| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Jason Spaceman" |
| Date: |
26 Feb 2004 12:12:46 AM |
| Object: |
In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
From the article:
------------------------------------------------
By JENNY JOHNSON Staff Reporter
Community members and parents Tuesday questioned the board and
attorneys present about how the policy could affect the district.
"Darby could be the test case nationally for intelligent design, if
that is indeed where the board is going with this policy," said
Elizabeth Kaleva, attorney with the Montana School Boards Association
who provides advice to school boards across the state.
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according
to its Web site.
Bridgett Erickson of Lincoln told trustees that the policy as adopted
is legally defensible.
"This policy issue is on the cutting edge of modern education," she
said.
Erickson, who is also a school board trustee in Lincoln, was referred
to the board by the Alliance Defense Fund, which will pay her fees to
defend the school should it be sued over the policy. Erickson offered
her services pro bono beyond what the alliance would support.
Kaleva, who advised trustees against the policy adoption before
approving a supporting curriculum through state channels, asked the
board to keep in mind that if the policy was challenged on
constitutional merits, a judge would look at the motives behind its
adoption.
---------------------------------------------------
Read the rest at
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/02/26/news/news02.txt
J. Spaceman
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| User: "Mike Dworetsky" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 04:38:38 PM |
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"Jason Spaceman" <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message
news:sm3r30tg3a50cl0cf9ni2i71kotu77pvru@4ax.com...
From the article:
------------------------------------------------
By JENNY JOHNSON Staff Reporter
Community members and parents Tuesday questioned the board and
attorneys present about how the policy could affect the district.
"Darby could be the test case nationally for intelligent design, if
that is indeed where the board is going with this policy," said
Elizabeth Kaleva, attorney with the Montana School Boards Association
who provides advice to school boards across the state.
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according
to its Web site.
Bridgett Erickson of Lincoln told trustees that the policy as adopted
is legally defensible.
She lied: she knows perfectly well that courts have consistently struck down
legislation that has no secular purpose in education, and that promotes only
one narrow sectarian viewpoint which is religiously based. BTW, the motives
mentioned during the legislative process, for example in recorded debates,
and in press conferences, are admissible as evidence as to whether or not
the legislation is religious or secular in character. Plenty of precedent
exists.
But wait, she has a good motive for doing all this legal work and
encouraging a big legal brouhaha.
"This policy issue is on the cutting edge of modern education," she
said.
Erickson, who is also a school board trustee in Lincoln, was referred
to the board by the Alliance Defense Fund, which will pay her fees to
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
defend the school should it be sued over the policy. Erickson offered
her services pro bono beyond what the alliance would support.
There's money to be made lawyering for Jesus, apparently.
Kaleva, who advised trustees against the policy adoption before
approving a supporting curriculum through state channels, asked the
board to keep in mind that if the policy was challenged on
constitutional merits, a judge would look at the motives behind its
adoption.
Smart lady. Yep.
---------------------------------------------------
Read the rest at
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/02/26/news/news02.txt
--
Mike Dworetsky
(Remove "pants" spamblock to send e-mail)
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| User: "Richard Forrest" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 11:39:25 AM |
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Jason Spaceman <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message news:<sm3r30tg3a50cl0cf9ni2i71kotu77pvru@4ax.com>...
From the article:
------------------------------------------------
By JENNY JOHNSON Staff Reporter
Community members and parents Tuesday questioned the board and
attorneys present about how the policy could affect the district.
"Darby could be the test case nationally for intelligent design, if
that is indeed where the board is going with this policy," said
Elizabeth Kaleva, attorney with the Montana School Boards Association
who provides advice to school boards across the state.
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according
to its Web site.
Bridgett Erickson of Lincoln told trustees that the policy as adopted
is legally defensible.
"This policy issue is on the cutting edge of modern education," she
said.
Erickson, who is also a school board trustee in Lincoln, was referred
to the board by the Alliance Defense Fund, which will pay her fees to
defend the school should it be sued over the policy. Erickson offered
her services pro bono beyond what the alliance would support.
Kaleva, who advised trustees against the policy adoption before
approving a supporting curriculum through state channels, asked the
board to keep in mind that if the policy was challenged on
constitutional merits, a judge would look at the motives behind its
adoption.
---------------------------------------------------
Read the rest at
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/02/26/news/news02.txt
J. Spaceman
Creationist Lawyers.
Why is that a combination that fills me with dread?
RF
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| User: "Bobby D. Bryant" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 12:15:57 PM |
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On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 17:39:25 +0000, Richard Forrest wrote:
Creationist Lawyers.
Why is that a combination that fills me with dread?
It fills *me* with amusement. I foresee a huge pie in someone's face over
this.
Probably a cow pie.
--
Bobby Bryant
Austin, Texas
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| User: "R.Schenck" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 12:27:34 PM |
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Jason Spaceman <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message news:<sm3r30tg3a50cl0cf9ni2i71kotu77pvru@4ax.com>...
From the article:
------------------------------------------------
By JENNY JOHNSON Staff Reporter
Community members and parents Tuesday questioned the board and
attorneys present about how the policy could affect the district.
