‘I’m at a total loss for words at how hostility toward science has escalated in the U.S.’

“I’m at a total loss for words at how dramatically the rejection of knowledge, hostility toward science – and censorship – have escalated.  […] But one thing that has already shocked me is this: a hurricane is such an immediate and tangible threat – there should be no ideological debate about it.  […] 'Tornado politics' are non-ideological – everyone agrees on the scientific facts.  In contrast, 'abortion politics' isn’t about knowledge at all; it’s entirely about values.  But even the National Hurricane Center cannot escape the culture wars.  During last year’s election campaign, the Trump camp claimed that Democrats had engineered a hurricane and directed it toward Republican-governed states.  And Trump himself once altered an official hurricane forecast. […]  It’s completely absurd.”