Anyone who tries to convince you that human activity has no effect on climate change (global warming) is either a liar or a fool and the two are not mutually exclusive.

Those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that climate change is real and happening right now should be avoided like the plague, just as you would avoid flat Earthers and stop-the-steal whackos.

Recognizing the existence of climate change is a step in the right direction, but failing to understand or admit that we humans are the perpetrators of a relentless, deadly assault on our planet is negligent to the point of criminality.

Back in the 1980’s, when Exxon and Mobil were two separate, oil-producing behemoths, they paid scientists to research the effects of their business models on the environment and what could be expected in the future.

Not surprisingly – or surprisingly, depending upon your level of naivete – both companies came up with the very same conclusions. They found that pumping oil out of the Earth was an environmental risk, but that burning fossil fuels is a threat to the atmosphere and the planet.

Perhaps most disturbingly, predictions made by those scientists some 40 years ago were right on the money. We are now right where they said we would be, dealing with rising tides, increasingly violent weather and burning forests.

You’re probably wondering why you’ve never heard of this before and there’s a very good explanation. Both Exxon and Mobil (now ExxonMobil) decided that the best course of action in the wake of those findings was to question the science, causing doubt and confusion about the results of their own studies.

To augment their strategy of lies and obfuscation, they invested in professional liars (politicians) who, for a price would propagate their lies and work against any legislation that would impact their profitability.

As their strategy evolved, the lion’s share of the load was shifted to an almost exclusively Republican responsibility. After all they wanted the best in the business for their money.

Their investment paid off. ExxonMobil earned $23 BILLION last year.

Big oil’s strategy was nothing new. The tobacco industry did the same thing, with tobacco executives lying to Congress, insisting that smoking did not cause cancer, even though they knew that their products were highly carcinogenic.

Following the money works for all types of crimes. It was almost predictable that one of Donnie Trump’s first executive orders was to make it legal for coal companies to dump toxic waste into clean water.

They say that with all their properties around the world, the Koch brothers are most pleased with their Manchin in West Virginia.

In Alaska, the permafrost is melting, causing houses to sink into the ground and releasing carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

Miami Beach, Florida has sunny day floods; days with no rain, but flooded streets. They’re working with engineers from Copenhagen, Denmark to try to solve some of that flooding, but it seems that someone has removed many of the math books they need from the library.

Governor Cruella DeSantis is looking into legislation that would prohibit anyone from using the word flood.

Anyway, I’m sorry if I ruined your Earth Day. I’m even sorrier we don’t have another planet to leave our grandchildren.

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BY SANDRA GUY

Anyone who suffers from arthritis knows a desperate desire to stop the crippling pain. In fact, May — designated Arthritis Awareness Month — shows that one in every five adults and 300,000 children in America suffer from it.

More importantly, arthritis taxes people’s finances and our country’s economic health.

One-third of working-age people with arthritis are limited in their ability to work and in the type and time of work they can do, according to the Arthritis Foundation.People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis –two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.Arthritis and related conditions account for more than $156 billion annually in lost wages and medical expenses.

These conditions may make it worthwhile to research using natural alternatives – though unproven — rather than NSAIDs (over-the-counter pain relievers).

One such natural remedy, Boswellic acid, is found in the herbal resin of the boswellia tree. Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is available as a pill, resin or cream. It is thought — and some studies have shown — that Boswellia may support cartilage, mobility, joint health and connective tissue integrity.

But Boswellia may interact with and decrease the effects of anti-inflammatory medications. Talk to your doctor before using boswellia products, especially if you’re taking other medications to treat inflammation.

Meanwhile, be sure to indulge in low-impact aerobic activities that put no stress on the joints, such as dancing, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, brisk walking, light gardening and group exercise classes.

Christopher Morel (photo by Rikk Carlson)

AAA

Louisville 7, Iowa 6 (10 Innings)

Game Recap

Alfonso Rivas has done nothing but hit since he returned from his brief stay in Chicago to open the year. He collected four hits, including two doubles, to help the I-Cubs build 5-0 lead through four innings. Caleb Kilian wasn’t particularly sharp, but he didn’t walk guys and kept the ball on the ground. Unfortunately, it was an off day for the Iowa pen (and defense). Six runs by Louisville from the 7th inning on (3 unearned) sunk the team.

