Letter writer lacks knowledge

Editor:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I am seldom moved these days to reply to what I read. But even at 91 when I see a target so in need of an arrow and so close, I cannot resist a shot.

Bruce Barrilla's "Three ways Manchin can't back Obama" (Aug. 15) is the target I draw bow against.

To allege that to be against coal is to betray the state is a statement so void of history and the consequences engendered by coal to the detriment of this state as to provoke wonder if Mr. Barilla has ever read anything but Alice in Wonderland. Coal has been a curse to West Virginia. It is now and will be. History attests that it has been a curse. Except to those aliens who never dug a shovelful but gambled on it and won.

Barillla's assertion that Obama doesn't secure the blessings of liberty to our posterity and for Manchin to endorse him would violate his oath of office is a demagogic judgment void of reason and commonsense. And is an assertion so ambiguous as to cause one to ask what is he talking about. To be a liberal Democrat and to work toward a liberal agenda is not to be treasonous and in violation of the Constitution. Except in the mind of a rabid ideologue.

Now we begin to see the real homophobe. Barilla believes that Obama's support of gay marriage is against Manchin's Catholic faith and the laws of nature and of nature's God. He presumes there is a God and that the God is male, heterosexual and homophobic. On what evidence?

Faith is an implausible hypothesis irrationally held. Catholic faith is just that. Gays are as much a part of nature as heterosexuals. Nature made both. No one chooses sexual orientation. Nature does.

Barilla's belief that nature is a creation of God is faith-based and a tenuous belief at best. To advocate on such a tenuous principle subjects the advocate to a question of his knowledge and judgment. 

Perry Mann

Hinton

Youth Science Camp worth public support

Editor:

Earlier this summer, as representatives from Kanawha County, we attended the West Virginia Youth Science Camp at Cedar Lakes in Ripley. It is a two-week residential summer science education program, modeled after the long-standing National Youth Science Camp, for young high school scientists.

We were among 77 students from all across West Virginia. Additionally, the staff, mentors and guest lecturers included a number of highly inspiring individuals from across the United States and the world. Each year, this camp is made possible through a partnership between the National Youth Science Foundation and the West Virginia Department of Education. There is no cost to the students attending the camp.

During the two weeks, we were challenged academically in exciting lectures and hands-on studies, and had voluntary opportunities to participate in outdoor adventures. We developed a new appreciation for scientific principles, the ecosystem and natural processes. The program also provided a foundation for friendships with our peers across the state.

The organizers understand the wholesome value of cultivating a complete scholar. Therefore, several athletic and arts-related activities were included to keep us engaged and involved.

At the end, it was evident that our experience had an everlasting effect on each of us. We matured as individuals and as young scientists. We are confident that such activities absolutely help in spawning the next generation of scientists from our state. The camp is a taxpayer funded program that helps to fortify interest in science among our youth. At a time when many funding programs may be questioned, the West Virginia Youth Science Camp is perhaps the best use of our funds as it looks forward to bringing our state in the forefront of science and innovation. Having experienced the camp, we strongly recommend that our legislators continue to support the future budding scientists of our state through this program.

Arka Gupta and Drew Gupta

Charleston