Kennedy Legacy 0/Daddy Issues 1

That whirring sound you hear is Jack and Robert Kennedy spinning in their respective graves.

By any rational measure, Robert Kennedy Jr. is fringe. Conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer, dumped a dead bear cub in Central Park “as a joke,” and now endorsing Agent Orange, who is as antithetical to his father’s and uncle’s values as it’s possible to get. His whole family has denounced him, but I suspect that’s the point.

When you come from a family, famous or not, there are three possibilities: you can carry on the traditions and legacy of your family – this is what Trump does, keeping up the racism, cynicism, and scams of his father. Second, you can rebel and do the opposite of what is expected of you – in either case, you make yourself a victim of your family’s expectations. Finally, you can choose autonomy – determine the purpose of your life and be guided by that purpose without concern about or reference to those expectations. JFK, for example, whatever his flaws, set a course for himself. His father wanted him to be President, but when he got there he departed radically from his father’s views.

Junior has, I believe, some serious daddy issues. I met Bobby Sr. briefly and worked on his campaign to thwart Nixon’s nefarious intentions, and I Junior’s views are as opposite to his father’s as can be imagined – clearly option 2 above. As a Trump sycophant, he is gaining the approval he craved from his father, and all it will cost him is his soul. The man who, early on was a very effective environmental activist is now aligned with a man who, as POTUS did significant environmental damage.

Donald Trump's presidency had a significant impact on environmental policy and regulations in the United States:

• By the end of his term, the Trump administration had rolled back 98 environmental rules and regulations[2].
• Trump and his appointees generally did not accept the scientific consensus on climate change[2]:
• Trump called climate change a "hoax" prior to his presidency
• His administration removed climate change information from government websites
• He expressed doubt about climate science, stating "I don't think science knows, actually"
• Trump promoted an "America First Energy Plan" focused on fossil fuel development[1][2]:
• He supported increased oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters
• He aimed for U.S. "energy dominance" based on fossil fuel production
• He framed environmental regulations as economic burdens

While U.S. emissions decreased during Trump's term, analysts estimate his policies could lead to increased emissions in the long-term. His regulatory rollbacks were projected to potentially add 1.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 2035.Trump's environmental legacy was characterized by deregulation, fossil fuel promotion, climate change skepticism, and numerous legal battles over policy changes. His actions represented a significant shift from previous administrations' environmental priorities.

This is the man the erstwhile environmental activist has endorsed and begged for a Cabinet position. Trump has announced that Junior and Tulsi Gabbard, another turncoat, will be “honorary co-chairs” of his transition team. May he not need one.