The French philosopher Voltaire once wrote that "I may disagree with you, but I'll struggle to make you express your viewpoint" (translated from French). In that respect, I applaud Wirt's postings and Denys' reaction, even if I certainly do not agree with one of these gentlemen. Bill Shanks also expressed his viewpoint, which I certainly subscribe to : read a piece of opinion, just in case you learn something from it.
To put things in another perspective, it's not because one does not like a message that one should blast (or, worse, to physical force to annihilate) the messenger.
Denys, you once wrote very correctly that "it's tremendous how far right this country has shifted". I assume you were referring to the United States of America. I agree with your comment. Were you applauding to such a move ? Perhaps - and I have no problem with that opinion of yours. But I certainly share Wirt's (and others') concern that, with the USA markedly shifting right, science is blurred with non-scientific opinion. Evolution has been confirmed and proved by plenty of hard fact. Creationism has been based on faith from Day 1.
As for attacking the NYT mostly because it's the NYT, I raise the same objection : don't blast the messenger because you do not agree with the message.
Now I have a concern, and I wish to share it. The late-30s Nazi Third Reich was perceived as a dictatorship when its minions began to burn books, for the sole reason that these books has been written by Jews. Is the string of attempts to blur the message of science with creationist opinion a similar action of putting politics ahead of education, mostly because professors are perceived as left-leaning and, as such, not in favor with the current administration ?
OK, now flame suit on, I believe. You may call me what you want, but certainly not a leftist honcho - I supported Reagan's deployment of cruise missiles in Europe, I never supported the nationalization of businesses, I support most schemes that intend to put people out of welfare and back at work, etc. But I certainly do not support neglecting education in favour of politics. That was done before, including in my own country by a self-proclaimed elite of leftist professors in the 70s, and it has failed.
Christian
> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] De la part
> de Denys Beauchemin
> Envoyé : mercredi 6 avril 2005 04:15
> À : [log in to unmask]
> Objet : Re: [HP3000-L] OT: Off-topic, but not by much (Part I)
>
> Wirt, why do you insist on posting press articles which are incorrect?
>
> When Columbus sailed west from Europe, he was not trying to get to India,
> he
> was on his way to Cathay. That was the name the people of Columbus' times
> had for China.
>
> Also, nobody was disputing the fact the Earth was round, what they were
> arguing about was the fact Columbus would never make it to Cathay with his
> ships, it was way too far. The detractors were right; if the (now named)
> American continent had not been there, Columbus an his 3 crews would have
> perished on their way to Cathay.
>
> I stopped reading the article right after the first couple sentences.
> Would
> you please refrain from posting such crap in the future?
>
> Denys
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of Wirt Atmar
> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 1:55 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [HP3000-L] OT: Off-topic, but not by much (Part I)
>
> Tom Friedman was on NBC's Today Show this morning promoting his new book,
> "A
> Brief History of the 21st Century." He also wrote the following a few days
> ago
> in the NY Times. And he has a program on the Discovery Channel this coming
> Thursday night on somewhat the same subject.
>
> People have discussed the "threat" that India and China represent to the
> American way of Life, especially to IT departments, before on this list,
> and
> that
> concern represents a good deal of the material to follow. But the bottom
> line
> that Friedman argues is that a failing education in America underlies much
> of
> the problem -- and is the ultimate source of much of the whining.
>
> Due to email space limitations, I can't put everything I would wish in
> this
> one email, so read this one first and then the one to follow.
>
> Wirt Atmar
>
> ======================================
>
> April 3, 2005
> It's a Flat World, After All
> By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
>
> In 1492 Christopher Columbus set sail for India, going west. He had the
> Nina,
> the Pinta and the Santa Maria. He never did find India, but he called the
> people he met ''Indians'' and came home and reported to his king and
> queen:
> ''The world is round.'' I set off for India 512 years later. I knew just
> which direction I was going. I went east. I had Lufthansa business class,
> and I came home and reported only to my wife and only in a whisper: ''The
> world is flat.''
>
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