won't have to pay for their medical expenses because they will die off quickly without health insurance. For the survivors, you can lure them without restrictions to send their children to your fake for-profit schools -- there are millions to be looted from public school funds."
The new Trump-GOP motto has become "Gimme, gimme, gimme a slice of your outrageous profits gained from our destruction of protections for citizens of all ages."
Here is the GOP cheerleader:
"Drill, baby, drill, even in national parks! Then build those leaky pipelines and beat the hell out of the protesters. And you can thank us for removing the Democrats' prohibition on selling US crude oil to foreign countries.
"For a modest fee, we offer you a nation of guinea pig citizens to test your GMO crops and poisons; if some get sick, at least you won't have to pay for their medical expenses because they will die off quickly without health insurance. For the survivors, you can lure them without restrictions to send their children to your fake for-profit schools -- there are millions to be looted from public school funds."
The new Trump-GOP motto has become "Gimme, gimme, gimme a slice of your outrageous profits gained from our destruction of protections for citizens of all ages."
10
The idea that a politician like Scott Pruitt, who has been a nothing more than a political slut for the fossil fuel oligarchs in Oklahoma, could be confirmed as head of the EPA adds another surreal layer to the mushrooming Trump freak show. The fact that he recently disputed the connection between carbon emissions and global warming, in addition to the seminal poison issues raised by Tim Egan, render him an environmental Kim Jung un.
21
Trump doesn't care.
9
The working class people who voted for Trump have made it clear that they don't give a damn about the health of their families. If that isn't deplorable, I don't know what is.
17
"Make America Gag Again!"
6
It is amazing that the "life killing chemicals" that Mr. Egan warns us about helped eliminate hunger for most of humanity and helped us live longer and healthier. This article ignores many studies that show that there is absolutely no health advantage in "organic" foods, except, of course, raising food prices. Next, he may propose, banning all medicine as each medicine has at least some unwelcome side effects.
22
There is a difference between "no health advantage" and "no added toxins." If you're not buying organic, make sure to thoroughly wash your produce before eating! It's not the food itself that's the problem, it's what it's coated with.
1
MS, you need to remember that most medicines are taken for a limited time, you stop them if you have a bad reaction, not everyone needs to take strong medicines etc. In short: they are limited. The same cannot be said of water, air and food which is ingested daily by everyone from birth until death, with the greatest "effects" taking place in the bodies and minds of children.
4
One must assume you are of that "all chemicals are the same thing: chemicals" choir. It is a very poor argument because even a good chemist ought know that such a tautology is only true on a level that has very little, and often no, practical value. The numerous chemical configurations for "sugars", for example, prove quite plainly that chemical configurations alone result in quite different products that do have different meanings and utility in the real world.
As to organic vs. non-organic, there are likely just as many studies showing that there are health advantages, as well as long-term environmental advantages, in organically grown foods (which you put in quotes, which further led me to believe you are of the All Chemicals Are The Same crowd, which again, is deceptive when claimed, and virtually a falsehood).
As to those pesky side-effects, like death, well perhaps we do live in a world where some must die, be sick, or otherwise suffer for the Greater Good. But it is not society making that choice; it is some corporation; it is some government body. In fact, it is not even a case of utilitarianism, but rather a contrary idea that all must take equal chance at suffering, at death, for the good of the FEW.
Suffice it to say, the issues are complex, contentious, and knowingly deceptive, from all sides, and certainly not enough room here, but the very idea that using/contining to use chemicals shown to be potentially damaging is risky at best, and deadly at its worst.
As to organic vs. non-organic, there are likely just as many studies showing that there are health advantages, as well as long-term environmental advantages, in organically grown foods (which you put in quotes, which further led me to believe you are of the All Chemicals Are The Same crowd, which again, is deceptive when claimed, and virtually a falsehood).
As to those pesky side-effects, like death, well perhaps we do live in a world where some must die, be sick, or otherwise suffer for the Greater Good. But it is not society making that choice; it is some corporation; it is some government body. In fact, it is not even a case of utilitarianism, but rather a contrary idea that all must take equal chance at suffering, at death, for the good of the FEW.
Suffice it to say, the issues are complex, contentious, and knowingly deceptive, from all sides, and certainly not enough room here, but the very idea that using/contining to use chemicals shown to be potentially damaging is risky at best, and deadly at its worst.
3
Mr. Egan is my favorite op ed writer at the NYT and having studied ecology, I more than agree with this piece and appreciate that Mr. Pruitt has now left our state with what is left of our environment. But why does Oklahoma always have to be mentioned when Mr. Pruitt's name comes up? Trump, Sessions, Tillerson, Ryan and all other politicians are mentioned entirely separate from their states. It makes us a bit paranoid here that our state name, Oklahoma, is used to denigrate. Oklahoma is presently in the control of radical religionists but we did vote for Senator Sanders in the primary, and we have a very healthy history aided by favorite sons Will Rogers and many other Native Americans, Woody Guthrie and untold women. Let's denigrate selfish people, not states.
3
Could be that when people (outside of your state) think of "Oklahoma" and "environment", they think of fracking and daily earthquakes (evidence of what harm can come from ignoring risks to the environment).
DD-- I wish you were correct. You probably are to some extent, but it goes back to before statehood. We're not alone--5-6 states have a negative image. We would just like to see our un- empathetic politicians separate from our state, just as the majority of us would like the world to see Trump separate from the US.
Honestly, I think the real reason so much of Obama's legislation is being reversed is that it is Obama's legislation. Or Democrat legislation.
Doesn't matter what the legislation is. If Obama and the Democrats inspired it, liked it, approved of it, voted for it, the current administration wants it gone.
This polarity of the two leading political parties in the US is causing real problems. And it needs to stop.
Doesn't matter what the legislation is. If Obama and the Democrats inspired it, liked it, approved of it, voted for it, the current administration wants it gone.
This polarity of the two leading political parties in the US is causing real problems. And it needs to stop.
5
Gee whiz, I think you're right about this. I wonder what the over-arching underlying reason for this polarity could be? It should be obvious to the most casual observer. In my view, there's not a whole lot we can do about it.
I hope this is just one in an ongoing series of pieces by Tim Egan that expose the existential danger Trump and his minions are causing America by their wanton, politically motivated eradication of "regulations" designed to make the country safer and healthier. I hope these pieces also include the full extent of lobbying and bribery of elected officials undertaken by Monsanto, Dow Chemical et al to boost their bottom line regardless of harm to consumers. And let's start by dropping the word "regulations" and start referring to them as what they really are: protections.
6
Industry is thriving again under Mr. Trump. No more needless regulations. The EPA has been defanged. This was all on the ballot. Fake poison scares will not work anymore.
1
Those of us who shop at Whole Foods or its equivalent are still exposed to poisons like this one. When we eat out, when we are out of town, when we can't get to our favorite store - we are exposed to lots of toxins. And what of people who understand the risks, but cannot afford to shop at expensive food stores, and go to Walmart for its inexpensive food?
DT is a disaster.
DT is a disaster.
7
What many anticipated, and what any more are now observing, is a careening, chaotic President Trump. He campaigned as a true populist, conjuring up boogie men (and women), playing to the lowest common denominator of lessor informed voters. Sure, there was some legitimacy in his rants that appealed to them: they felt left behind and he promised to lead them out of the wilderness.
It is probable they did not equate his simplistic promises of "Build the Wall!" and "It's going to be beautiful and great!" to the appointments he has made, the rollbacks he has signed that affect every part of almost everyone's life. While there is essentially no legislative record from him, he has managed a powerful wrecking ball.
Trump's rhetoric is certainly informed by those he has close contact with: other billionaires who have no shortage positions that will benefit their bottom lines; anything to the contrary is anathema. Now we have Trump as President, a Tom Hanks adult body inhabited by a twelve year old. More toys than he could have imagined. Lots of other grey haired twelve year olds to invite over for play dates, who eat M&Ms and disparage their former adult supervisors.
Then every once in a while, either a sobering reality about what to do for dinner tomorrow hits home. Or cynically, one of the adult handlers who sneaked in the toy room convinces him that he is not playing well with another who could beat him up and get him sent home to the real world.
Chaos or pre-teen?
It is probable they did not equate his simplistic promises of "Build the Wall!" and "It's going to be beautiful and great!" to the appointments he has made, the rollbacks he has signed that affect every part of almost everyone's life. While there is essentially no legislative record from him, he has managed a powerful wrecking ball.
Trump's rhetoric is certainly informed by those he has close contact with: other billionaires who have no shortage positions that will benefit their bottom lines; anything to the contrary is anathema. Now we have Trump as President, a Tom Hanks adult body inhabited by a twelve year old. More toys than he could have imagined. Lots of other grey haired twelve year olds to invite over for play dates, who eat M&Ms and disparage their former adult supervisors.
Then every once in a while, either a sobering reality about what to do for dinner tomorrow hits home. Or cynically, one of the adult handlers who sneaked in the toy room convinces him that he is not playing well with another who could beat him up and get him sent home to the real world.
