Letters to the editor

Coulter on FauciTo the Editor:

Ann Coulter’s column (December 12) accuses Dr. Anthony Fauci of lying about COVID (and about HIV/AIDS). It’s tempting to ignore it: how much credibility does she have? Not long ago, she wrote that autism is a euphemism for schizophrenia (factually completely false, as she could have found out in five minutes).

Still, the issue is important, because COVID is a real threat.

In public health, when little is known about a new disease, especially something like AIDS or COVID, one can’t afford to wait until everything is certain. That could have a terrible cost in human lives. So, if you are someone like Dr. Fauci, there’s a decision that you have to make. At that point, you are guaranteed to either overestimate the risk or underestimate it. You have to weigh the possible effects of each. With AIDS and COVID, playing down the risk could have led to a much bigger catastrophe. So, even if your assessment turns out to be “alarmist,” that does not make you a liar. It makes you a prudent professional, doing what he can to minimize the harm.

800,000 deaths have already been caused by COVID in the U.S. (and long-term disability for many survivors). ICUs are full, and hospital staff are burned out. If people followed the advice of Fauci and others about wearing face masks and getting vaccinated, we would be a lot better off.

And about those young people: yes, they will probably have only mild cases. Even with a mild case, or a case without symptoms, they can still transmit the virus easily to older people, and people with diabetes, asthma, and other chronic health problems. Which reminds me: wearing a face mask would be a very small price to pay for helping to protect everyone around us.

Phil Somervell,

Palmer

To borrow a phrase from science fiction writer Robert Heinlein’s future historiesTo the editor:

To borrow a phrase from science fiction writer Robert Heinlein’s future histories, America is entering an era we can call “the crazy years”. Absurdities and barely concealed pimping for commercial interests---using government and media powers over information---create this atmosphere. Opinions rule over fact. Feelings rule over reality. Benevolent experts (read aristocracy) rule over people “for their own good” because most people “aren’t mentally capable” of sensible thinking on serious issues. Yet wasn’t this one of the historical justifications for the Catholic Inquisition and slavery?

Consider. High school education makes us basic level scientists (why else teach scientific methodology fundamentals?). Yet we Americans are supposed to think the way “scientific” authorities tell us to. Even though dissent and different ideas have been the foundation for all scientific, medical, and political advances ever made by humanity, we are coerced to tolerate censorship and an elite enforcement of what’s “right information”. In the human marketplace of ideas, the confrontation of information with reality and consequences as observed by individuals has always helped workable truth get out. Always!

Consider. The destructiveness of one-size-fits-all medical treatment was exposed over two thousand years ago, and produced the Hippocratic Oath---taken to this day by conscientious doctors. Yet our governments try to use universal health mandates---founded on god-like judgment by officials (FDA, CDC) of death/injury risks vs. benefits to whole populations. This is instead of trained medical examination for each individual for treatment options and subsequent informed consent.

Consider. Humanity has spent centuries honing the use of evidence standards (like “beyond a reasonable doubt” and “clear and convincing”) in jury trials to gain better justice. Yet elements of American society are now ready to punish and use retaliatory violence---based on incited mob emotion and prejudice. It takes the courage of civilization to coerce the best out of our social institutions---with persistent use of rights, peaceful protest, and peaceful civil disobedience to abusive government.

Realize we are experiencing yet another periodic attack on civilization. The successful defense has always been the teaming of the powers of ethics with the powers of reason within individuals. Like each individual joining the power and discipline of the Commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (includes telling half-truths) with the power and discipline of the scientific method in his/her own mind. Civilization persists to the degree each individual carries the burden of maintaining it.

Stuart Thompson

Wasilla

Thank youTo the editor:

I would like to take the time to sincerely thank the employees at the jBotanical Rhapsody Organics of Palmer, who have been so kind, knowledgeable and supportive in assisting me as I’ve recovered from my surgery.

I recently had surgery on my left foot and was seeking alternative treatment for my after surgery pain. Their knowledge of the different CBD and CBG products was reassuring and helpful in my choices. If your looking for alternative products go to Botanical Rhapsody Organics of Palmer, because they actually know what they’re talking about...and doing it eith a smile too.

Terri Reed-Lewis,

Palmer