A rose by any other name
Intelligent design (ID) is not science. It is a reincarnation of
scientific creationism. ID has no dogma, doctrine or scientific
data to support it. Its only claim is that the natural world is too
complex to understand; therefore, a deity must have intervened. As
man continues the relentless, rational understanding of the natural
world, myths, fairy tales, and religious doctrine fall by the
wayside.
The defendants in the Dover, Penn. trial had the opportunity to
prove once and for all that ID was truly scientific in nature, but
they failed miserably. Reading the trial transcripts soon brought
even the more ardent ID proponent to his knees begging for the
trial to end early. Question after question, defendant after
defendant, acclaimed expert after acclaimed expert, little was
presented to support ID’s dual claim of it being scientific and
nonreligious.
Some say that this anti-ID decision was another activist judge
making new law and suppressing debate. Sorry, that won’t work here.
Judge John E. Jones III was appointed by biblical fundamentalist
President George W. Bush, is a Republican, a Christian and attends
church regularly.
Judge Jones noted in his summation that,
”
…not one defense expert was able to explain how the
supernatural action suggested by ID could be anything other than an
inherently religious proposition.
”
Game, set and match.
Our founding fathers, if sitting in the Dover courtroom when the
verdict was read, would have been proud that their idea of keeping
church and state separate still rings as true today as it did more
than 200 years ago.
Dale Morejon
Gilroy
A rose by any other name
Intelligent design (ID) is not science. It is a reincarnation of scientific creationism. ID has no dogma, doctrine or scientific data to support it. Its only claim is that the natural world is too complex to understand; therefore, a deity must have intervened. As man continues the relentless, rational understanding of the natural world, myths, fairy tales, and religious doctrine fall by the wayside.
The defendants in the Dover, Penn. trial had the opportunity to prove once and for all that ID was truly scientific in nature, but they failed miserably. Reading the trial transcripts soon brought even the more ardent ID proponent to his knees begging for the trial to end early. Question after question, defendant after defendant, acclaimed expert after acclaimed expert, little was presented to support ID’s dual claim of it being scientific and nonreligious.
Some say that this anti-ID decision was another activist judge making new law and suppressing debate. Sorry, that won’t work here. Judge John E. Jones III was appointed by biblical fundamentalist President George W. Bush, is a Republican, a Christian and attends church regularly.
Judge Jones noted in his summation that, “…not one defense expert was able to explain how the supernatural action suggested by ID could be anything other than an inherently religious proposition.” Game, set and match.
Our founding fathers, if sitting in the Dover courtroom when the verdict was read, would have been proud that their idea of keeping church and state separate still rings as true today as it did more than 200 years ago.
Dale Morejon
Gilroy
Exit exam unfair to new immigrants
The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), posted mixed results in local schools consisting of San Benito, Anzar, Live Oak, and Gilroy. San Benito and Anzar had the strongest results and Gilroy had the poorest results. The CAHSEE has been brought into account starting this year 2005-2006.
I believe the CAHSEE should not be used because students of this area have many disadvantages to overcome besides this test. There are many students who are immigrants or use English as a second language. To base a large portion of the test on language puts these students at a disadvantage. These students are already taking remedial courses to try to graduate, now they must add more work to pass the CAHSEE. That makes it extremely difficult for those students, which are already seniors and have only this year to pass the test.
If the test is to be enforced then it should begin with students entering high school as freshman. That way they can seek help earlier in their high school years and can improve their weaknesses before their senior year. Classes can be implemented in the summer as well as during the year and a system can be incorporated to try and help students pass the test. Students that are forced to pass the test as seniors this year should at least be given a different test since they only have this year to pass it. As students start coming into high school then they can all receive the same test.
Fernando Hernandez
Gilroy
Woods reminds reader to boycott Pinnacle
I have boycotted reading the Pinnacle and it advertisements for the last few years due to the negativity and hate in Kate Woods’ column. I started reading only the sports section again because I have children in High School sports. This has lead to me venture to other parts of the paper as well.
Today I read the January 29th issue of Kate Woods’ column with my chin dropped. My condolences go out to her on the passing of her mother, but her article was hateful, belligerent, insulting and downright obnoxious.
To quote her, “It’s called freedom of speech, ding-dongs.” Yes it is freedom of speech and rather than abuse that right by attacking somebody exercising the same right, why doesn’t she take her own advice and just “… turn the page …” rather than attack the writer with name calling, and belligerent ramblings.
