Smithsonian Scientist's Complaint Backed [or "unsupported" -- about the Meyer ID article]

The Washington Times ^ | 16 August 2005 | Joyce Howard Price

[PatrickHenry]

Some earlier threads on this mess:

Smithsonian in uproar over intelligent-design article.
STATEMENT FROM THE COUNCIL OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON (ON THE MEYER ID PAPER).

[PatrickHenry]

EvolutionPing

A pro-evolution science list with over 290 names. See the list's explanation at my freeper homepage. Then FReepmail to be added or dropped.

[gobucks]

"However, the Office of Special Counsel informed the complainant, Richard Sternberg, that it is ending the probe into the case because of jurisdictional questions and the Smithsonian's refusal to "voluntarily participate in any additional investigation" into his grievance."

Well now, that will send a message to any other federally employed scientist won't it? The RC of the 16th and 17th century would be proud.

[Right Wing Professor]

Mr. McVay cited e-mail in which Mr. Sternberg was described as a "creationist." He said one message asserted that Mr. Sternberg had "extensive training as an orthodox priest" and that the paper he published was a "sheer disaster," which made the institution a "laughingstock."

One of these four comments is inappropriate. Sternberg's training as an Orthodox Priest is irrelevant and should not the the subject of a discussion over institutional email. Sternberg's paper and its impact are fair game, as are his peculiar views on biology.

[Right Wing Professor]

Well now, that will send a message to any other federally employed scientist won't it? The RC of the 16th and 17th century would be proud.

Well, there is the small matter that the Smithsonian isn't his employer, and therefore can't practice employment discrimination. Just a technicality.

[aculeus]

Again I ask: Who are these designers?

Where do they hang out?

Which one of these jerks was assigned the human male pelvic area?

[longshadow]

Again I ask: Who are these designers?

BEHOLD THE DESIGNER'S NOODLY APPENDAGE!

The "Flying Spaghetti Monster" knows all; sees all!

"Thou shalt have no main course before Him!"

"In His Noodly Appendage we trust!"

[js1138]

In addition, Mr. McVay said the initial probe "supports the [Smithsonian's] contention that you are not an employee" and therefore are not covered "under the jurisdictional statutes imposed upon OSC."

[VadeRetro]

"Thou shalt have no main course before Him!"

But antipasto
We munch with gusto.

[longshadow]

But antipasto We munch with gusto.

"Thou shalt covet not thy neighbor's Alfredo."

"Thou shalt not anoint thy pasta with Parmesan from a can, nor sauce from a jar."

"Thou shalt not over cook thy pasta, for it is an abomination."

[flevit]

oh please spaghetti monster is just another product of:

[betty boop]

It is a disgrace to politicize science like this.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Alamo-Girl]

It is a disgrace to politicize science like this.

Indeed. And it is illegal to discriminate against an employee based on his (presumed) beliefs. It is also an abuse of power for people on the public dole, to use their power for an illegal purpose.

IMHO, this case will end up in civil court where the Smithsonian cannot refuse to cooperate in discovery. In that regard it is akin to the potential lawsuit in Ohio - and the successful challenge which avoided a lawsuit in Texas.

The scientists and administrators who seek to defend the theory of evolution may have to learn the hard way - how not to cross the line of what is legal and what is not.

[Right Wing Professor]

Indeed. And it is illegal to discriminate against an employee based on his (presumed) beliefs.

Sternberg is not an employee of the Smithsonian. He's an employee of NCBI.

[betty boop]

And it is illegal to discriminate against an employee based on his (presumed) beliefs.

Indeed, as when some one notes that "Mr. Sternberg had 'extensive training as an orthodox priest'...." As if this somehow makes him unfit as a scientist -- with two doctorates in evolutionary biology no less.

This entire episode is sick-making, disgusting. I hope Mr. Sternberg gets his day in court.

[Right Wing Professor]

.As if this somehow makes him unfit as a scientist -- with two doctorates in evolutionary biology no less

I've pointed this out many times before, but here we go again. Having two doctorates is not a plus. It's a red flag for weirdness. A doctorate is a credential that you're qualified to do independent scientific research. There is no point in proving that twice. You get a doctorate, then you move to a postdoctoral position. Even if you want to change fields, you usually do this via a postdoctorate.

The only conceivable reason, IMO, to get two doctorates (let alone two in the same field) is if you've so alienated your original doctoral advisor that he won't write recommendations; but even then, I've seen people work around this.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for your reply!

I don't think it is going to matter what his affiliation was concerning the Smithsonian. It is an abuse of power for one on the public dole to try to destroy a person's career, reputation and such:

He said museum authorities contacted his employers at NIH, seeking his ouster.

In any event, such malicious conduct is a legal tort.

I'm sure they'll find several legal theories to pursue - discrimination, abuse of power, tortious conduct and who knows what else... Once it is in court, the Smithsonian cannot refuse to cooperate.

[js1138]

He wasn't an employee.

[Right Wing Professor]

It is a disgrace to politicize science like this.

Yes it is. As it was when the Dover School Board did it. As it was when the Kansas Board of Education did it. As it was when the Ohio School Board did it.

Sternberg made an ideologically motivated editorial decision that ignored the policy of the journal he managed. That is a mistake that future employers are entitled to weigh negatively against him. Whatever religious training he has is irrelevant.