The combination: 2016 critical to the future

[Jude Iam]

FROM a political friend. i agree. jude

Dear Friend, I've said it many times and firmly believe that this year and the 2016 election are critically important to us at the most fundamental levels, as well as to people outside the country.

We're in a historically significant time unlike any other in the recent past because of the combination of factors in play. One is the political threat to U.S. citizens because our country is currently being controlled by the very rich and very powerful corporate, banking, spying and military cabals and their bought-and-paid-for servants in Congress and in state legislatures. Many of them shouldn't be making decisions for Little League teams, much less a nation of the size and power of the United States. While many in control are corrupt and untrustworthy, others clearly aren't wise or caring enough to be trusted with life-and-death decisions for us and our families. I could provide quotes to prove that, but I won't.

The second part of the combination of factors that makes this year and this election so important is the increasing pollution of the Earth and everything we depend upon for life support, starting with the burning of fossils fuels and the direct impact that has on rapidly heating the Earth's atmosphere and surface and causing weather patterns to become increasingly violent.

We have the wherewithal - the knowledge, technology and money - to go from burning fossil fuels for energy to using clean and sustainable sources. But instead, the U.S. Congress still subsidizes fossil fuel companies with billions of dollars every year instead of promoting clean energy. It's deadly and crazy!

I came across an article in today's AlterNet Environment email feed that's about both aspects of the combination. The title of the article is: "Exxon Fraud Probe is Shaping Up to Be the Biggest Bipartisan Climate Battle Ever." Here's an excerpt:
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When ExxonMobil had advance knowledge of global warming, it attempted to hide the details from the public and its shareholders to protect its future business. Since then, it has made hundreds of billions of dollars year after year. It appears now there is strong evidence that the company has committed fraud, and even as its profit outlook is grim, it is still trying to dodge reality.
"Half a century ago, Exxon discovered climate change and quickly learned all there was to know well before the rest of us,” said 350.org’s (May) Boeve. “Instead of urging action and becoming a part of the solution, the company's executives poured their resources into sowing doubt and disinformation among the public. The last twelve months have set record-busting temperatures, yet Exxon is still attempting to distract us from the fight for climate justice.”
Big Oil: Worse than Big Tobacco?
The unfolding drama has been compared to the Department of Justice's successful lawsuit [31], almost two decades ago, against Big Tobacco over fraud regarding the health risks of smoking and marketing its harmful products to the public. In 1999, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a racketeering lawsuit [31]against several major tobacco companies for "fraudulent and unlawful conduct and reimbursement of tobacco-related medical expenses."
Federal district court Judge Gladys Kessler found the tobacco companies liable for violating RICO by intentionally committing fraud through an elaborate coverup of the health risks associated with smoking, writing in her opinion that the defendants “crafted and implemented a broad strategy to undermine [32] and distort the evidence indicting passive smoke as a health hazard. … [and] attempted to deceive the public, distort the scientific record [and] avoid adverse findings by government agencies."
ExxonMobil is accused of using the same tactics Judge Kessler deemed fraudulent in the tobacco industry coverup.
https://www.alternet.org/environment...ter1059067&t=2
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The remedy to both ends of this squeeze is for citizens to become active and aware and directly participate with at least their energy toward guiding the direction of our nation. It's still possible to elect honest and caring people to office to replace the liars, tricksters and the bribed. Every member of the House of Representatives is running for office this year as well as 34 senators.

We are halfway through this year. Resounding positive history can be made in the second half if enough people work to make it happen. It has to be at least worth trying to get it done.

Best wishes, E.Bear