I am in the odd position of having offered an argument and had someone else
(Michael Majerus) take the heat. This was not my intent, contacting Majerus
was an afterthought and I wasn't even sure he would reply. Since no one I
am aware of has complained about what I wrote, I take it as demonstrated
that Coyne's "book review" wasn't. Interestingly, Majerus has gone from
hero-behind-the-scene of the original posters of the book review and article
I discussed to part of the enemy to be opposed and degraded.
Anti-evolutionists in this case have exhibited the chameleon-Hydra hybrid I
have come to expect. The chameleon side is shown that the case is the
reverse of their argument, and it still either "proves" their case anyway or
is no longer relevant. Secondly, as in the case of the legend of the Hydra,
for every creationist dispatched, two more take his place. Makes one
consider how nicely the original Hydra story ended, but then again that's
not supposed to be a proper thought in civilized company.
I am a little bewildered by the rapid series of events since I posted my
results. I was temporarily put in an ethical dilemma by the following:
3/30/99 2:30am Original posted.
3/30/99 1:56pm I'm asked if the above can be sent to a Paul Nelson.
[Yes, but unsure about repeating Majerus's part.]
3/30/99 6:06pm I am FWD a response by Wells, indirectly from Paul Nelson
through a list member, and asked to comment privately.
[I was also asked not to distribute it.]
3/31/99 7:45am Art Chadwick posts the Wells response here.
3/31/99 9:30am Paul Nelson posts here on the subject.
When Art posted Wells response, I wasn't sure where this left Paul Nelson's
request for privacy. Now that Paul has joined the fray as well, anything I
have to say about Wells claims can be taken from here openly, from the
original - as sent.
Kevin O'Brien ("Frack's bulldog"?) has answered some of what I object to in
Wells tirade (and I definitely think that's the word for it). Several of
Wells comments are covered in my original posting; I suggest interested
parties compare the two for now. Most of the rest will be my *opinion*, and
I think I'm entitled to one regarding field studies of moths, nature
photography, and their use in science education.
Adios for now,
Don Frack
dcfrack@sowest.net