Chaos or pre-teen?
3
Trump is in fact destroying the protections it took decades to implement. I guess his vow to keep American safe only means firing war toys and making chest-thumping speeches. I won't shame those who voted for him thinking that some kind of change had to be made after we suffered 8 years of obstuctionism. But there is the old adage that says "Be careful what you wish for!"
4
Thank you for this article. Of course, there are costs to pursuing more organic ways to farm, but the economic comparison between more organic farming and factory farming rarely includes the costs of long-term damage to people (both farm workers and consumers), animals, earth, air and water. While it may not be possible to immediately ban certain pesticides and fertilizers, one feels that the Trump administration's actions are, as you said so articulately, based simply on a knee-jerk rejection of any kind of science, especially if it involves any nuanced inquiry. (The fact that something is supported by scientific data seems to be held against it.) There is an element of "pay-back" in every decision--pay-back against groups, i.e. scientists, environmentalists, protectors of children's health (rather than only specifically protectors of fetuses) that as a whole likely did not support Trump or Trumpism. Of course, this pay-back will also affect people who did support Trump and who cannot afford to buy organic vegetables or who live in areas affected by pesticides and/or dumped mining debris. (I don't want to diminish the term "chemical warfare" by using it here, but there is a terrible chemical negligence that is promoted as well as continual chemical torts.)
6
"And so Donald Trump brought in Scott Pruitt from Oklahoma to dismantle nearly everything the Environmental Protection Agency does to make life safer. His mission is to destroy the agency he now leads." Poor EPA and all that, but isn't this just what Trump was elected to do? To destroy the nation which he leads?
And as for chemicals being harmful to the brain and nervous system of children, isn't that simply one more step I that direction?
And as for chemicals being harmful to the brain and nervous system of children, isn't that simply one more step I that direction?
1
Most of the people I know are not concerned with how or where their food is grown or produced. Their primary concern is that it is cheap, beautiful and easy to prepare (processed) even though many of them can easily afford healthier and organic food, they still won't buy it. When I ask if they would put the lowest quality fuel and motor oil in their cars, they say of course not as it could cause long term, costly damage.
This is an old story for Republican administrations. Ronald Reagan's first EPA administrator oversaw radical cuts to the agency's budget and staff, stopped bringing enforcement cases against polluters, and refused to turn over records demanded by Congress regarding the agency's mishandling of toxic waste cleanup projects under the Superfund law. Her name was Anne Gorsuch, mother of newly-installed associate Supreme Court justice Neil Gorsuch. She died of cancer at the age of 62, a fate to which she was clearly prepared to condemn thousands of other Americans her agency was supposed to be protecting.
12
Trump doesn't believe in science. Scientific studies which demonstrate potential harms will not bend him.
And Trump is the anti-Obama. Policy decisions are easy: negate Obama initiatives. Don't need to think about it.
I suspect that the cost benefit of chemicals is hard to calculate - the cost to health, human development, environment, ecosystems, balanced against the benefit of vast food production which can feed billions. The calculus may be complex, but it should not be based on lobbying dollars and a dislike of your predecessor.
But Trump doesn't think with his cerebral cortex using executive function. He depends on a part deeper, down, more primitive, less evolved. Trump is all id, and that is a scary nature for a leader of a huge nation.
And Trump is the anti-Obama. Policy decisions are easy: negate Obama initiatives. Don't need to think about it.
I suspect that the cost benefit of chemicals is hard to calculate - the cost to health, human development, environment, ecosystems, balanced against the benefit of vast food production which can feed billions. The calculus may be complex, but it should not be based on lobbying dollars and a dislike of your predecessor.
But Trump doesn't think with his cerebral cortex using executive function. He depends on a part deeper, down, more primitive, less evolved. Trump is all id, and that is a scary nature for a leader of a huge nation.
3
The EPA did do it'd job in the past, but has lived out it's usefulness. When small farm ponds, used to water livestock are strictly regulated something has gone terribly wrong.
When the larges toxic chemical spill in America (Animas river) was caused by the EPA itself (despite warning from state environmental agencies and went forward with questionable work) , toxins from that spill have spread to California and the food stuffs we eat, the agency is too big to manage.
The editorial mentioned Flint water but the EPA was well aware of the issue with Flint water and did nothing for at least 6 months, what good was the EPA then (the federal government even approved of the switch to different water source which caused the resulting issues).
Everyday millions of people eat food imported from Central and South America and Asia which are grown with higher pesticides and more toxic chemicals and the government says nothing.
the people who eat "organic" think they are eating natural food are deluding themselves, take some time to read the Department of Ag's regulation on what constitutes "organic" you would be shocked what is allowed.
I am not for dirty air/water but just a reasonable cost analysis and some common sense. Foods like mushroom, carrots, celery, broccoli, potatoes all have thousands of times more carcinogens and poisons then the few pesticides and herbicides then a farmer is allowed. The article was an emotional based article and is not based on scientific research
When the larges toxic chemical spill in America (Animas river) was caused by the EPA itself (despite warning from state environmental agencies and went forward with questionable work) , toxins from that spill have spread to California and the food stuffs we eat, the agency is too big to manage.
The editorial mentioned Flint water but the EPA was well aware of the issue with Flint water and did nothing for at least 6 months, what good was the EPA then (the federal government even approved of the switch to different water source which caused the resulting issues).
Everyday millions of people eat food imported from Central and South America and Asia which are grown with higher pesticides and more toxic chemicals and the government says nothing.
the people who eat "organic" think they are eating natural food are deluding themselves, take some time to read the Department of Ag's regulation on what constitutes "organic" you would be shocked what is allowed.
I am not for dirty air/water but just a reasonable cost analysis and some common sense. Foods like mushroom, carrots, celery, broccoli, potatoes all have thousands of times more carcinogens and poisons then the few pesticides and herbicides then a farmer is allowed. The article was an emotional based article and is not based on scientific research
It's naive at best to say that, no, Trump doesn't want to make American children a little dumber. If only the wealthy can afford strawberries and vegetables not sprayed with chemicals, then the children of poorer Americans will suffer. Without public education, with damaged brains, the Republican party can create an underclass they can control. If there is job creation, it will be for pennies per hour, since the GOP also wants to eliminate minimum wage. If we are to believe the nice Republicans don't want to hurt anybody, then perhaps we should question whether the chemicals have already done their job--on us.
1
I do not understand why congress doesn't push back on the relaxing of these consumer protections? Trump is very quickly pulling us back to a time before science. It is dumbfounding to watch.
2
I am afraid the only way the right wing can be convinced to protect the people is the same argument that brought an end to child labor in Great Britain in the early 19th century. A royal commission found that so many children had their health ruined by child labor practices that there were not enough healthy recruits left for the military, which then interfered with the ruling class's imperialist dreams. Likewise, someone will have to point out that poisonous water and a poisonous environment in the USA will yield too few able-bodied recruits for the US to pursue its military goals around the globe. If they won't listen to humanitarian concerns, perhaps concern for US military capability will do the trick.
1
Ask nine out of ten well-informed Times readers if asbestos is banned in the US, and you will get the wrong answer. Similarly for lead in paint, lead and cadmium in solder, chromates and even radioactives. Meanwhile, from our cozy dwellings surrounded by dusts of all these things, we vote to demolish the local school on the basis of one asbestos fiber in a cubic meter of air.
Same deal with food safety. There are seven billion of us, a goodly portion of these who would not be around except for de facto agriculture.
Yes, the tradeoff is more poisons for more people, and it's difficult to promote some imagined biological purity when it comes at the expense of starving billions. It is difficult to take the selfish high ground when everyone else is condemned to the desert of exigency.
So just because asbestos is not banned here in clothing (!) or the food supply is inadequate without some poisons, let's keep focused on where we really are, all seven billions of us.
Same deal with food safety. There are seven billion of us, a goodly portion of these who would not be around except for de facto agriculture.
Yes, the tradeoff is more poisons for more people, and it's difficult to promote some imagined biological purity when it comes at the expense of starving billions. It is difficult to take the selfish high ground when everyone else is condemned to the desert of exigency.
So just because asbestos is not banned here in clothing (!) or the food supply is inadequate without some poisons, let's keep focused on where we really are, all seven billions of us.
The irony in the photo of the danger sign at the border of a strawberry field is profound. Are we truly that stupid as a species? Short answer, yes. Apparently so. We sacrifice ourselves, our progeny and the future biological direction of our species on the altar of (short term) greed and profit. Increasingly it is becoming clear that our type of intelligence is not sustainable for the species, nor for the planet. If we do not change evolution will find a way to pull the plug on us. Just one more failed experiment. And there will be no crying over it (except by what's left of our descendants). Evolution and Nature will care less. It will go on and create another high order self-aware animal. Perhaps one a bit wiser in all of this.
So it goes.
John~
American Net'Zen
So it goes.
John~
American Net'Zen
90
Clearly Trump's and Pruitt's next move needs to be to demand that those signs be taken down.
The problem with many of these ( barely noticed ) government moves is that the repercussions will not be felt for a generation.
