Scientists should not silence critics

Mike Zanillo opens his recent letter commenting on how the Daily Herald has "published multiple letters from authors claiming that climate change is a hoax," and then suggests the D.H. is being irresponsible by publishing them. I take it that he is not much of a fan of science.

Did you know that one very powerful tool scientists use is skepticism? When a theory is first posited, the scientists presenting it would not object to its being challenged and tested. Why? Because if other researchers can replicate the experiment and end up coming to the same conclusions, then that theory moves away from the realm of mere theory and closer to being declared a scientific fact. It is not at all uncommon for scientists to try to make the theory fail, for if they cannot do so, the case for declaring it scientific fact is that much stronger.

That is how legitimate science works, so when an internationally renowned "climate scientist" like Chuck Todd refuses to give time to skeptics on his program regarding climate change, I have to ask, what is he afraid of? Being proven wrong?

You also say that, "Ninety-seven percent of the world's accredited scientists agree." Ninety seven percent of what number of those accredited scientists are you referring to? Hint: it is not 97 percent of all accredited scientists. Instead of giving us a percentage, how about providing the actual number of scientists. You might be surprised to find it is not as large a number as you imagined.

As for the Daily Herald, well, I would congratulate them for providing alternate views on the subject, something that is in line with true science, unlike an attempt to silence one side or the other.

John Babush

Big Rock