Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Letter rewritten on LePage's 'anti-science stances'

On July 19, the Kennebec Journal ran a letter with my name as the author. Neither the title nor the edited content reflected what I had originally written.

The piece was titled "Irreparable harm to sciences if LePage is elected?" The substance of the letter did not make any such claim. Paul LePage will cause harm to science, but it will not be irreparable. Science is the best way of knowing we have; it can recover from an anti-science politician like LePage. It would just be preferable to avoid any harm in the first place.

Two paragraphs were edited to say "LePage seems to indicate he thinks public schools ought to teach creationism to children." I stand by what I wrote: "Paul LePage thinks public schools ought to teach creationism to children."

I used this wording because when asked in a debate if he believes in creationism and if he thinks it should be taught in schools LePage's answer concluded, "I believe yes and yes." My second paragraph compared LePage's rationality to a common aquatic bird found on many Maine lakes.

The KJ has offered me this space so I may clarify the original letter. For that, I am thankful. But there is the much more important issue of LePage's anti-science stances.

Any politician who rejects some fundamental aspect of any field of science based on religious belief is unqualified for any public leadership position.

Eliot Cutler, Kevin Scott and Shawn Moody have all voiced their support for the strong teaching of evolution in public schools. Libby Mitchell has not stated a position, but there is little doubt of her support for the fact of evolution. All are far better choices than LePage to lead Maine.

Michael Hawkins

Augusta