U.S. judge’s ruling on intelligent design was the right decision
To the editor:
I want to applaud U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III of Harrisburg, Pa. for his decision in the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District case regarding intelligent design, a supposedly scientific theory that was proposed to be taught as an alternative to evolution.
Judge Jones correctly concluded that the theory was religious in nature, and as such, does not belong in a science classroom. In addition, he affirmed that the scientific community, while always exercising a healthy skepticism, overwhelmingly accepts evolutionary theory.
Furthermore, Judge Jones noted that the defendants had a presupposition that "evolutionary theory is antithetical to a belief in the existence of a supreme being and to religion in general," something that most scientists would not argue.
I hope that both sides in this case hear Judge Jones’ statement and open the discourse in a meaningful way. Students should learn about both religion and science and should have an opportunity to discuss where those two disciplines intersect. Teaching religion disguised as science does not provide the opportunity for meaningful discourse.
Kelley Nicholson-Flynn
Woods Drive
The writer is the chairwoman of the science department at The Lawrenceville School.
Thoughts for 2006
To the editor:
I write my yearly greeting cards wishing all a new year better than this year’s man-made horrors and nature’s catastrophes. I contemplate our nature to persist hopefully in spite of our sorrow. Coincidentally I am reading a new book called "Freud’s Requiem" by a young psychoanalyst, Matthew Von Unwerth. He includes Sigmund Freud’s essay "On Transience," translated by James Strachey.
I feel compelled to share a paragraph eloquently expressing his mourning at the devastation during World War I.
"The war broke out and robbed the world of its beauties. It destroyed not only the beauty of its countrysides through which it passed and the works of art which it met with on its path but also shattered our pride in the achievements of our civilization, our admiration for many philosophers and artists and our hopes of a final triumph over the differences between nations and races. It tarnished the lofty impartiality of our science, it revealed our instincts in all their nakedness and let loose the evil spirits within us which we thought had been tamed forever by centuries of continuous education by the noblest minds. It made our country small again and made the rest of the world far remote. It robbed us of very much that we had loved, and showed us how ephemeral were many things that we regarded as changeless."
Adele Vexler
Carver Place
The writer is a retired psychologist.
County clerk-elect is eager to serve residents
To the editor:
Now that the Mercer County clerk’s race is concluded, I want to thank Mercer County voters for their support and confidence in me to serve as the next county clerk.
I want the public to know I will work hard every day to make the changes I promised during my campaign to ensure that Mercer residents and businesses receive modern and efficient services from the county clerk’s office. Excellence is what they deserve and have a right to expect.
I am presently working hard on my transition with a team of five dedicated volunteers from various Mercer County towns so that I will be fully prepared to begin working for you on Jan. 1. In the meantime, I welcome the public’s ideas and suggestions on how to make the clerk’s office better and can be contacted by e-mail at www.paulaforclerk.com. Please know that once I am in office, I will continue to be open to your suggestions and input. Please feel free to visit my office in the county courthouse in Trenton.
I am grateful for this opportunity to serve. With sincere gratitude, thank you again and I wish everyone a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year.
Paula Sollami Covello
Dix Lane
New county clerk aims for seamless transition
To the editor:
On Jan. 1, Lawrence resident Paula Sollami Covello will be sworn in as the newly elected Mercer County Clerk, the second woman to hold this office. It has been an honor to serve as co-chairwoman of her transition team with former Mercer County Sheriff and Freeholder Gilbert Lugossy. The transition team has worked tirelessly to assist Ms. Sollami Covello in ensuring a proper and efficient transition of government.
As the Mercer County clerk, Ms. Sollami Covello will be committed to making responsible decisions and developing an unprecedented standard of excellence in the county clerk’s office by working cooperatively and collaboratively with all of Mercer County’s municipal clerks and with New Jersey’s 21 County Clerks to improve services for all and to advance the methods of filing, recording, indexing and the preservation of public records.
As Ms. Sollami Covello works to lay a solid foundation and develop a strategic plan for the Mercer County Clerk’s Office, she looks forward to working with all constituency groups as well as state, local and federal agencies and organizations that have an impact on or interact with the Mercer County Clerk’s Office.
Robin Bridges Johnson
Glenn Avenue
Prevention is best medicine
To the editor:
The American College of Physicians is the nation’s largest medical specialty society. Its members include general internists as well as medical sub-specialists including heart, lung and cancer specialists. The ACP has chapters in each state, including New Jersey.
As the governor of the New Jersey Chapter and the chair of the chapter’s Health Policy Committee, we strongly endorse the Clean Indoor Air Act that is currently under consideration in the New Jersey Legislature.
As the physicians who take care of all the individuals who suffer from the effects of cigarette smoke, either directly or secondhand, we can’t emphasize enough that the best medicine is prevention. The deleterious effects from secondhand smoke are considerable. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and heart disease. There is also evidence that it causes cervical cancer, decreased lung function and spontaneous abortion.
Through the Clean Indoor Air Act, New Jersey has an opportunity to prevent unnecessary suffering and death from secondhand cigarette smoke. Thousands of people die each year from the effects caused by secondhand smoke; many are exposed at their work places. This legislation would prohibit smoking in indoor public and work places in New Jersey.
For employers who are concerned that they would lose money if this legislation were enacted, we would counter that there is no evidence that this is the case. Indeed, there are more costs involved in treating individuals with illnesses due to cigarette smoke than that gained by allowing smoking.
Please contact your state Assembly member or senator and urge him or her to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act.
Sara Wallach, M.D.
John Walker, M.D.
American College of Physicians
New Jersey Chapter
Sayreville
