The search for the dumbest Trump official on the environment

We have a winner (loser?)

Peter Dykstra for Environmental Health News  

In an administration loaded with thoroughbred climate deniers, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a novel approach to say the gobsmackingly dumbest thing about the climate crisis yet.

He acknowledged one of the major consequences of climate change, then slathered a planet's worth of lipstick on this particular pig.

Without actually uttering the "c" word, Pompeo told a gathering of the Arctic Council last week: 

"Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade. This could potentially slash the time it takes to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days. Arctic sea lanes … could [become] the 21st Century Suez and Panama Canals."

What?? This marries the effete denialism of let them eat cake with the cheap grifters' trick of two 10s for a five.

Two other remarkable things came from this vacuous statement. By all news reports, the Arctic Council delegates received Mr. Pompeo with uncommon politeness. 

And save for a few on-the-scene dispatches, the news got buried under the daily load of a dozen other Trump-related absurdities.

How DARE they?

For more cartoons by Ted Rall, CLICK HERE.

Trump tariffs are a national sales tax on US

Well-deserved congratulations to Arrowhead Dental

A sincere thank you to all our patients who voted for Arrowhead Dental Associates in the Providence Journal Reader’s Choice Awards and The Westerly Sun Reader's Choice Awards!  Your support helped us achieve the title of best dental practice in Rhode Island once again. Your trust and confidence in our services means a great deal. From the entire Arrowhead Team, thank you. Arrowhead Dental Associates ‌ ‌ ‌

Arrowhead Dental Associates | 4995 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI 02813

Lifeguard testing in Charlestown tomorrow and June 27

Lifeguard Certification Tests Start May 22-23

Candidates can select a test time through new online registration program

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced it is administering conditional Non-Surf and Surf Lifeguard Certification tests beginning this week. 

Lifeguard positions at all beaches in Rhode Island require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and lifeguard training.

The schedule of testing is as follows:

May 22, June 12, and June 27 | 9 AM – 2 PM Prosser Grove Picnic Area, Burlingame State Park, Charlestown Non-surf tests for lifeguards working at freshwater/bayside beaches

May 23 and June 13 | 9 AM – 2 PM Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett Surf tests for lifeguards working at all types of swimming facilities

Taking the good with the bad: More sunshine = more pollen

Pollen.com

Only 10?

Trump supporters believe these 10 incredibly fake facts are true

MICHAEL HAYNE, ALTERNET 

Americans, divided and polarized as they are, live in two distinct worlds. 

In one world, the earth is not flat, climate change is real and Bill and Hillary aren’t pimping kids out in the basement of a pizza restaurant.

The other world is devoid of reason, evidence and pretty much any type of historical facts. 

Despite the fact that Trump voters have been fleeced by the biggest con man in the world, they continue to devour the lies he sells on a silver platter. 

When it comes to facts, Trump supporters aren’t head over heels in love with them. 

After all, Trump’s rise came as a result of playing to uninformed and angry people’s primal and worst sensibilities. They’re right and the entire world is wrong, because that’s what their cult leader told them, and who needs Google anyway?

Here are 10 incredibly fake facts that Trump supporters believe are true.

Growth is not the same thing as progress

The Providence Journal perpetuates myths, not good economic policy

By Greg Gerritt in UpRiseRI

Recently, the Providence Journal again devoted its main editorial to the relatively slow rate of economic growth in Rhode Island and what to do about it. The title is “A tale of two economies” and like its namesake, A Tale of Two Cities, it is a work of fiction.

The Providence Journal does cite accurate low GDP growth numbers, but the explanation of what they mean and why they occur is a fantasy. The biggest lie is the myth that low taxes and little regulation speed up economic growth. 

I have called the Journal on this before, and specifically asked for their references and data to prove this point. I have asked editor Ed Achorn several times, I have asked their previous business reporter, I have asked economists and professors of business at the University of Rhode Island (URI) for their data and references when they stand up at public hearings or write columns and pronounce the importance of a good business climate. 

No one has ever been able to produce an honest, statistically valid study demonstrating that low taxes and little regulation correlates with rapid GDP growth rates.

Women need guidance

For more cartoons by Tom Tomorrow, CLICK HERE.

The sad thing is that there are probably some Republicans out there who would read this and say, "yes, that's all true." What do you think, Jim?

Cut kitchen plastic use

Anger more harmful to health of older adults than sadness

Associated with increased inflammation, which can lead to chronic disease, study says

American Psychological Association

Anger may be more harmful to an older person's physical health than sadness, potentially increasing inflammation, which is associated with such chronic illnesses as heart disease, arthritis and cancer, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

"As most people age, they simply cannot do the activities they once did, or they may experience the loss of a spouse or a decline in their physical mobility and they can become angry," said Meaghan A. Barlow, MA, of Concordia University, lead author of the study, which was published in Psychology and Aging. 

"Our study showed that anger can lead to the development of chronic illnesses, whereas sadness did not."

Attorneys spring eternal

Want to see environmental health issues on TV? Don't miss the commercials

Peter Dykstra for the Environmental Health Network   

As springtime spreads over North America, the airwaves are rotten with lawn and garden ads – hoes from Home Depot, lawn spreaders from Lowe's and all manner of seeds, bedding, plants, topsoil and pesticides.

Lots of pesticides.

For the latter, I couldn't help but notice the most recent ads for the best-selling herbicide Roundup had a tagline I'd never seen before: "Trusted for forty years."

This could possibly be due to Edwin Hardeman. Or Dewayne Johnson.

In March, a jury awarded Hardeman $80 million, ruling his cancer was caused by his use of Roundup. The herbicide's active ingredient, glyphosate, is considered a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Last August, Johnson was awarded $289 million by a jury that ruled his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was caused by Roundup use in his job as a groundskeeper. A judge later reduced Johnson's payout to a paltry $78 million.

Is there anyone NOT running for President?

Why are there so many candidates for president?Hans J. G. Hassell, Florida State University



Seven Democratic presidential candidates gathered on national television early in the 1988 campaign to debate each other.

The field of candidates, derided by Republicans as the “Seven Dwarfs,” pales in comparison to the 24 Democratic candidates who have – at last count – declared their candidacy for president.

The seven Democrats on the stage in 1988 represented an unprecedented number of candidates vying in a presidential primary. Now, 17 of the 24 declared Democratic presidential candidates have currently met the standards set by the Democratic National Committee to qualify for participation in this election cycle’s debates.

And in 2016 the GOP used two debate stages to accommodate the 17 declared candidates.

I study political parties and their role in electoral politics. And I believe the rise in the number of presidential candidates in recent years results from divisions within the party coalitions and from easier access to vital campaign resources – money and media – that were not present in previous election cycles.

Ask local legislators Flip Filippi, Elaine Morgan and Justin Price where they stand on mandatory vaccination

The quiet war on vaccines in the Rhode Island State house

By Steve Ahlquist in UpRiseRI

There is a quiet war going on at the Rhode Island State House over vaccines. Currently, vaccines for children are mandatory for both public and private schools. The only exceptions are for medical and religious reasons.

But bills submitted by Representative Michael Morin and Senator Maryellen Goodwin would allow for exceptions to also be granted for “personal” and “philosophical” reasons.

This, as the United States is currently suffering the worst measles outbreak since the 1990s.

Before I proceed further, let me state this with certainty: Vaccines are safe. Vaccines save lives. Those saying that there are links between vaccines and autism are woefully misinformed or lying. Countless studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

The side benefits of abortion ban

For more cartoons by Ruben Bolling, CLICK HERE.