Big Sky Blog

Usually, when the community of Choteau makes national news it is because of its most famous part-time resident, David Letterman. But this week Choteau has made headlines for a different reason: a professor was dis-invited to speak to students at the high school, and passions are strong on both sides as to the reason for the canceled speech.

In brief: University of Montana scientist Steve Running was scheduled to give two speeches in Choteau last week. The first one was supposed to be to a group of high school students; in Runnings’ own words, “I was just going to try to give an inspirational speech for young people about the jobs of science.” The second speech was titled “The Five Stages of Climate Grief.”

Some people in Choteau didn’t like the subject of the second speech (nor do I), and felt strongly enough about it to call the school superintendent and voice their concerns about Runnings’ scheduled first speech to the students. They were understandably concerned that his “global warming is real” philosophy would seep into the presentation about becoming a scientist without any opposing viewpoints to balance Running.

So the first speech was canceled, and the second one was presented as planned. End of story, right? Nope…now there are people who are howling at the thought of “…a Nobel laureate being temporarily silenced in his own state.” What rubbish: the implication that Running is being censored, and that his ideas and words are being suppressed, is nonsensical, since his words and ideas are available to anyone with an internet connection. Or access to anything of, by, or about Al Gore.