DDT saved more than 500-million lives during time it was used

To the editor,

Many have already responded to Professor Sandy's latest column that again seemed so sorely lacking in the critical thinking that he claims as one of the hallmarks of his teachings as well as his writings. Perhaps his problem is the same one that beset Anita Dunn, President Obama's former communications director. She sited Mother Teresa and Mao Zedong as the two philosophers she relied on most. Likewise, in Professor Sandy's long list of those he sought truth from, were some great people and some not so great. One of the not so great, in my opinion, is Bertrand Russell. He is one creepy dude that the professor wrote about some time ago. I checked him out and wrote about him. He believed Israel was the one perpetrating wanton violence and not the Palestinians. Also said, "I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong". If he were still alive, I'm guessing he wouldn't embrace Tea Party types. Here's another good one from ole Bert, "Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons". Yesirree, no "Live Free or Die" in this atheist, pacifier's blood.

Today, I checked out another person on the professor's list. Rachel Carson, because I knew she was involved in getting the environmental movement started. Her 1962 book, "Silent Spring" was one of the major motivating forces that prompted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban DDT in 1972. Yes, DDT can cause harm to the environment if used recklessly. It's overuse did cause harm to some birds back then, though it didn't kill as many birds as are being mutilated by the environmentally friendly wind turbines of the 21st century. U.S. National Academy of Sciences estimated that DDT saved more than 500-million lives during the time it was widely used. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide malaria infects 300-million people. About one million die of malaria each year. Most of the victims are in Africa and most are children.

Spraying a house with DDT costs about $1.44 per year while alternatives cost five, 10 or even 20 times as much. Tragically, too costly for most poor, third world countries. The ban on DDT by environmental lobby groups has caused the death of millions of people in places like Sri Lanka to this very day. Apparently birds and shrubs are higher on the preservation scale than poor people to the "gang of green". Dr. Charles Wurster, an opponent of DDT reportedly said, "People are the cause of all the problems. We have too many of them. We need to get rid of some of them, and this (referring to malaria deaths) is as good a way as any". A statement that would likely be enthusiastically endorsed by Margaret Sanger and John Holdren, President Obama's "science czar" since they weren't too fond of having the planet "overpopulated" with "undesirables".

Dr. Walter E. Williams has been very perplexed regarding the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP. He remarks, " They profess concern over the plight of poor people around the world while at the same time accepting or promoting DDT bans and the needless suffering and death that follow. Mosquito-borne malaria not only has devastating health effects but stifles economic growth". Is it a coincidence that stifling economic growth seems to be one of the primary outcomes of the environmental movement and modern day liberalism that continues to adversely affect the livelihood and well being of people everywhere?

I can only hope against hope that Professor Sandy will expound on his "critical thinking" regarding his inclusion of Rachel Carson on his list of esteemed people he holds in high regard. I know the professor cares deeply for the plight of the poor and the much maligned minority populations. It would logically follow that Rachel Carson should be high on his list of despicable people for the millions of deaths to those populations that she has been indirectly responsible for. I am truly sorry Professor Sandy. Though I try to keep an open mind and comprehend your columns, this one yet again left me with my mouth wide open and confused like the confounded AFLAC duck.

Russ Wiles

Tilton