Dear Readers,
There’s no shortage of thought-provoking reading in this week’s roundup. From contested questions about history and public symbolism, to regulatory failures in health policy, to the institutional framework of the final frontier—you won’t want to miss these sharp contributions to public discourse.
First, Jane Shaw Stroup writes on land acknowledgments, which have faced criticism across the political spectrum. Stroup argues that while critics often make important points about the politics of the matter, the acknowledgments nevertheless have value.
K. Lloyd Billingsley highlights a new documentary that covers the shocking hostility the government’s medical establishment leveled against dissenting scientists.
Then, in a pair of articles, Raymond J. March explains why the FDA flounders in assessing the risks of treatments and medical devices—including the innocuous sunscreen.
Finally, in the wake of news of SpaceX’s initial public offering, Scott Beyer discusses the regulatory environment of outer space, the next frontier, and how it importantly differs from other sectors of the economy.
Happy reading.
Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor
