Letter-to-the-(World's) editor:
Giving up?
8/3/2005
I noted with interest what the states have in common that Alex Adwan mentioned in his opinion that Oklahoma is not alone among embarrassed states, those whose politicians are adamantly anti science.
It is precisely this small-mindedness that provokes me, a recent college graduate, to do everything within my means . . . to give up. Many of my peers -- those who value having an education and resent at every turn the attempts by uneducated people to assault the liberties of genuine scientific understanding with their spoon-fed religious world views wish to simply leave the region and go on to other places where people of our sensibilities are more welcome.
If Oklahoma wants to prevent such a brain drain, it should think about becoming a leader in the region for progressive attitudes and policies that actually result in positive growth, not to mention giving our statewide image a face lift.
If it persists in pandering to the least educated among us so that they will be comfortable never learning beyond their childhood fairy tales, then prepare for us to leave the state behind, as it tosses reality and progress to the wind.
Anthony Quinn, Tulsa
Amen, brother. Preach it!