re: #116 jaunte

I see Politifact rated the Holdren story “pants on fire” when Beck tried it.
[Link: www.politifact.com…]

The book was written more than 30 years ago.

I’m willing to believe that in 30 years time, people’s views change. I know mine have.

From the article you linked:

Under questioning by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., during his Senate confirmation hearing, Holdren said he “no longer thinks it’s productive to focus on optimum population for the United States. … I think the key thing today is that we need to work to improve the conditions that all of our citizens face economically, environmentally, and in other respects. And we need to aim for something that I have for years been calling ‘sustainable prosperity.’”

Vitter continued with his line of question, asking directly, “Do you think determining optimal population is a proper role of government?”

Said Holdren: “No, senator, I do not. … I think the proper role of government is to develop and deploy the policies with respect to economy, environment, security, that will ensure the well-being of the citizens we have.”

But with regard to Beck’s claim that Holdren “has proposed forcing abortions and putting sterilants in the drinking water to control population,” the text of the book clearly does not support that. We think a thorough reading shows that these were ideas presented as approaches that had been discussed. They were not posed as suggestions or proposals. In fact, the authors make clear that they did not support coercive means of population control. Certainly, nowhere in the book do the authors advocate for forced abortions.