Singing praises of salvationism

Dear Editors,

I apologize for two errors in my 2-14 letter: Roger Cohen’s opening assault on the media wasn’t the half hour I claimed, although cumulatively it equaled a half hour. Cohen presented just over a dozen graphs, although his interpretations are still repudiated by the full variety of graphs available on government and university websites. For example, Cohen’s repeated claim that today’s climate cycle is no different from that experienced around the 1940s is erroneous according to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies website (http: //data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/2005/ ): “Global warming is now 0.6°C in the past three decades and 0.8°C in the past century. It is no longer correct to say that ‘most global warming occurred before 1940.’ More specifically, there was slow global warming, with large fluctuations, over the century up to 1975 and subsequent rapid warming of almost 0.2°C per decade.” This website has the graphs and time lapse satellite imagery to back up the claims.

Another website provides time-series data for Northern Hemisphere snow cover, mountain glacier fluctuations, sea ice extent and concentration, etc. It also repudiates Cohen’s claims: http: //www-nsidc.colorado.edu/sotc/sea_ice.html. This amazing website details all aspects of the many NASA Earth monitoring missions now under way. - http://earthobservatory.nasa. gov/Study/vanishing/

What Strawman? Was it the characterization of his Europe remarks? Judge for yourself. This quote was transcribed from DCAT’s DVD (time signature 16/17 2:00) of Roger Cohen’s FLC lecture: “...consider a more sociological observant view from Lord Nigel Lawson who’s a member of the economic counsel at the House of Lords and a former chancellor of the exchequer. He commented in the March 2006 Spectator and I’ll read this to you, ‘I suspect it is no accident that it is in Europe that climate change absolutism found its most fertile soil. For it is Europe that has become the most secular society in the world, where the traditional religions have the weakest popular hold, yet people still feel the need for the comforts and higher values religion can provide, and it is the quasi-religion of great alarmism and what has been called global Salvationism, of which climate change is the most striking example, that has filled the vacuum.”

From Lord Nigel’s job titles it seems safe to assume he’s a member of the “greed is good” way of corporate thinking, something to keep in mind when weighing his words. Having had a closer review of Cohen’s lecture, I am doubly convinced of the correctness of my Feb. 15 observations. The term “global salvationism” is new to me, but it’s worth considering. It seems to me that fundamentalist religions have this belief God is something outside, who created this planet, as though it were a dollhouse for personal entertainment. Placing arbitrary demands on his play things, kicking the house over when temper overwhelms him and always looking forward to the day he can pick out and “save” his favorite toys while burning down the dollhouse for the sheer drama of it. It’s a cruel image, one more reminiscent of the workings of our own petty, jealous, ego-dominated human minds than the Being who created this miraculous universe we witness around us. But, it does help explain the absolutism and complete disregard for “the other’s” knowledge, experience or faith that is so common these days.

Global salvationism? Why the derogatory insinuation? Global salvationism sounds like it implies a concern for this Earth and its future beyond our personal lives and desire to exploit it. It indicates a belief that God is one with Creation, we are all God’s children, and as such it is demanded of us that we look beyond our personal wants and desires toward the greater world and future of it all – be it human, animal, plant or even geologic for that matter. After all, this natural world is the womb and cradle for our biosphere and humanity, as well as being the greatest song to God’s glory we know of. Global salvationism implies it is our duty to respect and protect that cradle, our cradle, as stewards rather than plunders. I feel nothing to be ashamed of in acknowledging that reality and only sorrow at the contempt so many righteous display toward our biosphere’s long-term protection and prospects.

– Sincerely, Peter Miesler, via e-mail

Big thanks from Darfur

Dear Editors,

Recently the Modern Middle Eastern Studies class at Durango HS held a fund-raising campaign to assist in alleviating the pain and suffering in the Darfur region of the Sudan. We were very excited to have the community support of such a wide range of people. We learned much about situation and we hope we were able to educate the community on this tragedy.

We would especially like to thank all of you in the community who donated money to our effort. We have sent a check to the UNICEF fund for Darfur relief in the amount of $3,528. We would also like to thank all the business owners who graciously allowed us to place change jars at their business. Finally, there are several individuals who helped us along the way. Dr. Neil McHugh, of the Ft. Lewis College History Deptartment, thank you for coming to DHS and sharing your thoughts and ideas with the school. To Brad Merlino and the staff at the Abbey Theatre, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to show the film “Hotel Rwanda” as part of our project. To Greg Spradling, DHS principal, thank you for your generosity in helping us pay for facilities.

All in all, this was a great learning experience, and we would like to say thank you again to everyone who help make it so worthwhile.

– Students in Durango High School’s Modern Middle Eastern Studies Class

Smart leadership at a pivotal time

Dear Editors,

I enthusiastically support Scott Graham for City Council.

I worked with Scott on the 2A bond for library, parks, open space and safety. I was very impressed with his intelligence and his ability to get things done.

Scott was raised in Durango and cares deeply about preserving our quality of life. He recognizes that Durango will grow, and he will work to direct growth in ways that protect our existing neighborhoods and ridgelines and keep our middle class healthy.

He understands that open space serves many purposes including wildlife corridors, trails, views and recreational opportunities. He also understands that thoughtful solutions are needed for the complex problems of traffic and affordable housing.

We deserve respectful debate on the crucial issues facing Durango. Scott Graham can provide that respectful debate – and the leadership that we need – at this pivotal time. He will listen to all citizens respectfully, focus on issues, and be mindful of our future.

Please join me in voting for Scott Graham.

– Sue Kraus, Durango