Federal judge’s ruling on intelligent design
Re: “Judge ruled for what’s right,” June 25 editorial.
Ironically, in its support for the poorly reasoned decision made by Judge John E. Jones III regarding teaching alternative theories in science classes, The Post endorses the very kind of state-sponsored mind-control it no doubt deplores.
Public schools are supposed to be places where open debate and the free exchange of ideas are encouraged, not denied. That alone should allow for alternative theories to evolution, as long as they are grounded in science (which intelligent design is), to be taught. Beyond that, science is merely a method of gaining knowledge by observation, experimentation, etc., that is limited to empirical evidence. Thus, while it is certainly beyond the realm of science to prove the existence of God, it is equally beyond its ability to disprove it.
Rather than upholding “true” science, Jones’ decision enshrines philosophical materialism – an ideology or belief system that maintains the universe is composed solely of physical matter – as an unassailable orthodoxy in our public schools. Not only is Jones’ verdict based on a feeble understanding of science, but by imposing a philosophical world view on students, it itself violates the so-called “separation of church and state.”
True science doesn’t impose limits on what is knowable or on the unhindered pursuit of truth. I’d like to think The Post would favor that.
T.P. Beh, Castle Rock
Legislature’s special session on immigration
Re: “Illegal-immigration puzzler,” June 30 news story.
The Colorado legislature had extensive hearings this last session on the issue of undocumented immigration. But apparently that wasn’t good enough. The governor now wants them to deal with the issue again, while admitting he doesn’t know how much (if any) this costs the state.
It’s evident the Republicans, Democrats and the governor alike are more interested in posturing and grandstanding on this issue than in serving the people of Colorado. Public services, by definition, are necessary to the well-being of our communities. To the extent these services are denied to undocumented immigrants, they will also be restricted to the legal resident and citizen members of their families (many, if not most, of which are mixed).
One thing is certain: restricting public services will have a detrimental effect on children. Another thing is probable: such actions will do little, if anything, to change the reasons people choose to come here, or to stay.
Michael Worrall, Denver
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The enforcement-heavy immigration policy promoted by Republicans will require more security contracts and contingency contracts, each of which have been shown to be particularly vulnerable to GOP cronyism from Washington, D.C., to Denver.
At the special session on immigration, Gov. Bill Owens and the Colorado Assembly should not use the session to grease the wheels of porkbarrel security spending. Owens, the Colorado House and Senate Committee have public responsibility to disclose what happened with Homeland Security spending over the past three years.
Until the public knows how its tax dollars were spent in the past in this area, our elected representatives cannot wholeheartedly support increased immigration enforcement efforts. They might unwittingly be throwing tax dollars into homeland security industry’s waste, fraud and abuse machine.
Joseph Richey, Boulder
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It is sometimes difficult to tell who is an illegal immigrant. I suggest that it would be helpful for the State of Colorado to issue yellow stars, with the initial of the country of origin (i.e. M for Mexico) and mandate that immigrants wear them on the outside of their clothing. Employers could be required to distribute the stars and enforce their use. If they fail to do so, perhaps we could bring back some venerable, well-tested methods of the past, such as burning at the stake. This is just a modest proposal, subject to discussion and possible compromise in our state legislature.
A. Havas, Boulder
Sen. Obama’s call for Dems to appeal to faith
Re: “Obama to Dems: Heed faith’s power,” June 29 news story.
It is pathetic to see Democrats pandering to religious interests in an attempt to increase their base. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., reportedly “chastised” fellow Democrats for failing to “acknowledge the powers of faith” in Americans’ lives.
The job of elected legislators is not to acknowledge “faith,” but to acknowledge our Constitution. This would protect all faiths, as well as secure the right of Americans to be free from having others’ faith imposed on them. Unfortunately, many faith-based programs that receive taxpayer funding are not scrupulous in following this constitutional principle.
As a former Democrat, I regret seeing misguided Democrats attempt to compete for evangelicals’ votes. The traditional values of the Democratic Party have always aspired to the greater good of humanity and should be able to stand on their own merit.
Where, oh where, is the new third party which can take over those ideals and still stay true to our Constitution?
Janet Brazill, Colorado Springs
Churchill dismissal
Re: “CU moves to fire Churchill,” June 27 news story.
It has been obvious over recent months that much thought and consideration has gone into reviewing and assessing the Ward Churchill issue at the University of Colorado. Through numerous committees, the regents, the president, interim chancellor and many others, each has studied the situation within legal parameters, utmost fairness and dedication as to how their final decision could impact students and their quality education, present and future faculty, as well as Churchill.
Having been with the university a number of years, I am familiar with most of the players and the integrity shown in any phase of work they performed.
With this caliber of study, it is indeed unfortunate in closing that the only unprofessional remarks, and demeaning reference to Ward Churchill – “rotten fruit,” placing it on a personal level – came from our governor, Bill Owens.
B. Willits, Fort Lupton
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Ward Churchill has, according to the University of Colorado’s interim chancellor, Phil DiStefano, “committed serious, repeated, and deliberate research misconduct.” Even more egregious, Churchill has neglected his duties as an educator and put himself above his students. A teacher or professor’s mission should be, above all, to provide for the education of his students. The mission should not be self-promotion, as it clearly has been for Churchill.
Steve Baroch, Castle Rock
U.S. soldiers’ sacrifice
Re: “Outrage over soldiers’ deaths – and Iraq war,” June 28 Open Forum.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read Joe Felice’s opinion. He said, “Here is our outrage: All the deaths in Iraq are in vain.” While we can discuss the reasons, good and bad, for our entrance into the Iraq war, how dare you pronounce judgment upon the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice or returned physically or mentally altered after having served our country (assuming here that you are an American citizen)? For anyone unfortunate enough to have read Felice’s opinion, it will be no doubt be easily dismissed, but for any parents or relatives of a loved one killed while serving in Iraq, it must feel like someone rubbing salt into your wounds.
Eric J. Schmidt, Lakewood
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