Conflict reporter/writer/cartoonist Ted Rall and political analyst Jamarl Thomas deprogram you from mainstream media every weekday at 9 AM EST.

Today we discuss:

• Fireworks for this year’s July Fourth celebration are expected to cause hazardous levels of pollution around the National Mall and “very unhealthy” conditions in central D.C., according to internal National Park Service documents. The show, billed by the Trump administration as the largest pyrotechnic display in history, will include 850,000 fireworks in a roughly 40-minute show expected to start at 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. Combustion from large fireworks displays generates fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. These small particles can penetrate deep into the heart and lungs, causing irritation and in some cases a ...