Earle Jones <earle.jones@comcast.net> wrote in message news:

> Thanks for the posting above. I have just sent the following email:
>
> To: joe_alston@nps.gov, kate_cannon@nps.gov
> From: Earle Jones <earle.jones@mail.comcast.net>
> Subject: Creationism at the Grand Canyon
>
> Mr. Alston and Ms. Cannon...

Great. At least that's 2 letters they received! Well, I thought I might as well post what I sent to the Grand Canyon National Park Superintendents too:

"Dear Mr. Alston and Ms. Cannon,

As a frequent visitor to GCNP, I wanted to register my shock and outrage upon hearing news reports that you were selling Tom Vail's biblical "science" book "Grand Canyon: A Different View" in the Book Store. I have no axe to grind and no affiliation with any political, religious, scientific or environmental organization. I consider myself an average American citizen who happens to be embarrassed to see you encouraging the dissemination of pseudo-science and religious propaganda in a world-renowned natural history institution.

As many have likely argued before me, the book is little more than religious propaganda, and dangerous propaganda at that. It uses the veils of a complex scientific subject , "academic" and "peer reviewed" authors, and a beautiful layout to forward a religious agenda. The book sets a dangerous precedence for the National Park Service because it undermines the already difficult task of educating the world in science. And although a lay person might be easily convinced of some legitimacy in Vail's book, any first-year geology student would recognize the "science" in the book as laughable, the theories unproveable, and the scientific method turned on its head. There is absolutely no scientific basis for the book whatsoever, only a series of erroneous information, scientific manipulation, and cleverly twisted "facts."

Vail's book has no place in any natural history book store. This is not a question of censorship or special interests, but a question of science vs. non- science, and perhaps equally, an issue of state-sponsored religion. The book is no more a "different view" of Grand Canyon geology, than the notion that the Grand Canyon was created by little green men from Mars.

With the authority invested in you, you both have the opportunity to stand up and be counted as doing the right thing. This should not even be an issue for which you seek guidance from your superiors. It comes down to a simple choice: you can either help educate our children and take a stand on improving scientific and natural history literacy and awareness, or, you can help push our children down the slippery slope of scientific ignorance.

Thanks for reading this, and thanks for providing visitors like me an opportunity to contact you. I found your email addresses in the NPSdirectory after seeing quotes from you in a Los Angeles Times article. Like myself, I'm sure you're busy, but I was truly offended when I read the article and realized the small, but dangerous implications.

Sincerely, J. Williams"