We are certain that most of our readers know this biblical quote and warning. Found in the 146th Psalm, and allegedly (and ironically) written by King David of Israel, it is a favorite verse for many lovers of liberty.

But we need to remember that the word “princes” (the Hebrew word na.div) is not limited to rulers or royals. It can refer to both anyone with power. And oddly enough, also to those who are inclined or willing to be generous, who are (or at least consider themselves) noble in mind and character. But whom wield great power over other humans.

Among those humans in this 21st Century of ours are the press, media. Not just the mainstream press but the alternative press, social media, and more.

Consider this article from the Daily Mail of the UK: how worthy of trust is this press outlet? Published on a Monday a few weeks back, the headline was: “Health warning issued for thousands as life-threatening toxins flood multiple US states: ‘Close windows NOW'”

The article told us: “The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed large swaths of heavily polluted air in Arizona, California, Arizona and Oregon, including pockets showing high levels of dangerous toxins known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5. These are microscopic particles of toxic compounds or heavy metals often produced by factories and car exhaust small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. They cause inflammation, breathing difficulties and other health issues when inhaled.”

(We don’t know why Arizona is listed twice. Ideas, readers?)

Toxins are defined by Merriam-Webster as “a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation.”

Toxic is defined by the same source as: “:(1)  containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation, (2) : exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis (3) : extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful and (4) : relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market.

Ignoring for obvious reasons the 3rd and 4th definitions, we know that PM2.5 is NOT a “life-threatening toxin” or a “dangerous toxin.” (PM2.5 by the way is just one part of “fine particulate matter;” others are PM10 and TSP (total suspended particulates).) Furthermore, very rarely is there anything being blown into the air by natural winds or due to man’s activities that exhibit symptoms of infection or toxicosis.

There are sometimes “particles of toxic compounds” and even (but rarely) heavy metals. But everything (soil, water, air) has some compounds and elements that are toxic. But virtually NONE of the particulate in the air – especially PM2.5, is a product of metabolic activities of a living organism.

Now, it does not require a medical or environmental sciences doctorate, master’s, or even a college degree or class to understand this. Any writer, editor, or publisher can look up this information online or in a book in their office. And also look up quasi-similar but accurate words to use instead. Or rather to use if the information they are peddling to us is true.

Which it is not. Information on the negative effects of airborne particulate matter is readily available. For free. Like virtually any substance, natural or manmade, the various elements and compounds that make up PM2.5 (and PM10) are only dangerous to humans or animals if there are very high concentrations and significant exposure to those concentrations. Those people with compromised respiratory systems, due to disease, injury, or birth defects, may have problems with lower levels and shorter exposure to these compounds than most of us.

But the Daily Mail doesn’t care about the truth. It cares about clicks, and advertising revenue. And that means it wants to scare us into believing the falsehoods it publishes.

This Daily Mail article was put out several weeks ago, but there are many like it. And it isn’t just “the Press” and mainstream media that pushes out this sort of propaganda.

On the 20th, as this commentary was written, a social media posting tried to convince people in a certain Western region to sign a petition to prevent the construction of a data center. How? By creating fear? How? By claiming things that are obviously lies and more distorted facts.

Here are just a few: the poster claimed that just planning a data center “has already caused water restrictions in the area to become more strict.” Yes, drought (now labeled extreme) has caused tightened water use rules. But the data center is not even built, or even approved for building. A lie. The writer claims that the center “will stress the power grid more, leading to possibly more power outages in storms.” Not only does the proposed center include generating its own power (from natural gas, solar and wind, we understand), but the amount of load on the power grid has no effect whatsoever on the damage that storms can cause: that is based entirely on wind and water. There are more, but this illustrates the point.

Americans are flooded daily with lies. Lies from government, from media, from advocates and opponents of every possible idea or project. Much of this is generated in order to get people to “democratically” demand that powerful government exercise even more power against (or for) something.