Who will there be to blame then ?
Of course , it will be you the taxpayer that will pay dearly when all of the suits\health care bills come in.
Who will there be to blame then ?
Of course , it will be you the taxpayer that will pay dearly when all of the suits\health care bills come in.
2
It is so hard to be a "consumer" when there is no government regulation. You need to be a chemist, a biophysicist, toxicologist... And even then food labels don't tell you what was sprayed on the food before you bought it.
1
Trump: 'Clean water is overrated'.
1
Thank you for this thoughtful and troubling piece.
3
Bring back asbestos? Somebody wake me up from this nightmare. His administration and Republicans in the House and Senate want to repeal regulations that protect the health of the citizenry and at the same time make healthcare harder to get. That capitalism has no morals should be evident to everyone in this country. Unless you are a billionaire, have a PAC, have a lobbyist or any combination of the three you're just another cog in the wheel.
1
Asbestos never left, so bringing it back is unnecessary. Sort of banned in 1989, overturned by Congress in '91. Still here, Blair. Just a few residential and automotive uses eliminated, and only where practical.
Nobody is going to wake you from the nightmare. I'm afraid that all of us have to work together to wake the country from its misadventure.
Nobody is going to wake you from the nightmare. I'm afraid that all of us have to work together to wake the country from its misadventure.
"Does Trump want to make American children a little dumber, a little more vulnerable to cancer, especially those in the regions that voted for him?"
Why not? They were dumb enough to vote for him in the first place. Why wouldn't he want the rest of us to be dumb enough to vote for him the second time around?
Be wise. Prepare your family. Buy a HAZMAT suit for each member. They're cheaper than bomb shelters, and you're more likely to need them.
Why not? They were dumb enough to vote for him in the first place. Why wouldn't he want the rest of us to be dumb enough to vote for him the second time around?
Be wise. Prepare your family. Buy a HAZMAT suit for each member. They're cheaper than bomb shelters, and you're more likely to need them.
1
Trump tell us what you eat
1
What does Trump eat? "The most beautiful piece of chocolate cake you've ever seen". Well I looked at a photo (I'll never waste my money at his restaurants), and it was pretty, certainly, quite tall, but with thick pink filling that overwhelmed the cake layers, and with sad little smears of some flavored jellies all over the plate.
No, the best chocolate cake in the world was the one Mom would whip up the night before my birthday, from a box, with beaters smacking the side of the mixing bowl. I'd hear the clinking, and smell the baking as I drifted off to sleep, comforted in physical proof of my mother's love. Now, that kind of chocolate cake Mr. Trump has never had- one prepared specially for him, by his loving parent.
No, the best chocolate cake in the world was the one Mom would whip up the night before my birthday, from a box, with beaters smacking the side of the mixing bowl. I'd hear the clinking, and smell the baking as I drifted off to sleep, comforted in physical proof of my mother's love. Now, that kind of chocolate cake Mr. Trump has never had- one prepared specially for him, by his loving parent.
Anyone foolish enough to be surprised that Trump simply does NOT CARE about any of us might as well not even bother thoroughly washing whatever vegetables or fruits they are eating. Realize what is happening and, if you can't afford or find organic or a farmers market, scrub your food! This is how we take care of ourselves when the government simply, and very obviously, does not care.
And you think washing and scrubbing your food will wash away all the chemicals the were exposed to? Where does this water wash away too? There is no away.
1
Thank you for this column, very informative.
With Trump now setting of strings of Black Cats and throwing M-80's down gopher holes, media attention is too easily distracted.
And I live here, not there, so your reminder is "à propos".
With Trump now setting of strings of Black Cats and throwing M-80's down gopher holes, media attention is too easily distracted.
And I live here, not there, so your reminder is "à propos".
3
No worries. Corporate America is looking out for we consumers. Let's see....like United Airlines, Wells Fargo, Big Pharma, Big Oil, etc. etc. etc.
10
What are we thinking!!! We KNOW better than to behave this way. Regulations are a necessity. We MUST stand guard of our foods and our environment now and forever.
1
People must encouraged to buy as much food with the ORGANIC logo as possible.
2
The RICH don't have to concern themselves with being poisoned, that's strictly for the peasants. Therefore, NOT important. Seriously.
2
If Trump and Pruitt are so hot on the weaker standards they propose for food and water safety, they should bring back the White House garden, treat it according to their new standards, and consume the results for a full year. Put their mouths where their money is.
5
How do Trump and these Republicans manage to sleep at night?
2
Timely of Mr. Egan for this American reader to find what he has to say in 'Poisons Are Us', as I hoof off to the local doctor for a standard check-up with a statement received on whether the drinking water in our small town is contaminated. She might be able to detect whether we have an excess of materials used in plumbing components in scanning this annual report.
True, a brilliant international water engineer who I once worked for in the children's community might give me some tips on the above, but as of now in the Land of America, it has always been tap water for this consumer.
'You can minimize the potential for lead exposure', continues this official report 'by...' Now, I am not the Town Crier and do not wish to become an alarmist whiner. From my observations some of us drink the water from the tap, others look for a sale of bottled H20.
Not all of us live on Jersey Island by the coastal sea of the Atlantic with a healthy well of spring water. Cancer is rampant here and although the air is far fresher in the rural region, one may not have to be a scientist to understand that some of these chemical pollutants in our food or 'daily bread' are lethal. None of us are rich. A guest came to stay and brought a gift of poisonous-looking cupcakes with enough chemical ingredients to make one turn green.
When asked what I eat, there is a pause, less and less possibly. Trump and his administration choke me up at times. No lentils for him, but rich cake.
True, a brilliant international water engineer who I once worked for in the children's community might give me some tips on the above, but as of now in the Land of America, it has always been tap water for this consumer.
'You can minimize the potential for lead exposure', continues this official report 'by...' Now, I am not the Town Crier and do not wish to become an alarmist whiner. From my observations some of us drink the water from the tap, others look for a sale of bottled H20.
Not all of us live on Jersey Island by the coastal sea of the Atlantic with a healthy well of spring water. Cancer is rampant here and although the air is far fresher in the rural region, one may not have to be a scientist to understand that some of these chemical pollutants in our food or 'daily bread' are lethal. None of us are rich. A guest came to stay and brought a gift of poisonous-looking cupcakes with enough chemical ingredients to make one turn green.
When asked what I eat, there is a pause, less and less possibly. Trump and his administration choke me up at times. No lentils for him, but rich cake.
15
Let them eat yellow cake.
1
If you think NJ has pristine water, you don't live there. You are mistaken.
Chemical and industrial plants here have poisoned the water and other natural resources for many decades - all in the name of industrial development.
Governor Christie lives in denial because knows he can never successfully run for office here. Sadly, Christie is a Republican toady. Who would have expected less of him?
Chemical and industrial plants here have poisoned the water and other natural resources for many decades - all in the name of industrial development.
Governor Christie lives in denial because knows he can never successfully run for office here. Sadly, Christie is a Republican toady. Who would have expected less of him?
1
Can someone explain why Trump and the Republicans keep hollering about regulations? In their perfect world how would our community of citizens make sure we are safe from unsafe chemicals? Here's an idea: you can ease regulation by eliminating barriers to lawsuits against companies that put us in danger. No more implicit contracts when you click on a website or open a package, no more making the little guy responsible for court costs that big companies can easily afford. But Republicans don't want that either, their motto is "what's good for big business is good for you." They hate big government but love corporate bureaucracy that makes the average citizen wait hours on support calls, stand in long lines that aren't staffed and allows companies to change contract terms on the fly. Trump's base seems to believe he is against that stuff, this article shows the emperor's ugly clothes.
42
I don't know that Trump has given more than a fleeting thought to anything he supposedly supports. "Small government?" Sure, that sounds great to a real estate tycoon like Trump. Reduced - or better yet, eliminated - regulations? What developer wouldn't salivate over the prospect of being able to build without having to worry about pesky rules and regulations designed to protect those who will one day inhabit the "development?" So, no deep or consciously philosophical thoughts to be found in the Trump mind, imo. He's all id, with no consideration for those other than himself.
But for those like Paul Ryan and other right wing ideologues it is all about the so-called "free market" and that awesomely effective, albeit invisible, "hand" that will guide any society to a level of productivity and happiness never before experienced on earth if only given the freedom to work its magic. The suffering and deaths of children, those living in poverty, some old and used up folks, etc., would be seen by objectivist disciples of Ayn Rand as "market adjustments" - too bad, so sad, etc., but clearly effective in winnowing out the elements of society that simply drag down those of us who deserve a life devoid of their persistent demands for "human rights." I mean, what does that even mean? It's all about the omniscient "market" to these people, and nothing about human will, thought, or purpose.
