There are a series of articles in the latest issue of Scientific American under the umbrella title, “The Four Most Pressing Science Priorities for the Next President.” The four essays address the following topics: 1) Controlling COVID, 2) Committing to Climate, 3) Reestablishing Reality, 4) Restoring Expertise. It is somewhat depressing that in the 21st century there is a need to discuss the importance of any of these things but after the last four years of science denial, misinformation, and appointing political operatives instead of experts, we are where we are. And while I read and agree with the essays, based upon what is going on here locally in Montana, it will be an uphill battle – particularly in ‘red’ states like Montana that are still hung over from drinking too much Trump cool aid.
I read in the Bozeman paper this morning that our Republican-controlled state government is speeding a bill through the legislature to protect businesses against lawsuits if customers or employees contract COVID on their premises. Newly installed Republican Governor Gianforte has stated that as soon as that bill is enacted, he will repeal the state-wide mask mandate that was put in place by his Democratic predecessor, Steve Bullock, to combat the spread of COVID in the state. There is no doubt that he will repeal this mandate in defiant contravention of the plea from the Biden administration for people across the country to wear masks for the next 100 days. It is also in complete opposition to the advice coming from the CDC and most medical and scientific experts. Welcome to Big Sky Country – now clearly settling in to the anti-science camp.
There was an article published in the Missoula Current news journal leading up to the elections last November entitled, “Press must explore Gianforte’s religious beliefs, understanding of science.” There have been several articles in other publications about this same subject just to make the point that this is not an isolated, ‘one off’ article. In any case, the article states:
“It frustrates me that the press has not dug more into Greg Gianforte’s extreme religious beliefs and the consequences to all of us of those beliefs, if he is elected governor.
He believes dinosaurs and humans roamed the earth at the same time, and that we do not need Social Security and Medicare because Noah worked until he was 600 years old and never had them, so why should we? He supports defunding Social Security and Medicare and repealing the Affordable Care Act that mandates coverage for preexisting conditions.
Gianforte rejects evolution, climate change, and other important scientific concepts. Currently, he rejects the evolving science around the COVID-19 pandemic. He does not practice or endorse mask wearing, social distancing, or other habits that will keep us safe in the months to come.
Gianforte wants to funnel our public tax dollars to private religious schools like his Petra Academy, which discriminates against children with disabilities and promotes his religion as being equal to science. The only “science” he appears to believe in is computer science, because that is where he made the millions he is now pumping into his own campaign.”1
Let me state right here that I personally don’t care what anyone believes. If someone wants to believe the earth is flat, I don’t care. If someone wishes to believe that Bigfoot is real, that the Loch Ness monster is real, that there are mermaids, or there are aliens walking amongst us – I don’t care. And if Governor Gianforte chooses to believe humans and dinosaurs roamed the earth at the same time, in spite of no scientific evidence to support that belief – I don’t care.
However, when peoples’ belief systems begin to influence governmental policy decisions that are in complete contravention to scientific and medical expertise, and those decisions have consequential impacts on myself and others, then I care! Repealing the state wide mask mandate, in contravention to public health guidance, puts my life in jeopardy, and I care. Disregard of the science showing that climate change is one of the most serious existential crises facing our planet, puts my daughter’s life in jeopardy, and I care.
Now that the Biden administration is taking the COVID pandemic seriously, there is some hope that at some point down the road, we will get this under control and life will return to some semblance of normalcy. However, the anti-science ‘virus’ that has infected a large segment of the population and, more importantly, a significant portion of the political community, will be far harder to eradicate and could have far deadlier and costlier long-term consequences.
Critical thinking is in short supply in our country. Confirmation bias can be overcome by understanding our own biases. Inner subjective testability makes us aware of our own biases and question its validity. It is unfortunate that they who do not believe in science are happy in their ignorance.
Our country is in a ignorance revolution. Revolutions usually have a goal. What is the Goal of MAGA, Make America Great Again? Is there a declaration that lists what they think will make America great again? They believe that all scientists and engineers are of the devil. The only list I have heard is that they want to go back to the Jim Crow days by limiting the black vote. They only want Christianity to be the religion of the nation. They do not want people of color and different religions immigrating into our country. They do not want people on welfare because they believe everyone is responsible for themselves. These are but a few of the things they want but I have not seen them formalize this into a written declaration of their independence. Do they believe that this gives them the right to overthrow our existing government?
When asked why we do not support MAGA, maybe we should ask them these questions?