For years frog populations have been dwindling. The sight of badly deformed frogs has gotten so common that it's not even shocking any more, even though it's still sad.

Because they act as a sort of early warning system for humans, scientists have been actively studying these poor frogs in the wild. Now they've found a link between a specific pesticide, atrazine, and a parasite that weakens frogs' immune system and often kills them.

To make it even worse, they found that phosphate fertilizers interact with atrazine to applify the effect on the parasites.

Atrazine is in a lot of popular herbicides used in corn growing regions, and of course phosphate fertilizers are everywhere. So the frogs are pretty much screwed.

Europe banned atrazine years ago, but once again the U.S. is behind the curve on this environmental issue.

Sygenta, the chemical company that manufactures atrazine responded to the study by pointing out that the chemical is present in levels below the thresholds established by the EPA. It's a real "Not Me" class act.

Maybe there is some hope for the frogs -- and us -- if Barack Obama really does appoint Bobby Kennedy to head up the EPA. I'm willing to bet he'd start kicking butts and taking names, plus kick out chemical company lobbyists, faster than you can say "Save the frogs and save humanity!"