But for those like Paul Ryan and other right wing ideologues it is all about the so-called "free market" and that awesomely effective, albeit invisible, "hand" that will guide any society to a level of productivity and happiness never before experienced on earth if only given the freedom to work its magic. The suffering and deaths of children, those living in poverty, some old and used up folks, etc., would be seen by objectivist disciples of Ayn Rand as "market adjustments" - too bad, so sad, etc., but clearly effective in winnowing out the elements of society that simply drag down those of us who deserve a life devoid of their persistent demands for "human rights." I mean, what does that even mean? It's all about the omniscient "market" to these people, and nothing about human will, thought, or purpose.
Ah! Who cares if people die of poor regulations? Someone will get paid to clean up the mess.
This is the Republicans' "Jobs Program." Go for it you "Blue Collar" suckers, Enjoy!
This is the Republicans' "Jobs Program." Go for it you "Blue Collar" suckers, Enjoy!
1
This is why some of us "keep hollering" about regulations that are excessive and non-cost-effective and that actually COST LIVES: http://www.hoover.org/research/dont-poor-lives-matter.
1
Erring on the side of protecting pristine rivers and lakes is rationale. Destroying public safety in our rivers and streams is irrational exuberance and irresponsible.
Common sense has been replaced by greed and more greed. Every mother, father, grandmother and grandfather should voice their demand for for clean water and clean air.
Every freedom loving American that believes the ban on DDT in the 70's should remind their congressional representative the Bald Eagle was saved by such protection.
Let the letter writing (not emails) begin.
Common sense has been replaced by greed and more greed. Every mother, father, grandmother and grandfather should voice their demand for for clean water and clean air.
Every freedom loving American that believes the ban on DDT in the 70's should remind their congressional representative the Bald Eagle was saved by such protection.
Let the letter writing (not emails) begin.
27
Thank you Timothy Egan for always telling us the truth in a way that everyone can grasp. There is a movement of people here in Kentucky, led by people who have struggled to afford good, clean food, who are making sure that organic fruits and vegetables ARE affordable for everyone who wants them. NewRoots.org is a nonprofit at the helm of this movement. The blessing of having this madman in federal office, and another one leading our state, is that people on the ground are coming together to solve our own problems. It shouldn't take the federal government off the hook, but at least we can work to educate and feed ourselves while this mess unfolds.
21
Anybody who hasn't been living under a rock for the last 40 years or so should know that modern Republicans have been working towards this end for decades. Ever since Reagan, and the corporatist "movement" conservatives took over the party, regulations and the ability of government to regulate have been in the crosshairs of the wealthy donor class. This is just the natural progression. With Gorsuch seated on the Supreme Court, and a solid right wing majority there, expect more rulings that will strip government of its ability to regulate business or financial institutions. Environmental, worker, and consumer protections will continue to be watered down and eliminated. With the relentless conservative assault on campaign finance regulations, the power of big money to call the shots in America will continue to grow and expand, while the power of the people to do anything about it will further wane.
Take note all of you who voted for Jill Stein or Bernie Sanders and didn't take this past election seriously. YOU are responsible.
Take note all of you who voted for Jill Stein or Bernie Sanders and didn't take this past election seriously. YOU are responsible.
28
Joe,
There is much to agree with in what you write but your last two sentences are not. I completely understand why people couldn't vote for HRC; I had to hold my nose to, but it was obvious any Republican, especially Trump, was bad for America. You cite the reasons above. But, that said, if people cannot vote freely for their choice of leader then the whole American experiment is null. Also, if you study Supreme Court appointee's over all of our history you'll see that many, labeled as either liberal or conservative surprised their partisans so while the process of Gorsuch's appointment was predictable last November 8th the outcome of it has yet to be known.
There is much to agree with in what you write but your last two sentences are not. I completely understand why people couldn't vote for HRC; I had to hold my nose to, but it was obvious any Republican, especially Trump, was bad for America. You cite the reasons above. But, that said, if people cannot vote freely for their choice of leader then the whole American experiment is null. Also, if you study Supreme Court appointee's over all of our history you'll see that many, labeled as either liberal or conservative surprised their partisans so while the process of Gorsuch's appointment was predictable last November 8th the outcome of it has yet to be known.
The people who pushed Hillary forward every step of the way and who let her ignore the upper-mid west are just as much to blame. She was the most disliked candidate in history, second only to Trump. That should tell you something.
I thought the people who voted for DJT can be said to be responsible for his election. Silly me. By not voting for such a human being I elected him ( in an arithmetically small way )? Explain how a negative becomes positive?
Maybe Pruitt will let them bring back that stuff they used to fog-spray around my neighborhood from slow moving trucks in the summertime when I was a kid that got rid of all the mosquitoes. Boy, that stuff really worked. Some of the neighbor kids got kind of twitchy afterwards, but they probably turned out okay.
While they're at it, maybe Trump and Pruitt will let the chemical company down by the river start draining its sludge back into the river. My dad works there and says the value of his stock would really go up if they did. Pruitt is definitely on the right track to bring America back where it was.
While they're at it, maybe Trump and Pruitt will let the chemical company down by the river start draining its sludge back into the river. My dad works there and says the value of his stock would really go up if they did. Pruitt is definitely on the right track to bring America back where it was.
30
Yep. That's how Trump will make America "Great" again.
The Republican mantras, one of which is, "government regulation is inherently bad", were never meant to be consumed whole by Republican party leaders. Their purpose was to manipulate the Republican base so as to enable the party's leaders to further enrich the rich. When you have a helmsman who watches hours of cable news and fully embraces the Fox worldview, you get truly regressive policies plainly against the public interest.
Also, what does Trump care? He doesn't eat strawberries or other fresh fruit and vegetables. And everything must be measured by how it affects Him.
Also, what does Trump care? He doesn't eat strawberries or other fresh fruit and vegetables. And everything must be measured by how it affects Him.
19
Originalists! Why do they still exist? The fallacy behind their argument is so obvious!
Next, they will be telling us the "true" meaning of The Bible so they can "save" us from ourselves. They are just so kind, in their view.
Next, they will be telling us the "true" meaning of The Bible so they can "save" us from ourselves. They are just so kind, in their view.
As so many of us recognize, Trump has an extremely limited knowledge base. Hopefully more people who care about people more than they do about massing ungodly amounts of money will begin to challenge the stupid man who now occupies the White House part time. Thank you, Mr. Egan, for alerting us to just another of the many, many stupid decisions being enacted by Trump. It is time for the 24/7 TV people to stop whitewashing Trump in hopes of helping him become presidential. Trump will never be a legitimate president for too many reasons to list here. It's time to find a way to remove him from office before he literally destroys our beloved United States of America!
25
So much for the pro-life party. When it's not putting poisons in our food, our water and our air, it's trying to take away our health care -- and pack SCOTUS with "originalists." The internet, of course, did not exist when the constitution was written, nor did pesticides, global trade and multinational corporations. So the founding fathers couldn't have had many "original" thoughts on those matters. So it's up to "originalist" justices to create those thoughts for them, I guess.
39
don't forget their first option, illegal and immoral wars to winnow those government job takers amongst our midst and eliminate some brown skins at the same time...oops and the elderly are such a drag on...well, everything....take away the meals on wheels, let them eat beautiful chocolate cake...
No reconciliation without TRUTH.
No reconciliation without TRUTH.
2
I am a facilities manager. Asbestos is a health hazard, no argument, but I believe the regulations have gone too far. Data demonstrates that the maintenance worker is at greater risk, with the greatest correlation of all being insulation workers, but the regulations have increased over time from a primary focus on protection of workers, to protection of the general public at large.
Those protections are necessary for large scale work, but now go so far as to put increased containment measure in place for projects for which asbestos is present in trace amounts such as adhesives used to mount chalkboards or lab counters. Workmen can not remove and replace loose Vinyl Asbestos floor tile--which contains on average about 4% asbestos in an encapsulated medium--without precautions that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to implement.
In the case of loose floor tile, the logical thing is to remove and replace it before it fractures. Logically, the chance of fracturing the tile increases when it becomes loose, but that step is hog-tied by the need to implement over-reaching and costly procedures that do not correlate to the level of risk.
Regulations are vital, but public trust in the process erodes when they go beyond balancing the risk vs. reward. Only a fool would suggest abolishing protections that affect a broad scale of the public, but we will never have the resources to eliminate risk entirely. We have let fear of lawsuits over-rule common sense.
Those protections are necessary for large scale work, but now go so far as to put increased containment measure in place for projects for which asbestos is present in trace amounts such as adhesives used to mount chalkboards or lab counters. Workmen can not remove and replace loose Vinyl Asbestos floor tile--which contains on average about 4% asbestos in an encapsulated medium--without precautions that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to implement.
In the case of loose floor tile, the logical thing is to remove and replace it before it fractures. Logically, the chance of fracturing the tile increases when it becomes loose, but that step is hog-tied by the need to implement over-reaching and costly procedures that do not correlate to the level of risk.
Regulations are vital, but public trust in the process erodes when they go beyond balancing the risk vs. reward. Only a fool would suggest abolishing protections that affect a broad scale of the public, but we will never have the resources to eliminate risk entirely. We have let fear of lawsuits over-rule common sense.
