Antidotes, Science and Free Press

"Why is it so easy for the few in power to govern the many?"

~ David Hume

 

 

On The Trail Podcast

Trail Signs - Staying Engaged

In this episode we are going to be laying some groundwork – Trail signs if you will, because things are not always as they seem, and sometimes, there is outright deception and manipulation going on. Forewarned is forearmed.

Trail Signs assists in laying the groundwork of what I will be building on in almost all the future episodes of this podcast, signposts along the trails, which will include a diverse array of interviews. So I would like to share a trail I have been on for the last 4 years now, involving communication psychology; to help you to see what I saw and continue to see, once the warning signs were pointed out.

First I cover Antidote To Apathy - a 2008 TedTalk by Dave Meslin. Meslin re-examines apathy, explaining most is a complex web of intentional obstructions that reinforce disengagement.

Next I cover Noam Chomsky's 10 Strategies of Manipulation by the Media.

Then we follow up with a retired CIA military analyst's suggestions on coping and boundaries, because we can't just give up.

Finally, I share a clip of an interview, Path to Authoritarianism, with historian and author Timothy Snyder - checks and balances, we can all do something.

Fracking is destroying U.S. water supply, warns shocking new study

An alarming new study reveals fracking is quite simply destroying America’s water supply.

That means we are losing potable water forever in many semi-arid regions of the country, while simultaneously producing more carbon pollution that in turn is driving ever-worsening droughts in those same regions, as fracking expert Anthony Ingraffea, a professor at Cornell University, explained to ThinkProgress.

The game-changing study from Duke University found that “from 2011 to 2016, the water use per well increased up to 770 percent.” In addition, the toxic wastewater produced in the first year of production jumped up to 1440 percent.

Journalists Are Not The Enemy - Boston Globe Call To Action

After a number of their staff were gunned down, the Boston Globe put out a call to action from other members of the press for editorials expressing that Democracy needs a free press and journalists are not the enemy of the American people. More than 400 responded, more coming in. The Boston Globe set up this webpage with not just their editorial, but housing links to all the others, including an interactive map. So far, Bozeman Chronicle is the first for Montana. Please take some time to read through the inspiring and much needed perspectives that our Democracy needs a Free Press and journalists are not the enemy of the American people.

Which brings up an update. After reviewing my audio files from the Gianforte assault of a journalist case, I found that the file for the on scene interviews, which included the only interview Gianforte gave, was missing. After contacting Gallatin County to have it sent to me, on Aug. 6th, I was told that it wasn't just missing from the CD sent to me, but was missing from the documents sent to Judge Holly Brown for approval to be released, so they have to put that file before her for release. I was told this should not take as long as the original request, which was about 3 months. As soon as I receive the missing file, I will be able to launch the page with all the information.

Science under Trump Voices of Scientists across 16 Federal Agencies Report - 63,000 scientific experts employed by the federal government surveyed by Union of Concerned Scientists.

"The results should be disturbing to anyone who believes that government science has a crucial role to play in making the United States a safer, healthier nation. Federal scientists describe a broad range of problems, including workforce cuts, censorship and self-censorship, political interference, and undue industry influence. Unsurprisingly, these problems have taken a toll on morale, making it hard for scientists to do their jobs effectively."

Beneficial sagebrush, juniper under assault on federal lands by retired USFS Sara Johnson

"There is no other conifer species that rivals the dense foliage provided by juniper trees, which provide hiding and thermal cover for elk and deer as well as high-quality cover for birds during bad weather, including heavy rainstorms in the summer, and fall/winter/spring snow storms."

Another unique value of juniper trees is their production of up to 20,000 juniper berries per meter squared. Theses berries provide a high energy food source for wildlife in the fall when insects have died out and are also available to birds in the winter in spite of deep snows.


Ravalli Commissioners insult, attack Montanans
"We are four of the Ravalli County residents pictured in the yard signs and billboard that hold our county commissioners accountable for dismissing their constituents who want to have a say in the future of our public lands, especially our wilderness study areas (WSAs).

Last week, the Ravalli Commissioners sent a letter to Attorney General Tim Fox asking him to investigate a list of Montana-based conservation and sportsmen groups for unspecified reasons, groups to which we belong. Our Land, Our Legacy - a group of Montanans defending the state’s WSAs - is on that list. With support from Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Wildlife Federation, The Wilderness Society and National Wildlife Federation, Our Land, Our Legacy sponsored the yard signs and billboard."



Click to be a Contributor or Subscriber to
Enhancing Montana's Wildlife & Habitat


Thank you,
Kathryn QannaYahu
406-579-7748
www.EMWH.org
Helena, MT