Rachel Carson inspired the environmental movement with her book Silent Spring. Her 100th birthday was earlier this year and lots of celebrations were held in her honor. But our government’s attempt to honor her impact didn’t go forward.

Sen. Tom Coburn derailed approval of a Senate resolution honoring the life of Carson, whose 1962 book “Silent Spring” warned of the dangers posed to wildlife and humans by the pesticide DDT and who is credited with inspiring the modern environmental movement.

“Rachel Carson’s work both directly and indirectly created a climate of hysteria and misinformation about the impact of DDT on the human populations,” said John Hart, a spokesman for Coburn, in explaining why the Oklahoma Republican withheld his support for the plan to honor her.

And we wonder why it’s so hard to get people moving on issues like climate change. This guy wants to bring widespread DDT use back. Of course, he probably recognizes the dangers, but he’s probably getting paid to say things like this. You’d think as a doctor he’d care a little more about the health of his constituents.