LETTERS.

William Bennett: A Big Phony

I thought I was only one who knew that William Bennett is a big phony who continues to somehow make the talk show circuits. An utmost authority on absolutely nothing, he could almost be considered a regular on "Meet the Press."

I would like to contribute some additional fodder to your excellent article ("The Public School Bashers," October Church & State). As secretary of education in the Reagan administration, Bennett reportedly was never in his office. He was too busy on the road for speaking engagements. Gary Bauer, who at that time had no official position at the White House, actually nothing more than a gofer, was then appointed under secretary of education. Apparently they needed someone to run the office.

In my judgment, Bennett and Bauer, who both then and now continually badmouth our nation's public schools, must share the blame for not making any effort to ease the crises in our educational system.

I'm deeply concerned about the direction that these individuals, and many like them, are trying to take my America.

--Frank C. Lombardo

Ocala, Fla.

Education: A Step Backward?

Your October Church & State cover story "The Public School Bashers" was great.

I would like to see one of your good writers develop the following theme: Let's assume that the school structure and curricula throughout the United States was converted completely to the Pat Robertson-advocated model starting in the year 2000. After 50 years, how would the United States appear to the rest of the world?

By that time, I suspect we would be on a par with Afghanistan. Our home grown version of the Taliban would probably have destroyed all technological advantage applicable to anything other than imposing the approved religious doctrine.

--Ray W. Chamberlain

Ashburn, Va.

Evolution Isn't Fact

I am very concerned about the direction that Church & State seems to be taking.

At one time this periodical was for the separation of church and state. But with Steve Benen's article ("Evolving Debate," October Church & State), I get the uneasy feeling that evolution is considered fact and synonymous with church-state separation. Evolution is a philosophy and not necessarily fact.

The Christian Coalition is wrong for attempting to replace (in public schools) evolution with creation; however, it is just as wrong to replace creation for evolution. I say this having been on both sides of the desk.

--George Schmidt

Cotati, Calif.

Fundamentalism v. Natural Inquiry

Steve Benen's summary of the anti-evolution movement ("Evolving Debate," October Church & State) made my day. It was the best treatment you've presented of the issue that motivated me to join Americans United.

I know of no one who is a better speaker for science than Dr. Eugenie Scott. What Dr. Scott understands, and too few of my fellow scientists appreciate, is that science and theology can coexist as two separate ways of "knowing." We agree that the issue is not religion vs. science; it is authoritarian fundamentalism (descended from scholasticism) versus natural inquiry (descended from Aristotelian logic).

Mr. Benen conveyed one major erroneous impression, however. Evolution, the story told by fossils and stars, is supported by so much circumstantial evidence that, as the National Academy of Sciences says, it is accepted as "fact."

One must separate the model, which proposes a mechanism, from the facts/ evidence upon which it is based. This model is not accepted as fact by a true scientist. It is a theory. Not "just" a theory, but a profound explanation which connected the history of all life, and without which, as Dobzhansky said, "nothing in Biology makes sense."

Unfortunately, the public, as reflected in Mr. Benen's misconception, does not understand these distinctions.

--Howard Winet

Visiting Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

University of California at Los Angeles

Help Staff An AU Booth--it's Fun!

On Saturday, Oct. 31, I helped staff Americans United's booth at the annual conference of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educators Network). It was a valuable experience that I enthusiastically recommend to other AU members and chapters. Both conference attendees and other exhibitors told me they warmly welcomed the opportunity to work in coalition with an organization like ours. Distributing AU literature and collecting names and addresses of potential members were important. And frankly, it was just plain fun!

Every community offers some opportunity for a similar activity -- whether at a convention of a state or national organization, or a city fair in a local park, and AU staff can help you plan a successful activity.

--Molleen Matsumura

Berkeley, Calif.

Church & State welcomes letters to the editor. Although not all correspondence can be published, readers' opinions are appreciated. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all letters for brevity and clarity.