Another Pearl Harbor
As a Ph.D. scientist well schooled in all aspects of thermodynamics, I take exception to Teresa Nyholt's letter on CO2 global warming (1/4/08). This hypothesis, extravagantly pitched by Al Gore for political reasons, is unsupported by peer-reviewed scientific publications.
In his infamous An Inconvenient Truth movie, Gore reported a global temperature increase, which when graphed was shaped like a hockey stick. The data used for this temperature graph were totally in error.
There was no exaggerated global temperature increase. His temperature levels were based on tree-ring growth data, which was invalid because of statistical errors and failure to correct for atmospheric changes.
Despite criticism from the scientific community, he continued to use fallacious data. His disdain for scientific truth qualified him more favorably as a politician than an aspiring scientist.
A simple graph of the gradual global temperature increase along with the vivid exponential increase of carbon dioxide since 1950 validates, beyond a shadow of doubt, that carbon dioxide has had no measurable effect on global warming.
The myth of human-caused global warming is the biggest public fraud since Franklin Roosevelt orchestrated the Pearl Harbor tragedy.
Paul Grindrod
Wind turbines
I wish to echo Michael Barrett's desire for $11-a-gallon gasoline ("High Hopes," 1/4/08). A significantly higher price at the pump is the only thing that will get folks to drive less. I would also like to see Madison scrap the Central Park plan in favor of constructing wind turbines on the site.
It is most efficient when electricity is produced closest to its point of usage, thus minimizing energy lost during transfer. Moreover, it would be a powerful symbol of progress to place wind turbines smack dab in the heart of the city.
Alex Szczech
More recognition
As a music educator and violinist-violist, I agree with writer Sandy Rucker-Tabachnick's positive analysis of the local conductors she discusses in "Sound and Fury" (1/4/08). However, there are many more players in this orchestra game who deserve recognition and receive it too seldom.
They include: professor Janet Jensen and the All-University String Orchestra; the orchestras at Madison Area Technical College and Edgewood College under the knowledgeable direction of professor Blake Wolter; and the public school strings/orchestra programs in Madison, Middleton-Cross Plains, Sun Prairie, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Beloit, Verona and Stoughton. All of the directors care about their students and know their stuff.
Edward Reich, Janesville
Underlying facts
I was saddened to read Bill Lueders' article about the tragic death of Erin Rice and the subsequent malpractice suit filed by her father ("When Families Have No Redress," 1/25/08). Although the article was framed in the larger issue of the notice of claim statute, it unfortunately grossly misreported the underlying facts of her case.
First of all, she was not incorrectly diagnosed as having bacterial pneumonia. She did in fact have bacterial pneumonia, as the X-ray and VQ scan both showed. Additionally, her EKG was not grossly abnormal, it was normal and contained a normal variant known as "poor R-wave progression."
Finally, the article failed to mention the most important aspect of her case: Mr. Rice proceeded to trial against both Dr. Block (Erin's primary care physician) and Dr. Sielaff (my father and the emergency physician who evaluated Erin on her first visit). The jury, after listening to two weeks of testimony, came back in less than an hour with a verdict of not negligent as to both Dr. Block and my father.
It was only after the judge unilaterally set that verdict aside that the respondents opted for a settlement.
Since I am the son of one of the respondents in this case, there's every reason to believe that my perspective is tainted by that relationship. But thankfully, you needn't take my word for it - the court records are available for public perusal.
Zach Sielaff, Middleton