It is election day and never before has such a political event been so important.
Not only is the 2020 Election crucial to America’s economy, but it could prove monumental for climate change, the pandemic and international relations.
It is no secret that the Trump presidency has been one of confrontation, aggression and divisiveness. On the issues that matter, his reelection could prove cataclysmic. Claims made by the commander in chief have polarised not only the US but the constituencies of close allies.
Relationships aside, the president has made some extraordinary claims within his 4 years in the White House. Some include baseless allegations regarding vaccines. Trump claimed in the Florida Sun Sentinel – “When I was growing up, autism wasn’t really a factor,”….”And now all of a sudden, it’s an epidemic … My theory is the shots. We’re giving these massive injections at one time, and I really think it does something to the children.”
Trump is a keen student of fringe theories. This claim was popularised by David Icke, who postulates circumstantial evidence at best.
A number of studies have been carried out on the link between Autism and vaccines and none have been found. Trump’s claims of an “epidemic” don’t neccessarily mean something has accelerated its prevalence, but rather, psychologists and researchers have simply gotten better at diagnosis. Even still, Autism isn’t as widespread as it is made out to be, and those who live with it have made exceptional contributions to society.
Trump’s underpinning of this theory also strengthened the so-called ‘anti-vaxxer movement’ who believe vaccinations cause cancer and other illnesses. One accusation made regarding vaccines is that they contain poisonous substances such as mercury. The content of most vaccines is used for preservation of the vial and any mercury found within it is usually Thimerosal, an organic form of mercury included in small doses and is generally quite safe. The truth of the matter is that there is more mercury in fish and vegetables than there are in vaccines.
The Washington Post collated a list of Trump claims, calculating he made 22,247 false or misleading ones within 1,316 days. They include illegal immigration, and claims that “open borders” have allowed millions to “pour right into” the country. Statistically, the data says different. The majority of expired documentation belongs to people who arrive legally (usually by plane) but don’t leave.
Trump has emboldened the most dangerous of minds across the world, and his persona and dehydrated claims have proven difficult for billions. Nothing is as great a threat as Climate Change, and this election decides whether the Earth remains on the chopping board. Having withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accords, the world’s biggest polluter also withdrew from responsibility to clean up after itself.
The President said: “We ended the Obama-Biden administration’s war on American energy. And the United States is now the leading producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. It’s a big thing.” Nothing is more dangerous than the threat of ecological breakdown and 4 more years of ignorance of the facts will seal the fate of a world already burning. The strain of environmental decline is in motion, and 4 more years of dangerous rhetoric will sustain carbon already locked in the atmosphere for generations to come. If a real estate agent gets into the white house once again, it could spell the beginning of the end. The UK experienced the 5th wettest October since 1863, what more can we expect?
Stanisland Magazine 