I think I have to go back to just reading the Sports Section again. I would like to thank Kate Woods, however, for reminding me why I quit reading and advertising in The Pinnacle.
Jacqueline Fancher
Hollister
Pinnacle ‘candy’ habit-forming
I enjoyed your package of delectable reading candy this Sunday Pinnacle (Jan. 29). This paper is a lot of fun, especially Kate Woods’ reporting. It seems the very politicos who wish to promote themselves open their mouths only to stick their foot in it.
Ignacio Velazquez emphasizes and repeats, “I am against corruption.” Los Valientes insist, “We are against correuption.” What a giveaway of identity!
D.A. John Sarsfield says, “The Los Valientes will agitate in ever more shrill tones against the district attorney’s office.” Sure enough, “Jaime De La Cruz broke order … to criticize the D.A. for his prosecution against Los Valientes.” De La Cruz shouted, “I believe the D.A. is out of control! I urge a vote of no confidence!” What another giveaway of identity!
De La Cruz managed a 12.5 percent salary increase for John Hodges who might have “illegally counted ballots that might have thrown the Board of Supervisors race to De La Cruz.” De La Cruz narrowly escaped a felony conviction. The corruption finger pointer needs to give himself the finger.
For the last few pieces of reading candy, thank you, Pat Loe for suggesting the Dark Skies issue that fell on “dead silence.” I’m charmed that Mark Paxton writing about small things being “cute” mentioned that the Mini Cooper (I happen to drive one) is cute.
Mary Zanger
Hollister
Woods’ name-calling is sophomoric
I have been reading stories and opinions by Ms. Woods for years. It seems that her acerbic commentary on things politic have slowly but surely crossed over into bitterness and vitriol.
Witness her response to a letter written by a Ms. Mary Beth Meyers. She claims her detractors (one apparently being Mary Beth Meyers) are “Neo-Nazi-Cons full of mean-hearted crap.” She then continues her diatribe calling the same folks “ding-dongs” and refers to our president as an “inept, forked-tongued, greedy, out-of-touch boob.”
Sounds a lot like mean-hearted crap to me. Ms. Woods, I know your admirers seem to appreciate the acid spilling from your column, but thoughtful discourse need not be so full of hate and mean-spiritedness. Since I do not consider myself one of the “handful of wacko detractors” to whom you “do not normally respond,” please respond to this.
Donovan Mott
Morgan Hill
Radical neocons do not speak for me
I have bitten my tongue for years, but I feel that now I must extend my congratulations to the conservative activists in our community. Congratulations to your assaults on our neighbors and their businesses, congratulations on the harassment of your fellow San Benito County citizens.
You are following the Bush administration’s tactics perfectly. Your bullying and harassment are the same tactics that have placed our country and our children into a war than has no end in sight, have weakened our credibility throughout the world, and soon are going to push everyone’s rights (especially women’s rights) back by 30 years.
I didn’t realize that the conservative party members concept of “high moral ground” included assault and harassment. I find it sad that any man could think it is appropriate to demonstrate his opinions by assaulting a woman. And then to read about conservative members stalking one of their own party members at her divorce hearing. I find it sad and pathetic. Once upon a time I was a Republican and voted for Bush Senior twice. These conservative extremists need to come up with a new party name – they are NOT Republicans!
Chris Kluga
Hollister
Farewell to a man of integrity
In the nearly four years since I left Hollister and my Pinnacle column for Hollywood I found no pressing need to write the Pinnacle, despite wanting to be more than just an observer of the local scene. This weekend changed my mind.
Frank Felice, the former Hollister city clerk and city treasurer was united with his beloved wife, Helen.
Of all people I certainly don’t have an in with the man upstairs but I suspect that Frank is the only politician to enter the Pearly Gates. In my lifetime I have never known a more honest, decent human being. When Frank went into public office I winced because I have known so many good people who took that road only to fall off their life’s path. Luckily, Frank knew who his bosses were: Helen and the people of Hollister. Never in our many private conversations did I ever hear Frank hesitate a second when it came to right or wrong. Political expediency was not in his vocabulary. Those who ran against him and lost were always surprised that no mud was ever tossed from Frank. Yes, Virginia, you can win political campaigns without destroying your opponent’s good character. Frank Felice was the poster boy for clean campaigns and talking of nothing but issues. What a concept. Aye chee waa waa!
Frank, like many of us living in the little town of Hollister circa 1940, 1950 were blessed with strong working mothers with values beyond anything the gods could give us with just a measly 10 Commandments.
