Creationist columnist belongs at Thumper Bible College

For Ms. Alexander the scarcity of conservative ideologues amongst university faculty is ominous. A partial explanation is the considerable overlap between mainstream conservative views and the radical fringe. Many people do not even make a distinction. Consequently, a heartfelt, considered opposition to abortion (for example) on religious and moral grounds is linked to images of screaming, placard-carrying zealots who bomb clinics and shoot doctors.

Television appears disinclined to make distinctions between reasoned viewpoints and irrational violence. Is it any wonder then that conservative views might be shunned or remain unspoken? Why would anyone want to take on that baggage? The taint is such that even having an honest discussion on this issue is difficult and rare.

A better example is school vouchers. Those who support this mechanism for providing more equitable access to quality education suffer from their ideological allies who are Creationists. It is difficult to support a voucher program when it appears that the proponents are in lock step with those who would impose their particular religious agenda on the curriculum.

Just this past year three members of the state school board voted to replace evolution with creation as a viable scientific theory of origins. This is relevant here because frequently Ms. Alexander's argumentation suffers from this particular fault. As a strident opponent of evolution and an advocate of biblical accuracy in these pages, how can she expect to have any credibility when presenting related conservative viewpoints? The Creationist agenda taints her prose. While they would fit in nicely at Thumper Bible College, such views at a Research I university are, and ought to be, lightly regarded.

As long as she maintains her irrational opposition to one of the few truly Great Ideas in the history of science, Ms. Alexander will be a hinderance to the conservative cause.

James N. Head
Planetary sciences graduate student