Proof spoof.

• Position: Letters

Nicholas Thompson's article, "Science Friction" (July/August), was half-right. The Republican Party does have a tendency to ignore scientific proof.

Unfortunately, the other half of the truth is that the Democratic Party has similar problems. Also, while Thompson may be correct in asserting that most scientists lean "left," in my experience most engineers the people who actually use science in the real world--tend to lean "right."

Mark Richard

Columbus, Ohio

We at MIT work very diligently to successfully negotiate contracts and grants. In rare cases, we cannot come to terms with the agency and must refuse the contract. Indeed, MIT recently abandoned a major artificial-intelligence research project because the school will not accept restrictions on publications or students who participate in our research.

Alice P. Gast

Vice President for Research and Associate Provost

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Mass.

Nicholas Thompson makes some important points in his article, "Science Friction," but he should have also noted that, like George W. Bush, Al Gore waffled on evolution during his election campaign. There is an obvious split between secular Democrats and evangelical...