Letters 09-28-2015

Sept. 25, 2015

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Adult Science Literacy In Trouble

Adult science literacy in America is in real trouble, when more adults know who Juan Pablo (the latest from Bachelor) than know Dr. Neil DeGreese Tyson (astrophysicist and host of Cosmos). Mainstream media reinforces social drama and romanticizes emotional decisions. What Americans really needs is to think critically and be effective problem solvers.

There are serious problems, such as the increase of extreme weather events and unrest in the Middle East to name a few, all while American adult science literacy has become stagnant.

Science has fallen out of vogue; to be a scientist is to be a nerd or socially awkward. Long gone is the day when it was a childhood dream to grow up and become an astronaut or an engineer. The millennial generation wants to "make the world a better place," but they are missing their greatest opportunity to make great contributions to the world.

As a high school teacher, I appreciate the recent emphasis on science and mathematics with the creation of the STEM program (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). This is a wonderful program to develop young minds to be critical, imaginative, logical thinkers. However, students are outnumbered five-to-one compared to adults in this country. Adults must take a more active role in science literacy.

Modern day problems are getting bigger and more complex and will have more severe consequences. The solutions will not be easy for they are multifaceted. America was and is the greatest and most innovative country in the world, and will be have to increase our willingness to understand science to keep it that way!

Andrew J. Frisch, High School Science Teacher

Just The Facts

Obama is an American citizen. He is a Christian. He’s not taking your guns. He has not destroyed America. Tax cuts for the rich do not trickle down. The U.S. was thrown out of Iraq per a SOFA agreement signed by Bush; Obama did not abandon Iraq.

Eight hearings found no treason or maleficence by Clinton. Obama did not attack Syria because Congress refused to give him war authority. Black people are discriminated against in this country. There is no war on cops. There is no war on Christians. Bush did not keep us safe; 9/11 happened on his watch after he was warned by intelligence. The war in Iraq was the biggest military blunder in U.S. history.

The "debt" was caused by two unfunded wars combined with tax cuts by Republicans. Cliven Bundy is a tax cheat, not an American hero. More guns on the street do not keep us safe. Owning a gun is not a "Godgiven right." Abortion is legal. Planned Parenthood’s primary function is women’s healthcare. The videos were doctored.

Jade Helm was not an attempt to invade America. There are no internment camps or terror camps in the U.S. There is no scandal at the IRS; they were doing their jobs. Vaccines do not cause autism. Obamacare is the Republican plan and it did not cause the apocalypse. Social Security is not going broke. Obama reduced the debt by the largest margin since Eisenhower. There are more poor under Obama because of the recession that happened on Republicans watch. Corporations are not people. Money is not speech. Climate change is real. There is no voter fraud.

But you’re right; the world is laughing at us. Not because of Obama, but because half of this country is mentally unhinged.

Julie Racine, Marion, MI