The Facts are Clear as Mud

That last article I linked to on Rick Perry reminds me how cleverly communicated facts can shape terrible and misinformed conclusions. The criticism of Perry reminds me of the chemical dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO). Here are some facts about DHMO:

• It’s also called hydroxyl acid, the substance is the major component of acid rain.
• It’s gaseous form is responsible for thousands of severe skin burns every year.
• It is fatal if inhaled.
• It contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
• It accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
• It may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
• It has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

• as an industrial solvent and coolant.
• in nuclear power plants.
• in the production of Styrofoam.
• as a fire retardant.
• in many forms of cruel animal research.
• in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
• as an additive in certain “junk-foods” and other food products.

After reading that, would you drink of glass full of DHMO right now? In case you haven’t figured it out yet, dihydrogen monoxide is just a fancy name for water. Yep. Good old H₂O.

I’ll take a healthy serving of Rick Perry while I’m at it, I suppose.