What Bernie says here is important, but, IMO, we’re actually further away from giving up now than we were a few years ago.

Until Trump’s response to the 2020 election, i.e., multiple attempts at treason, we had a dishonest administration that had been soundly defeated at the polls and would soon be just a sad piece of U.S. history.

Now we’re fighting for the life of American democracy.  Giving up now means turning the United States into Hungary or Russia or the Philippines.

 

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Trump and treason.  Trump and treason.  They go together.

If you’re too young to understand this, please click here.

Seriously, we’re knocking on the door.

I keep worrying that he’ll somehow avoid prosecution, but then I remember that excusing him sends an engraved invitation to the next would-be traitor.  America will not let that happen.

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Do “grown men” really believe in trickle-down economics?  I doubt it.  Politicians purport to believe in all sorts of crap that they know for a fact doesn’t exist.

Do you think all these U.S. representatives and senators in red states believe the election was rigged, or that climate change is a hoax, or that vaccinations are dangerous/ineffective?  Of course not.

In general, these people are well-educated people.  The problem is that most of their constituents are total boobs.

You want to run for the senate in Oklahoma on the platform of exposing the truth about Donald Trump or aggressive climate change mitigation?  You’d have an easier time flying to the moon on a surf board.

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Theologians have a number of theories as to what God is, and for what He should be accredited.  The God of the old testament dates back at least 2100 years, possibly 2600.  The book of Genesis tells us about the nature of God and His activities, which are told through various stories of the Creation, the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, and the Tower of Babel.

At many points later in the Bible, it becomes explicit that God has a plan for us all.  From Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

That’s all well and good, but there are some beliefs that seem, at least to me, extreme.  In particular, the quote at the left asserts that everything in this universe is created by God in real time.

It seems to deny the concept of free will that we all believe we possess.  That’s especially problematic given that free will plays a big role in explaining how a beneficent and omnipotent God could allow such levels of evil and misery in the world.

If God is making whatever happens in my day according to His will, why shouldn’t I wake up to a stiff Bloody Mary and let things degenerate further from there?  What’s the justification for punishing criminals, who are powerless to behave honestly and decently?

Again, seems extreme from any vantage point.

 

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Optimism is in short supply today. Progressives foresee a world dominated by world fascism, and cite as evidence the continuing presence of Donald Trump on the American political scene. Conservatives foresee a world dominated by progressives, and lazy poor immigrants mooching off of hard-working white people.

That leads me to Ralph Waldo Emerson, and his quote here.  To write, “All things have contributed to your advancement” and therefore should be objects of your gratitude is arguably the most optimistic viewpoint ever asserted in the English language.

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This guy has nailed the simplicity of what’s happening in Congress at this point.

We have people dying because they can’t afford insulin, who are being denied relief by an extremely rich person whose politics forbids the U.S. government from providing aid to common Americans.

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I had that idea too, but I’m not sure it has any real validity.

The vast majority of the people of West Virginia are Trump supporters from hell; they have nothing but contempt for government spending aimed at helping the common American.  They are told this is socialism, and they don’t have the resources to understand that they’re being lied to.

They are going to have a tough time understanding that BBB would enable each of them to live longer, healthier, happier, and more productive lives.

That BBB will also stimulate the economy while making our country more competitive in the global marketplace is not part of the regional conversation.

 

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Human activity has disrupted natural cycles over time by depositing toxins and other pollutants into the environment. They impact everything from soil to water to air quality as they accumulate. 

We need sustainable environmental remediation to offset these damages and encourage ecosystems to thrive. Here are five reasons why sustainable environmental remediation is so important for modern society:  

1. Safeguard Human Health

Human health is compromised when pollutants damage the environment. Data on compromised areas shows that poor air quality, contaminated water and exposure to environmental toxins lead to a higher mortality rate

Human beings rely on their environment for the natural resources they need to survive, including food, water, shelter and security. A contaminated environment makes safely meeting these needs impossible.

