Dear Editor,
Does the author of ‘Who is to decide?, pg. 6 March 30, letter to the editor understand what “empirical” means? It’s information based on facts/science, not opinions.
Minions means followers. Just because 74 million followers/minions voted for Trump, doesn’t mean they are right.
If one uses that argument, then the folks who supported Adolf Hitler and his Nazis were right. They were right to exterminate Jews and anyone else they didn’t like, eh?
Yes, there are many so-called “truths”. For example, the “truths” expressed by the Nazis that Jews, black, gypsies, Slavic peoples, etc. were “inferior” to white Germans, and that concentration camps/death camps were the ultimate solution to ridding Germany of “undesirable people”.
The “truths” expressed by Communist Russia (USSR/Soviet Union) and Communist China about the merits of a centrally planned economy, and the claims that communism was the perfect form of government.
Translation: Dictatorship of the working class was superior to Western democracies.
The “truths” proposed by the KKK that black folks, indigenous peoples, Jews, and Hispanics were inferior to white people, and they had to be kept in line by force. Slavery was good. Slavery was even supported by the Bible, according to those who supported slavery.
There is the “truth” that we are “entitled” to voice our opinions/views no matter how harmful they may be to other people.
For example, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said all Democrats (liberals) were pedophiles. Where does she get her “truths”? QAnon? Alex Jones (infowars)? Trump?
The author mentioned “woke”. What is woke? It’s the language of extreme right-wing, conservative Americans (Republicans) who oppose discussion of racism and bigotry in our society.
They’re opposed to any discussion about the persecution, harassment and violence committed against women, Jews, Muslims, Mormons, indigenous peoples/Indians, Asians, foreigners, migrants, etc.
They want to “sanitize” history, a “white-only history” that doesn’t discuss the “good, the bad, and the ugly” side of history. They want to “censor” what is taught in public schools, and they want to ban books they don’t like.
They remind me of the folks who want to turn the clock back to the pre-1960s. A time when “Jim Crow” laws ruled much of the former Confederate states. Voter suppression laws, “Sundown towns”, KKK and lynchings. segregation/apartheid.
Bottom line: We have to be careful what “truths” we support/follow. Don’t be swayed by rhetoric. Do some research. Don’t be a sheep.
In my opinion.
George Thatcher
Olds, Alta.
