Backing out possible, not simple [Dover trial aftermath]

York (PA) Daily Record ^ | 11/17/05 | MICHELLE STARR

[Right Wing Professor]

So the Discovery Institute is trying to prevent a verdict from being reached. That suggests their bravado about how well the trial went is not exactly sincere.

The news article about Napierski's attempt is here.

[Right Wing Professor]

Ping!

[<1/1,000,000th%]

The Discovery Institute opposes teaching intelligent design in the classroom.

DI supported ID in the classroom, before they opposed it.

[King Prout]

wooooooooo

seems like someone is trying to protect his war-chest and keep the "controversy" alive for a later rematch

[Coyoteman]

In case anything interesting happens ===> Placemarker <===

[PatrickHenry]

Evolution Ping The List-O-Links

A conservative, pro-evolution science list, now with over 320 names. See the list's explanation, then FReepmail to be added or dropped. To assist beginners: But it's "just a theory", Evo-Troll's Toolkit, and How to argue against a scientific theory.

[VadeRetro]

That suggests their bravado about how well the trial went is not exactly sincere.

With that bunch, you definitely watch what they do rather than listen to what they say. They're trying to abort a whuppin'.

[Lurking Libertarian]

"The law is clear that a court cannot make a decision on a case that is moot," Shaw's document read. "If the court cannot make a decision, the court also cannot award attorney fees."

This won't work.

The case is not moot, even if the new Board will change the policy, because the next election could result in a change back. The only way the abandonment of the ID policy could be made permanent would be if the Board consented to a court order to that effect-- but that would require that the court take action, so the court could indeed award the plaintiffs their legal fees.

[Rudder]

The Discovery Institute opposes teaching intelligent design in the classroom.

Sounds like the Discovery Institute is awaiting further instructions from the "Designer."

[From many - one.]

check to see how thread evolves

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[js1138]

I thought Thomas More promised they would shield any school board that ventured into ID.

Must be winter of dissemblement in More Land.

[Right Wing Professor]

I thought Thomas More promised they would shield any school board that ventured into ID.

They promised they would do it for free. They didn't promise to pay the other side's costs.

When you think about it, Thomas More has been a vehicle for pumping Dover taxpayer dollars into the ACLU's coffers.

[js1138]

I think they implied they would win. At any rate, this has been a bad season for them.

[PatrickHenry]

Must be winter of dissemblement in More Land.

Oh yeah! They lured the school board into this mess by promising to defend them for free. Now, it looks like the school board may end up with a titanic legal bill. How much will a six-week-long trial in a federal court cost, with not only legal fees (a few thousand per day, per lawyer), but also lots of witness fees, travel costs, and daily transcripts? And don't forget, the lawyers are still working, submitting legal briefs, proposed findings of fact, etc. Could be half a million, before it's all over. (Give or take a few hundred thousand.)

I wouldn't be surprised if the school board is considering a suit against their lawyers for sucking them into this mess. That won't get very far, probably, but it's something to think about.

[js1138]

I think perhaps the school board members will face a class action suit by the taxpayers, and may lose on the basis of their perjury. I don't think public officials are immune from the results of actions taken in bad faith. So to speak.

[Right Wing Professor]

Could be half a million, before it's all over. (Give or take a few hundred thousand.)

I think you underestimate the cupidity of laywers. Estimates I've seen for this case have been a kewl $1.7 m.

[narby]

The case is not moot

Didn't the stickers end up in the school books and in front of students? Or did the case short circuit actually exposing students to it?

If students saw it, then damage was done and someone must pay, even if the board changes the policy.

And what about the disposition of all those creationist textbooks in the library?

[shuckmaster]

Whenever someone messes with Darwin, Darwin always wins!

[furball4paws]

I guess this means there will be no appeal if the judge rules against the board.