9
Well, OK but the issue you raise has almost nothing to do with regulations and everything to do with private sector lawyers of all stripes, corporate lawyers and risk management professionals growing their bureaucracies and power at the expense of common sense. Plaintiffs attorneys prodding gullible clients to sue for recourse where the lawyer gets paid but the injured party...not so much.
Spot on. When we regulate removal or remediation (often impossible to do within the letter of the law), but do not prevent manufacture or use, we're simply crazy. We create a sizeable industry in remediation, but don't stop creating the hazards, primarily because industry then loses.
In the asbestos removal world, I fear that the victims are thousands of untrained pick-up laborers who are given a Tyvek suit and a dust mask and wind up doing removals via their own lungs.
In the asbestos removal world, I fear that the victims are thousands of untrained pick-up laborers who are given a Tyvek suit and a dust mask and wind up doing removals via their own lungs.
Ten years ago I saw leaping salmon returning to their spawning creek at the head of my Puget Sound harbor each October, right outside the window I'm looking out at this moment (and yes, it is beautiful). I have watched as the number of spawning salmon each October has steadily dwindled. Puget Sound restoration projects have slowed wild salmon's decline, as well as helped revive the shellfish industry here. But I still can't harvest oysters and clams on my beach due to the fact that I would probably die if I did. My shellfish are laced with toxic chemicals from sewage runoff and other pollutants. Puget Sound restoration projects, while providing jobs and reviving salmon and shellfish industries, support the science behind cleaning this mess up. I know it works, because I grew up on Lake Washington, which in the 60s was so polluted our parents warned us about swimming in it. Due to water restoration projects, that lake is clean and safe now. Not Puget Sound; it is threatened, and the proposed EPA cuts for restoration projects (a brutal amount: 98 million down to 2 million) will devastate the hopeful progress. Worse, it will lead to the elimination of jobs throughout our shoreline economy, from tribal scientific restoration projects, sports and commercial fisheries, city, county, and government work, and so on. But isn't Trump's reason for the cuts "to bring back jobs?" Doesn't make sense, this uninformed slashing of budgets without wise consideration of the consequences.
57
Hey, we need to pay the travel expenses of the Trumps! Where do you thing that money is going to come from?
4
With 47 years experience working in and watching schools, I am deeply concerned by the rise in incidence and severity of neurodevelopmental disorders in school children. Our overburdened schools have to provide a variety of unique services to teach these children. Their families and the community are struggling with how to help them have good and productive lives. While research is just beginning to demonstrate the role of environmental toxins in creating these problems, I fear that reduction in regulations will further increase the risk for future children.
205
"Our overburdened schools have to provide a variety of unique services to teach these children."
Simple solution. Abolish the regulations that force overburdened schools to waste so much money on these few special needs children! Let the parents care for them! Problem solved. The perfect Trumpian solution.
Simple solution. Abolish the regulations that force overburdened schools to waste so much money on these few special needs children! Let the parents care for them! Problem solved. The perfect Trumpian solution.
This is important! Thank you. There's massive evidence but the science deniers posting here and everywhere in quantity ignore the data.
You provide direct observation of an increasing phenomenon that some people don't know about because the EPA has been understaffed and its mandate constrained for decades.
You provide direct observation of an increasing phenomenon that some people don't know about because the EPA has been understaffed and its mandate constrained for decades.
1
And do we wonder why so many children have issues, and alzheimers is becoming an increasingly large problem -- and why our health care costs continue to rise??
2
I do believe that the most dangerous chemicals should be kept out of our food and water. That said, as a home gardener, I know first hand how expensive and time consuming it is to grow food organically. Just yesterday, my daughter helped me with putting up netting for my veggie garden, and I recently purchased expensive organic fertilizer, and even have ventured into trying some organic seeds. But gardening is a practical hobby and form of therapy for me. And I don't mind spending the extra money to ensure that what I grow is safe for my family to consume. Still, a good portion of my crop will probably still be lost without the use of pesticides.
Produce purchased from the market is rinsed in vinegar and water. I could not afford to provide my family with all organic fruits and veggies. So what is the solution for those who cannot afford organic?
Produce purchased from the market is rinsed in vinegar and water. I could not afford to provide my family with all organic fruits and veggies. So what is the solution for those who cannot afford organic?
6
You might want to give a listen to Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi".
3
Organic is obviously the gold standard but just more natural is a vast improvement over the heavily engineered farming now done.
As for cost, there is a huge cost to children with lower iq's and cancer treatments.
With regulation and gov't programs the cost of more enviro friendly fertilizers and pesticides would drop as demand increased, so that is one way that farmers would be helped.
As for yield - as a society we seem to prefer turning the farms into housing developments and roads and amping up the yield per acre to accommodate the loss.
The US prides itself on having the best universities and smartest people and most innovative solutions. It prides itself on its can do attitude. Yet the only way to feed people that it can think of is to poison them.
Chemical industry is afraid of having to rethink their business model. Well, that is how economies grow and societies innovate. Sorry Dow and Monsanto, you are not guaranteed an income. You got to work for it or someone else will find a better way.
As for cost, there is a huge cost to children with lower iq's and cancer treatments.
With regulation and gov't programs the cost of more enviro friendly fertilizers and pesticides would drop as demand increased, so that is one way that farmers would be helped.
As for yield - as a society we seem to prefer turning the farms into housing developments and roads and amping up the yield per acre to accommodate the loss.
The US prides itself on having the best universities and smartest people and most innovative solutions. It prides itself on its can do attitude. Yet the only way to feed people that it can think of is to poison them.
Chemical industry is afraid of having to rethink their business model. Well, that is how economies grow and societies innovate. Sorry Dow and Monsanto, you are not guaranteed an income. You got to work for it or someone else will find a better way.
3
EWG.org publishes a list of produce that's relatively safe to eat called the Clean 15, along with their list of produce to avoid. Here's the link: www.ewg.org/foodnews/list.php.
About your gardening, Wcdessert Girl--can I assume you're making your own compost? There's also this neat planting system that seems to save time and energy. I haven't tried it yet--I just have a short-term lease, but it appears to save time and money. This is a link: www.planetnatural.com › Research Center › Seasonal › Garden Design
About your gardening, Wcdessert Girl--can I assume you're making your own compost? There's also this neat planting system that seems to save time and energy. I haven't tried it yet--I just have a short-term lease, but it appears to save time and money. This is a link: www.planetnatural.com › Research Center › Seasonal › Garden Design
1
Richard and Mark are good friends. Rich has a small home garden; Mark is a big time dairy farmer. One year Rich asked Mark for some of his corn seeds so he could grow 7,8,9 foot high stalks. Mark provided the seed and threw in the fertilizer he uses. Rich planted the corn seed and used the fertilizer throughout his garden patch. By the end of the season Richard had his very tall corn and nothing else in his garden - no weeds, of course and no vegetables either. The hybrid corn was obviously able to withstand the potent fertilizer. Any other plant life missing whatever genetic modifications necessary to tolerate the fertilizer died.
Today's chemistry and genetic manipulation call for more, not less regulation.
Today's chemistry and genetic manipulation call for more, not less regulation.
49
Rev - you forgot to mention that when Monsanto discovered Rich was using some of Mark's Frankencorn seed, they sued Rich for using the seed without purchasing it from Monsanto, and they sued Mark for illegally distributing said seed without their permission. Rich and Mark both lost their homes and now roam the countryside, drinking rainwater and foraging the landscape for edible plants. Happily, Mark is healthier than he has been in decades.
3
Thanks for writing this article. This is the reason I feel Trump is the worst President weve ever had. Ive been organic for 20 years so Im waiting fot the rest of the world to catch up.
We farm all wrong. Organic farmers use compost that they make. We give back to the soil instead of always taking from it. There is no need to buy anything. We have everything we need in nature to do this. This is the big secret we dont need Monsanto or all the products out there to raise healthy, good tasting food. They tried to convince us we need all these chemicals in order to feed the world. No, they just need more diverse farms that grow more then one crop. Companion plants help each other ward off bugs. They need people to farm instead of these machines that operate from remote control. We need big compost fields to feed our crops. Your compost is like a recipe passed down for generations. This is what can make your food taste amazing or homegrown.
We farm all wrong. Organic farmers use compost that they make. We give back to the soil instead of always taking from it. There is no need to buy anything. We have everything we need in nature to do this. This is the big secret we dont need Monsanto or all the products out there to raise healthy, good tasting food. They tried to convince us we need all these chemicals in order to feed the world. No, they just need more diverse farms that grow more then one crop. Companion plants help each other ward off bugs. They need people to farm instead of these machines that operate from remote control. We need big compost fields to feed our crops. Your compost is like a recipe passed down for generations. This is what can make your food taste amazing or homegrown.
78
Risk seems to be everywhere. Once we totally eliminate man-made toxins used in agriculture, then we will only be left with the plant world's naturally occurring toxins in our foods. Yes indeed there can be better living to be found through chemistry, but there is also a balance. Determining the amount of the dose that makes the poison is the difficult bit.
