[Dialogue] Brian Williams

[Lynda Cock]

With care, we remember Brian Williams, from Canada,  who died in 1991
according to The Directory.   We celebrate his life of service, particularly
in India, where we  knew him most closely around 1981 from council
gatherings in Bombay.   Part of the crimson line of our corporate journey.
Remembering all those who died on the March,  Lynda Cock    
 
....they shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint.
Help us, Lord, Help us, Lord,
in Thy way.  
 
 
  _____  

From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Don Hinkelman
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 8:16 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] NYTimes.com: Industry Ignored Its Scientists
onClimate


Hi Don,



Tens of million of malaria  deaths can be attributed to the virtual
elimination of DDT from the planet based on the overblown concerns of DDT's 
ill ecologic effects popularized by Rachel Carson.  See this article.
http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/Fall02/DDT.html


DDT is a sensitive point for me.  One of our colleagues in the Calcutta
House was slowly killed by DDT or a similar pesticide (please help me with
his name).  Well-educated, and concientious, he applied anti-bedbug powder
regularly to his mattress.  Painful symptoms resulted, and after more than
ten years of treatments to purge the chemicals from his body, he passed
away.  

I would not be surprised that that selective use of DDT could be useful.
However, my experience with the chemical education of rural populations and
the article you cite makes me skeptical.  Instead of referencing scientific
studies, he uses similar ideological words as the people he is
criticizing--"...another favored ideology of environmental activists".  The
website, 21st Century Science seems to be highly ideological and
inflammatory as well, with titles such as: "The Global Warming Fraud",
"Windmills for Suckers" and "Carbon Offsets are Genocide".  I appreciate
critical thinking and agree with you that unintended consequences are very
common and often ignored.  Yet, for scientific questions I would stick with
more non-ideological sources like "Science" for basing decisions on.  For us
lay readers, the most comprehensive, well-referenced summary of this
question I have read is in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT

Don Hinkelman
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