SCIENCE vs OPINION...

[Randall_F_Brich@RL.gov]

     One can't help but wonder what the recently-late Carl Sagan would've 
     said about the subject. A recent letter to the editor of our local 
     TriCity Herald by Mike McCormack, Executive Director, The Institute 
     for Science and Society states:
     
     "I'm certain the death of Carl Sagan on Dec. 19 caused thousands of 
     educators and scientists, along with countless others, to experience a 
     pang of grief, perhaps mixed with a quiet, misty-eyed salute to a man 
     who has done so much to help his fellow citizens of Earth overcome the 
     most insidious of the ancient enemies of humankind: ignorance, and its 
     ugly offspring: fear, superstitiion, cultism and intolerance.
     Sagan's latest book:  THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD -- SCIENCE AS A CANDLE 
     IN THE DARK was clearly his valedictory -- his gift to us.  And a 
     beautiful gift it is, helping us recognize that science is simply an 
     endless search for understanding in our universe.
     Sagan helps us avoid the many demons that have haunted humankind 
     throughout history.  And he helps us recognize and reject the 
     pseudo-science, anti-science, quackery and mental enslavement that 
     have fed on igorance, and bred superstition and fear.
     Sagan said that he was in love with science, and that when one is in 
     love, he or she wants to share that love with everyone else.  Hence, 
     his life as a teacher.  His teaching came through his books and 
     lectures and video programs, available to all, even if he is no longer 
     physically present.
     Sagan's efforts, and those of others, to help us understand, make it 
     possible for men and women everywhere to stand strong and unafraid, 
     confident that the truth will indeed make us free."
     
     Randall Brich
     USDOE, Richland Operations
     e-mail: randall_f_brich@rl.gov