Call for debate
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Debate Open public debate is the lifeblood of a participatory democracy. Stiffling debate can be a democracy-killer. We agree that publicly funded geologists and other publicly funded earth scientists have no responsibility to debate proponents of a flat earth because the flat earth hypothosis is undeniably a fringe idea. Debate can give respectability to claims that do not warrant much notice. But this is far from the case in this instance. Few honest observers claim that vivisection is not of concern to the public. Even the US government believes this to be the case. The opening sentence of the 2005 USDA audit of enforcement of the federal law regulating the use of certain species in research labs states:
The University of Wisconsin's repeated and steadfast refusal to engage in open public debate about this matter should alert the public that it may have something to hide. Any reduction in such experiments would be an immedate loss of income for the university. Is it all as simple as money? Maybe there are other explanations for why the university refuses to openly discuss what the USDA characterizes as a controversial topic. The University of Wisconsin has a duty to the citizens to uphold and nurture democratic principles and processes. The university should be organizing and leading this discussion, not hiding from it. We urge those who value democracy and a free exchange of ideas to pressure the administration to live up to its duty to the citizens of Wisconsin and Americans everywhere. Only open public debate about this matter is likely to achieve a reasoned and popular course of action. Contact UW decision-makers and urge them to embrace the ideal of open democratic discussion. Dr. Paul M. Sondel Kevin P. Reilly, President Rita Sears, Special Assistant to the President Chancellor John D. Wiley (Says UW will never debate.)
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Madison's Hidden Monkeys is a joint project of the |
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