"Darby could be the test case nationally for intelligent design, if
that is indeed where the board is going with this policy," said
Elizabeth Kaleva, attorney with the Montana School Boards Association
who provides advice to school boards across the state.
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according
to its Web site.
Bridgett Erickson of Lincoln told trustees that the policy as adopted
is legally defensible.
"This policy issue is on the cutting edge of modern education," she
said.
Erickson, who is also a school board trustee in Lincoln, was referred
to the board by the Alliance Defense Fund, which will pay her fees to
defend the school should it be sued over the policy. Erickson offered
her services pro bono beyond what the alliance would support.
Kaleva, who advised trustees against the policy adoption before
approving a supporting curriculum through state channels, asked the
board to keep in mind that if the policy was challenged on
constitutional merits, a judge would look at the motives behind its
adoption.
---------------------------------------------------
Read the rest at
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/02/26/news/news02.txt
at least the outcome might be that it gets struck down completly by a
judge, creating precedent contra-IDiocy for other judges to fall back
on.
seems pretty silly of them to take it that far tho. They -know- they
can't stand up to the light of evidence. Hopefully no judge in
montana is going to be fooled by the 'well, we don't say -who- the
intelligent designer is'.
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| User: "jwk" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 01:34:49 PM |
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Jason Spaceman <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message news:<sm3r30tg3a50cl0cf9ni2i71kotu77pvru@4ax.com>...
From the article:
------------------------------------------------
By JENNY JOHNSON Staff Reporter
Community members and parents Tuesday questioned the board and
attorneys present about how the policy could affect the district.
"Darby could be the test case nationally for intelligent design, if
that is indeed where the board is going with this policy," said
Elizabeth Kaleva, attorney with the Montana School Boards Association
who provides advice to school boards across the state.
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according
to its Web site.
Bridgett Erickson of Lincoln told trustees that the policy as adopted
is legally defensible.
"This policy issue is on the cutting edge of modern education," she
said.
For the dark ages.
jwk
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
27 Feb 2004 05:57:44 PM |
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On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:12:46 +0000 (UTC), Jason Spaceman
<notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org>, Message ID:
<sm3r30tg3a50cl0cf9ni2i71kotu77pvru@4ax.com> wrote in alt.atheism;
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/02/26/news/news02.txt
Attorneys muster at school board meeting
By JENNY JOHNSON Staff Reporter
Community members and parents Tuesday questioned the board and attorneys
present about how the policy could affect the district.
"Darby could be the test case nationally for intelligent design, if that
is indeed where the board is going with this policy," said Elizabeth
Kaleva, attorney with the Montana School Boards Association who provides
advice to school boards across the state.
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom, the
sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according to its
Web site.
Bridgett Erickson of Lincoln told trustees that the policy as adopted is
legally defensible.
"This policy issue is on the cutting edge of modern education," she
said.
Erickson, who is also a school board trustee in Lincoln, was referred to
the board by the Alliance Defense Fund, which will pay her fees to
defend the school should it be sued over the policy. Erickson offered
her services pro bono beyond what the alliance would support.
Kaleva, who advised trustees against the policy adoption before
approving a supporting curriculum through state channels, asked the
board to keep in mind that if the policy was challenged on
constitutional merits, a judge would look at the motives behind its
adoption.
"If you're challenged in state or federal court, you'll be asked to
defend your motives as completely free of religious motives," she said.
"And that's hard to do with an organization like ADF defending you."
Erickson said the organization she's affiliated with is composed of
lawyers, not ministers, and assured the board that it was committed to
defending the district based on religious freedom.
"ADF wants to assure you that the government doesn't have the right to
tell you to adopt or not adopt a certain ideology," Erickson said.
"There are higher goals involved here - that is the defense of religious
freedom."
While several trustees said they wanted to adopt the policy to better
the school's science curriculum when they voted 3-2 on the policy's
first reading, they have yet to say what curriculum would support the
policy.
Kaleva said there is no way to get around the religious implications in
the policy and intelligent design theory.
"I don't know anything about science or I wouldn't have become a
lawyer," she said. "But there are obvious religious undertones in the
comments you've received on the policy you've adopted. Is that intent of
the policy, or are we all going down the wrong road?"
"I don't know that the trustees don't want to make this a test case,"
Darby resident Marty Stromberg said. "They haven't been clear about
their intent."
A lawsuit over the policy's constitutional merit could cost Darby
anywhere from $50,000 to $300,000, Erickson said. And the school board
association, which serves as general council to Montana school board,
does not want to defend the school board in such an action, Kaleva said.
But Erickson said between her and the Alliance Defense Fund, Darby would
be defended for free. As a graduate student of school administration,
she also offered her services to help the district develop a curriculum
in support of the policy.
"The curriculum development is key," board Chairwoman Gina
Schallenberger said. "It needs to show what the board has in mind. I
think that it's important to have help from someone who supports the
board's position."
Trustees Mary Lovejoy and Bob Wetzsteon voted against retaining
Erickson. Knowing the motion would pass with the votes of
Schallenberger, Elisabeth Bender and Doug Banks, Wetzsteon made the
motion to retain Erickson.
