01/03/06 New Developments

Although Sen. Brophy (R-Wray) has not formally presented his "intelligent design" (ID) bill, he continues discussing it as a possibility. "Brophy said he is holding open a bill title in case he decides to sponsor a controversial bill that would allow the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution in Colorado classrooms. 'I'm considering it but I haven't decided yet.'" ["Reps eye battle over Ref. C $$$", by K.C. Mason, 3 January 2006, Fort Morgan Times]. However, Brophy does seem to be on a mission against educational standards in Colorado. Other than the possible ID bill, he has already drafted a bill that would "Remove the authority of the Colorado commissioner on higher education to set uniform admissions standards for all colleges and universities in the state."[ibid.]

In other developments, Paul Campos, an attorney, CU Boulder academic and Rocky Mountain News weekly columnist, decided to hop into the debate. With but few exceptions, the majority of leading ID advocates tend to be either philosophers or attorneys, people who essentially argue for a living as opposed to physical scientists, therefore this can come as no surprise. Following the lead of the Discovery Institute, Campos uses the "dissenting point of view" defense for imposing ID on our students. Freely granting that ID has a place in a philosophy or theology class, it has no bearing on, relationship to, or connection with, the physical sciences and thus no place in the science classroom. After referring to a "species of mental retardation" among those who support maintaining sound educational standards in our schools, he goes on to make a number of rather silly misrepresentations of basic science and its advocacy and concludes by comparing science advocates to the Spanish Inquisition. To read his article: "Campos: Orthodoxy of a liberal sort", by Paul Campos, 27 December 2005, Rocky Mountain News. An immediate rebuttal was written the same day: "Science and Intelligent Design", by Dale Franks, 27 December 2005, The QandO Blog.

The issue probably won't become heated until either Sen. Brophy or Rep. Stafford makes their move, however the legislative session opens later this month.

Selected News Articles, 12/23/05-01/03/06

"Reps eye battle over Ref. C $$$", by K.C. Mason, 3 January 2006, Fort Morgan Times.

"Intelligent design not proper for our public schools", Editorial, 28 December 2005, Daily Reporter-Herald (Loveland)

"Campos: Orthodoxy of a liberal sort", by Paul Campos, 27 December 2005, Rocky Mountain News.

"Science and Intelligent Design", by Dale Franks, 27 December 2005, The QandO Blog.