Today's Letters: Foster shows a lack of respect for facts

Foster links Darwin, Hitler Jan 12, story   

The article about former St. Petersburg City Council member Bill Foster's assertion that Darwin's theory of natural selection is responsible for Hitler and the Columbine massacre led me to write this letter. Science is about facts, and anyone trying to defend or attack it on the basis of philosophical objections is playing the fool.

Copernicus showed us that the Earth revolves around the sun. Would Foster want to return to teaching the opposite (the old, wrong, geocentric theory formerly favored by the church), because such an idea makes us feel less important, and a feeling of inferiority can lead to antisocial behavior?

Scientists support Darwinian natural selection not because it is nice or evil but because it is supported by the facts. Scientists contend the Earth is round and that it revolves around the sun because these assertions are supported by facts.

Bill Foster is supposed to be a leading contender in the St. Petersburg mayoral race. If he has no respect for facts he should not be mayor. Foster seems to put his personal bias before the facts. How can we expect such a person to deal responsibly with racial or economic issues facing St. Petersburg, if he has so little respect for facts?

Robert Austin, Seminole

Foster links Darwin, Hitler Jan 12, story

Religion and hubris

Bill Foster is wrong. If anything, the belief that we are somehow divinely created has lead to the dangerous hubris and arrogance he exemplifies. Religious hubris has lead to countless atrocities throughout history and has regularly stunted the progress of science. Galileo and many others have been persecuted for teaching science. In our own time, stem cell researchers are demonized for political gain. Now, a few school boards are willing to permanently disable thousands of students by pandering to a largely ignorant populace.

Science is the only truly humble philosophy. It has no agenda other than to seek understanding and to constantly re-evaluate its own assumptions. But science also shows us that nature sometimes takes two steps forward and one step back. Florida's new science standards are taking two steps forward, while Foster and his ilk are determined to step back into prideful ignorance.

Jack Coletti, St. Petersburg

Foster links Darwin, Hitler Jan 12, story

Not in science class

Whether or not Hitler cited Darwin to justify his atrocities is not relevant to the truth or falsity of Darwin's theory. Being a lawyer, Foster should know better than to use that type of argument.

"Intelligent design" is not science, it has no place in science class. Scientific theories are not something dreamed up on the spur of the moment. Scientific theories are subject to rigorous testing and debate. If the evidence shows that a theory is wrong, it's modified to fit the evidence. Darwin's theory of evolution has undergone this scrutiny for over a hundred years and it's still here.

People like Foster are using the controversy to attract attention for political purposes.

Bob Hodgen, Gulfport

Foster links Darwin, Hitler Jan 12, story

A lost vote

We should thank former St. Petersburg council member Bill Foster for showing voters his decisionmaking skills by his letter to the School Board regarding his bias against scientific method in seeking truth in favor of denominational doctrine.

I know that in the next mayoral election, I will be looking for a candidate who can best take a body of facts, draw a conclusion and make a decision based on reason rather than religious bias. Clearly, if Bill Foster runs, he will not be my choice.

Glenn Anderson, St. Petersburg

Foster links Darwin, Hitler Jan. 12, story

Dual dishonor

If Charles Darwin is to be blamed for Hitler's atrocities, should Isaac Newton and theories of gravity be blamed for people throwing kids off bridges or for airline crashes?

If Bill Foster, former City Council member, and others have their way with school curriculum, no one will learn the difference between religion and science. Both of those disciplines will be dishonored in the confusion.

Ron Melancon, Tampa

Florida's tax system unprepared for a crisisJan. 4, commentarty

Economic vision is lacking

The writer, Talbot D'Alemberte, sends a dour message, which should concern all elected officials and all Floridians. D'Alemberte is normally a very positive thinker. He has an extensive background in the workings of the state's government and is qualified to tell it like it is.

As a member of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, D'Alemberte is hearing from all walks of public life about Florida's financial problems. He succinctly lists them and concludes with two suggestions to deal with a fiscal crisis. They are powers that the Legislature should have, but his recommendations don't address the existing tax structure that is plaguing Florida.

It is a sign of strength when a business leader will explain that there are problems and then immediately take measures to correct them. Florida's business leaders would respond to such a message.

The entire clamor about property taxes overlooks the making of the crisis. Florida has been growing on the cheap. The state's population has grown faster than the services and infrastructure necessary to keep up with the growth. From 1980 to 2006, Florida's population has grown by 10-million new residents. Property millage rates and sales tax remained in check. Speculation and greed drove property assessed values skyward generating unprecedented tax revenue. Much of the increase in tax revenue must be directed at unmet needs of the past, but don't count on politicians telling it like it is.

Florida does not have a vision for the future and an economic plan that will generate the tax base necessary to provide the services and infrastructure to improve the quality of life Floridians would like to enjoy. Until it does, Florida's growth is flying by the seat of its elected officials' pants.

Donald R. Crane Jr., St. Petersburg

A new era, a new song Jan. 12, story

Out of tune

It's great to know our esteemed lawmakers are working on issues that most concern our state, such as changing the beautiful, historical state song. An underwhelming 8,000 votes were cast to decide this weighty issue. At last our song is politically correct.

Our property taxes and homeowners rates are both outrageous but, rest easy, our song is in place once they approve it. I would venture to guess that no more than 10 percent of our population knew what the song was, and probably 10 percent of those know the offending lyrics. Once again, a job well done in Tallahassee.

Don Niemann, Seminole

[Last modified January 14, 2008, 20:12:59]