LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.Byline: The Register-Guard Science has no firm definition History reveals that science has an uncertain legitimacy with respect to discovering the truth. Scientific errors would fill a book, and have. The problem continues. Philosophers of science, the high priests of the discipline, have failed to define the parameters of science. After decades of trying, they have officially given up. The uncertainty of it all invites an abuse of the label in an effort to gain legitimacy in an illegitimate way. For example, the ideas of Karl Marx (science of society), Sigmund Freud (science of behavior), Charles Darwin (science of origins) and finally political science have not been treated kindly by history. With no firm definition of science, you can make one up. If you believe in materialism as a matter of faith (nothing beyond nature) then, to be considered science any opposing theory must be devoid of spiritualism spiritualism: see spiritism. spiritualism Belief that the souls of the dead can make contact with the living, usually through a medium or during abnormal mental states such as trances. . You win arguments by simply declaring your opponent's theory is not science. What is the answer? Be comfortable with loose ends. Being a true believer true believer n. One who is deeply, sometimes fanatically devoted to a cause, organization, or person: "a band of true believers bonded together against all those who did not agree with them" is not the same as being a believer in truth. Finally, it is the truth that sets you free, not the search for truth. Amoral a·mor·al adj. 1. Not admitting of moral distinctions or judgments; neither moral nor immoral. 2. Lacking moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong. scientism sci·en·tism n. 1. The collection of attitudes and practices considered typical of scientists. 2. The belief that the investigative methods of the physical sciences are applicable or justifiable in all fields of inquiry. (an uncertain world as history has revealed) competes with religion for your attention in the search for truth. Better keep looking. ROBERT J. WILLIAMSON Creswell Liberals can be narrow-minded Eric Stillwell not only doesn't deny the liberal bias among University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. faculty, he defends it vigorously. Stillwell has decided that a "university is a place where people go to get a liberal education." His view typifies the arrogance and narrow-mindedness of so many who call themselves liberal. They like to question anything orthodox or traditional in a quest for Verb 1. quest for - go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" quest after, go after, pursue look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the truth, but it's only their truth, not absolute truth. They want to decide what should and shouldn't be questioned; we had better not disagree with Verb 1. disagree with - not be very easily digestible; "Spicy food disagrees with some people" hurt - give trouble or pain to; "This exercise will hurt your back" their conclusions as that is the one line of questioning Noun 1. line of questioning - an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument line of inquiry line of reasoning, logical argument, argumentation, argument, line - a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the they do not like. Their reality is based not on a solid foundation, but on an ever-changing and pliable base. What a sad world of relativism in which they must live. We should all be afraid of those whose arrogance is exceeded only by their narrow field of vision. RONALD RONALD Rocketborne Optical Neutral gas Analyzer with Laser Diodes KENT Florence NAFTA NAFTA in full North American Free Trade Agreement Trade pact signed by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico in 1992, which took effect in 1994. Inspired by the success of the European Community in reducing trade barriers among its members, NAFTA created the world's could fix immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox should consider revising the North American Free Trade Agreement North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), accord establishing a free-trade zone in North America; it was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and took effect on Jan. 1, 1994. to allow the free movement of labor across the borders of their three countries. If they did so, three things would happen. First, it would completely eliminate the problems of undocumented workers. Second, it would make it unnecessary to have a guest worker program with all of its political and regulatory problems. This proposal should draw the support of the industries that rely on undocumented workers and which presently draw fines for using such labor. Third, the European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community allows the free movement of labor from any of its member countries to any of the other member countries. Why do they do that? The economic theory of comparative advantage states that the way to make the best use of your scarce resources of land, labor and capital is to produce consumer goods consumer goods Any tangible commodity purchased by households to satisfy their wants and needs. Consumer goods may be durable or nondurable. Durable goods (e.g., autos, furniture, and appliances) have a significant life span, often defined as three years or more, and and services in which you have a comparative advantage and then trade with other countries. The end result is to increase the economic output of all of the countries and to lower prices to consumers. To alter NAFTA to allow the free movement of labor would be to the economic benefit of all three countries as well as resolving a major political issue concerning immigration. Do I think this would happen? No, I think it would be politically unpopular even though it would make economic sense from a macroeconomic mac·ro·ec·o·nom·ics n. (used with a sing. verb) The study of the overall aspects and workings of a national economy, such as income, output, and the interrelationship among diverse economic sectors. point of view. G. DENNIS SHINE Springfield County has money to