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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMy apple tree – lucky if we get three apples after the birds and squirrels have at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I figured I spare those of you not interested in politics today, by putting the poem out in front, accompanied by photographs of what is currently in bloom in my garden and the local parks, a celebration of spring. Enjoy her beautiful words that capture the essence of the season: light over darkness, rebirth, an ephemeral presence of something Holy, even if you’re not attached to Sacraments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re curious why this poem came to mind and how it is connected to thoughts about what is happening around us, on the other hand, read on. I’ll try to be concise and let the various links do the talking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Neighborhood rhododendron<\/p>\n\n\n\n The poet warns us that there are spiritual things that science cannot “overtake” or measure, but that are rather felt by humans. I have no problem with that – I am perfectly willing to consider that not all can be explained by science. Before you allow those distrusting science in general to appropriate this poet, though, let me remind you that she also wrote in Fascicle Ten<\/em>: \u201cFaith is a fine invention \/ For Gentlemen who see<\/em> \u2014 \/ But Microscopes<\/em> are prudent \/ In an Emergency!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Science matters. We in the scientific community, but also most everyone I talk to who is not a scientist, are horrified by the current administration’s assault on all things scientific. What affects the largest number of people, the planet, really, is, of course, anything climate<\/strong> related. Policies<\/strong> weakened, rolled back, eliminated. Data collection<\/strong> abandoned, particularly where they’d demonstrate negative impact of climate change or industrial pollution on vulnerable populations (air quality, lead exposure), but also weather and dangerous conditions in general. Grants<\/strong> for research programs canceled, thousands of scientists fired for good. Research meetings<\/strong> prohibited, advisory committees dissolved, scientists no longer allowed to talk to “foreigners” (e.g. the research community that collaborates or the WHO.) Fire fighting and disaster mitigation curbed or canceled. Green initiative<\/strong>s kneecapped. Fossil fuel extraction<\/strong> resumed and encouraged, even in previously protected natural areas like our National Parks, and despite their impact on increased environmental pollution. Dickinson is likely spinning in her grave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Daisies cover our meadow<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s look at health<\/strong> next. Again, thousands of employees terminated, including high ranking scientists and advisory boards. That includes the entire Board of Scientific Advisors for the National Cancer Institute. Brain drain, with many of those now courted by universities abroad leaving for sure. Acts instituted by an institution headed by cabinet secretary RFK Jr., who claims that ADD, ADHD, Tourette’s, Narcolepsy and Autism was unfamiliar when he was a child. ADD\/ADHD was named in 1980, Tourette’s Syndrome was named in 1885, Narcolepsy was named in 1880, Autism was named in 1912…. The same person who believes a new “origins of autism” research study can be completed by September of this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this month, the administration formally rescinded the National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientific integrity policy<\/strong>, which had been created to protect federal scientists from political interference and retaliation. (In a timely fashion, then, note the letter sent by he acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia this week to the editor of a scientific journal, implying that the journal was partisan and asking a series of questions about how the publication protects the public from misinformation, whether it included competing viewpoints and whether it was influenced by funders or advertisers. Suppression of scientific freedom<\/strong>, if you don’t like the results they publish? And do we now need to add crackpot studies that spew misinformation for “fair and balanced” reporting ?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n How many blueberries will there be – taking bets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grants terminated (and not just that, but completely, irretrievably deleted from data bases), all references to certain vaccines prohibited. And speaking of vaccines<\/strong>: not only are they no longer officially recommended (causing measles and other avoidable childhood diseases to soar), or are accused of causing autism (long disproven,) they are now actively undermined in their development. Instead of approving the tweaking of existing vaccines for new variants of Covid, for example, just like the CDC did every year for flu vaccines, the pharmacological industry is now asked to run full new trials. Not only would that cost millions of dollars but also would not be possible to do for the next season when shots are most urgently needed, in fall. So the administration can claim there is no “prohibition” of vaccination, but in reality vaccination delayed is health (survival!) denied….<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you neglect research into cancer, infectious and heart diseases, as well as Alzheimers<\/strong> (all of whom have been defunded) how much do you actually care about public health? If you ignore the numbers on Covid infections, maternal deaths, or sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, or prevent treatment of acute drug addiction (Narcan program is canceled), many wonder if they are interested in getting rid of disease, or rather getting rid of sick people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The magnolia is an ancient tree and on its last leg…. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I forgot: food safety<\/strong> inspections – gone. And following $1 billion in food aid<\/strong> cuts by Trump, anti-hunger programs across the U.S. are struggling to feed vulnerable communities, with charities forced to replace nutritious meals with crackers, dried cranberries, and thin soup. The cutting of vital food assistance threatens the health and dignity of millions of low-income Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you prohibit mask<\/strong> wearing despite the scientifically demonstrate protection they provide against infectious diseases, what is your justification, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly and immune-compromised? When is the line crossed to applied eugenics? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The bans limiting exposure to toxic chemicals<\/strong> touch most facets of daily life, prohibiting everything from bisphenol in\u00a0children\u2019s products<\/a>\u00a0to mercury in\u00a0personal care products<\/a>\u00a0to PFAS in\u00a0food packaging<\/a>and\u00a0clothing<\/a>. The administration is moving to kill the bans on PFAS. The location of thousands of high-risk chemical plant now shielded from public view. Car safety rules? Loosened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medicaid<\/strong>? House Republicans are considering slashing the federal government\u2019s 90% funding match for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act \u2014 a move that could strip millions of low-income Americans of their health insurance, shifting massive costs onto states, dismantling a pillar of Obamacare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Frontyard lilac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a site<\/a> where you can find most actions taken by the administration regarding our health, sorted by month since the inauguration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And here is a nifty general tracker<\/a> that is constantly updated, where you can look at what is changing in many aspects of our daily and legal universe for yourself. In case you aren’t depressed enough yet. Every single claim made above, by the way, can also be found in the news, newspapers, journals and radio and TV programs alike. There is nothing hidden about it. I just don’t have the patience to add all the links. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heuermontage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7692.jpg?resize=890%2C668&ssl=1\")
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