9 minute read
Spectator/Stephen Tuttle
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spectator
by Stephen Tuttle
According to research conducted by the Economist/YouGov, fully 28 percent of Republicans believe Donald Trump will be “reinstated” as president on or before Jan. 1, 2022. That means around 14 million people believe, or have been led to believe, a delusion that is literally impossible.
There is nothing in the Constitution or in statutes that allow any such thing as the “reinstatement” of a former president. Even if there was evidence of massive election fraud in 2020, and there is absolutely none, there is no legal mechanism by which Donald Trump could be reinstated by the courts or Congress or state legislatures. It isn’t going to happen, and those who continue to spew or believe such nonsense only make themselves look evermore foolish.
There were more drug overdose deaths in 2020 — 93,000+, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — than suicides (nearly 45,000) and vehicular accidents (more than 36,600) combined. This is a dramatic jump from 2019 but follows a troubling upward trend that has existed for years.
In San Francisco, where wildly unrealistic progressives are competing with reality and losing, they have more drug overdose deaths than COVID-19 deaths.
Many states and municipalities have joined in massive lawsuits against drug manufacturers who make or have made opioids, the cause of much addiction and overdose deaths. It isn’t at all clear that will help stem the rise in overdose deaths given the burgeoning illegal drug manufacturing operations in both Mexico and China. But somebody has to be blamed, and the drug companies are both handy and cash-rich so “free” money is available.
(San Francisco has also become ground zero for a debate about homelessness that has thus far solved nothing. Proposals to build new shelters were kneecapped by activists claiming housing people in shelters is simply warehousing them; activists instead demanded actual houses, a practical, political and financial impossibility. The result is that only about one-fourth of the city’s 8,000-person homeless population has some form of approved temporary housing. The rest are in tents on sidewalks and in parking lots.)
There is afoot something called the BDS movement, calling for boycotting Israelimade products, divestment of Israeli stocks or partial ownership of Israeli companies, and sanctions levied against the Israeli government and businesses. This idea was promulgated by the Palestinian Authority and is now being pushed by their supporters in the U.S. It is a misguided effort to rewrite history while sullying the only true democracy and genuine American ally in the region. No bigger than New Jersey and with only 9.2 million people, Israel has been under constant attack since before it became a nation in 1948 and even now is surrounded by governments and organizations committed to its total destruction. The land being demanded for the so-called Palestinian state includes what is now Israel.
It is no wonder Israel has and will continue to aggressively defend itself. If their neighbors would stop lobbing rockets and launching other attacks, Israelis would have no reason to respond or acquire additional land to enhance their national defenses. They deserve our continued support; not boycotts or divestment or sanctions.
Barack Obama gave it a try. Donald Trump promised it but never delivered. Now Joe Biden actually has managed to do what they could not — get a huge infrastructure deal through Congress and onto his desk. You’d think Democrats and the few supportive Republicans who managed to approve $1.2 trillion of infrastructure spending would be taking victory laps, and that Biden would be hailed for a milestone achievement in his first year in office.
No, these are the Democrats, always capable of turning victory into a loud, internecine squabble. This time it’s progressives complaining because they didn’t get to hold the infrastructure bill hostage until they got their way on the massive social spending plan, Build Back Better. And, as is now customary, any Republican supporting any Democrat plan or legislation is immediately subject to attacks from the former president and potential discipline from what passes for GOP leadership.
Both parties should be celebrating after passing legislation supported by 63 percent of the public but, instead, both have turned it into yet another mud-slinging fest.
Here in the United States, less than 59 percent of our total population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, though the number jumps to 70 percent among adults. But we’re still experiencing about a thousand COVID-19 deaths a day as we approach a staggering 800,000 total. Other countries are doing better: notably, Portugal, Cuba, and the United Arab Emirates all report a 98 percent vaccination rate. Most of them have the advantage of not being troubled by misinformation or liars and charlatans passing as experts. Instead, they listened to and followed the advice of actual experts. Imagine that.
