Letter: Balentine again displays ‘selective forgetfulness’
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John Balentine has previously displayed his lack of scientific and public health expertise, even though claiming the opposite.
Now, he portrays himself as a historian when opining: “While I don’t buy into the current craze that America is an unfair place for anyone other than white males … ” (“Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery reflects Maine unity,” May 7).
First and foremost, an “unfair place for anyone other than white males” is NOT a “current craze.” Mr. Balentine has again displayed his selective forgetfulness when not mentioning hundreds of years of abuse suffered by Black slaves, Asian and Hispanic workers, Native Americans (even in Maine) and, during WWII, the internment of Japanese-American citizens.
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Michael Latner, Kendall Science Fellow | April 14, 2021, 2:50 pm EDT
As the country continues to process the violent attack on the Capitol, and restrictions on voting rights gain strength across state legislatures, we must take account of the role and responsibility that scientists play in securing our freedoms and prosperity.
Why scientists need democracy
Great scientific advances have been made under authoritarian regimes. Western universities grew out of the Dark Ages under the authority of the church, the Soviet Union took an early lead in space exploration, and China’s technological advances continue to shift the tectonic plates of geopolitical competition. But science under religious and political authority is science under fear of, or in service to, that authority. Galileo’s trial may be the most famous example, but consider the tribulations of Mary Anning, Alan Turing, or coun
Chants of âWe fight. We winâ echoed around Southern Pines as a crowd of more than 75 people marched through Southern Pines Saturday holding signs to bring awareness to several pieces of legislation to restore votersâ rights.
The Moore County NAACP and the Transformative Justice Coalition hosted a âvotercadeâ from the old Southern Pines Primary School building that led to teach-ins at Memorial Park in Southern Pines on the John Lewis Voting Rights Action Day.
The nationwide event was being held at more than 150 locations nationwide as the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act that have been introduced in Congress. âHouse resolutions 1 and 4 are important steps in restoring and realizing John Lewisâ dream of a beloved community,â Moore County NAACP President OâLinda Watkins-McSurely said. âOver the past two years alone, weâre seeing politicians in every level of the government work tirelessly to suppress the vot
Opponents of GOP-backed Texas voting bills rally outside state Capitol
Former presidential candidate Beto O Rourke and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro were among the speakers on Saturday. Author: KVUE News staff Updated: 6:43 PM CDT May 8, 2021
AUSTIN, Texas Opposition to Texas Republicans proposed voting restrictions bill came out in full force at the state Capitol on Saturday.
Former presidential candidate Beto O Rourke and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro joined several civil rights groups to protest Senate Bill 7.
O Rourke said the bill, which includes a ban on counties sending unsolicited applications to vote by mail, is a big mistake and will make voting a lot harder for Texans.