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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

Theory Lacks Facts

In the pro-evolution article "Discovering Darwin" (Nation/World, Feb. 11), Darwinism is presented as scientific fact. However, one must ask, is Darwinism proven?

Darwinism, creationism and intelligent design are beliefs about the unrepeatable past: they are not directly testable. These beliefs are based on unprovable assumptions. Many Darwinists dismiss other ideas as unscientific, ignoring the fact that Darwinism also is based on faith: faith in unprovable presuppositions - e.g., the material world is all there is. Many observable phenomena are inconsistent with Darwinistic theory.

Despite contrary claims, many highly educated scientists reject Darwinism. Darwinism is not scientific theory. It is not proven. It is not provable. Darwinism is a religious faith in materialistic explanation (ultimately in man's judgment). Its goal is to make man his own god.

CHRIS DENNIS

Zephyrhills

Anti-Science Agenda

On Feb. 11, Florida's Department of Education held its final public hearing on proposed new science standards that, among other things, would rightfully restore the word "evolution" back into the document. Unfortunately, the current Sunshine State standards omit any mention by name of Darwin's groundbreaking theory. Instead, the anti-science movement insisted that the term "change over time" be inserted into the current standards.

The department chose this less-offensive term apparently to avoid offending those who hold Darwin and real science in such low esteem. Did they really think that by doing so, they were saving Florida's youth from hearing the truth about evolution?

Certainly, science teachers know what to teach, even though the cowards at the Department of Education apparently haven't a clue. Thank goodness their proclamations of what should be taught in a science classroom have absolutely no real impact on what our valuable science teachers actually do.

STEPHEN FELDMAN

Valrico

Not A Matter Of Religion

Regarding "Heath Ledger And Our Cultural Collapse" (Other Views, Feb 12):

During my 34 years teaching art in Hillsborough County, I witnessed changes of behavior in my students which mirrored changes in the culture that many people, including me, described as signs of decadence. But never did I feel religion would solve the problem.

Having studied religion's role in history, I did not feel that religion had much to offer. Throughout history, religion was the basis for war and mayhem as well as dictatorial imposition of a world outlook upon a population of which the Catholic Inquisition and the imposition of Islam upon conquered people are but two examples. When 9/11 happened, I was even more convinced that religion was not the answer.

Any moral code instituted through the use of fear is not a moral code worth considering. Any cultural climate is better than one dictated by a group like Christians or Muslims who think they know what is good for everyone and that only they have access to the truth. This is the hubris from which Ted Baehr suffers.

KLAUS RUEDIGER

Tampa

Churches Must Repent

I appreciate the article by Ted Baehr about our cultural collapse - especially how the churches have turned themselves into the ways of the world to attract the youth. It is so bad that they mimic the culture of the sights and sounds.

They are so eager to capture the youth they lower their standards to appease them. They are afraid, like parents that don't want to offend them in any way. Instead of being a house of worship and teaching the things of God, they have gone the ways of the world. Unless the churches return to the God of our fathers - there praises are offered and the power of God is present to save souls, cleanse us of our sins, save marriages and deliver us from our drugs and alcohol - surely we as a nation will go the ways of Baal.

JAMES T. PRINCE

Odessa

Ethanol's Inefficiencies

With local gas prices, putting E10 in a vehicle is a bad deal financially. Since a gallon of ethanol provides just 70 to 80 percent of the energy of a gallon of gas, E10 with 10 percent ethanol will decrease fuel efficiency by at least 2 to 3 percent. At $3 a gallon, stations selling E10 should be charging six to nine cents less per gallon.

BRADFORD LOEWY

Tampa

Gas Mileage Hurting

Adding ethanol to gasoline is not cost effective in my vehicles, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find gasoline without this corn-based product. This gasoline mixture costs me 10 percent from the mileage my vehicles usually get. A recent tune up has not changed that number.

The question is who benefits from this foolishness? The answer: follow the money. I'm guessing corn growers.

Apparently we have no choice. The powers that be have decided, ergo; we must comply. Isn't life lovely?

BARBARA BROUSSEAU

Lithia

Improved Performance

As a new resident of Florida, I find it unfortunate that Floridians are subject to such biased information about the use of ethanol as an alternative automotive fuel. During the summers in Wisconsin, I drive a 2001 Ford Taurus with a "flex-fuel" engine. After running three years on E85 ethanol, I can report no engine problems, improved engine performance, a savings at the pump of hundreds of dollars and a good feeling that my fuel dollars go to the American corn farmers instead of the oil barons.

Ethanol is being blamed for rising food prices, but, lucky for Florida, ethanol can be distilled from switchgrass with no impact on the food chain.

Good luck, Florida, maybe we'll be able to catch up to California some day.

JOHN FIER

Clearwater

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