Fabulous post on Galileo. I have to say that reading the similarities in argument between then and now actually lifts my spirits a bit. After all, the world marches on, and even after condemnation and suppression by an authority with much more power than the creatinoids today, Galileo was eventually justified.
I only wish that the biblical literalists would find the same hope. After all, Galileo was proven correct, and yet Christianity hasn't crumbled into dust.
I wish I shared your optimism. Gallileo was on the leading edge of a storm of pent up intellectual thought and curiosity.
I think we are on the downhill side of that mountain.