Re: Blythe Nilson's column, You can't vaccinate against bigotry and arrogance.
I was deeply disturbed by the arrogant, derogatory and racist remarks about Italy made by Nilson in her column of Jan. 27.
In her article, Nilson strongly disagrees with the ruling of an Italian court that "awarded damages to a woman who claimed vaccines gave her son autism."
Nilson also asserts among other things "One must remember this is the same country that sent six scientists to jail for not predicting an earthquake and welcomed Silvio Berlusconi back as a 2013 candidate for premier."
I would like to remind Nilson that Italy is not just Berlusconi and questionable rulings by a court.
Italy is one of a handful of countries which has most contributed (and contributes) to the advancement of western civilization, both in science and humanities. This includes a Nobel laureate in biology, Rita Levi-Montalcini (Ms. Nilson teaches biology at UBC Okanagan), who recently died.
People cannot be vaccinated against stupidity. That vaccine does not exist. However, it would be even more difficult to produce a vaccine against bigotry and arrogance.
I urge the editors to pay more attention to the quality of articles and comments by guest contributors.
Giancarlo Angelini,
Kelowna