4
But determining that balance entails science. Science is for the snobby "elites". Science is a conspiracy invented by he Dems. Science is a hoax. Science kills jobs. Science is also officially de-funded.
3
I think it is safe to say that if it doesn't do the bug any good, it probably won't do you much good either; maybe the only minor question is to what degree that is so.
I recall that in developing countries, I've noticed that people often have a penchant to boil everything. That really starts to make sense.
I recall that in developing countries, I've noticed that people often have a penchant to boil everything. That really starts to make sense.
6
Boiling makes sense if you want to kill pathogens or remove volatile substances. If you want to address heavy metals and non-volatile pesticides, boiling concentrates the dose and also can lower nutrients. In developing countries, this is a reasonable strategy. In the US, it should not be.
3
I have the time, but not the money to eat totally organic and I research where my food comes from. At my local grocery chain, I always buy the organic food that is on sale that week from the meager offerings in the organic section, but never peppers, they are always so expensive even on sale. My daughter has taught me to look carefully at the ingredients in everything from shampoo to deodorant and, to afford the safe products, I have learned not to use them on a daily basis. It is probably a moot point for me as I reach my mid sixties, but I think of my future grandchildren and feel that it shouldn't be so hard or expensive to live in a healthy environment.
17
LeeDel- I too am careful, and always wash my fresh edibles, even those we peel as in the process, poisons can be transferred to the inside. MY one complaint about this article is Egan's assumption that those who didn't vote for Trump are able to afford the luxury of Whole Foods....there are millions of us on the borderline of poverty, and some of us have brains.
1
To Lee ~ Shopping wisely may be more important as you reach your mid-sixties if you want to remain as healthy as possible. Maybe you have already seen this list of the Dirty Dozen from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). I'm posting the link for you and others to help in avoiding the most pesticide laden produce.
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php
1
Thank you Mary Ann DOnahue. Great link!
Lest we be comforted by unrealistic beliefs ...
Shoppers at Whole Foods are also affected since there is plenty of conventional produce on display there. The organic ideal draws people in, but the customer is faced with many purchase decisions, and might not choose organic every time.
Shoppers at Whole Foods are also affected since there is plenty of conventional produce on display there. The organic ideal draws people in, but the customer is faced with many purchase decisions, and might not choose organic every time.
6
Trump is president. A majority voted against him, and a large plurality voted for Secretary Clinton, but Trump focussed on, and won, the Electoral College.
So we have to see things his way. The problem with Flint was NOT that the water was unsafe (it was unsafe, but that was not the problem), the whole problem was that meddlesome inspectors SAID it was unsafe. By getting rid of all those meddlesome water inspectors, by making it a civil (maybe a criminal) offence for anyone except the government to test drinking water (and the government certainly won't be testing drinking water while Trump is president), no one will be able to (legally) say that a single one of our drinking water supplies is unsafe, and if no one can say it, it's just as good as if all our drinking water is safe. Problem solved!
So we have to see things his way. The problem with Flint was NOT that the water was unsafe (it was unsafe, but that was not the problem), the whole problem was that meddlesome inspectors SAID it was unsafe. By getting rid of all those meddlesome water inspectors, by making it a civil (maybe a criminal) offence for anyone except the government to test drinking water (and the government certainly won't be testing drinking water while Trump is president), no one will be able to (legally) say that a single one of our drinking water supplies is unsafe, and if no one can say it, it's just as good as if all our drinking water is safe. Problem solved!
63
Trump and the GOP Congress are doing great damage in much more subtle ways than allowing a largely banned pesticide back on the market. Few know that the last Democrstic-controlled Congress in 2011 passed a sweeping new food safety law that mandates preventive controls in food manufacturing plants and food shippers to avoid food contamination and costly recalls.
That law, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is just now taking effect. One of its key features is that it holds food company CEOs directly responsible with fines and prison sentences for food borne illness outbreaks when it can be shown that the executives failed to implement and manage preventive controls.
So far, Trump and Congress have said nothing about FSMA. However, it's a lead pipe cinch that Republicans will take a budget hacksaw to funding for enforcement, thus making food safety a mere chimera for unsuspecting consumers. This assault will affect anyone who eats, which makes you wonder whether this is what we voted for.
That law, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is just now taking effect. One of its key features is that it holds food company CEOs directly responsible with fines and prison sentences for food borne illness outbreaks when it can be shown that the executives failed to implement and manage preventive controls.
So far, Trump and Congress have said nothing about FSMA. However, it's a lead pipe cinch that Republicans will take a budget hacksaw to funding for enforcement, thus making food safety a mere chimera for unsuspecting consumers. This assault will affect anyone who eats, which makes you wonder whether this is what we voted for.
24
Disclosure: I did not vote for Trump. I live in a blue state. At my local King Kullen, two organic peppers cost nearly five dollars. A pepper from a nearby bin costs 99 cents a pound. Organic apples are $2.99 a pound; the others are 99 cents a pound. Yes, you are correct, if money is no concern, one can purchase organic produce. And yes, we are lucky to even have that choice. But for most of us, money is a concern. I think it unwise to sully your argument with references to foodies, blue-state residents, hipsters and urbanites. No one wants pesticides. No one should have to choose the poison apple.
134
Thanks for listing specific price differences of not being able to choose healthy poison-free food on an ordinary working budget.
I don't think Mr. Egan intended to bring up the fraught "elitism" argument, I think he was trying to make the same point you are, that everyone deserves to have our common government be a working part of protecting us, not of exploiting us for profit. We should not have to pay extra to bypass their embrace of the kleptocracy.
Like you, I want to reach for what looks good in the bin at my regular supermarket without worrying that stupid and exploitation is in charge of what should be protecting us.
You should not have to protect yourself by mentioning that you didn't vote for Trump. All of us should not have to make a detour into explaining our politics to make sane human demands.
The lies, they burn.
I don't think Mr. Egan intended to bring up the fraught "elitism" argument, I think he was trying to make the same point you are, that everyone deserves to have our common government be a working part of protecting us, not of exploiting us for profit. We should not have to pay extra to bypass their embrace of the kleptocracy.
Like you, I want to reach for what looks good in the bin at my regular supermarket without worrying that stupid and exploitation is in charge of what should be protecting us.
You should not have to protect yourself by mentioning that you didn't vote for Trump. All of us should not have to make a detour into explaining our politics to make sane human demands.
The lies, they burn.
1
Yup, and I have the latest iPhone and Apple Air. Apples @ $.99 taste OK. It's all about our values, how we spend our money
Democrats and environmentalists need to be relentless in countering the argument that the interests of big business are the only interests that matter. Egan's essay is right on point. let's keep the facts out there. Regulations matter, especially where health and environment are concerned.
62
Buy locally. Buy organic.
Yes, it is not feasible for everyone, but perhaps everyone does know the local farmer or store owner who will purchase foods from safe, local growers. Organics has become more and more common and while there are issues within the organic world itself, simply it is a safer path.
But we need a far, far more rigorous, efficient way to evaluate new pesticides (all chemicals, products, etc.) that focuses upon public safety alone. What we have today is a system that takes into consideration the time and money behind a new product. Profit should always be irrelevant in respect to safety, lest we are suggesting that a few (tens, hundreds, thousands? more?) deaths are simply part of the price of "progress" (meaning, profit).
Yes, it is not feasible for everyone, but perhaps everyone does know the local farmer or store owner who will purchase foods from safe, local growers. Organics has become more and more common and while there are issues within the organic world itself, simply it is a safer path.
But we need a far, far more rigorous, efficient way to evaluate new pesticides (all chemicals, products, etc.) that focuses upon public safety alone. What we have today is a system that takes into consideration the time and money behind a new product. Profit should always be irrelevant in respect to safety, lest we are suggesting that a few (tens, hundreds, thousands? more?) deaths are simply part of the price of "progress" (meaning, profit).
7
There is a non-government solution. It can happen rather quickly. I've done it myself in other settings.
It would just take a modest amount of money and some lawyers, less money and fewer lawyers than we see in politics every day. One rich donor could do it. One law firm could do it.
File a civil RICO case against Dow. Use a few damaged children as the predicate acts, and the corporate "explanations" and denials as the conspiracy. Then do discovery to dig out the rest. Make a big example of Dow, and the rest will fall in line. Likely Dow will cave in and make a deal before trial.
It might not even cost anything, since attorneys fees and costs are fully recovered. It is only a matter of fronting it for a couple of years.
Can't we find ONE big donor who believes that poisons on our food really are bad for us? Just ONE?
How about crowd sourcing it? It is a cause. How many believe? It takes a lot less than Bernie raised. It is our food.
This can be fixed. Sit around and moan, or do something about it.
It would just take a modest amount of money and some lawyers, less money and fewer lawyers than we see in politics every day. One rich donor could do it. One law firm could do it.
File a civil RICO case against Dow. Use a few damaged children as the predicate acts, and the corporate "explanations" and denials as the conspiracy. Then do discovery to dig out the rest. Make a big example of Dow, and the rest will fall in line. Likely Dow will cave in and make a deal before trial.
