Suppressing debate never a good idea
Legislators who promoted the California Climate Science Truth and Accountability Act (Free Press editorial page, June 6) do not seem to understand that truth is not possible in science. Scientific hypotheses, even scientific theories, are not knowledge. They are educated opinions based on interpretations of observations and so can be, and often are, wrong.
This United Nations encourages this misunderstanding, often labeling its climate science conclusions unequivocal; in other words, statements that cannot be wrong. As evidence for this position, they present empirical data. But all philosophers since ancient times have understood observations are particular, contingent and probable, so cannot be used to prove truth.
Traditionally, liberals have supported skepticism and relativism. But this approach has been turned upside down in the climate debate. While many conservatives encourage debate about climate change, most of the Left consider this unacceptable. Like an excerpt out of George Orwell’s novel “1984,” sponsors of California’s “science truth” legislation wanted skepticism about climate change causes made into a criminal offense.
History demonstrates it is far easier to lose freedom of speech than, once lost, to reacquire it. Everyone must object loudly when elected officials attempt to suppress debate about anything, especially the rapidly evolving field of climate change.
Tom Harris
Executive director
International Climate Science Coalition
Ottawa, Ontario
Reader disappointed in D-Day coverage
Shame, shame, shame on the TFP for its scant coverage of D-Day and World War II. Our kids today are graduating high school and I’d bet my next Social Security check that more than half of them have no idea that we ever fought WW II or why (not to mention any war before that one).
Yet newspapers, the internet, Facebook, Twitter and magazines glorify athletes from high school, college and the pros, but pay little attention to those who risk everything to preserve our lives and freedoms. I praise the citizens of Chattanooga for honoring the Fallen Five and the Memorial Day celebrations around the county. Citizens keep these memorials going, no one else.
If it weren’t for the funnies, crossword puzzles, somewhat decent sports section and Jane Henager’s food column, I wouldn’t pay a cent for this newspaper.
Michele Brown
Ooltewah
Kevlar vests OK for Riverbend?
Nearly a year ago, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez terrorized our town in an event we will never forget, but if he were still alive today, he could legally obtain a permit to carry a loaded firearm into the crowds of Riverbend, and there isn’t one thing our police force, festival officials, City Council or mayor could do to stop him. That’s the gift Gov. Haslam, state Sen. Gardenhire and our state representatives have given us when they passed and signed into law HB 0995, which allowed anyone with a permit to carry a gun into government owned or operated parks or public areas. It also stripped local officials of their authority to make such decisions about our safety.
Riverbend has been a tremendously successful event over the years, and our police and other security personnel have done a fabulous job of providing a safe environment where we can take our families. But politicians who buckled to the lobbying effort of the NRA in the safety of their offices have decided in the face of mass murders that we no longer have the right to deal with our own public safety. Just one question, are Kevlar vests allowed?
Marc Kenyon
Soddy-Daisy