Science Dispute
How does it come about that a man can be published and labeled, "syndicated columnist specializing in the politics of science and health," when this man (1) knows practically nothing about science and health and (2) is so blindly committed to his hatred of science and health professionals that it is impossible to find one objective statement in 10 of his columns?
For years I have been smarting over Daniel S. Greenberg's mindless pot-shooting at scientists and his total disregard for facts.
He is especially deceptive with regard to funding, fishing up huge numbers and telling the public how easy it is to be a scientist rolling in research luxury.
What is certain is that he has never tried to obtain a little crumb of the pie for his own students and laboratory.
His column Nov. 22 ("Science Braces for the GOP's Budget Ax") was the last straw. Who is this man?
Was he denied tenure as an assistant professor at one time, for which he has never forgiven the scientific world? Does he think that science is an easier life than writing baseless garbage for unselective newspapers?
The older he gets the more vehement he becomes. He mentions the founding fathers as if this were the year 1775. Does he wish to be treated with leeches, and bled by his barber when he is ill?
Many people read these columns; some will laugh them off. However, some may not, and that is a disturbing thought.
The point of this letter is that we all know of the existence of cranks, but why should the distinguished Baltimore Sun demean its dignity by offering space for their maniacal ravings?
Dean W. Robinson
Baltimore
Forced Volunteers
The article "Teen sues over community service" (Nov. 13), raises again the question of the mandatory community service program in public schools.
Forcing students to volunteer is clearly not what volunteering is all about; it is providing a service on one's own free will. It's all about lending a helping hand to those less fortunate and cleaning up the community, not satisfying a requirement for school.
Since the public school system has decided to take the role of dictator, the students aren't being allowed to express their free will.
Being forced into community service will also affect how the students feel about volunteering in the future, in that they will be turned off by contributing their free time to needy causes.
Students in public schools have the chance to get involved with their school through sports and after-school activities. Also, a great number of students have part-time jobs, and now they have to make room for community service along with it.
School district lawyer Phyllis Jaffe says that the program is to teach students "how to go to work, how to cooperate and learn teamwork, problem-solving, and good citizenship," but then what are part-time jobs and school sports and activities teaching students?
They teach the students the same thing, but the difference is that it is of their own free will, and teen-agers gain more responsibility by being allowed their independence.
The program was also started to keep students from unwisely using their free will, time, and independence, but forcing the students into modern-day slavery creates a lot more problems.
Doug Mowbray
Baltimore
More, Not Less
Ted Shelsby's article on gas price increases (Nov. 20) missed a very important part of the equation. That factor being the increased cost of gas created by the extra volume of gas being consumed because of the drop in miles per gallon.
This drop is caused by the additive being mixed in gas to lower the carbon monoxide being emitted into the air.
When the additive was first added to the gas, I noticed a considerable drop in the miles per gallon I got from my vehicle. This was confirmed when I compared my m.p.g. attained prior to the additive.
I found my consumption of gas increased approximately 17 percent for the same mileage traveled. This means that for every 100 gallons of gas I previously consumed, I now consume 117 gallons.
This additional consumption based on mileage traveled equates an additional cost of 20 cents per gallon (based on the AAA survey as stated in the article by Mr. Shelsby).
Add the 4 cents per gallon for the cost of the oxygenated additive, and the per gallon cost increase jumps to 24 cents.
Based on this consumption of additional 17 gallons per 100 gallons previously used, I question the validity of the claim that this additive reduces the carbon monoxide in our air.
If the reformulated gasoline reduces the pollution by 15 percent, as stated by Mr. Shelsby, I am adding 2 percent carbon monoxide to the air rather than reducing it.
Has there been a verification of this by the Environmental Protection Agency, or is the consumer being fed an incomplete set of statistics?
Robert H. Sterner
Phoenix
The Confederacy
Walton Windsor (letter, Nov. 21) states that "the Confederate flag is a symbol of treason, plantation aristocracy and human slavery." He goes on to say, "It is a despicable emblem that should never be displayed anywhere in the United States."
It is obvious that Mr. Windsor feels that "treason, plantation aristocracy and human slavery" all started with the Southern Confederacy in 1861 and ended with it in 1865.
Mr. Windsor should be made aware that in 1776 a band of rebels committed treason by overthrowing the established government and formed a country called the United States.
It can be argued that the United States flag became a symbol of "treason, plantation aristocracy and human slavery" for almost 90 years (from 1776 to 1865), or longer in the case of the Native Americans.
Using Mr. Windsor's logic, the United States flag would be declared "a despicable emblem that should never be displayed anywhere in the United States."
The Confederacy didn't have the luxury of 90 years to correct its mistakes because it was terminated by force in its infancy after less than four short years. Who knows what might have been?
obert E. Lyons
Baltimore
Un-Orthodox
In his article in your Nov. 22 edition, your staff writer, Peter Hermann, made the false and preposterous statement that the Gypsy, Mrs. Johns, ". . . does fortune telling [which is] central to the Gypsies' orthodox religion."
Nothing could be further from the truth. The Orthodox Church condemns fortune telling in all its aspects, be it crystal gazing, tarot, palm reading, horoscopes or any type of divination.
The church opposes such activities because they make human freedom and choice meaningless and replace God's care and providence with ideas of blind inexorable forces.
!Evan Alevizatos Chriss
Baltimore
Disturbing Event
I recently experienced the most disturbing event of my brief tenure on the Baltimore County school board. The issue was the consideration of a policy regarding religious holiday practices in our schools and classrooms.
It is important to understand that three alternatives were before the board: maintaining the status quo, which involves site-based decisions; Superintendent Stuart Berger's proposed policy and a separate policy recommended by a task force.
Interestingly, there is a striking similarity between Dr. Berger's proposed policy and current practices. Those alternatives stand stark contrast to the recommendations of the task force.
I believe that Dr. Berger's proposed policy was a well-meaning and balanced approach to a highly-charged issue.
Although I joined my colleagues in voting against the proposed policy, my vote reflected my concern with the working of the policy and not its conceptual framework.
Of greater concern was the demeanor of those in attendance. The display of intolerance by the audience was shameful.
This country was founded upon the concepts that the will of the majority should not be used to intimidate or alienate the minority and that everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs, religious and otherwise.
I have supported, and continue to support, the role of our school system to teach about religion and the role religion has played in the development of our society. However, it is inappropriate for the schools to support or endorse any particular religion.
I am confident that our administrators, teachers, and parents will work diligently and in good faith to ensure that this holiday season can be enjoyed and celebrated by all and that we will continue the pursuit of tolerance and mutual respect.
Sanford V. Teplitzky
Towson