It might not even cost anything, since attorneys fees and costs are fully recovered. It is only a matter of fronting it for a couple of years.
Can't we find ONE big donor who believes that poisons on our food really are bad for us? Just ONE?
How about crowd sourcing it? It is a cause. How many believe? It takes a lot less than Bernie raised. It is our food.
This can be fixed. Sit around and moan, or do something about it.
245
One BIG donor which might be approached would be the Gates Foundation, since health is a large aspect of which causes they support.
Please do this, Mark Thomason!
I agree with most of what you say; I'm a retired biologist who has supported the EPA, clean air and water, and healthy food. So Trump policies are scary to me.
But careful please with your statements about the people living on the margins and needing the government to "look out for them." They should look out for themselves in the sense you describe and the government should make sure all of us do not have to study each strawberry or other fruit or vegetable to be sure it is not dangerous to eat.
European people and governments have higher standards for food and water contaminants and it is very depressing to see how weak our governments, state and federal including our water supply facilities are in protecting us.
Like the famous line in the movie: "America is business not a country." Capitalism controls us in America, not the way is should be. Trump must go as soon as possible to get some rational people in charge.
But careful please with your statements about the people living on the margins and needing the government to "look out for them." They should look out for themselves in the sense you describe and the government should make sure all of us do not have to study each strawberry or other fruit or vegetable to be sure it is not dangerous to eat.
European people and governments have higher standards for food and water contaminants and it is very depressing to see how weak our governments, state and federal including our water supply facilities are in protecting us.
Like the famous line in the movie: "America is business not a country." Capitalism controls us in America, not the way is should be. Trump must go as soon as possible to get some rational people in charge.
372
According to frank m, 'Capitalism controls us in America.' I would say that politics controls US.
According to my Webster's dictionary politics is 'activities within an organization that are aimed at improving someone's status or position and that are typically considered to be devious or divisive.'
Thank about that as you think about Trump and Congress and the Supreme (!?) Court.
According to my Webster's dictionary politics is 'activities within an organization that are aimed at improving someone's status or position and that are typically considered to be devious or divisive.'
Thank about that as you think about Trump and Congress and the Supreme (!?) Court.
Yes, Europeans eat much fresher and safer food than we do. The regulations they endure don't seem to harm their economies--I'm sure we import much more food from Europe (luxury foods, mostly) than they do for us. So much for unfettered capitalism and jobs; it is a myth that dropping all regulations will kickstart the economy with job creation. Wait till all those new hires become ill with diseases that were caused by pesticides, etc. on food.
4
It is not just Trump; it is the whole Republican party and their patrons. Do something to limit the unlimited access of lobbyists and make it illegal for them to write the laws that effect their industry. If our senators and representatives cannot write bills, let them hire staff to do it for them.
2
"The election changed everything. In came a gang that sees all this hyperventilating about poisons in our food, toxins in our water and carbon in our air as alarmist whining."
Timothy, you're so right that the people to suffer will be those that either don't believe in regulations or don't have the economic wherewithal to bypass products tainted by carcinogenic pesticides.
Whatever you think of Mr. Trump's first 100 days, you have to hand him this: he's singlehandedly, through his showy use of EOs, rolled back the quality of our natural and manmade resources--the air we breathe, the water we drink, the crops we grow, and the building materials we use for new construction.
All in the name of jobs and economic gain for he struggling middle classes--which is moot if they get cancer, and can't work anyway. If "making America great" is lowering the quality of air we breathe and the produce we consume, give me back sensible regulations any day.
You can't label every single government regulation (seat belts anyone?) as a job killer when they're protecting the lives of our citizens.
Timothy, you're so right that the people to suffer will be those that either don't believe in regulations or don't have the economic wherewithal to bypass products tainted by carcinogenic pesticides.
Whatever you think of Mr. Trump's first 100 days, you have to hand him this: he's singlehandedly, through his showy use of EOs, rolled back the quality of our natural and manmade resources--the air we breathe, the water we drink, the crops we grow, and the building materials we use for new construction.
All in the name of jobs and economic gain for he struggling middle classes--which is moot if they get cancer, and can't work anyway. If "making America great" is lowering the quality of air we breathe and the produce we consume, give me back sensible regulations any day.
You can't label every single government regulation (seat belts anyone?) as a job killer when they're protecting the lives of our citizens.
106
This is all part of the Republicans' ongoing "Privatize profits, socialize costs" efforts. Any jobs "brought" back will be matched by those otherwise lost by watermen (why catch dead fish?), recreation and resort employees ("I am not swimming/boating there"), and others. Human health effects (and costs) spread through the population while a select few get a couple more bucks. And real sustainable jobs are being lost or not created.
3
With ALL regulation, we’ve allowed the tendency of bureaucrats to excess to get out of hand. You can’t do ANYTHING in America without filling out a form and justifying your intention to some government grundoon whom we’ve empowered so say “no” for just about any reason.
What won last November wasn’t JUST the eventual return of an originalist federal bench. It also was vindication of the conviction that this is America, and you get to do pretty much whatever you want to do unless someone else can demonstrate that what you do is generally harmful. Turn that around, as so many Dems seek, to an approach that requires someone BEFORE he can do what he wants to do to first demonstrate that it’s NOT harmful, and you put a straightjacket on our entire society … and create something decidedly UNAmerican. You also empower a class of regulatory nudniks with altogether too much power.
Some disagree with this conviction; but this view is partly what won last November. Tim needs to get over that.
Now, I will allow that the resistance to regulation by Trumpistas probably is excessive, and we certainly DO need balanced and rational regulation, governing our food and “public safety” as with other things. But don’t expect the resistance to the unbalanced onslaught of the past decades to be met with moderation. It will be excessive, as well. Our challenge is to impel the pendulum to swing back just enough to cause rational outcomes without becoming a straightjacket.
What won last November wasn’t JUST the eventual return of an originalist federal bench. It also was vindication of the conviction that this is America, and you get to do pretty much whatever you want to do unless someone else can demonstrate that what you do is generally harmful. Turn that around, as so many Dems seek, to an approach that requires someone BEFORE he can do what he wants to do to first demonstrate that it’s NOT harmful, and you put a straightjacket on our entire society … and create something decidedly UNAmerican. You also empower a class of regulatory nudniks with altogether too much power.
Some disagree with this conviction; but this view is partly what won last November. Tim needs to get over that.
Now, I will allow that the resistance to regulation by Trumpistas probably is excessive, and we certainly DO need balanced and rational regulation, governing our food and “public safety” as with other things. But don’t expect the resistance to the unbalanced onslaught of the past decades to be met with moderation. It will be excessive, as well. Our challenge is to impel the pendulum to swing back just enough to cause rational outcomes without becoming a straightjacket.
5
Richard
I see nothing wrong with requiring regulators to do their jobs. This is especially true with regard to drug testing.
"It also was vindication of the conviction that this is America, and you get to do pretty much whatever you want to do unless someone else can demonstrate that what you do is generally harmful." Really? I don't want to live in a country without regulations however onerous they may seem to you. Remember thalidomide? At the time of introduction in Germany drugs were not strictly controlled and tested for harm to the fetus. Although thalidomide is still used it is not used, to my knowledge, on pregnant women.
I see nothing wrong with requiring regulators to do their jobs. This is especially true with regard to drug testing.
"It also was vindication of the conviction that this is America, and you get to do pretty much whatever you want to do unless someone else can demonstrate that what you do is generally harmful." Really? I don't want to live in a country without regulations however onerous they may seem to you. Remember thalidomide? At the time of introduction in Germany drugs were not strictly controlled and tested for harm to the fetus. Although thalidomide is still used it is not used, to my knowledge, on pregnant women.
62
I am with Richard on that one. Jordan, you are arguing from the other end of the pendulum.
With respect to thalidomide, at that time nobody knew about the effect on the fetus during specific times of gestation. Obviously, common sense now tells us to test all drugs for these effects. That has nothing to do with excessive regulation. However, I am perfectly fine with allowing people to do whatever they want, as long as their behavior does not affect me. For instance, someone wants to jump out of an airplane without a parachute, fine with me, as long as someone tells the person first that it is unwise to do so and why.
With respect to thalidomide, at that time nobody knew about the effect on the fetus during specific times of gestation. Obviously, common sense now tells us to test all drugs for these effects. That has nothing to do with excessive regulation. However, I am perfectly fine with allowing people to do whatever they want, as long as their behavior does not affect me. For instance, someone wants to jump out of an airplane without a parachute, fine with me, as long as someone tells the person first that it is unwise to do so and why.
2
I can't fathom the mindset that says that asking someone to prove that a literal poison they want to put on my food won't hurt me BEFORE they put it on my food is terribly onerous and unamerican. Does it require the mindset of "only THEY will be affected"?
I don't have children. That said, I couldn't live with myself if something I did harmed someone else's children. How can that attitude be an outlier in corporate offices and D.C.?
I don't have children. That said, I couldn't live with myself if something I did harmed someone else's children. How can that attitude be an outlier in corporate offices and D.C.?
28
Whole Foods will thrive in the time of Trump.
