Letter: Fabricated crisis are most disturbing

Difficulties facing the United States and the entire world can be grouped into categories.

These might include: problems, crises and fabricated crises. The category most disturbing is the fabricated crises. Fabricated crises have certain distinctive elements. Generally they involve issues that have been around for many years. Generally they are presented as urgent and emotionally charged. Generally they are said to require immediate action with no time for deliberation or reaching a consensus. Fabricated crises are divisive and inherently dangerous.

Contrast fabricated crises, as described above, with a real crisis. In recent years we have been presented with one incident of extreme weather after another. This includes hurricanes that have inflicted horrific damage in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico. Also, drought related wildfires threaten residents in western states. This crisis is damaging to the economy, livelihood and, in many cases, lives of residents.

The cause or contributing factor in these catastrophes is climate change. We know how to mitigate climate change, but where is the emotional appeal and sense of urgency to do so?

Most citizens prefer to be presented with factually supported issues in a rational manner that are free of misleading or mixed messages. Consistency at the highest levels is key to public trust.

Presenting supposed crises with mixed messages and superlative hype is a recipe for chaos.

Robert J. Boes

Ely