SHOW GRATITUDE BY REDUCING WASTE
guest opinion
by Cathye Williams
Thanksgiving has long been a time to celebrate abundance. Striving for abundance seemed prudent in a past where stockpiles provided security against times of scarcity.
Today, the abundance we enjoy is more a sign of imbalance than security. Much like climate change brings downpours and floods to some areas while leaving others deathly dry, our current food system is similarly out of whack: In the U.S., we throw away over $400 billion of food annually, yet one in ten adults aren’t getting enough to eat.
Since becoming an empty nester, I’ve begun to think more about food waste. I always knew it was an environmental issue in need of attention, but I didn’t feel too much pressure or personal responsibility when I had kids who were proud members of the “clean plate club.”
These days, however, as I plan meals for one and still toss too many scraps in the compost, my thoughts turn to the truckloads and acres of food growing all over the world. And what about the food that never becomes scraps — that never even makes it to the table? I walk grocery aisles where the dizzying variety of choices and façade of perfect-looking food makes me woozy. It seems we’ve gotten to a point where enough is not enough until it’s too much.
We look at countries with bread lines and empty grocery shelves as cautionary tales, while well-stocked American stores and pantries are seen as benchmarks of success, the way we show that we nourish and care for our families. In reality, these full shelves hide a sadder truth, and one that could well be viewed as America’s cautionary tale. Much of the food we buy is devoid of nourishment, and the amount that goes to waste indicates a lack of care — for ourselves, our communities, and the Earth.
Any smart businessperson knows that cutting out waste is good for their bottom line — a way to keep their operation healthy. Likewise, addressing the problem of food waste is good for humanity’s bottom line — a way to keep people and the planet healthy. So how is the business of feeding ourselves faring? Well, right now our bottom line is not looking that great.
Over 40 percent of all food in the U.S. goes unsold or uneaten, according to the USDA. This also contributes to climate change. When we waste food, we also waste the energy it took to grow, transport, and refrigerate it. However, the biggest contribution that food makes to global warming is when we throw it into landfills, where it decomposes and produces methane.
In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is now the largest single input by weight in U.S. landfills and incinerators and accounts for 4 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than the U.S. airline industry.
The good news is that reducing food waste isn’t all that expensive or complex. We can each make a difference in our kitchens by planning a little, utilizing leftovers, and composting waste. Beyond the kitchen table, we can support organizations like Food Rescue, which is making a huge difference here in northwest Lower Michigan, saving 1.8 million pounds of food from ending up in our landfills each year and distributing it to local food pantries.
Other opportunities might include a citysponsored compost program, where green goals would be met by reducing methane emissions from landfills, or school-based initiatives to measure and reduce waste. Imagine students helping with the design and implementation of those programs and getting hands-on lessons in economics, civics, science, and math!
Some of these ideas are already being implemented, voluntarily, by smart individuals, businesses, and communities who see the economic, environmental, and social benefits of preventing loss and reducing waste.
The Pew Research Center found that 80 percent of Americans believe food waste is a critical issue. But large-scale efforts will still likely require public policy to get them off the ground. Advocating for this with our elected officials and thinking about who will support solutions at the ballot box are other ways to help.
We can also learn (and tell others) about legislative efforts like the Zero Food Waste Act (HR 4444/S 2389), which would provide grants and other supports for locally led programs. The World Wildlife Foundation provides great information on the act, and offers an online form you can use to contact members of Congress. Programs that would be catalyzed by this bill are projected to significantly reduce landfill inputs and greenhouse gases, deliver safe edible food, and create jobs.
You might also give thanks for supporting an effort that lets you leave that red or blue hat at home because reducing food waste checks boxes on both sides of the aisle. Whether you consider yourself Democrat, Republican, conservative, progressive, or none of the above, reducing food waste for a healthy community and a healthy bottom line is something we can all get behind.
Cathye Williams serves as a volunteer and media liaison for the Grand Traverse area chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby, www. citizensclimatelobby.com. She writes from Benzie County. Special thanks to Bob Nichols for contributing to the research and writing for this piece. Nichols lives in Traverse City, where he advocates for a peaceful, just and sustainable world with Veterans for Peace and Citizens Climate Lobby.
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