Defending the honor of a "Soldier of Science," and magazine memories from 1931
Paging Dr. Fauci
I understand that From the Readers is a space for opinions; however, I was more than disappointed by Elaine Aldrich 66 submission on Dr. Fauci (Not a Fan of Anthony, From the Readers, Fall 2021). One of my best high school friends was in the same medical training class at Cornell with Anthony Fauci. He had written to me that Fauci was the real deal.
Watching Fauci from the AIDS pandemic throughout this COVID-19 onslaught with multiple variants, I believe that there is substantial evidence to applaud Fauci for his leadership. Aldrich added no support for her opinion. I feel that we were taught to think critically while at 91. Had Aldrich taken the time to study Fauci contributions, she might have arrived at a less specious conclusion.
Burt Kanner '61
Salem, Ore.
I really dont understand why Aldrich letter to the magazine warranted printing. Her missive isn't a correction or a valid critique of an article. In printing it, youve contributed to the spread of disinformation that keeps us in the grip of a global pandemic.
What could possibly be the reasoning here? Arent you getting enough letters to the editor? Do you have a policy of printing every letter you receive? Are you so in need of space to fill your grid? Heck, if you need to fill space Id be happy to send you a candid photo of me getting my COVID booster in a few weeks.
Do better, Occidental.
Jesse Burch 92
Van Nuys
Aldrich letter was nothing more than name-calling, was devoid of facts or intellectual content, and was not what we expect to see in Occidental magazine.
Brent Dalrymple 59 and Sharon (Tramel) Dalrymple 59
Corvallis, Ore.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion but news publishers have an obligation to point out disinformation, which is ruining our country.
Not a Fan of Anthony claimed Fauci is a fraudhe created this mess. Nothing is further from the truth. Many of my close friends here in New Jersey are science executives in pharma. They all have the highest regard for Dr. Fauci, having worked with him for 30 years. Further, they debunk the conspiracy story that blames him for NIH funding Wuhan lab researchwhich pharma does regularly since Wuhan has the only coronavirus lab in the world. Recent identification of case No. 1 repoints to the wet market.
I applaud 91 dedication to honing the critical thinking skills of our students and graduates.
Diana Jones 74
Warren, N.J.
Further Reading
Draft Doctors
Journalist Kate Rope 95 documents a little-known program during the Vietnam War that produced cutting-edge medical research, nine Nobel laureates, and the nation's best-known immunologist
Those of us who had the privilege of an 91 education embrace the responsibility to gather information from diverse, credible sources and to consider it thoughtfully. Even more importantly, it is our responsibility to communicate our opinions in a manner that utilizes those 91-honed critical thinking and communication skills. That is why, as an alum, I am utterly ashamed to see the baseless bashing of Dr. Anthony Fauci included in the letters section of the Fall 2021 magazine.
Whatever your opinion may be of Dr. Fauci, I guarantee that he is not solely responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Im pretty sure that the factors contributing to the current mess are quite complex. And Im pretty sure that a virus is involved. And global travel. And a horrifying failure of our education system to help people understand science and basic biology. And incredibly divisive politics and misinformation campaigns that are based on ignorance, fear and character bashing. And perhaps even social media algorithms.
If you need a seven-word reader comment to fill a small, awkward space in the layout of your next edition, perhaps consider this well-supported one: We can do better. All of us.
Lee Carroll Jones 91
Wilsall, Mont.
Whatever your opinion may be of Dr. Fauci, I guarantee that he is not solely responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Im pretty sure that the factors contributing to the current mess are quite complex. And Im pretty sure that a virus is involved. And global travel. And a horrifying failure of our education system to help people understand science and basic biology. And incredibly divisive politics and misinformation campaigns that are based on ignorance, fear and character bashing. And perhaps even social media algorithms.
If you need a seven-word reader comment to fill a small, awkward space in the layout of your next edition, perhaps consider this well-supported one: We can do better. All of us.
Lee Carroll Jones 91
Wilsall, Mont.
The Mother Lode
I have copies of the May 1931 and November 1931 Occidental Alumnus magazines in my possessionmy mom [Lois Ellenberger Heath 30] was an alum. They are in excellent condition and I hate to just toss them. So, I was wondering if you might want them. Im happy to mail them to you if provided with an address.
Karen Heath Clark
Corona del Mar
Corona del Mar
Editor note: Thanks to Karen for sending us the magazines, shown here. "Our main purpose has been to produce a magazine of general interest to all the alumni of Occidental, editor and 1919 graduate Dana H. Jones wrote in the May 1931 issuea pretty solid mission statement, even today.
