On Aug. 11, State Representative Bryan Morse of Franklin posted a video on a Facebook group devoted to local politics. The video purported to show Bill Gates admitting, in a TED Talk, that vaccines would help achieve his goal of reducing the global population. Morse prefaced the video with words of his own: “Are you awake yet?” The clear implication was that vaccines are deadly and that people like Bill Gates know it. I believe disseminating such ideas is irresponsible, serving neither the common good nor the general welfare of the community.
I asked Morse to clarify his intent in promoting this particular conspiracy theory (he has voiced support for others in the past). He said people could make up their own minds. When I challenged his evasiveness, he blocked me from further interaction with his account.
I am not challenging Morse’s right to say what he said on social media. I am questioning his judgment. I am saying that words matter. I am saying that those who are in public positions can, and should, be held accountable for their ideas. I do not think it is appropriate for elected officials to block constituents from engaging in civil discourse. And I do not think elected officials should be spreading conspiracy theories.
Friday afternoon, my dad texted to say there was an active shooter at the CVS near Emory University in Atlanta. I taught history at Emory for seven years. My youngest son still lives in the house we own a mile from campus. I have many friends who work at the adjoining CDC, the target of the attack. We now know that the gunman believed he had been made sick by the COVID vaccine.
This is what can happen when people in positions of authority spread misinformation. This is the human cost of dangerous rhetoric, of baseless conspiratorial thinking. Months before his death in last Friday’s attack, Dekalb County police officer David Rose spoke at his academy graduation. “We had one thing in common. We wanted to serve,” Rose said. “We wanted to be part of something greater than ourselves . . . not for the sake of the title, but for the responsibility that comes with it.” Perhaps Morse could learn a thing or two about public service from officer Rose.
Robert E. Desrochers, Jr.
Franklin, NH