M. V. Ramana

Center for Energy and Environmental Studies

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey

24 June 2000

Marc Brodsky (via e-mail)

CEO and Executive Director

American Institute of Physics

One Physics Ellipse

College Park, Maryland 20740

Dear Dr. Brodsky:

I am writing to protest the firing of Dr. Jeff Schmidt, apparently in response to the publication of his book, Disciplined Minds. This action is an affront to free speech and open, critical inquiry. It is especially unfortunate that this should happen at a science magazine. Whatever I have seen of Dr. Schmidt's work has been of very high standard and I understand that he consistently received above-average or satisfactory ratings in his performance reviews. As long as employees do their jobs properly, what they do in their spare time should be of no concern to the employer.

I urge you to reconsider your decision and to reinstate Dr. Schmidt. Thank you.

Sincerely,

M. V. Ramana