Well the verdict is in; the Cobb County disclaimers are unconstitutional. Still no reaction from the Discovery Institute. On can read some local reactions on the AJC’s blog.
I am proud that the amicus brief I helped develop was accepted and cited favorably in two locations.
The Court notes that many in the scientific community maintain that evolution is not a theory of the origin of live, but is a theory concerning the origin of the diversity of life. See Amicus Curiae Brief of the Colorado Citizens for Science, et al, in Support of Plaintiffs at 4. The significance of this distinction is not entirely clear to the Court, particularly as it relates to the origin of the human species, which is one of the more sensitive issues in the ongoing debate between proponents and opponents of evolution.
(page 3)
The critical language in the Sticker that supports the conclusion that the Sticker runs afoul of the Establishment Clause is the statement that “[e]volution is a theory, not a fact, concerning the origin of living things.” This statement is not problematic because of its truth or falsity, although testimony from various witness at trial and the amicus brief submitted by the Colorado Citizens for Science, et al, suggests that the statement is not entirely accurate.
(page 33-34)
Tim Sandefur, who also helped write the Amicus, has his reactions to the ruling.
C. E. Petit also has reactions.
Well, I just emailed Tim Sandefur to congratulate him on his efforts, and then I read you on the Panda’s Thumb saying you wanted your props, so I say: props to you, Reed, for fighting the good fight!
And still more props to you, both of you, claps on the back (gentle) but mostly a profound thanks. What good news. We are struggling to get to zero today but I don’t think we’ll make it–even with heroic rounding the best we can do is minus one F. Take care.
It may not be a direct response, but the Discovery Institute has a press release out dated January 14 which says they hope the school board in Dover, Pennsylvania, will back down from its position.
They want to be treated as scientists doing science, until we ask them for evidence of those claims, in other words.
Congratulations Reed and Company!
Update