To the Editor,
Astronomers tell us there are at least 200 billion stars in the Milky Way and hundreds of billions of galaxies in the observable universe. (Only the accountant in charge of the U.S. national debt would dare to claim that he understands such huge numbers.)
Researchers estimate, on average, there is one planet for each star and a significant percentage of the planets will have earth-like qualities.
By using statistical analysis, only one conclusion can be reached: we are not alone in the universe.
I know some naysayer will ask, “If there are intelligent beings out there, why haven’t they contacted us?” The answer, my friend, is painfully obvious.
Pretend for a moment that you are a super-intelligent extra-terrestrial. You are analyzing the data collected by a sophisticated surveillance probe that was sent to monitor ‘Earth’. The most recent data shows the earthlings of the dominant ‘civilization’, the United States, are participating in a bizarre ritual.
You are informed that this cross between a travelling circus and a gong show is the Republican presidential contenders’ campaign and one of them has a 50/50 chance of becoming the leader of the most powerful nation on the planet.
Wouldn’t you conclude that there is no intelligent life on Earth worth contacting?
Lloyd Atkins,
Vernon