Robert M. Nelson (CCNY ’66) is a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. He recently retired from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena where he was a Senior Research Scientist.
Because petroleum and fossil gas are now so unstable as energy sources, wise governments are plotting to escape their use in favor of reliable, clean, local energy sources such as solar, wind, water and battery for electricity generation and batteries for electric vehicles.
Financial firms want a bigger piece of the $10 trillion in America’s 401(k) plans, and the Trump administration is planning a regulatory rollback to encourage less-regulated—and often riskier—investments.
As they try to normalize the militarization of our streets and skies here, these displays, framed as celebration and "freedom," also serve another grim reminder.