REASON VS. SUPERSTITION

Believing in evolution takes faith, also

I am writing in response to Barry Fagin’s recent column (“Reason vs. superstition the real culture clash,” Other Voices, Sept. 6). I believe in reason, but reason, logic and experience have lead me to different conclusions than Fagin has come to.

The belief that life originated 3 billion years ago, whether from chance or the forces of nature, cannot be observed or tested scientifically. There is no more evidence to support that claim than there is for the paranormal phenomenon Fagin seeks to refute. Evolutionary abiogenesis is a faith assumption. Scientists have attempted to reproduce the origin of life from chemicals in laboratories under controlled conditions and have never succeeded but continue to accept by faith that it happened by natural processes in spite of lack of evidence.

The belief that we evolved from lower life forms is supported only by circumstantial evidence that can be explained by alternate theories such as intelligent design or creationism. There are scientists with credentials as good as Fagin’s who have abandoned evolutionism and embraced creationism or ID because of where the evidence lead them. I reject belief in superstition but also reject evolutionism for the same reasons. Evolution is just as religious or superstitious as psychic phenomenon.

Steve Stuart

Colorado Springs

One’s faith cannot cancel the reality of science

Barry Fagin has nailed it: One of the biggest problems we face is the battle between reason and non-reason. People tend to let belief overshadow any facts. If the facts at hand don’t support their view, then they explain it away by claiming we don’t have all the facts.

What people don’t understand is that belief is irrelevant. One may not believe in technology or science (reason), but that does not negate the effect of science on one; witness the people who die because they refuse medical intervention.

Dogmatic belief systems do not negate reason.

Ralph S. Hoefelmeyer

Colorado Springs

VOTE OR ELSE

New approaches needed to combat apathy

On Thursday night I went to a meeting advertised in The Gazette as “Art and wine for the Liberal Mind,” at which City Councilman Jerry Heimlicher was to talk on “how Colorado Springs is working towards becoming a more inclusive city.” But because only four or five people from the sponsoring ACLU, along with three or four others, were there, the topic was changed to voter apathy.

When I mentioned mandatory voting, either as a cheap shot or out of ignorance, Heimlicher mentioned Russia and Iraq as having it. Mandatory voting is a subject of international interest right now. Check the Internet and you’ll find quite a bit on it. Belgium has had it for more than 100 years. Australia, Argentina and Venezuela have it.

If Heimlicher wants to stir up voters he could try making Colorado Springs the first U.S. city to consider it.

Dick Eustice

Colorado Springs

FAST CASH

Paying prize money attracts elite athletes

The Pikes Peak Marathon will always be a people’s race. Meggan Michaels condemned Matt Carpenter for being a great runner and a great leader in our running community and seems to feel he should not do both (“Prize money shouldn’t go to marathon officials,” Letters, Sept. 1). She probably does not know that for many years the race gave unofficial prize money to get elite runners to run. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s been done for years all over the world to support the runners. Some of this money was spent by longtime PPM Race Director Carl McDaniels to bring in runners from Mexico who dominated the race in the early years.

Having world-class runners in an event attracts more quality runners to challenge them and adds to the aura that surrounds the Pikes Peak Marathon. Paying prize money in no way detracts from the service provided to the rank and file runners such as Michaels and me.

I have run races in the region since 1979 and have been very active in race management with the Pikes Peak Road Runners for more than 25 years. I also had a betterthan-average running career. Most of us runners like the idea of toeing the start line with runners of Carpenter’s caliber. He is a man of formidable character, both in running and in running management.

Carpenter has been an active supporter of the local running scene for almost 20 years. He has been a Pikes Peak Road Runner vice president and president, directs the Barr Trail Run and the Garden of the Gods Race, and has always been committed to helping runners of all levels to better themselves. I have never known him to deviate from his admirable principles which are focused on what is best for runners.

Shame on Michaels for suggesting Carpenter joined race management in order to manipulate prize money so he could win it. He has always encouraged all comers to take their best shot. He needs to be pushed to limits that he has yet to reach. Carpenter has won both PPM races on consecutive days (many have tried, all but him have failed). And he has done that twice. Believe me, he does not go through that pain for money.

Prize money is one way that our elite runners are able to support their training. America needs more men like Matt Carpenter.

Bob Mutu

Palmer Lake

DOGS GONE?

First the pit bulls, then the yorkie-poos?

When are the people of Colorado Springs going to listen? It’s not the pit bull itself that is dangerous; it’s the irresponsible people who own them that make them dangerous (“Pit bull is killed after biting cop, chasing children,” Metro & State, Sept. 6).

These dogs were good enough to use in World War II, but now that they don’t serve that specific purpose any more, we should just throw them out with the garbage?

I’m wondering what’s next. Will they tell us what kind of car we can drive or what color our eyes and hair can be? This is ridiculous. Doesn’t Colorado Springs have more important things to worry about, like the crime that is steadily rising here?

My advice is if you don’t own a pit bull or have never been around one, then don’t judge them.

One more thing. Out of all my dogs, my only aggressive dog is my 7-pound yorkiepoo, and if these dogs are banned I will be saying good-bye to the Springs.

Christine Blackmon

Colorado Springs

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Team Salazar trying reader’s patience

I sleep much better now knowing that the Salazar brothers are looking out for me by taking over the role of dictating the Army’s current and future training needs (“Piñon plan may be dead,” The Gazette, Sept. 7). After all, according to Ken, the Army’s real priority should be to focus on conducting more politically correct public relations campaigns. Let’s leave military preparedness issues to the experts like Ken and John.

The Salazars would also like to help ensure that my domestic energy needs are met by blocking drilling on the Roan Plateau in a special amendment to Congress’s wonderful new energy bill. This comes after the Bureau of Land Management already ended the comment period.

I suggest a new state amendment mandating that a windmill farm be built on the Salazar ranch. Now, that would really help me.

Again, Salazars, thanks for the great job you swell guys are doing for me. Thanks for nothing.

Robert L. Hunt Jr.

Colorado Springs