Studies done on poor air quality also show that mental health and cognitive ability can suffer from environmental pollutants. Remediation is vital for protecting humanity and ensuring the long-term well-being of the human race. 

2. Protect Flora and Fauna

Environmental pollutants start small in soil, water and air. Toxins damage ecosystems from the ground up by disrupting plant life and causing tumors and other abnormalities in animals. A damaged environment makes it impossible for flora and fauna to function normally. 

Environmental remediation projects which remove toxic waste from soils, water, groundwater, and air can help reduce the total impact of pollution and help ecosystems rebalance. Although remediation projects can be costly, the benefits are seen almost immediately. 

Noticing and responding to signs of harm in our natural environment is the first step toward protecting ecosystems and ensuring they remain healthy and thriving for many years to come. Where animals and plants suffer, human beings will, too. 

3. Encourage Healthy Farms

Soil health is one of the main focuses of the modern remediation movement. When it’s contaminated, pollutants spread quickly to affect every other part of an ecosystem. Fortunately, soil can be cleaned of contaminants through several effective methods. 

Dredging is a type of soil remediation used to treat sediment that accumulates at the bottom of a waterway. Another kind of treatment, called thermal remediation, uses heat to expel contaminants from the soil. Different types of restoration methods are better suited for specific pollutants and landscapes. 

Healthy soils act as a natural filter that protect waterways from pollution. They’re also nutrient-rich, meaning they support nutritious and generous yields from farms. Safeguarding and improving soil health is an essential step toward solving world hunger.  

4. Preserve Natural Resources

Environmental remediation is an important part of building a sustainable future. Remedial practices for soil, air and water are committed to cultivating healthy ecosystems that ensure our planet thrives for thousands of years. 

Sustainable environmental remediation seeks solutions that protect the environment without hampering economic opportunities. The Earth is our most valuable renewable resource, and preserving it builds a foundation for future growth and opportunity. 

Remediation agencies are also sensitive to the fact that guidelines impact the present, too. No country would completely shut down production to preserve the environment. The goal is to keep pollution at low levels while allowing companies to make a profit. 

5. Stimulate the Economy

Society benefits economically when environmental remediation policies are followed. Medical bills and illnesses are reduced, productivity rises and clear-minded individuals pursue new business ventures in partnership with the environment around them. 

Natural areas also often attract visitors, new residents and industries, so preserving them is economically beneficial for nearby towns and cities. Take Boston Harbor, for instance – a 20-year, $5 billion remediation project has led to a return investment of $30 to $100 billion

Today, Boston Harbor’s fish are healthier, the waterfront is a hub of economic activity and this location is a place of interest for private investors. None of this would have been possible had the harbor remained highly contaminated with pollutants. 

Remediation’s Place in Sustainability

Environmental remediation is only part of what’s necessary to protect the Earth from pollutants. While it’s possible to clean soil, water and other natural resources of contaminants, it’s much easier to simply stop them from being contaminated in the first place. 

However, remediation is a powerful tool for rejuvenating ecosystems that have already been damaged by pollution. Investing in environmental remediation ensures a sustainable future for all life on Earth – both now and for future generations.

The story expressed in the meme here is not altogether uncommon, but it certainly is pathetic.

Build Back Better will make America a far better country than it is now, in almost every sense of the word.

With the passage of this landmark bill, we will be rebuilding the middle class, joining the rest of the world in fighting climate change, improving the quality of our education, expanding healthcare, supporting working parents of young children, improving nutrition–all without raising taxes on anyone whose income is under $400,000.

 

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In Trump’s letter of December 18, 2021, written to the American people, we can see the mess we’re in.

Despite the mountains of evidence to the contrary, there are still tens of millions of people who believe the narrative of the stolen election, and now they’re being told that everything we’re seeing now with the committee to investigate the January 6th insurrection is all part of an attempt to cover up the rigged voting. (more…)

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