Published: March 03, 2009 07:49 am      

Letters for March 03, 2009

Evolution accepted by most scientists

In her letter regarding Stanley Sessions' column on evolution, Joyce DeVivo states that, "many scientists completely familiar with the theory of evolution do not accept it as an explanation for the origin of species." As a scientist with many scientist friends and colleagues, I am curious to know who these "many scientists" are.

The vast majority of scientists accept evolution as fact, as do a large number of Christian leaders. A recent letter signed by more than 11,000 Christian clergy across denominational lines states: "We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as `one theory among others' is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children." (See the Clergy Letter Project, www.butler.edu/clergyproject).

Ms. DeVivo also says, "mutations are almost always harmful." Many mutations are indeed harmful, some are completely neutral, but some are helpful, depending on the environment. Harmful mutations make an organism less likely to survive and so tend to die out, while helpful mutations increase chances of survival and so live on. That's what natural selection is all about.

Galileo's support of the idea that the Earth revolves around the sun landed him in prison for heresy, but it was eventually accepted as scientific fact. Fortunately, in modern times it's unlikely that anyone will be imprisoned for supporting evolution. To most scientists (and to at least 11,000 Christian clergy), evolution is now as firmly established as it is that the Earth revolves around the sun.

Allan Green, Ph.D.

Cooperstown

Insurance rates too high for a long time

The Honorable Sen. James L. Seward poses an interesting question in the Opinion page of the Feb. 24 issue of The Daily Star. The question asked is "are your insurance premiums high enough?" Then an explanation follows regarding how the governor and two New York City Democrats drafted a bill that "has just stuck it to upstate's hard-working and overburdened taxpayers."

The question asked by Senator Seward is particularly interesting to this writer, as it addresses the very same topic in a letter submitted to the senator in July of last year. In a response received in mid-August, the good senator expresses "concerns with moving back to a system of prior approval of all rate increases" due to political considerations, and an obvious perception of "insolvent health plans."

In the opinion of this writer, the insurance premiums became "high enough" a while ago, and at that time, not high enough to warrant much consideration by the then-candidate for re-election to the New York State Senate, and seeking the retention of the title "Chairman of the Senate Insurance Commission."

Vincent J. Brannick

Gilbertsville

Lawmakers should oppose gas drilling

The success of opponents to the proposed NYRI power line, particularly Communities Against Regional Interconnect, is impressive. It has raised $2.1 million, according to The Star's news story of Feb. 19, nearly half coming from Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Madison, Oneida, Orange and Sullivan counties.

The recent county board resolution describes the power line as an "eyesore" in "proximity" to homes, farms, businesses, etc., which will affect "tourism" and lead to "degradation" of the environment and an "adverse impact" on our "quality of life." It points out that "consumers" of the power line are located far away, and that it will "provide benefit to speculative investors" at "great cost" to us locals, for whom there are "no apparent and meaningful benefits."

I wholeheartedly agree. But the same points and worse apply to proposed natural gas extraction in our region, a much larger industrial project affecting not a narrow corridor but the whole county. Though more individuals stand to benefit personally, the widespread harms are vastly greater. Through hydrofracking drilling _ with massive water withdrawals, open pits of toxic water, heavy industrial traffic, noise and vast pipeline networks _ gas development threatens drinking water, public health, air quality, rural landscapes, property values, agriculture and our road system. We should not be developing fossil fuels at all, but attending to conservation and renewable energies.

If local politicians and the county board can vigorously challenge a power line over which arguably they have little authority, they should oppose natural gas extraction even more. So far, they have been silent on this momentous issue. It's time for them to act.

Adrian Kuzminski

Fly Creek

Lambros deserved honor at Hartwick

Thank you so very much for the wonderful article about the dedication of Lambros Arena at Hartwick College.

In this day and age of such depressing news, it is a welcome change to read about something positive. I was fortunate during my time in Oneonta, even though I attended SUCO, to be welcomed, like so many other young students, into the Lambros family. Nick, Sharon, George and Mary, along with their children, became surrogate families for many of us who came to Oneonta from afar.

The article deservedly honors a man who has done much good, but there is so much more to Nick and the entire Lambros family that mere words cannot express. They are truly a treasure!

Farrukh Quraishi

Tampa, Fla.

Many things wrong on Decatur board

The Daily Star hit the nail on the head about filming and recording in Decatur. Supervisor Babcock and the majority of the town board do some of their best work in secret.

For example, there is no record of any vote ever being taken for the failed 2008 revaluation. The company told The Daily Star it was paid $28,000, but Babcock claims the town only paid out $24,000. However, he won't let anyone review the town records. The supervisor claims we must trust him because he's a retired reverend.

The town board also has held illegal meetings and improperly advertised meetings. In October, it advertised a meeting exclusively for the purpose of bidding for a town truck. Before any truck bid was discussed, Supervisor Babcock announced the appointment of a fellow co-worker of Councilman Thomas Hunt to the Board of Assessment Review. Again, no vote was taken or discussion held.

Thomas Spina, whose term expired on the BAR in September, was not reappointed. He led a petition drive against the revaluation that didn't sit well with Supervisor Babcock and his henchmen.

Then there was a monthly meeting when the public was limited to two minutes to address the board. BAR Chairwoman Beth Spaulding, wife of Councilman Spaulding, then rambled on about her duties, powers and authority for nearly 10 minutes. Apparently, if you're married to a board member, the rules don't apply.

The town also interviewed candidates for assessor in November. Councilman Spaulding was absent for the interviews, but he "knew who to vote for." The vote for assessor was also done illegally! The board voted secret ballot for assessor in December but then voted openly in January by show of hand rather than sleight of hand.

John Kersman

Decatur