Jun 12, 2008

Letters

Dispute over movie

Dear Editor: Letter writer James Quinn, criticizing the fact that few movie houses in our area are showing the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," says that "it is bad enough to ban from classrooms competing theories about the world's formation [but] that extending the blackout to movie theaters is downright scary." [Letters, June 11]

Evolution, as with gravity, is a theory. Creationism is a myth. All modern biology and a lot of our medicine are based on the principles contained in the theory of evolution. Attempts to elevate the notion of the existence of a Garden of Eden inhabited by Adam and Eve to a level beyond anything other than a myth will apparently be with us for a while more. It took centuries for the Egyptian, Greek and Roman myths about creation to wane and disappear.

Richard Sutherland,

Los Altos



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Dear Editor: The answer to James Quinn's question about the fate of the so-called documentary "Expelled" is very simple: A supremely shoddy piece of propagandistic filmmaking pushing a discredited creationist agenda, "Expelled" found few takers in this enlightened corner of country. Indeed, so universally was it panned (even by Christian Web sites) that it did little business even amongst the target audience of those who believe the world is 6,000 years old and that Noah loaded dinosaurs onto the Ark two-by-two.

It's ironic that Quinn imputes the same kind of conspiracy theories for the film's patchy distribution as the movie's disgraced co-writer and front-man (the aptly initialed BS) uses in the film itself when defending the so-called "expelled" creationist academics. Just as there is no grand conspiracy behind those "victims" academic failures (look to their own mediocrity and dishonesty instead), Expelled's box office flop can be laid squarely at the door of market realities: a film that peddles lies, misinformation and Holocaust-exploitation to make a case for the non-science calling itself Intelligent Design will make all the money it deserves, and thankfully not a cent more.

For a comprehensive rebuttal to Expelled's lies, please visit http://www.expelledexposed.com.

Finally, there is no "competing" theory to neo-Darwinism to teach, Mr Quinn; there is only the pseudoscience "Intelligent Design," which is creationism dressed in a faux academic gown, a garment that becomes increasing frayed and moth-eaten with each passing year.

Pete Cockerell,

Palo Alto



Impeachment

Dear Editor: The executive branch should not be above the law. Impeachment proceedings must begin against President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. They have knowingly lied to and misled the American people and should be held accountable. It is not too late to save our national and international credibility. I urge you to act now.

Matthew Giarrizzo,

Sunnyvale



Food labeling

Dear Editor: With the two recently passed Bay Area county ordinances, it shouldn't be a question any longer if menu labeling can be done in California. It can be done, and it's time to support the pending state bill, SB 1420 by Sen. Alex Padilla. What is California waiting for? Menu labeling is already happening in New York City.

Diet and nutrition are vital elements of preventive health care. These days, the health of our youth is more compromised than ever, and this prevalence of chronic illness may very well jeopardize our kids' futures. At the current pace of weight problems, nearly 24 percent of U.S. children and adolescents will be overweight or obese by 2015, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And yet research consistently shows that healthy and well-nourished children and youth are more likely to attend school and are more prepared and motivated to learn.

Hopefully, the Legislature will pass the bill again and, this time around, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign it rather than vetoing it as he did last year. The American Heart Association applauds Santa Clara County for its recent passage of a menu labeling ordinance.

Dr. Valerie C. Kwai Ben, president, Silicon Valley board of directors, American Heart Association



Israel and Hamas

Dear Editor: Michael Barton's June 3 letter provides some examples in creative logic and history. First he gives a poor analogy of equating Hamas with the founders of Israel.

Israel did not repeatedly turn down peaceful offers of statehood and attack a neighbor who did choose peace. Israel did not advocate the elimination of the British people.

He asserts that if Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, Arab militants would not bother it. Its Arab neighbors tried to eliminate Israel repeatedly prior to and after 1967, and the Palestine Liberation Organization was founded in 1964.

More recently, Israel has no border dispute with Iran or Lebanon, yet the latter staged a proxy war via Hezbollah and calls for Israel's destruction. Indeed, Arab nations have an interest in continuing this struggle.

Gur Hoshen,

Cupertino



Gina Papan

Dear Editor: On the front page of her Web site, Gina Papan is quoted as saying "Why aren't polluters held strictly liable for the damage they cause? I'll replace the talk in the state Capitol with laws that have teeth."

Tell me, why is it that she found it necessary to waste so much paper and production emissions, so many stamps and excessive precious fuel to send my household a letter or card every single day in recent weeks? I understand her desire to promote the campaign, but don't you think that actions speak louder than words? It was not only incredibly annoying to get this mail, but it was a complete waste. In her hope to promote herself, she caused me only to find her a nuisance and not an environmental advocate. Certainly a woman of her intelligence and stature could use other, less damaging resources to make her intentions clear.

Unfortunately, I don't know if I can take her word to heart after seeing how freely she can create waste for her own self-interest.

Linda Carp,

Foster City