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April 19, 2012

READERS' FORUM: April 19, 2012

The Tribune-Star

Cuba comparison, donkeys and all

An April 5 letter from a Covington man said our government was like the government of Cuba. I’m not sure if he meant (1) we are going to be like Cuba someday if we continue our present track, or if (2) we are like Cuba already. Either way I couldn’t agree more.

If he is predicting that we are going to be like Cuba someday, don’t ignore his prediction — look at the consequence of ignoring the prophets who predicted the dates of the last 10 apocalypses. We can’t be blasé about the writer’s prediction of the Cubanization of the U.S. — this is really absolutely positively going to happen.

On the other hand, if he means we are already like Cuba, I can say unequivocally that the pictures I’ve seen of the donkeys in Cuban streets and the 1950s cars show how Cuban-like we are. The similarity is scary.

The Covington writer seems aware that if government has anything to do with resource allocation, the allocation won’t be “fair”. He didn’t say what he meant by “fair”, or who should decide what’s “fair”, so I volunteer to be the decider. With lots of money and guns to back me up, I can decide what a “fair” allocation would look like. After all, what’s the point of having money and guns if a well-armed rich guy doesn’t get to decide what’s “fair” for poor unarmed folks in Covington? Government just gets in the way.

— John Macke

Marshall, Ill.

Do-gooders or do-badders?

My comments are in response to the letter of Mr. John Weddle of Brazil (Indiana, not South America) printed in this forum on March 24, 2012.

One of the beautiful aspects of our American democracy is that we all have the right to express our opinions, however ill-founded and poorly stated they may be, and we have the right to be heard. Therefore, I just don’t understand Mr. Weddle’s complaint (expressed by him about Mr. Macke, Amman, and “the water pump guy”) that some opinions count “but mine doesn’t.”

Come on, Mr. Weddle: we live in a large, highly diverse nation. Many citizens have many opinions about many matters. Some will prevail, some won’t. It’s called “give and take”, and Mr. Weddle, your opinions are not going to prevail all the time. Get used to it. And here’s another bit of information for you: there are even more restrictions coming in the future for smokers. Ultimately, smokers may eventually find that the only places they’ll be allowed to smoke will be in the middle of a few designated fields located in the most sparsely populated areas of our country. It’s a matter of public health, Mr. Weddle, a clear and obvious matter of public health.

Finally, I noted that Mr. Weddle used the term “do-gooder” at least twice in his letter, in a way that made it clear to me, at least, that he doesn’t like do-gooders. Fair enough — that is certainly his right, but I can’t but wonder if Mr. Weddle knows the exact definition of that term. I’m willing to bet that he doesn’t, so here it is, straight from the NASW Social Work Dictionary: “Do-gooder: a term of derision often applied to social workers and other people whose professions or consciences require them to do what is necessary to uphold the laws and ethics of a society and to protect disadvantaged people from exploitation by privileged people.”

How about it, Mr. Weddle? Would you rather have a community full of “do-gooders” (as defined above), or possibly, do you prefer a community of “do-badders”?

— Earle L. Harvey

Terre Haute

Writer refutes own argument

My dear Mr. C. Robert Follett: Let’s put this argument over evolution/intelligent design to bed. I laughed out loud when I read your letter published April 9, because you actually refuted your own argument. A theory — any theory — must be testable, and it does not have to be proved, but it can be disproved.  

There are two important qualities about a hypothesis (which leads to a theory). An hypothesis is expressed as an “if … then” statement. “If God exists, then God created humans.” Is that hypothesis testable? No. Can you set up an experiment to test the validity of the statement? No, because it is a faith-based question. Can an experiment be devised that might reveal that the hypothesis is not true? No. If the two test qualities are not met, then the question being asked cannot be addressed using the scientific method.

Is the theory of evolution testable? Yes. Can you set up an experiment to test the validity of the theory? Yes. Can you devise an experiment that might reveal evolution is not true? Yes. Has anyone done this yet? No.

And while we’re at it, religion “takes a special system in order to market the incomprehensible and do it in an orderly fashion so that it appears to be understandable.” You said it.

— Ann Carlisle

Terre Haute

Argument will always be futile

Letter writer John Garner is standing on a slippery ground as he is trying to convince Bill Jaeger why creationism is not science (“Creationism is a belief, not science,” Tribune Star, April1). Belief or faith and science are two immiscible entities that offer no common ground for debate. Faith-based religion starts with the premise that we know the truth; there is nothing else to know. Science comes from the opposite end; we do not know the truth but are trying to unravel it.

Science is dynamic, exploring all aspects of human endeavor — the quest goes on forever. Revealed religion is static; absolute, and immutable. The two entities run parallel and never meet; argument is futile.

— Prodip Dutta

Terre Haute

Consider plight of Muslim women

Is no one in America aware of the way Muslim women are treated? It’s as if they don’t exist. Their families will “kill” them (including their mothers) for disobedience. Many are forced to marry men they don’t even know, let alone love. If they refuse their lives are in danger.

Some have been murdered, and their families get away with it. That’s a fact.

What does justice mean to you, America? Do you want that type of justice in your neighborhood? Why do I think not?

— Michael T. Lawson

Marshall, Ill.

Ping has served well on council

Mr. Ed Ping is about to serve his first term on the Vigo County Council and has done an outstanding job. He supports all working men and women. If you need his help, he is there.

If we had more council members like Ed, we would have a good council.

— James Royer

Terre Haute

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