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Science ‘proves’ only what Bush administration wants
To the Editor:
Larry Gardner doesn’t quite get it when he asks for specific evidence to counter the case in support of his “God-fearing president.”
We currently have a government that has problems with receiving information counter to its agenda. Naturally Donald Rumsfeld, secretary of defense, has no problems when he says “... the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence...’ I suppose this is meant to justify our little war in Iraq in the absence of weapons of mass destruction or any clear links between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda.
Let us be clear about the nature of “evidence,” or more to the point – the manipulation of evidence by our leaders.
Last February a group of scientists, the Union of Concerned Scientists, published a little-noticed report titled “Scientific Integrity in Policymaking.” This was written by 60 of the country’s most accomplished scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates, who expressed their concerns over various forms of government censorship when they were called upon to provide scientific data on matters of government policy.
Invited to testify before a federal agency or congressional committee on topics as diverse as climate change, military intelligence, and the Missouri River, they found most of the questions already answered in complicance with the Bush Administration’s prepaid and prerecorded political agenda.
Their report indicates a clear pattern of distortion over scientific findings “that don’t match up with what they want to hear,” resulting in the appointment of another “team on the job who will give them what they want.”
Restrictions have been placed on what scientists can say or write about “sensitive” topics, including information suggesting a link between abortion and breast cancer, which was posted on the National Cancer Institute Web site despite objections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thus, if the science doesn’t prove what it's been told to prove, then the science has been tampered with by Satan or the Democratic Party.
In light of this one can readily see how “intelligence” failed us in preparing for the war in Iraq. If the messenger (e.g. CIA) brings the wrong message, you merely replace him with somebody who brings the “right” message.
It also cleverly provides cover in case things don’t turn out as planned. You blame the messenger.
I would suggest to Mr. Gardner that arguing one candidates “moral superiority” over another hardly advances the cause for a meaningful discussion of real issues. However I do admit to a certain bias for someone who verifiably reports for combat duty (with military honors) as opposed to someone’s unverifiable tour of duty in the Texas Air National Guard.
I would ask Mr. Gardner to go beyond his world of “strength, morality, and principle,” and consider these questions about the impacts of this Administration's policies:
Do the current policies serve the common good, not special interest or the elite few?
Does the policy reduce or heal the social fragmentation and injustice due to race, religion, class, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin?
Does the policy reverse the trend of widening the gap between rich and poor? Does it reflect the Golden Rule?
Does the policy reject the assumption that the powerful have the right to ignore the interests and subsistence needs of the less advantaged?
Does the policy provide for a free press, free discussion and free dissent, along with fair and just participation in democratic processes?
These questions are fundamental to a Christian and democratic nation. How can we expect the rest of the world to respect us in the presence of leadership and policies that exclude so many citizens? Or the real issue of 36 million votes being tabulated in 2004 on the new paperless, direct-recording-electronic (DRE) voting systems, which leave absolutely no proof of how one actually voted.
Voter disenfranchisement is one of the real issues, not the “disgusting lyrics of contemprary bands” that may or may not speak to the hearts of America.
Roger Turner
Sylva
Sunrise Park neighborhood also has theft problem
To the Editor:
With much dismay I have read the letters about pets being poisoned in our neighborhood. We lost two about a year ago the same way. It is hard to think that someone could be that cruel.
Now I have another problem. We have had a thief or thieves in and on our property.
Our motor home sits in our yard, locked. The lock was opened and the CB radio, two race scanners with headphones, two headphone radios and, of all things, our container with kitchen knives and utensils, was stolen.
Someone has also been in the garage and gone through boxes stored in there and took an old VCR that did not work. I had a small air compressor in my car that disappeared also.
Whoever you are, you did not have to steal from us. If you needed help you could have asked and we would have tried to help you. If these things help you get ahead in life then I don’t mind, but the sad part is that it will not help you.
I have lived here 18 years and this is the first time anything has happened. It makes me very sad to think that we can no longer trust our fellow man.
So all my friends and neighbors in the Love Avenue and Sunrise Park, Wilkesdale and Lindale streets area, be wary.
Anne Cope
Sylva
Library decision should be based on facts
To the Editor:
The final library decision should be based on facts:
Fact No. 1: Sylva needs a new library.
Fact No. 2: Several years ago, a task force was made up of concerned and involved Sylva residents to find a downtown location for a new library. Their conclusion: no space was available.
Fact No. 3: Members of the Fontana Regional Library, the Jackson County librarian and members of Southwestern Community College spent many months studying the feasibility of building a joint library. Their conclusion: The plan was very feasible and has proven successful in many parts of the country.
Fact No. 4: A new task force was appointed to further review the feasibility of a joint library. Much of their time was spent listening to pleas and petitions for a downtown library.
Fact No. 5: Another task force was formed, including the county manager, the chairman of the county commissioners, the Sylva mayor, the Sylva manager, a county commissioner and a Sylva board member. Many concerned citizens, members of Fontana Regional Library and the Jackson County librarian met with this group. Their conclusion: There is no downtown location available that meets the needs of a new library.
