David S. Talaga
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Chemical
Biology
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey
25 August 2001
Marc H.
Brodsky (via e-mail)
CEO and
Executive Director
American
Institute of Physics
One Physics
Ellipse
College
Park, Maryland 20740
Dear Dr.
Brodsky:
I was deeply
troubled to learn of the dismissal of Jeff Schmidt, who had been an articles
editor at Physics Today magazine for over 19 years. As I understand it, Dr. Schmidt was fired
because of his book, Disciplined Minds, and in particular because he
allegedly had used some of his spare time at the office for critical writing
about education and employment in physics and other fields.
This action jeopardizes
the legitimacy of not only Physics Today, but also the American
Institute of Physics as a whole. As
head of the AIP you have an obligation to promote free debate within the
physics community. The physics
community cannot abide by such actions and remain healthy.
I have
always taken for granted the freedom of expression that is one of the pillars
of American society. These events
underscore the words of John Philip Curran over 210 years ago: "The condition upon which God hath
given liberty to men is eternal vigilance."
Sincerely
yours,
David S. Talaga