Re: ATM - Bad News for Hawaii Telescopes

[Michael Lindner <mikell@optonline.net>]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2001 12:02:39 -0800, Richard Schwartz said:

> Sunday's Los Angeles Times had a front page piece on the Hawaii telescopes.

Rich, I'm surprised at you! Before we start attacking others' beliefs because
they are different, let me say that regardless of your religious (or
scientific) beliefs the issue has more to it than religion. The original
agreement with the natives WHO OWN THE LAND was to allow a certain number (I
believe 2) telescopes to be placed ON THEIR LAND. The scientists have far
exceeded what they were graciously allowed to build, and want to build more.
Aside from the fact that they don't own the land, there are also issues with
them destroying the native envrionment, throwing garbage and generally
polluting things with oil leaks and other nasties. Now, let's say they wanted
ot do that to your land.... The Times can put any spin on it they want to, but
as an astronomer I'm ashamed of astronomers who expect others to act honorably,
but do not do so themselves.

Now, can we PLEASE talk about making telescopes?

-- 
Mike Lindner
http://home.att.net/~mikel
http://www.starastronomy.org