[sometime lurker]

But there are a great many people (scientist and non-scientist) who would like criticisms of evolution discussed at least somewhat in schools. To shut them out of the marketplace of ideas -- when they are a large and vocal group -- is to show signs of fear.

So we now decide what is science by popular vote? If we had a majority who didn't like dealing with that pesky pi, would we have to discuss criticisms of pi in math class? And they are not "shut out of the marketplace of ideas," all they have to do is come up with an alternate theory that is testable and falsifiable and that fits the known findings in the natural world.

As to "signs of fear," it is not fearful to refuse to refight old battles that are settled from a scientific point of view. It is merely efficient.

[ClearCase_guy]

Scientists have declared the debates over.
Scientists have declared themselves the winners.
Scientists want to have a monopoly in taxpayer-funded schools to teach children that scientists are always right and should not have to face criticism.

How nice for the scientists.

Meanwhile, there are millions of people screaming that the scientists have not made a compelling case. But we don't want to pay any attention them, do we? No, that would be "deciding what is science by popular vote". That would be bad ...

... for the scientists who have faith in evolution.