New Baylor president

There are many reasons to oppose the selection of Ken Starr to be Baylor University’s next president. As a retired research chemist, let me give you one:

Based on statements made by community and university leaders, there can be no question that there was a religious test in play for his selection. If he had been anything other than an evangelical Christian, he would not have gotten the job. Moreover, he has felt compelled to join a Baptist congregation despite being a member (and son of a pastor) of the Church of Christ denomination. There is nothing at all wrong with this if Baylor wishes to be known as a sectarian religious school wedded to a particular theological and ideological mindset. But it is totally incompatible with the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative.

I have known many world-class scientists who were also committed Christians. But Baylor will never attract world-class scientists and achieve world-class research and innovation if it fosters an environment where religious fervor trumps objective scientific inquiry. The appointment of Ken Starr has done nothing to dispel this perception of Baylor in the scientific community.

Richard Turner

Hewitt

Regulate electric bills

The next time Texans open their electric bill, we should ask ourselves whether Gov. Rick Perry and former state Sen. David Sibley’s solemn promise that electric deregulation would lead to lower rates has really come true?

Proof to the contrary hits each Texan every month when we stare in stunned disbelief at our charges.

Texas once held the fourth lowest electric rate in the nation, but now ranks 37th, with an average cost of 12.23 cents per kilowatt. Some states average 8.23 cents per kilowatt.

Common-sense thinking was replaced with corporate ideology that competition leads to lower rates, but the problem with that theory comes with the fact that all “retail electric providers” must purchase their electricity from Oncor Electric, which is actually TXU. This Texas two-step will only stop with re-regulation of the utility industry.

Promises broken by politicians are not new. Re-electing a governor who brought this on would be insane.

David Orosz

Waco

Add center turn lane

Last year there was a road construction crew working on Steinbeck Bend Road to build a center turn lane for the entrance to the Waco Mammoth Site. I guess this center turn lane was constructed to protect out of town visitors who want to see some old bones.

I was just wondering why the people who live and work in that area aren’t important enough to have a center turn lane the entire length of Steinbeck Bend?

Mike Dixon

Robinson

Give our team props

I have been closely following basketball because Meyer High-Rapoport Academy has been having a winning season. Apparently no one on the Trib sports staff notices 1A ball. We are undefeated in district play and ranked in the state coaches polls, but the Trib never mentions us.

Rick Allen

Waco