Hearing to offer evolution defender

[Jon8503]

Posted on Wed, Apr. 20, 2005
By DAVID KLEPPER

The Kansas City Star


TOPEKA — Evolution will have its defender after all.

The Kansas Board of Education's science standards subcommittee met Tuesday to hammer out details of an upcoming six-day, courtroom-style hearing on the teaching of evolution. Despite a call from scientists for a boycott, a Topeka civil rights and defense attorney said he had been asked to defend the way science is now taught in public schools.

Pedro Irigonegaray said the hearings were “simply a political effort to inject a theological argument” into school curriculum.

The daylong hearings are set for May 5-7 and 12-14 in Topeka's Memorial Hall. Opponents of the way evolution is taught in school have signed up 23 witnesses. Irigonegaray said he would call witnesses too, though he wouldn't say how many. After giving testimony, the witnesses will be questioned by the opposing side and the subcommittee.

Still, the group Kansas Citizens for Science had declared the hearings a sham and called on scientists to boycott the proceedings.

Subcommittee members say they will use what they learn in the hearing to decide whether to change the way science is taught.

All three members of the subcommittee say they have concerns about evolution. Opponents of evolution say teachers should include criticism of evolution or discuss alternatives, such as intelligent design, which argues that there is evidence of a divine creator.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11437925.htm

[ThumperDumper]

1. Scientists SHOULD boycott

the hearing. They can't win in that setting, so they shouldn't dignify it with their presence. It's like taking your money to a craps table when you know the dice are loaded.

Science and reason have the law and courts on their side. Stick with that and you'll do fine in the long run.

If you let them drag you into these politically-orchestrated events they're going to hammer you.

[MuseRider]

2. Go Pedro

I wonder who he has for witnesses? If anyone can make an impact he can. He has worked really hard here in Topeka on Equal Rights issues and has been a really wonderful supporter. He is a dear friend and ex neighbor and I have a lot of confidence in him. Keeping my fingers crossed here, the science folks I know are really disgusted with the entire thing.

[Jon8503]

3. You are absolutely correct. This guy is one of the best. He does

not lose many cases. Can't think of a better one they could get for this.

Would love to go watch this.

[MuseRider]

4. Do you know if

the public is welcome? I was thinking the same thing, it would be interesting to sit and listen to this. I may give him a call and find out...he never calls back, I will see if I can find out.

[Jon8503]

5. Hey, great, would love to go to that. , let me know if it is possible.

[MuseRider]

7. Jon I just called Pedro

and he was HOME! Amazing. This is absolutely open to the public and he wants us to encourage as many people as we can get to show up in solidarity. This will be something to see I can assure you of that, he is ready. PM me when you decide if you are going, perhaps we can meet there. I have not even looked at my calendar yet but whatever I have I will try to change. Tell everyone.

[Jon8503]

9. Hi Muse, will be going but will be riding over with one of the

attorneys in our office. I did'nt realize he knew him as well, guess has been in court with him before or somewhere else.

Anyway, thats all I know for now, looking forward to it.

[MuseRider]

10. Great

it sounds like it is going to be something to hear. I love Pedro, just adore the guy, and have all the confidence in the world that he will make the other side look very very silly.

[Jon8503]

11. Hope to make one of the meetings. Either never around or other

things. However, looking forward to that soon.

Take care.

[Telly Savalas]

6. I don't mind schools teaching Trigonometry...

but they should emphasize that trig is only a THEORY. There are alternate theories that explain such mathematical phenomena. For example, Intelligent Angle Theory posits that all angles are creations of an all powerful being and that the properties of such angles can best be understood in a theological context. The fact that IAT isn't being taught is clearly an indication that the Hollywood Liberal Elite has hijacked the curriculum of Kansas schools.



(Ya know, I'm trying to stay on the path of peace, but sometimes these dumbasses just make me wanna kick 'em in the balls.)

[MuseRider]

8. Ole Tim is a

piece of work isn't he?

[bperci108]

12. Tim.

I've never seen a bigger political whore.

It really says something when his former boss, Gov. Graves, wouldn't even endorse him. Makes you wonder what went on around the Govenor's Office.

I'd love to hear some of those stories....:wow:

[amandae]

13. Just one of many reasons to move

"I feel like I'm in a time warp here," said Topeka attorney Pedro Irigonegaray who has agreed to defend evolution as valid science. "To debate evolution is similar to debating whether the Earth is round. It is an absurd proposition."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/life_evolution_dc