My latest letter to the Lehighton Times-News:
Rep. Doyle Heffley recently voted for a bill (HB1576) to give legislators a greater say in how and when Pennsylvania wildlife is considered endangered. Currently the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission decide whether or not a species should be listed.
Mr. Heffley was quoted as saying that scientists can’t always be trusted, and that in a democracy lawmakers must answer to the citizenry. Heffley said, “I find it amazing that we put scientists on a pedestal.”
While it is true that in a democracy citizens rule, we do not depend on majority vote to determine that trans fats are bad for one’s health, or to predict the path of a hurricane, or to gauge the strength of structural components of a bridge. We hire scientists and engineers for that.
I don’t want some legislator to declare bald eagles are no longer endangered because a campaign contributor wants to put a fracking pad on a nesting site.
Let's see if it gets published.
If it does get pulished, rest assured that some right wing extrememists will jump on it like stink on you know what,
ReplyDeleteI like the way that our local newspaper handles comments on letters. You have to register with your real name and address. This way it keeps the posts civilized. Since they have done this it has eliminated extreme posts. They only print the persons name. They can't hide behind some moniker that is nothing more than garbage.