burn I must applaud the Lane County Board of Commissioners for their fiscal restraint and spending our tax monies in such wise fashion. I refer to the recent explosion of advertisements both on radio and in the newspaper expounding ex·pound v. ex·pound·ed, ex·pound·ing, ex·pounds v.tr. 1. To give a detailed statement of; set forth: expounded the intricacies of the new tax law. 2. on the great job that county employees are doing for us. I think that they do deserve added recognition; paychecks never really suffice. I occasionally work for my wife in her business. I shall propose that she run ads on radio and in The Register-Guard lauding my efforts. However, she would not ask the taxpayers to fund them. I also notice that the commissioners are touting a proposed income tax on income earned by Lane County residents and businesses. I take it that this is an erroneous news item insofar in·so·far adv. To such an extent. Adv. 1. insofar - to the degree or extent that; "insofar as it can be ascertained, the horse lung is comparable to that of man"; "so far as it is reasonably practical he should practice as the county has money to burn for these commercials. KIERAN P. WALSH Eugene Removing God from America What happened to America? Remember the song "America, America, God shed his grace on thee?" That used to be a song we were proud of. We felt that we were special and that all we did in the name of democracy was good because we were covered by God's grace. What happened? We took God out of the schools. We are trying to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance, in full, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, oath that proclaims loyalty to the United States. and its national symbol. . We want to take God off our money. We are disposing of his son's birthday, taking away all the symbolism of that birth. We are abolishing any remembrance of his son's death and resurrection. Things in this world may have changed, but God hasn't. He is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. It is fortunate for America that those who do believe are answering the "What would Jesus do" question by turning the other cheek. God will handle everything "according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. his purpose." But I wonder, for future reference, if he will be shedding his grace on us. DONYE LARSON Eugene Few choose to fly the flag Where were the American flags on Memorial Day? On this holiday to remember the ones who have given all for us, where were the flags? After Sept. 11, flags were on all the porches, back bumpers of cars and in the windows, but they were nowhere to be seen on Memorial Day. Why? I guess flying the American flag was only a fad for some folks and it has lost all the glamor. It is a shame so few still choose to fly the American flag. PAUL HARRIS Paul Harris may refer to:
Springfield An interesting take on fairness George Beres (letters, May 27) makes the excellent suggestion that The Register-Guard maintain a fair balance in its printing of syndicated columnists. However, it's hard to believe that someone who refers to Molly Ivins as one of the "rare alternative voices from Texas" while explaining that the National Review "festers with right-wing ideology" is seriously advocating a position of fairness or balance. Was it in the unmerited slander of Charles Krauthammer that we were supposed to embrace this idea of fairness? Were we to find this in the idea that The Washington Post is well respected or that The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times is evenhanded e·ven·hand·ed adj. Showing no partiality; fair. e  ven·hand ? Ideas that would be comedic were they not both so
ridiculous. Perhaps before one requests a "fair balance" from
others, they should try including the same in their own statements.
DEAN HARPER Springfield U.S. can train its own nurses How obscene and shameful can our country get? We like to think we're the most charitable and generous people on Earth, yet a new bill in Congress would have us stealing even more nurses from Third World countries. These poor countries, already exploited by rich ones, spend precious health care dollars to train nurses that they desperately need, only to see them lured away by the richest country in the world. And why are we doing this? Because we are unwilling to spend the money to train our own nurses. Yes, we have a nursing shortage, and the bottleneck is in nursing schools. Plenty of applicants, too few nursing seats in the schools. In New York where I went to school, 200 seats drew over 700 qualified applicants. Here at Lane Community College, 65 seats will get over 200 qualified applicants. Making nursing teachers' salaries competitive with other nursing positions and increasing the seats would solve the nursing shortage and stop our disgraceful pillaging of Third World health care systems. And by the way, it would create more jobs for U.S. citizens. KATHLEEN JONES, R.N. Eugene Try not to become offended In regard to the recent wave of letters from people who are offended by this and that, I have a little bit of advice: Don't be offended, by anything. I have friends and acquaintances from across the political spectrum. I have friends of different sexual orientations. I have friends of many religious backgrounds. My point is not that people should be open-minded. In a country of free speech, where we have people like Michael Savage and Ward Churchill, where we have people who scream obscenities at the friends and families of deceased homosexuals in cemeteries, where we have cartoonists demeaning de·mean 1 tr.v. de·meaned, de·mean·ing, de·means To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: demeaned themselves well in class. other people's savior, it is much healthier to not be offended. MARK BELLINGHAM Eugene Kulongoski finds his calling Concerning the editorial pertaining to Gov. Ted Kulongoski's "dramatic" rescue of a cat from a tree (Register-Guard, May 24), it would appear the governor has finally found his true calling, that of cat-catcher. May I be among the first to jump on his bandwagon. He seems well suited for this job, if not for governor. ROBERT MARTIN Eugene |
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