A letter to the editor from Joan Butler published yesterday should have read, ". . . for the past 30 or more years the subject of intelligence has been taboo for the public at large, but not within the scientific community."
The Sun regrets the errors.
Controversial Book Makes Valid Points
I am only 200 pages into the 800-page book, "The Bell Curve." But I would bet that Peter Schrag, who wrote an Oct. 27 commentary about the book, has never read it.
To question the scientific nature of this book and call it "silliness" makes him look silly to those of us who are reading or have read it.
It has been known for decades that there are differences in cognitive performance within and between groups, but for the past 300 or more years the subject of intelligence has been taboo for the public at large. Not within the scientific community, though.
With current technological development, the brain can be observed through CAT scans (a type of X-ray computer).
There is no outcry when CAT observations show that there is a visible difference between the brains of normal subjects. These differences are reflected in results on IQ tests, when administered to groups of people.
As a graduate student in psychology in the early 1980s, I used an IQ test as part of an experimental study on perceptual organization. Instead of using a true random sample of subjects, I used friends, family and associates.
Even then, my results bore out the findings that are reiterated in "The Bell Curve." That is, people associate, befriend and are related to those with similar IQs.
Every one of my subjects, who included different races and ethnic groups, had an IQ of over 115. The importance of this phenomenon to U.S. society is one of the main issues the authors are attempting to disclose -- not racist theory that is alleged by their detractors.
If studies that deal with cognitive ability are deemed inherently racist by these detractors, then I suspect that they have something to hide.
They are either in a deep state of denial or afraid that what is disclosed will not support their current positions or means of income.
The information on cognitive ability that has been amassed and recorded in "The Bell Curve" is so important that we as a nation should not ignore it. If we do, it will be at our own peril.
Current and past public policy has been made from the false premise that all one has to do is to want to be something hard enough and it will happen.
This has led to people dreaming of becoming athletes, artists, scientists, doctors, lawyers, etc., when individual abilities and society's pocketbook cannot realistically support or materialize unrealistic expectations.
This, in turn, has led to bitterness, disappointment and rage for the many who fail and a high cost to society which pays for the failed attempts to achieve the unachievable.
A by-product of this failed policy has been the disparagement of trades and occupations that were previously considered worthwhile endeavors for many of our currently unemployed to pursue.
If social and public policy is not changed to reflect reality instead of wishful thinking, our society will continue its slide into oblivion and no one will escape the disastrous consequences.
Only with a good look at the truth can we now hope to turn things around for the future.
Joan Butler
Owings Mills
Bay Peril
I am one of those tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who -- from Sayre on the New York border to here in York and Lancaster Counties on the Maryland border -- take seriously our Gov. Robert P. Casey's crusade to clean up our pollution of your Chesapeake Bay.
Pennsylvania has sincerely and conscientiously dedicated itself to reduce and purify our farm run-off, our sewage treatment and our industrial discharges.
But now I read that someone named Ellen R. Sauerbrey, if elected your governor, has "vowed leniency" (Oct. 28) for "pollution violations." That's pretty discouraging news.
Our beautiful Susquehanna, already a "wild and scenic" river for much of its 400-mile length, is daily being made cleaner and more valuable as the major source of pure water to the bay (which is, geologically, just a huge estuary of the Susquehanna).
But the state within whose borders the equally beautiful Chesapeake lies could revert to being the contributor to its eventual doom.
Somebody down there please explain the ecological facts of life to this woman. We are all in this world together.
Jerry Dyer
York, Pa.
Calling It Quits
I am surprised at your position that judges should be compelled to retire from permanent service at age 70.
On Nov. 1, I retired after 12 years of service as a judge of the District Court of Maryland in Baltimore City. My decision to retire was one of choice, as I am in good health and several years away from the age of mandatory retirement.
Despite my own election to retire, I strongly believe that it is a disservice to the public to compel the forced retirement of experienced judges merely because they achieve their 70th birthday.
In my years on the bench, one of the most brilliant, competent and distinguished judges in the state was Joseph A. Ciotola, administrative judge of the District Court in Baltimore City.
Because of uncertainty as to the mandatory retirement age in Maryland, Judge Ciotola served until he was 72 years of age. He arrived at the courthouse at 5:30 a.m. every day and was usually last to leave the building.
When compelled to retire, he was appointed by Governor Schaefer as chairman of the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission. At age 75, he continues to serve as a judge on a part-time basis, with a clear mind, seemingly limitless energy and giving every indication of good health.
I don't suggest that every older judge is the equal of Judge Ciotola. I do suggest that the physical and mental condition of a judge and not a birth date should be the test of whether or not the judge should be compelled to retire.
The proposed constitutional amendment permitting judges to serve until age 75 contains appropriate safeguards against ill health or disability. It should be adopted.
George J. Helinski
Baltimore
Abandoned Money
On Oct. 14 The Sun published the state's periodic list of people and businesses with "lost" bank accounts and other valuables. Once again, I was not on the list. I can understand how someone who moves or dies with no close family could lose track of a small amount of funds.
I am always amazed at the number of attorneys, doctors, insurance companies, charities and other notables on the list.
Even banks are listed as having "lost" bank accounts. If they can't keep track of their own money, is yours safe?
Only one current Maryland congressman was on the list.
Also on the list were:
Anne Arundel County
City of Baltimore
Clerk of Circuit Court for Baltimore County
Clerk of Circuit Court for Harford County
Clerk of Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Director of Finance
Maryland Department of Licensing
Maryland Unemployment Insurance Fund
Maryland Department of Education
Maryland State Department of Health
Montgomery County
Prince George's County
State Insurance Department of Maryland
State Motor Vehicle Administration
Workers' Compensation (twice)
I am resigned to the fact that the government taxes us, spends some of the money wisely and wastes some of it. That is an immutable fact of citizenship.
But it's irritating that the government puts some funds into bank accounts and abandons it, and then spends our money to publish a list of bank accounts that are abandoned.
I would think that The Baltimore Sun would assign an investigative reporter to check into this situation. Of course, The Baltimore Sun would have to investigate itself. It has two accounts listed.
Irwin E. Weiss
Baltimore
Sundial
To hear selected editorial endorsements, call Sundial, The Baltimore Sun's telephone information service, at (410) 783-1800. For other local numbers, see the SunSource directory on page 2A.) Using a touch-tone phone, punch in the four digit code that follows each office.
Governor -- 6520
Comptroller -- 6521
Attorney General -- 6522
U.S. Senate -- 6523
Congress, 2nd District -- 6524
Anne Arundel Executive -- 6526
Baltimore Co. Executive -- 6527
Carroll Commissioners -- 6528
Howard Executive -- 6529
Harford Executive -- 6530