Top Performers

Alfonso Rivas: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI (.538)Ildemaro Vargas: 3-5, 3B, 2 R (.267)Dixon Machado: 2-5, 2 RLevi Jordan: 1-4, R, BB, SB (1)Brennen Davis: 1-4, RBI, SF (.224)Caleb Kilian: 5 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 4 K (1.54)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

After being designated for assignment last week, the Cubs traded former 2nd round pick Cory Abbott to the Giants for cash considerations. My guess is the Giants paid slightly more to the Cubs than the typical waiver wire fee as a way to jump the line of teams that would potentially claim the right handed starter ahead of San Francisco.

Abbott had stalled in his development over the last year. He struggled with the home run ball, and with getting LHB out. The Cubs apparently determined that Abbott had fallen behind Mark Leiter, Jr. for starts in Chicago. And with Wade Miley, Alec Mills, and Steven Brault all rehabbing and potentially available within the next month, Abbott must have been deemed expendable.

AA

Tennessee 10, Rocket City 3

Game Recap

Five different Tennessee batters each blasted a home run.

The hottest hitter in the system since opening day, Darius Hill hit a grand slam, and added a double as well. Chris Morel launched his homer 450 feet. Nelson Maldonado continued to show his offseason strength gains are paying off. He went oppo for his third of the season already (career high is 6 in 67 games). A day after going yard twice, Nelson Velazquez sent another over the fence. Chase Strumpf added his second of the season.

The hottest hitter in the system to begin the year, Darius Hill, just hit a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/Gj9vdRElGM

April 21, 2022

How about an easy 450 to center field for Christopher Morel? pic.twitter.com/IMc6V9vFaM

April 21, 2022

Nelson Velasquez just hit his third home run in two days pic.twitter.com/MSNBXykR0b

April 21, 2022

On the mound, Cam Sanders struck out seven, and Bryan Hudson earned his 4th win of the young season. The big lefty really should be in Iowa at this point, and I wouldn’t even rule out the possibility he is as good as either lefty currently in the Chicago pen.

Top Performers

Darius Hill: 2-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 4 RBI, BB (.405)Chris Morel: 2-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI (.238)Nelson Maldonado: 2-4, HR (3), 2 R, RBI (.379)Chase Strumpf: 2-4, HR (2), 2 R, RBI (.167)Nelson Velazquez: 1-3, HR (4), R, RBI, BB (.279)Luis Vazquez: 1-3, R, RBI, BB (.259)Cam Sanders: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, HBP, 7 K (5.79)Bryan Hudson: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (W, 4-0, 1.86)

High-A

Game Recap

Beloit 4, South Bend 2

D.J. Herz was unhittable over four innings. He faced only one above the minimum, due to a 3rd inning hit batter. Ed Howard hit his first homer of the year.

A perfect outing doesn’t exi–

Well, @Cubs No. 9 prospect @DavidjohnHerz was perfect across his four frames for the @SBCubs: https://t.co/oU6ivdYeOs pic.twitter.com/MEqEgwb3YE

April 22, 2022

Sweet swing from Ed Howard. pic.twitter.com/9qvUr5ZbW1

April 22, 2022

South Bend did get a stellar defensive play from Fabian Pertuz on the night as well:

Tonight’s @LavenInsurance Defensive Play of the Game was this stellar diving catch by Fabian Pertuz! @FPertuz_8 pic.twitter.com/QUKrv8gIC8

April 22, 2022

Top Performers

D.J. Herz: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, HBP, 4 K (0.82)Ed Howard: 1-3, HR (1), R, RBI (.179)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

With a strike out in his first inning of work, D.J. Herz hit the 150 K mark in his pro career. It took him just 100 innings to accomplish the feat. There really isn’t much A-ball hitters can do against the young lefty. The only thing that usually stops him in any given outing is his command/control. When he is throwing strikes like yesterday it is almost automatic he holds the opposing team off the board. It is a bit reminiscent of the point when Brailyn Marquez got locked in at South Bend a few years ago.

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 8, Delmarva 3

Game Recap

The Pelicans offense stayed hot, putting up two runs on the board in the 4-7 innings. Walker Powell earned his second win with an impressive 4.1 innings. The 6’8″ righty with a unique arm angle punched out 7 batters.

A great night gets better for Miguel Fabrizio!

His second RBI of the night comes on a double and moves the Pelicans first baseman a homer away from the cycle.

Pelicans 6, Shorebirds 2 in the bottom of the sixth. pic.twitter.com/LleJ4A2S6H

April 22, 2022

Top Performers

Miguel Fabrizio: 3-5, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI (.200)Jacob Wetzel: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB (5) (.237)Kevin Alcantara: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, SB (2) (.265)Liam Spence: 0-2, R, RBI, SF, 2 BB, SB (1)Walker Powell: 4.1 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BB, 7 K (W, 2-0, 3.27)