Strong working mothers coupled with a Hollister that looked like a Norman Rockwell painting if Rockwell were a cannery worker or field worker.
One day, I hope a room in Hollister City Hall where political debates are held will be named after Frank Felice, just to remind the all-too-often political combatants that they need not be combative. A healthy debate of the issues can make you a winner. I know because I was blessed as having Frank Felice as my best friend. Aye chee waa waa.
Bob Valenzuela
Hollywood
Alito will set this nation back
I care about civil rights and affirmative action. I truly believe that if Thurgood Marshall had presented the case of Brown v. Board of Education before a Supreme Court with Alito on it, Alito would have voted to keep black and white children separated in public schools – Alito would have maintained the status quo and would have scholarly justified his decision. It was the success of the Brown case that sparked the 1960s civil rights movement.
I am so glad that there weren’t many Alito’s on the court when Marshall presented his cases because I may not have been able to go to a college that was setup for mainly white America.
If Alito had sat on the courts when Thurgood Marshall presented his cases on housing, transportation and voting, all of which overturned the “separate-but-equal” apartheid of American life in the first half of the century, Alito would have voted to keep apartheid the norm.
If Rosa Park’s busing case had gone to a court with Alito on it, Alito would have made sure to keep Rosa in the back of the bus.
The history of Alito shows that he would support President Bush’s drive for unchecked executive power, which poses a grave threat to our basic rights. Alito has fought for full immunity for administration officials who illegally spy on Americans, and Bush stands accused of just that crime.
This American believes in America but doesn’t want to see it go backwards, with Alito it will.
Shirley Trevino
Gilroy
Bush doctrine pure thuggery
I view the results of the recent election in Palestine as a referendum on the Republican backed Bush White House foreign policy in the Middle East. The result shows just how much we as a nation are despised throughout the world.
You might expect that I blame these folks for their blundering attempts to interfere in the internal politics of other soverign nations, but the real blame lies with the American Voters who twice approved of these radicals who want to have influence and control over the rest of the world.
I yearn for the days when John F. Kennedy was in the White House, and the United States was the most loved and respected nation in the entire world.
Wake Up America, it’s time to get the THUGS out of the White House and the Congress.
Jack Dwan
Gilroy
Religious ranting factually unfounded
In reference to Mr. Joseph McCormack’s letter in the Jan. 29 edition of The Pinnacle, I think he states things very clearly: “Perhaps the answer for our salvation is to impeach those judges who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and have denied what the Constitution states so clearly.”
Mr. McCormack’s ranting fits nicely with the religious revisionist argument that the founders of our country somehow really meant religion to be mixed in with government functions, but activist judges keep imposing their own views.
Somehow everyone seems to forget one key fact: The word “God” does not appear anywhere in the text of the U.S. Constitution. Another word that does not appear: “slavery.” Any history student can tell you that the latter was not an oversight, yet Mr. McCormack and his like would have us believe that the former was. So yes, I agree with him on this point – read the Constitution closely, and I think you’ll see exactly the intention of our Founding Fathers and who exactly is imposing their own views onto that document.
Craig O’Donnell
Hollister
Appreciates city council decision
In her column of Jan. 29, Elizabeth Barratt describes the gardening and horticultural talents of Judge Howard Willey. Until reading her column, I was unaware of this facet of Judge Willey’s life in Gilroy.
Shortly after the Willey house was donated to the City of Gilroy by the Theatre Angels, a community task force was formed and charged with developing a master plan for the renovation and utilization of the property that had been given park facility designation in order to qualify for an historic preservation grant through Santa Clara County.
The master plan focused on the musical life of Judge Willey and his family. This was reflected in the types of “allowed” activities, which included rehearsals, recitals, art displays and other arts or cultural activities.
Recognizing the value of the site as a gathering spot for social functions, the master plan included a small kitchen facility and conceptual plans for developing the outdoor areas. Our vision then was for the site to serve as a venue for indoor and outdoor meetings, retreats, weddings, and other social or cultural gatherings. Although we didn’t consider the Willey family’s horticultural contributions to early Gilroy when the task force met 20 years ago, it’s only fitting that Gilroy’s City Council has decided to move forward with restoration of the home’s garden areas.
Thank-you Ms. Barratt for bringing to light this side of Judge Willey, and kudos to Gilroy’s City Council for preserving and further enhancing this tribute to life and culture as it was during our city’s formative years.
Steve Andrade
Gilroy