"I'll make the motion," he said. "Let's end this misery."
Wetzsteon confirmed Tuesday that he plans to run for re-election.
Schallenberger's seat is also up for grabs. With the two seats
available, voters could tip the scales on this issue at the ballot box.
Reporter Jenny Johnson can be reached at 363-3300 or
jjohnson@ravallirepublic.com
(c) 2004 Ravalli Republic
Stoney
"Designated Rascal and Rapscallion
and
SCAMPERMEISTER!"
When in doubt, SCAMPER about!
When things are fair, SCAMPER everywhere!
When things are rough, can't SCAMPER enough!
/end humour alert
alt.atheism military veteran #11
{so much for the 'no atheists in foxholes' rubbish}
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| User: "David Jensen" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
28 Feb 2004 10:45:15 AM |
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In talk.origins, stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote in
<6lmv30lm1l23ohvukrp8nkf388bshkd81l@4ax.com>:
[thanks]
Erickson said the organization she's affiliated with is composed of
lawyers, not ministers, and assured the board that it was committed to
defending the district based on religious freedom.
What does religious freedom have to do with teaching science?
[...]
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| User: "catshark" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
28 Feb 2004 12:56:46 PM |
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On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 16:45:15 +0000 (UTC), David Jensen
<david@dajensen-family.com> wrote:
In talk.origins, stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote in
<6lmv30lm1l23ohvukrp8nkf388bshkd81l@4ax.com>:
[thanks]
Erickson said the organization she's affiliated with is composed of
lawyers, not ministers, and assured the board that it was committed to
defending the district based on religious freedom.
What does religious freedom have to do with teaching science?
They think their religion requires being "science free"?
---------------
J. Pieret
---------------
Those who reject biological evolution do so, usually,
not out of reason, but out of unjustified vanity.
- Isaac Asimov -
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
01 Mar 2004 02:57:52 PM |
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On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 16:45:15 +0000 (UTC), David Jensen
<david@dajensen-family.com>, Message ID:
<8ih1401gduoi99l8mc8vkoq6o6okoj0tdb@4ax.com> wrote in alt.atheism;
In talk.origins, stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote in
<6lmv30lm1l23ohvukrp8nkf388bshkd81l@4ax.com>:
[thanks]
Erickson said the organization she's affiliated with is composed of
lawyers, not ministers, and assured the board that it was committed to
defending the district based on religious freedom.
What does religious freedom have to do with teaching science?
Nothing, but since when has that mattered to fundies?
Stoney
"Designated Rascal and Rapscallion
and
SCAMPERMEISTER!"
When in doubt, SCAMPER about!
When things are fair, SCAMPER everywhere!
When things are rough, can't SCAMPER enough!
/end humour alert
alt.atheism military veteran #11
{so much for the 'no atheists in foxholes' rubbish}
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| User: "Bobby D. Bryant" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 05:14:00 AM |
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On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:12:46 +0000, Jason Spaceman wrote:
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom, the
sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according to its
Web site.
But its a completely secular curriculum, based on science instead of
religion.
--
Bobby Bryant
Austin, Texas
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| User: "catshark" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
26 Feb 2004 05:45:38 AM |
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On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 11:14:00 +0000 (UTC), "Bobby D. Bryant"
<bdbryant@mail.utexas.edu> wrote:
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:12:46 +0000, Jason Spaceman wrote:
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom, the
sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according to its
Web site.
But its a completely secular curriculum, based on science instead of
religion.
This must be just about the Discovery Institute's worst nightmare.
---------------
J. Pieret
---------------
To say that secular means irreligious implies
that all the arts and sciences are irreligious,
and is very like saying that all professions
except that of the law are illegal.
- John Stuart Mill -
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Attorneys muster at school board meeting |
27 Feb 2004 05:59:08 PM |
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On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 11:45:38 +0000 (UTC), catshark <catshark@yahoo.com>,
Message ID: <b8nr30ti7fulcbsqc7gbrspubbvfbtplrg@4ax.com> wrote in
alt.atheism;
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 11:14:00 +0000 (UTC), "Bobby D. Bryant"
<bdbryant@mail.utexas.edu> wrote:
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:12:46 +0000, Jason Spaceman wrote:
Wednesday, the board prepared for potential litigation by retaining an
attorney affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious
organization devoted to keeping "the door open for the spread of the
Gospel through the legal defense and advocacy of religious freedom, the
sanctity of human life, and traditional family values," according to its
Web site.
But its a completely secular curriculum, based on science instead of
religion.
This must be just about the Discovery Institute's worst nightmare.
I hope so. The article blows away the 'science' smokescreen.
Stoney
"Designated Rascal and Rapscallion
and
SCAMPERMEISTER!"
When in doubt, SCAMPER about!
When things are fair, SCAMPER everywhere!
When things are rough, can't SCAMPER enough!
/end humour alert
alt.atheism military veteran #11
{so much for the 'no atheists in foxholes' rubbish}
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