Fact No. 6: Several new locations were selected and they may require several million dollars of more investment than the joint library. This may require a bond issue or an increase in the millage rate for all Jackson County residents.
Whatever decision is made, please base it on facts and not emotions.
Don Williamson
Jackson County Library
Board member
Cashiers
It’s time to give Catman 2 the help he needs
To the Editor:
In the past month, I have received several e-mails from Harold Sims. Essentially, the messages boil down to one simple fact: Harold is tired.
For those of you who don’t know who Harold is, maybe “Catman 2” rings a bell. Harold rescues and rehabilitates cats.
I remember my first encounter with him almost a decade ago when I saw him patrolling the old garbage dumps and landfills where he would patiently cajole starving, frightened kittens into his hands. Over the years, I have learned that this man has sacrificed his own savings in order to build and equip a safe haven for his felines.
We aren’t talking about a jumble of old rusty cages, either.
Sims and his wife, Kay, have gradually created a clean and spacious habitat. If you visit this unique animal shelter, you quickly discover that Harold’s animals do not cower in corners, watching their keepers with suspicion. They scamper, romp and play; they are well-fed and come willingly to a coaxing hand and a gentle voice.
Harold’s advocacy for his charges is unrelenting. I have encountered him at churches, commissioners’ meetings, restaurants, civic clubs and vet offices throughout Jackson and Macon. He solicits donated food, funds, medical supplies and volunteers. Above all, he looks for homes for his animals and tirelessly searches for volunteers to help him maintain the place.
Over the years, I have developed a theory about Harold Sims. He is a kind of scapegoat for the citizenry of this region.
I’ll explain that. Most of us approve of Sims’ efforts to save, feed and rehabilitate his charges; however we do not choose to emulate him. We aren’t going to stake out garbage dumps, or devote a portion of our lives and finances to the care of helpless creatures. We want Harold to do that for us. Further, if Harold Sims encounters disappointment, frustration and grief at the growing chasm between his limited resources and the plight of the voiceless, abandoned animals, we want Harold to accept that burden as well‚ without complaining. Most of us merely mutter encouraging phrases like, “Keep up the good work, Harold!”
Well, he needs a lot more than that now. “I could use a vacation,” he says. He wonders if some able-bodied folks might take care of things for him. “What is going to become of this place when I’m not around anymore?” he says. “I’m almost 70, you know.” I’ve seen Harold gratified by the promise of a case of cat food and a few sacks of litter, but now, he needs significant help.
Harold hopes that there are people out there that would be glad to help him. Maybe they just don’t know how. Maybe there are folks who would come and “socialize” with the cats, feed them and give them a sense of security.
Let me conclude with a portion of the message that is on Harold’s Web site (He has several). “This is my vice. I do not smoke, drink, go to the country club or eat in fancy restaurants. I have driven the same car for 10 years. I’m not in this for the money; it is a calling and sometimes, I wish I had earplugs!”
Harold says that he needs all of the following: donations, volunteer helpers, assistance with bookkeeping, fund-raising, transportation and ground maintenance. He also welcomes and encourages visitors. At present, his no-kill shelter houses approximately 60 cats. He has non-profit, tax-exempt status and his facility has acquired has acquired a statewide reputation for its unique design and operational philosophy.
For additional information, call 293-0892 or e-mail hsims@catman2.org. His mailing address is Catman 2, P. O. Box 863, Cashiers, NC 28717.
Gary Carden
Sylva
Keever should respond to Project Vote Smart inquiry
To the Editor:
In a letter published by The Sylva Herald Aug. 5, Arvis Boughman was willing to use statistics from “Project Vote Smart, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization founded in 1992 to provide the American people with unbiased and accurate information” to make statements regarding Republican Rep. Charles Taylor’s voting record, but it seems unfair to be willing to use that source to provide information as a comparison to Democratic Congressional candidate Patsy Keever when Keever is unwilling to do the very same.
Quoted from vote-smart. org, Boughman’s authority: “Patricia R. ‘Patsy’ Keever has refused to provide any responses to citizens on issues through the 2004 National Political Awareness Test. Patricia R. ‘Patsy’ Keever refused to provide this information when asked to do so on two separate occasions by John McCain, Republican senator, Geraldine Ferraro, former Democratic congresswoman, Michael Dukakis, former Democratic governor, Bill Frenzel, former Republican congressman and Richard Kimball, Project Vote Smart president. This candidate will be asked again to provide responses during the general election.”
This can be verified at www.vote-smart.org. If Mr. Taylor is not ashamed to publish his record, why is Ms. Keever?
Another totally false and inflammatory comment in Boughman’s letter is the statement, “Taylor has been a bitter enemy of the Lumbee Indian tribe.” In May 2003, Mr. Taylor introduced H.R. 1408 “to provide for the consideration of a petition for federal recognition of the Lumbee Indians of Robeson and adjoining counties, and for other purposes.” How in the world does that translate into “bitter enemy?”
Folks who are going to publish ought to get their facts straight.
Larry Gardner
Sylva |
