Re: [asa] Secret Emails Reveal How ISU Faculty Plotted to Deny Distinguished Astronomer Tenure

PvM wrote:
"What I find so fascinating is how the media has mostly refused to
accept the claims by the Discovery Institute and I have looked at some
of this supposed evidence and found that the arguments are pretty weak
at best."

This is mostly about relationships. It's just not something for the media to untangle and I do not think it should be untangled there either. It would be sure to make things far worse. Nor do not I think we should think we can do much to untangle it either.  Nevertheless, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that there is more to the story than meets the eye.  After all, when all else fails, they can say you're "overqualified".  Some of us know that story.

"<quote>        "on numerous occasions, Dr. Gonzalez has stated that
Intelligent Design is a scientific theory and someday would be taught
in science classrooms. This is confirmed by his numerous postings on
the Discovery Institute Web site. The problem here is that Intelligent
Design is not a scientific theory. Its premise is beyond the realm of
science. … But it is incumbent on a science educator to clearly
understand and be able to articulate what science is and what it is
not. The fact that Dr. Gonzalez does not understand what constitutes
both science and a scientific theory disqualifies him from serving as
a science educator."
</quote>"

Well, depending on how you view the matter, this can be taken different ways. 

If this were some professor's pet idea for example, the very same words could be said: "someday this will be very important theory". From Gonzalez' viewpoint, he may very well believe this. Where do you draw the line with people and their ideas?  A professor's pet theory can also be worshiped like a god.  The professor can even be some senior scientist and make it dangerous for any junior scientist to oppose that idea; no matter how wrong it is.  Moreover, on some rare occasions, seemingly nutty ideas turn out to be right anyway.  I'm not holding my breath for ID, but, whereas it is an educated opinion and one I can basically understand and weight the values expressed, it still comes down to a personal matter within the department faculty; how they want to project the image of their department (tolerance vs standards), interpersonal relationships among its members, feelings, attitudes, religious position (atheist or believer), etc.  About all I can understand from this is that tolerance is not high on their agenda.  Whether that is good; everyone has an opinion.

by Grace we proceed,
Wayne

-----Original Message-----
From: PvM <pvm.pandas@gmail.com>
To: John Walley <john_walley@yahoo.com>
Cc: _American Sci Affil <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 1:07 pm
Subject: Re: [asa] Secret Emails Reveal How ISU Faculty Plotted to Deny Distinguished Astronomer Tenure

What I find so fascinating is how the media has mostly refused to
ccept the claims by the Discovery Institute and I have looked at some
f this supposed evidence and found that the arguments are pretty weak
t best.
Sure, Gonzalez's involvement with Intelligent Design were a concern to
he faculty but the Discovery Institute is making some assertions
hich I find poorly supported by the evidence. Some people have looked
t the publication record of Gonzalez (and Behe) and found a
emarkable trend.
Also interesting is how Rosenberg was quoted and what the full quote revealed
<quote>
       "Contrary to his public statements, and those of ISU President
regory Geoffroy, the chairman of ISU's Department of Physics and
stronomy, Dr. Eli Rosenberg, stated in Dr. Gonzalez's tenure dossier
hat Dr. Gonzalez's support for intelligent design 'disqualifies him
rom serving as a science educator.'"
<quote>
   The full context of that quotation is:
<quote> "on numerous occasions, Dr. Gonzalez has stated that
ntelligent Design is a scientific theory and someday would be taught
n science classrooms. This is confirmed by his numerous postings on
he Discovery Institute Web site. The problem here is that Intelligent
esign is not a scientific theory. Its premise is beyond the realm of
cience. … But it is incumbent on a science educator to clearly
nderstand and be able to articulate what science is and what it is
ot. The fact that Dr. Gonzalez does not understand what constitutes
oth science and a scientific theory disqualifies him from serving as
 science educator."
/quote>
Now the DI may be able to help Gonzalez by arguing that this was
eligious discrimination but that would involve accepting that ID is
eligious. Not a very palatable choice. Instead, the DI seems to have
oved from tenure to viewpoint discrimination and hostile workplace.
gain, not a very plausible argument either.
The DI attempted to generate media interest in the Gonzalez case and
ailed, outside Iowa few noticed and within Iowa the reception was
ixed.
hey lost in the scientific arena, they are losing in the media arena,
nd they are losing amongst conservatives.

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Received on Fri Dec 7 06:48:08 2007