17
Richard,
Even in the United States of America you don't get to do whatever you want if that impinges on the constitutional rights of others. An overriding purpose of federal government is to mediate that, and nowhere is society is that more imperative than when big corporations are putting chemicals into foods that affect the people consuming that food -- especially children with developing brains.
Moreover, when it's a corporation that values profit over public health - when detrimental impacts to brain development are considered an "externality" that doesn't have to enter into the profit equation - it's only the federal government that has the weight to balance the equation and stand up for those small children with developing brains. And I say that this role of government decidedly IS an American value.
Countries all over the free world look to the U.S. for environmental leadership, sir. Trump is setting us back decades.
Even in the United States of America you don't get to do whatever you want if that impinges on the constitutional rights of others. An overriding purpose of federal government is to mediate that, and nowhere is society is that more imperative than when big corporations are putting chemicals into foods that affect the people consuming that food -- especially children with developing brains.
Moreover, when it's a corporation that values profit over public health - when detrimental impacts to brain development are considered an "externality" that doesn't have to enter into the profit equation - it's only the federal government that has the weight to balance the equation and stand up for those small children with developing brains. And I say that this role of government decidedly IS an American value.
Countries all over the free world look to the U.S. for environmental leadership, sir. Trump is setting us back decades.
13
Whole Foods is not completely organic. The company opposed legislation in California that would require organic labeling. Look for a grocery store that advertises a strictly organic inventory.
But not for the poor
2
The fact that chlorpyrifos is already in widespread use on food crops shows how the system really works. We are exposed to compounds for decades before research demonstrates they are incredibly toxic.
Lead in gasoline and plumbing, DDT, PCBs, heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, asbestos and a host of other were once celebrated in advertising as miracles of modern science.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-top-10-most-dangerous-ads/
Just remember, "More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette!"
The first rule in the contemporary US grocery store remains "buyer beware".
Lead in gasoline and plumbing, DDT, PCBs, heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, asbestos and a host of other were once celebrated in advertising as miracles of modern science.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-top-10-most-dangerous-ads/
Just remember, "More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette!"
The first rule in the contemporary US grocery store remains "buyer beware".
109
It is all about profit.
Your concerns about health and the environment, like most people who care about public health and the well being of children.. are not his concern.
It is all about profit.
Your concerns about health and the environment, like most people who care about public health and the well being of children.. are not his concern.
It is all about profit.
236
Then, we need to redefine what, "profit," means.
2
Yes yes yes. We need to clean up our food and that means clean up our enviroment while we are at it. There has been scant support for this in any administration. But Trump so far is the worst.
130
Clean our environment? Let's start with the White House and then move to Congress.
6
Timothy Egan, as often, speaks truth to power on hard questions. My friends and I saw this being put in motion with every step of the Trump election, Kochtopus manipulations (they provided the expertise even though they didn't support him), and environmental consequences denial by the kleptocracy. So many of them, like Peter Thiel, are planning bunkers in safe places like New Zealand, to get away from the chaos they plan for profit.
My mother is in a nursing home, deprived of most mind and function, thanks to overdoses of pesticides that were "better living through chemistry" in my youth. She loves nature, and brought me up on ecology and Rachel Carson. These destructive looters and exploiters love poisons and don't see why they shouldn't use them for fun and profit, but not near their homes: oh no! The downwind communities are made up of those poor people who, if they get too uppity, will be criminalized for their poverty.
I'm not even mentioning my concern with climate change, because the history of vilifying science and understanding and intelligence about the burgeoning harms of complex chemical manipulations and the crowded farming practices of big ag is more immediate. We solved some of these problems decades ago, but the robber barons want to turn the clock back to the 19th century. Oddly, they also want to discriminate against birth control, though the population has doubled many times since then and is not sustainable.
The harms multiply bigly!
My mother is in a nursing home, deprived of most mind and function, thanks to overdoses of pesticides that were "better living through chemistry" in my youth. She loves nature, and brought me up on ecology and Rachel Carson. These destructive looters and exploiters love poisons and don't see why they shouldn't use them for fun and profit, but not near their homes: oh no! The downwind communities are made up of those poor people who, if they get too uppity, will be criminalized for their poverty.
I'm not even mentioning my concern with climate change, because the history of vilifying science and understanding and intelligence about the burgeoning harms of complex chemical manipulations and the crowded farming practices of big ag is more immediate. We solved some of these problems decades ago, but the robber barons want to turn the clock back to the 19th century. Oddly, they also want to discriminate against birth control, though the population has doubled many times since then and is not sustainable.
The harms multiply bigly!
322
Name one other group that the left will allow to be vilified with tags like "Robber Barron's." There isn't one because in all their "tolerance" they really cannot tolerate success, individual achievement or the resultant accumulation of wealth.
Susan, I've spent a lot of time in nursing homes. I've never met anyone there who was confined due to agricultural poisoning! is that truly what your mother has? Or are you claiming her natural progression to Alzheimer's type dementia was caused by farm chemicals? Because that is NOT proven scientifically AT ALL.
Also: nobody is opposed to birth control. That's a weird meme of the left. In fact, it is the LEFT which as abandoned entirely Zero Population Growth as a part of their platform, and world-wide goal.
Also: nobody is opposed to birth control. That's a weird meme of the left. In fact, it is the LEFT which as abandoned entirely Zero Population Growth as a part of their platform, and world-wide goal.
1
CC: Yes, my mother was a special case, and with 1500 characters I provided the facts without detail about her fight with poison ivy and weeds.
There is mounting evidence of a range of complaints due to widespread use of complex chemicals and the inability of an already limited government, especially with big money preventing the evidence from being widely known (there are gag orders in many cases), to address multiplying complex chemicals and runaway marketing of products that make money for their manufacturers. For example, children raised in excessively clean environments are more subject to getting sick when they go out and allergies as well; this is now better understood but can't drown out the push to be "safe" on TV.
Have a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLoEqg0PdM
You undermined yourself on birth control by promoting alternatives to facts: lies, fictions, and/or weird assertions. Zero population growth is complex and subject to political manipulation, but the pressure against ready access to cheap or free birth control is definitely a Republican thing, which should be obvious to readers not looking to make a plausible but dishonest argument.
Just like GW Bush, Trump has already put a ban on providing birth control abroad. It's sad, because absent impossible government control of human nature, empowering women and giving them choices about family planning and jobs is the best way to bring about a civil society and reasonable birth rate.
There is mounting evidence of a range of complaints due to widespread use of complex chemicals and the inability of an already limited government, especially with big money preventing the evidence from being widely known (there are gag orders in many cases), to address multiplying complex chemicals and runaway marketing of products that make money for their manufacturers. For example, children raised in excessively clean environments are more subject to getting sick when they go out and allergies as well; this is now better understood but can't drown out the push to be "safe" on TV.
Have a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLoEqg0PdM
You undermined yourself on birth control by promoting alternatives to facts: lies, fictions, and/or weird assertions. Zero population growth is complex and subject to political manipulation, but the pressure against ready access to cheap or free birth control is definitely a Republican thing, which should be obvious to readers not looking to make a plausible but dishonest argument.
Just like GW Bush, Trump has already put a ban on providing birth control abroad. It's sad, because absent impossible government control of human nature, empowering women and giving them choices about family planning and jobs is the best way to bring about a civil society and reasonable birth rate.
4
Food safety to Trump? Not a chance!
He looks at food safety askance,
To dilute or pollute
In business is astute,
Food safety he'd never enhance.
His views are the least profound ever
A feeble fulsome tweet endeavor,
His brain in the main
Of logic is the bane,
With no hint of insight whatever.
He looks at food safety askance,
To dilute or pollute
In business is astute,
Food safety he'd never enhance.
His views are the least profound ever
A feeble fulsome tweet endeavor,
His brain in the main
Of logic is the bane,
With no hint of insight whatever.
198
re: Larry Eisenberg's verse:
The kind of food safety Trump embraces is the cooking standards of certain fast food joints, mostly related to cleanliness, it appears. Well done. by burger flippers who wash their hands.
Don't look any further into the foods' origins. It might be scary.
The kind of food safety Trump embraces is the cooking standards of certain fast food joints, mostly related to cleanliness, it appears. Well done. by burger flippers who wash their hands.
Don't look any further into the foods' origins. It might be scary.
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Is this about erasing anything Obama tried to do? Is it just ignorance which certainly abounds. Is it just the proverbial 'drowning government in the bathtub' trope?
I don't have any answers other than may we all survive the age of Trump in the best possible ways we can.
My hope is that since the government doesn't have our best interests anymore that those in the food supply chain will. We have learned over the years that poisoning our environment and food supply has negative results on the young and the old.
We need to encourage organic farming and best practices and demand from those food chains that would deny safe foods to their customers by not testing the methods utilized of food to table sources.
What this tells me is it's up to us if we cannot depend on government to protect its people.
We have to boycott or demand and look out for ourselves. Suppliers understand economics if they fail to do their due diligence. We have to question how that strawberry got to our table.