Puerto Ricans angry, dismayed over Trump tweets – “When did we stop being America?”

By Sandra Lilley , Suzanne Gamboa, Daniella Silva, and Carmen Sesin 13 October 2017 (NBC News) – President Donald Trump’s Twitter comments on Thursday threatening to pull federal resources from Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory grapples with the lack of basic necessities elicited shock and alarm on the island and the mainland.San Juan Mayor […]

Scant oversight, corporate secrecy preceded U.S. weed killer crisis – “This is the first time I’m aware of any herbicide ever brought to market for which there were strict guidelines on what you could and could not test”

By Emily Flitter 8 August 2017 NEW YORK (Reuters) – As the U.S. growing season entered its peak this summer, farmers began posting startling pictures on social media: fields of beans, peach orchards and vegetable gardens withering away. The photographs served as early warnings of a crisis that has damaged millions of acres of farmland. […]

Nomination of climate denialist to head White House environmental office called “creative evil” and “nightmare scenario” – “She will more aggressively go after dismantling all environmental laws: the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act”

By Hannah Northey 13 October 2017 (E&E News) – President Trump’s nomination of a former Texas regulator who’s touted the benefits of carbon dioxide to lead the Council on Environmental Quality is being praised by industry but derided by environmentalists as “creative evil” and a “nightmare scenario.” If confirmed by the Senate, Kathleen Hartnett White […]

69 Republicans vote against hurricane aid for Puerto Rico, other disaster sites

By Cristina Marcos 12 October 2017 (The Hill) – Legislation to provide $36.5 billion in aid for communities affected by recent wildfires and hurricanes, including Puerto Rico, secured widespread support in the House on Thursday save for 69 Republicans. The votes in opposition included many members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, who believe government […]

Trump lashes out at Puerto Rico as House weighs aid package – “It is shameful that President Trump is threatening to abandon these Americans when they most need the federal government’s help”

WASHINGTON, 12 October 2017 (Associated Press) – President Donald Trump lashed out at hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico on Thursday, insisting that federal help will be limited and blaming the U.S. territory for its financial struggles. The broadside came as the House headed toward passage of a $36.5 billion disaster aid package, including assistance for Puerto Rico. […]

Everything that’s been reported about deaths in Puerto Rico is at odds with the official count

By Eliza Barclay and Alexia Fernández Campbell  11 October 2017 (Vox) – Death tolls are the primary way we understand the impact of a disaster. And for nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, as a humanitarian crisis was intensifying, the death toll was frozen at 16.“Sixteen people certified,” Trump said on 3 […]

Trump tweets: We cannot aid Puerto Rico “forever” – Desperate Puerto Ricans try to obtain drinking water from wells at “Superfund” hazardous waste sites

By Daniella Diaz 12 October 2017 Washington (CNN) – President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that Puerto Rico is going to have to shoulder more responsibility for recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria, saying the federal government’s emergency responders can’t stay there “forever.” His comments — in which he also blamed the beleaguered island for a financial […]

Video: War on the EPA

11 October 2017 (PBS) – How did Scott Pruitt go from fighting the EPA to running the agency and rolling back years of environmental protections? With access to key players behind his rise, War on the EPA is an inside look at the triumphant ascent of the anti-regulatory movement in America.  War on the EPA

Robert Jay Lifton: Our changing climate mind-set

By Robert Jay Lifton 7 October 2017 (The New York Times) – Climate images have never been able to convey our full planetary danger until now. The extraordinary recent four-punch sequence of hurricanes — Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria — threatened the lives of millions of people, obliterated their homes and has raised doubts that […]

“Hell to pay” over water, food deliveries, Puerto Rico governor warns

WASHINGTON, 9 October 2017 (Reuters) – Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello said on Monday he ordered an investigation of water distribution on the hurricane-battered island and warned that there would be “hell to pay” for mishandling of the supplies. In an interview with CNN, Rossello said drinking water supplies have been restored to roughly 60 […]

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