EPA Puts Costs Ahead of Human Health

Despite the on-going chaos it is becoming apparent that there is a certain symmetry to the Trump administration's approach to governing. The latest example, the proposed rollback by the Environmental Protection Agency of mercury and particulate emission regulations that will surely increase the incidence of illness even as the administration and its allies in the states move to limit the availability of healthcare.(EPA Proposal Puts Costs Ahead of Gains In Human Health,  Dec.29, A15)

The vile nature and mercenary motive underlying these measures are evidenced by the identity of the players. EPA chief Andrew Wheeler's actions are hailed by  the client he formerly lobbied for (Robert Murray, Head of Murray Energy) while, tellingly, other energy companies which invested heavily to come into compliance oppose the rule changes. Meanwhile, the cuts in healthcare coverage are needed to fund the recent tax windfall for corporations and top earners.

President Trump's re-election slogan should read "Make America Sicker to Enrich the Wealthy".

Nationalism

David Brooks, in his column, "Yes, I'm an American Nationalist" (NYT 10/26/18, A25), declares that his love of country defines him. Though he applauds diversity and rejects "tribe against tribe", in his personal poll-taking he has found that only five percent of people feel most connected to humanity as a whole. Apparently, that justifies his enlightened nationalism.
I submit that Mr. Brooks takes a short-sighted view of nationalism. In reality, nations are but large tribes, however composed, whose self-interest historically and inevitably generated conflict. Yes, love of homeland is important in the present world configuration but, aspirationally, the goal should be one people, undivided and with a common interest in making life better for all.

The Sentencing of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn

 

In his initial sentencing memorandum Special Counsel Mueller praised Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, paid homage to his service, placed great value on his cooperation and recommended that he be spared a jail sentence. Implicit in this report was that Gen. Flynn had provided information likely to be highly damaging to President Trump. 

One would expect, therefore, that Mr. Trump and his acolytes would set about attacking the General and attempt to undercut his credibility.

But no, Mr. Trump recently began to heap praise upon Flynn and decry the unfair way in which he was tricked and trapped into admitting guilt for telling non-lies. Sean Hannity, Trump's advisor and mouthpiece on Fox News, has been promoting that same line but on steroids for the past two weeks. Gen. Flynn, according to Hannity, is a national hero who has been ruined by unscrupulous Deep-Staters who led him to plead guilty to a non-existent crime.

What is going on? Well perhaps we now know. Attorneys for Gen. Flynn have just filed their own pre-sentencing memo and, even though he is not likely to receive any jail time, Flynn has adopted the stratagem of claiming to be the victim of FBI misconduct (a claim soundly refuted by a response from Special Counsel).

So it would seem that Gen. Flynn has resumed his courtship of President Trump by undermining his own credibility and, thus, the value of his previously provided information. Presumably, he is again expecting (and perhaps has been promised) a presidential pardon as a reward for his eleventh hour turnabout. For this double-dealing he should be sent to jail.