Mailbag (05/08)
Senator searches for local volunteers for project I am looking for citizens from our region willing to help determine public policies for Wisconsin. New study committees formed by the state legislature will include legislators and citizen members with relevant experience or expertise. These committees offer people an opportunity to make a difference on important issues facing us today. Citizen help in writing state law is one of Wisconsin's progressive traditions. Several citizens I've nominated from our region have played key roles on past committees. As Senate Majority Leader in 2006, I formed a committee that studied our state school aid formula. Two citizens I nominated from our area ensured small rural schools had a voice at the table. In fact, they advocated for concepts that became provisions that helped shape our current state budget. The common sense of citizen members explains why these committees often result in bills enacted with bipartisan support. The legislature has selected committees on twelve issues areas. Two of the issues are school safety and biofuels and the full list of committees plus other information is on my Web site, www.senatordaleschultz.com. I want our region represented on these committees to help shape state policy. Please be in touch if you, or someone you know, wants to serve on a committee and make a real difference for all Wisconsinites. With kindest regards, Sen. Dale Schultz R-Richland Center Neither evolution nor ID can be proved by science I would like to thank Dr. Mesmer for reading and responding to my recent letter to the mailbag. If the readers will recall, my letter began with the idea that words must have common definitions and be properly used in order to communicate. Dr. Mesmer took issue with my illustration of intolerance shown by the scientific community in the recent Ben Stein movie, "Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed." She said that "scientists aren't intolerant of new ideas as much as they are skeptical." The word "skeptical" indicates "doubting, or being unsure about an idea." This is a valid position from which to draw conclusions for philosophers but not for the scientists that she describes. She goes on to explain why this is so when she adds, (scientists) "demand empirical (measurable) evidence, do further testing, and subject the idea to peer review." Most of the scientists interviewed in the movie flat-out proclaimed that there is no God, and that religion is fantasy. If they have empirical (measurable) evidence to this fact, they did not present it. If science is to stay neutral about religion and say nothing about God, (the position of Dr. Mesmer) then God is eliminated from the examination of evidence. Should true scientists limit themselves in this way? What these scientists have done is used their scientific credentials to make opinionated, unprovable statements about the origins of life. The movie exposes their intolerance to scientific colleagues who have the courage to state the facts. The facts are that neither evolution (Darwinism), nor "Intelligent Design" can be proven scientifically without a doubt. Both theories require a leap of faith. As we become more able to discover and observe the tremendous complexity of matter and of DNA, more scientists are admitting the weakness of the theory of evolution. The movie exposes the intolerance of those who want to cling to their outdated Darwinian ideas and their reactions to scientists and even journalists who would dare admit that there might be intelligent design that science cannot understand. If Dr. Mesmer is true to her assertions about true science, then she would agree that we should determine scientific theory by considering all possibilities and not just reviewing what the popular "consensus" of science allows. Unless science can prove with "empirical (measurable) evidence" that there is no supernatural, then the supernatural should receive consideration for investigation. Mike Muscanero, Baraboo Baraboo would make a great home for a YMCA Baraboo is a growing community, and it is at the center of Wisconsin Dells, Sauk City, Portage and Reedsburg. The demographics create a solid base to explore the addition of a YMCA or YWCA. For those who are not familiar with the "Y", take a few minutes to check it out online at www.ymca.net. The motto of the organization is to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Baraboo already has an indoor pool, which makes any founding efforts more likely to succeed. The "Y" organization is structured for facilities and operations management, they do it nationwide, and have done it well for many years. Of course there are guidelines to be met and commitments to be held, but in the end, the "Y" is a sign of a solid community. Baraboo may be an ideal place to organize a new YMCA. Scot Noonan, Baraboo