Remembering a Distant Trumphet: Reader's Contribution

Many Democrats have a record of not standing firm in the face of criticism by Republicans. Sometimes this gets major attention, for example, the recent clashes about funding for the war in Iraq. Sometimes this buckling under is hardly noticed. Why don't Democrats counter each Republican criticism with facts and principles? Why are some Democrats too afraid to act on their convictions? The lower limit is every bit as important as the upper limit in this matter. One learns just how spineless a person is by examining the little battles.

Rachel Carson was born May 27, 1907, in Springdale, PA. According to an article on page 7A of USA Today for May 24, 2007, Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md. planned to submit a resolution honoring her on the 100th anniversary of her birth. He did not do so because Sen. Tom Coburn, R- Okla. objected. Coburn claims Carson wrote about "junk science" concerning the effects of pesticides. Her 1962 book Silent Spring had an enormous impact in getting the chemical DDT banned in the U.S in 1972. Coburn is concerned about deaths from malaria and other insect-borne diseases.

Three myths about Rachel Carson's positions are discussed at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06112/684148-109.stm. Information is provided that makes Coburn's claims unbelievable. Biographical information about Rachel Carson is at http://www.rachelcarson.org/
and http://www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org/Education/RachelCarsonBiography/tabid/97/Default.aspx.

Rachel Carson should be honored, not only by Congressional resolutions, but also by actions that minimize the effects of humankind on the rest of nature. This incident shows that neither Senator Coburn nor Senator Cardin deserve respect. We need leaders who not only recognize Rachel Carson's contributions to the welfare of the natural world (including all people), but also have her courage to make conclusions based upon evidence and to communicate those conclusions in spite of intimidation by other people.