Thanks all for your comments. I've made one correction at the request of Siegfried Jachmann and removed mention of SLAS. Jim, I also added your name - thanks. The letter will go in the mail as soon as I get up from my desk and go to the post office. Rich, I concur with your comments, but I decided to frame the letter as I did for the following reasons: 1. I didn't want to dignify Buttars' ignorant remarks about science, scientists and us "atheists" by responding. As you point out, he's unlikely to be persuaded, anyway. 2. I'd be happy to debate the issue with Buttars, but that isn't the purpose of this letter. I wanted to alert him that there are still people in Utah who adamantly oppose his views, namely that creationism should be taught in public schools. I encourage anyone else who has an opinion about this (one way or the other - we are still a free nation) to contact your legislators. You can find out who they are and how to reach them at the Utah legislature website: http://www.le.state.ut.us/. Thanks again. I'll keep y'all aprized of any future developments. Kim