Editorial: Let the internet, not state government, chase chemtrail conspiracies

Though Abraham Lincoln famously extolled the virtues of government of the people, by the people and for the people, we can only surmise that our 16th president did not mean to include conspiracy theorists among that number. However, Louisiana has decided that yes, it is altogether fitting and proper to involve state government in tracking the ravings of unhinged minds.

For the blessedly ignorant, there is a sliver of humanity that has somehow come to believe that the condensation trails left by airplanes in the sky are in reality dangerous chemicals that are being purposely rained down on an unsuspecting populace. These so-called “chemtrails” have been the root of conspiracies for decades, with corners of the internet abuzz with strange sightings in the sky.

What the internet cares about is far above our poor power to add or detract. But we do have an interest in what our state agencies are tasked with doing. And thanks to a bill passed by the Legislature last summer, the state Department of Environmental Quality is now required to keep a record of complaints about chemtrails, complaints that, as you might suspect, are based on little concrete evidence.

No matter that atmospheric scientists for years have explained what those white lines that appear behind airplanes are. No matter that the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump has published pages and pages online debunking the existence of chemtrails. The state is now spending valuable time and resources to give credence to a delusion that should have long ago died in vain — but is instead being promoted by some state legislators who are encouraging their constituents to file complaints.

“Our skies belong to We the People, not to corporations, contractors, or agencies experimenting with our weather. Let’s document, report, and demand transparency,” state Sen. Valerie Hodges. R-Denham Springs, wrote on Facebook.

None of this should be surprising as we are living in deeply unserious times — even as we face deeply serious problems in our communities, our state, our nation and our world. Let us not forget that the DEQ is the agency that is supposed to regulate our petrochemical industry and make sure our water and air is clean. Even if the law requires only that DEQ log complaints, not do anything to act on them, we can’t imagine that’s a good use of its time.

We can only hope the world will little note nor long remember what Louisiana has done here. We fear, though, that if our forefathers are watching, they might be wondering what is this nation they brought forth twelve score and 10 years ago.