LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Darwin Versus Creationism
After reading the September issue, I was at once proud of, and
dismayed by, my UCSD background. The feature on global warming was fascinating and accessible. On the other hand, the brief
article on creationism and IDEA struck me as exclusionary in
tone.
One of the challenges I faced while attending UCSD was
a faculty and intellectual environment that was passionately devoted (one could
even say ‘worshipful’) to “hard science,” but condescending
and dismissive of theories that do not coincide neatly with human scientific
discovery. While I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to attend such
a rigorous university, I was and still am disturbed by the prideful tone that
pervades scientific writing. Can anyone definitively lay to rest all arguments
about the origins of the universe? I was under the impression that good science
is about continuously asking questions. I am a teacher and I do not want public schools that promote religious
beliefs. On the other hand, I do not believe that public universities
are required to
continuously dismiss faith as ludicrous and ignorant. Such active prejudices
disenfranchise students, community members, and alumni who, like me, have mixed
feelings about financially contributing to a university that unapologetically
maintains such exclusionary ideology. I know that I am writing to an audience
that would argue that religion, or faith, has no part in science. Given how much
of nature and reality remains a mystery, I find that opinion ironic.
Shoshana Adams, Marshall, ’96
Serving in Iraq
I was disappointed by Shira Stanton’s letter to the editor insulting Colonel
Ubbelohde’s service in Iraq. She claims to support the troops but the tone
of the letter says otherwise by suggesting somehow the story was not appropriate
because the Colonel wasn’t in enough danger. I think most readers would
agree the article was about a UCSD graduate, who is serving in Iraq, and his
experiences there. The fact that that included building things that the Iraqi
people appreciated, and not getting shot at or blown up may come as a shock to
those who only pay attention to this war through TV and other media outlets.
@UCSD is a UCSD alumni magazine, and alumnus Colonel Ubbelohde’s experience
is just as legitimate as any other person serving in Iraq. If one truly supports
the troops, you support him as well, regardless of how many times he has or has
not been shot at. Thank you, Colonel, for your service to our country.
Robert Leider, Third/Marshall, ’84 Reservations and the Bear
While I enjoyed reading about the new bear sculpture that has been
installed in front of the new Jacobs School of Engineering, I
have questions about how the boulders were actually obtained
from the Pala Band of Mission Indians. I understand from the
article that the artist, Tim Hawkinson, found the boulders on
the Pala reservation and am curious if he obtained permission
from the tribal chief to remove them.
As Native Americans have been repeatedly victimized by the dominant
culture throughout history, I just wanted to make sure that my
own undergraduate university wasn’t contributing to this
pattern.
Kim Flomenhoft, Marshall, ’99
Mary Beebe replies: We obtained the boulders from a quarry operated
by Vulcan Materials, which was on land leased to them by the Pala
Band of Mission Indians. The quarry has since closed and the land
is being restored.
Mary L. Beebe, Director
Stuart Collection
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