Author: KJ McElrath

First Exxon-Mobil, Now Shell – Did The Entire Oil Industry Know About Climate Change Decades Ago?

First Exxon-Mobil, Now Shell – Did The Entire Oil Industry Know About Climate Change Decades Ago?

Posted by | Mar 1, 2017 | , |

It has been more than a year and a half since information came out revealing that Exxon-Mobil executives were made aware of the dangers of global climate change and the role played by fossil fuels more than 40 years ago. This week, a Netherlands-based news agency, The Correspondent, reported that Shell Oil was also informed of the environmental impact of its products, and like Exxon-Mobil, willfully chose to put revenues and profits ahead of the future of humanity and the planet. The year was 1991. The film, produced by the Shell’s own film and video department, was titled “Climate of...

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Did Former EPA Deputy Director Jess Rowland Conceal Evidence of Glyphosate Carcinogenicity?

Did Former EPA Deputy Director Jess Rowland Conceal Evidence of Glyphosate Carcinogenicity?

Posted by | Feb 28, 2017 | , , |

What would be considered a bombshell in normal times seems unsurprising, considering the massive corruption in Washington D.C. these days and federal agencies tripping over each other in order to sell themselves to the highest corporate bidder. That “bombshell,” revealed this week, is that the former Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Jess Rowland, may have engaged in a cover up to hide evidence of the cancer-causing properties of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s controversial herbicide, Roundup. This allegation is from a February 10th filing by cancer victims who are suing Monsanto in a San Francisco federal...

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The True Costs of ‘Repeal and Replace’: Millions Losing Health Coverage & Jobs

The True Costs of ‘Repeal and Replace’: Millions Losing Health Coverage & Jobs

Posted by | Feb 28, 2017 | , |

This week, while President Trump was scratching his head wondering why health care had to be “so complicated,” the Rachel Maddow Show published a piece on its website about the GOP’s proposed “replacement” for the Affordable Care Act. The bill they’ve come up with holds no surprises; as usual, it would give the wealthy huge tax breaks, while screwing everyone else by cutting subsidies, instituting “high risk pools,” allowing denial of coverage because of “pre-existing conditions,” and taxing employer health plans. Obviously, if the GOP succeed in their repeal of the ACA, it will mean chaos – but what exactly will...

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Retinopathy of Prematurity and Childhood Blindness: Why is it Still Happening

Retinopathy of Prematurity and Childhood Blindness: Why is it Still Happening

Posted by | Feb 27, 2017 | |

Several years ago, an article published in the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company Digest reported that the size and amounts of malpractice judgments were discouraging ophthalmologists from doing screenings for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The issue was addressed over twenty years ago in a letter from an ophthalmologist to the administration of the hospital where he was employed as well as the state medical board. The letter outlined the reasons for his decision to no longer perform ROP screenings: “Guidelines from the Cryotherapy of Prematurity Study must be followed exactly. The timing of the evaluation and follow-up visits are critical....

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Surprise, Surprise: New EPA Head Scott Pruitt Lied Under Oath About Private Email Account

Surprise, Surprise: New EPA Head Scott Pruitt Lied Under Oath About Private Email Account

Posted by | Feb 27, 2017 | , , , |

It turns out that new EPA head Scott Pruitt pulled a ‘Hillary’ during his tenure as Oklahoma Attorney General, using a private email account for official business. The story was first reported by a local FOX affiliate. Now, there is nothing illegal about this under Oklahoma state law, provided records of such communications are freely available for public inspection. However, such use of a private email account in order to conduct government business is against federal law. Furthermore, Pruitt lied about the issue during his hearing in front of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee early in February....

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