Chris Comer's firing has been getting a lot of attention, and one question keeps getting asked: "What kind of soul-torturing electronic missive about an academic talk could be so dastardly as to result in someone getting fired merely for forwarding it?"
Read on only if you are prepared to enter a Lovecraftian world filled with squishy tentacles and phrases like "expert testimony":
Subject: Barbara Forrest in Austin 11/2
Dear Austin-area friends of NCSE,
I thought that you might like to know that Barbara Forrest will be speaking on "Inside Creationism's Trojan Horse" in Austin on November 2, 2007. Her talk, sponsored by the Center for Inquiry Austin, begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Monarch Event Center, Suite 3100, 6406 North IH-35 in Austin. The cost is $6; free to friends of the Center.
In her talk, Forrest will provide a detailed report on her expert testimony in the Kitzmiller v. Dover School Board trial as well as an overview of the history of the "intelligent design" movement. Forrest is a Professor of Philosophy in the Department of History and Political Science at Southeastern Louisiana University; she is also a member of NCSE's board of directors.
For further details, visit:
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/austin/events/barbara_forrest_inside_creationisms_trojan_horse_lecture/Sincerely,
Glenn Branch
Deputy Director
National Center for Science Education, Inc.
Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Trojan Horse R'lyeh Wagn'nagl Fhtagn!! Forrest Fhtagn!! FORREST FHTAGN!!!!
Josh, that's the email from teh NCSE that got forwarded?
Has teh actual email from Comer been published anywhere?
Did Comer add any information to it that might, heaven forbid, actually imply an endorsment by the TEA?
Not that it should matter, the TEA should be in the business of supporting good science, but that's a discussion for another day.
I believe she added 'FYI.' Clearly changes everything.
The Goat With a Thousand Young is going to be SO pissed.