Evolution theory not an educated guess and other letters to the editors

Friday, January 1, 1904

Evolution theory not an educated guess

Despite what evangelicals and fundamentalists claim, there is little controversy today in the scientific community over evolution. Evolution and natural selection are researched and taught in every major accredited university in the world. Why do some school boards, mostly Southern I might add, demand equal classroom time for "creation science." This is bad science, even worse theology and certainly no product of the scientific method.

Scientists belong to professional organizations that meet periodically to present and discuss their findings. Those holding evidence contrary to evolution theory are welcome to present their case. They have been notably conspicuous by their absence.

Those who believe evolution theory is just an educated guess are misinformed. A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of the natural world supported by experimentation and observation. We routinely speak of nuclear theory. Ask the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki about the speculative aspects of nuclear theory.

Anti-evolutionists insist on confronting Darwin with the Bible. But which creation story would they suggest we use? Genesis contains at least two substantially different accounts; some scholars have identified more.

In the real-world science and religion are not mutually exclusive. Why must some people insist that they are?

GEORGE B. REED JR.


Fleischmann needs to learn from past

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's idea of a "recovery" is for him and his party to obstruct everything needed to recover and then blame the president for a soft recovery.

I was around after WWII and saw Republicans that were doing things that were right for the country, not just right for the party. Chuck needs a history lesson.

NELSON R. SULLIVAN, Hixson


Walking horse cruelty must stop

When Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association President Tracy Boyd and members of his executive committee voted to support H.R. 1518 (The PAST Act) ("Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders group president says change needed," May 29), it was the right move for a sound future. Mr. Boyd is mistaken, however, when he claimed in the Times Free Press that modern show horses are "cleaner than they've ever been."

The USDA's foreign substance testing at the 2012 Celebration found 76 percent of the horses tested were positive for illegal foreign substances. People chose to bring horses in violation of the rules hoping to evade detection.

Tennessee's Rep. Steve Cohen has signed on to strengthen the existing Horse Protection Act by removing shoes and action devices whose purpose is to create exaggerated artificial gaits, increasing penalties for violators, and ending self-policing.

I'm a former TWHBEA director. I believe in the walking horse and returning the standard that its original breeders envisioned. Restore integrity to the show ring and end cruelty for the sake of a blue ribbon. Ask your representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1518. When PAST is in place and our horses protected, Tennessee can truly celebrate!

PAULINE STOTSENBERG


Road signs are needed in emergency situation

What I feared would happen did happen last month, when I required an ambulance. I live in Marion County, but Marion 911 referred the call to Franklin County -- because of my mailing address of Sewanee -- and Franklin dispatched an ambulance from Grundy EMS. The ambulance was delayed because Marion County either cannot pay for, or refuses to replace stop signs and road signs that mark the name of the road.

My wife had to give turn-by-turn directions over the phone to the ambulance driver. I am glad my emergency wasn't life-threatening, or I would have died before they got there.

Writing to the county manager and the chief of the road department gets me nowhere. Perhaps it would be better if this neighborhood asked to be annexed to Franklin County? At least all of their street signs stay up.

RICHARD L. RAY, Sewanee, Tenn.