Replies

Judge Jones adhered to precedent and took into account the testimonies of expert defense witnesses in his ruling, including their confessions that intelligent design is at best a "fringe science."

Here's my personal take on this issue --- LEAVE IT TO THE VOTERS OF DOVER WHO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE EXPOSED TO.

I am very uncomfortable with a judge who takes it upon himself to decide what is and isn't "fringe science" (and BTW, we have expert testimonies on BOTH SIDES so please spare me that carp about "expert witness" ).

A true conservative judge worth his salt would simply throw the case out and say -- THIS COURT AND THIS SINGLE JUDGE DOES NOT MAKE THE DECISION FOR YOU... YOU ARE FREE CITIZENS, ABLE TO DECIDE AMONG YOURSELVES WHAT AND WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR CURRICULUM." The judge would then leave it to the Dover voters to decide if they want to keep the wording as is or throw it away ( ID was NOT being taught in the district BTW, what was at issue was one of the recommended reading list which was NOT EVEN COMPULSORY ).

If the Dover voters want it, they vote for it accordingly, if they don't, they vote against it. That's how Constitutional Republicanism should work in this country as I see it.

Here's my personal take on this issue --- LEAVE IT TO THE VOTERS OF DOVER WHO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE EXPOSED TO.

Would you have a problem with voters who decided that they wanted their children to be taught about the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

I would also be very uncomfortable with a judge who decided what is and what is not science without considering testimony, evidence, precedent, and so forth. That is undoubtedly judicial activism. But, Judge Jones did not take it upon himself to decide what is and what is not science. He listened to the testimony of DEFENSE expert witnesses. Please note that I did mention that the expert witnesses who claimed intelligent design was at best a fringe science were from the DEFENSE.

In other words, Judge Jones ruled because of the testimony of the defense experts on your side of the argument.

If you want to disown them, fine with me.