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Show we have available for figuring out how the world works. Many scientists are led to pursue the work they do as the result of deeply held convictions and their work clearly has a role to play in making the world a better place (which I believe is possible). For an example close to home, are not scientists currently among those at the forefront of the movement to dismantle Glen Canyon Dam? It would be a shame for suspicions about science, which are certainly justified to some extent, to result in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Thank you, Mike Cannon Dear Jim, Thank you for writing such a complete article on the death of John Dinsmore. John when he was one of was not a stranger to me, as I worked with him at their mechanics and a few years later, he started to deliver our mail in Castle valley, a route his wife Holly covered when he started delivering the La Sal route. What a shock to first hear about his death and now to get a more complete picture of the circumstances. The rumors I heard were LESS shocking than the police reports on the incident I was astonished that this situation was forced to a head in five minutes. It is very disturbing to me than an incident such as this happened in Moab, not a town besieged with street violence. I delayed writing anything to the papers or City officials, because most of what I heard was incomplete or rumor. I feel compelled to speak now. I really appreciate Dirk Vaughan for speaking out and giving his input into this situation as I feel he gave a very good "critique" of this situation. an experienced I hope all of Moab has read this story. I hope the Police department has reevaluated some of its methodology. I hope the police chief has taken a closer look at his officers. Attempting complete control "by command" over some circumstances can be far more dangerous than backing off and diffusing the incident. The wisdom is in knowing the difference. I hope that this community sees to it that this kind of incident is never repeated. My thoughts are with John's family. My concern is for this entire community. Tag-a-Lo- Seattle, WA ng Dear Jim, Re: FICTION FRICTION When facing the old question of whether the end justifies the means, the Southern when the end is to raise funds for Utah Wilderness Alliance seems to think it does their cause. Others may share my first and favorable reaction to their "watchdog" activities, because government agendas deserve some watching (not that they are malevolent but because they have a degree of power that can easily get out of hand). works involve a subject that I have some knowledge When SUWA's agency-bashin- g of, however, I find their exaggerations, distortions, and implications often fit my concept of lies (to wit, "the essence of a lie is the intent to deceive"). The more I know, the more blatant are the falsehoods. For example, statements made in a January 16, 1998, "Dear SUWA Member" letter would fit anyone's concept of a lie. In reference to the BLM's planning process for the San Rafael Swell, the letter states, "One defiant ORV enthusiast even used explosives to illegally blast open a new route." The operative (and attention-gettinword here is "explosives," but that is the only part of the statement that is factual . . ex-co- p. g) Respectfully, Karen Nelson Castle Valley, UT Dear Jim, Tve enjoyed your paper for a long time and would like to say-ke- ep up the good work. I'm originally from Utah but am now living in Seattle, reading about the desert when your paper arrives provides a nice break from the generally soggy nature of this place. Thanks. I would like to comment on Owen Severance's response to the letters you recently published that came to the defense of Donald Currey. Specifically, 1 would like to provide a flipside to Mr. Severance's discussion of the "arrogance of science.'.1 Mr. Severance correctly identifies the issue as a moral and ethical one: science is merely a tool of fallible human beings, and the pursuit of scientific research as well as its products (e.g. technology) are subject to all of those shortcomings to which we humans arc prone. (Though in the particular case of Dr. Currey, as I have heard the story which has somewhat of a folklore status among palcoenvironmental researchers and as previous letter writers have noted, it was indeed the Forest Service that made the decision to cut down the tree). I would never argue that the actions of scientists should be beyond the scrutiny, of society at large Mr. Severance and I are in complete agreement on this. However, the tool of science is also subject to being used in quite positive ways Mr. Severance does not discuss this side of the coin, but it should be mentioned. Just as there are both good and bad sides to whatever it is that we might want to term human nature (at least I don't believe that people are all bad), there are good and bad sides to science. The good side is that the knowledge it provides can be used to change things for the better. Consider but one example: the state of the natural environment in which we live today. It goes without saying that this is an issue near to the hearts of many readers of your paper. The fact we even know that many environmental problems facing us exist, such as global warming, loss of biological diversity, etc., is largely the result of dedicated hard work by scientists. Moreover, if we want to find solutions to these problems we need to make decisions based on solid knowledge of how things work; you can't fix anything if you don't know how it works and the scientific process is demonstrably the best means ARCHES REALTY 150 s.' COLDlUeLU BANKGR1D EAST CENTER ST. P.O. BOX 537 MOAB. UT 84532 V' s t The route involved is an old, road. It is part of the Emery County road system, a class D (user maintained) road. The road was on the BLM inventory and much of it serves as a boundary of the Crack Canyon Wilderness Study Area. At the time of the reported incident, the road was legally open and was being used legally by bicycles, motorcycles, and a few ATVs. A rockfall on a diffside section of the road, however, narrowed it to the point that full-sivehicles could no longer it pass. Moreover, was not illegal to repair the road; if the original attempts to remove the rockslide by mechanical means had been completed, there would probably have been no repercussions. The use of explosives happened to be an expedient way to clear a large boulder. While the explosives brought a lot of attention to the incident their use here was not illegal, either. well-construct- ed so-call- ed ze KELLY Kelly, I and SUZANNE think I've got a buyer... You're not at the beach are you? ON THE JOB Uh...well..no. Don't be silly. I'm working my dam butt off. I'm checking out some...uh... prospects too. I |
