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      This finds it's source in the Discovery Institute so read with a grain
of salt...



http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-19-2005/0004091374&EDATE=

      Office of Special Counsel Concludes Smithsonian Created a 'Hostile
Work Environment' in Effort to Oust Biologist Skeptical of Darwinism


    SEATTLE, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In a letter to Smithsonian biologist
Dr.
Richard Sternberg, the United States Office of Special Counsel writes:  "it
is... clear that a hostile work environment was created with the ultimate
goal
of forcing you out of the [Smithsonian Institution]."
    Dr. Sternberg, who holds two PhDs in evolutionary biology, was
persecuted
by Smithsonian colleagues for allowing the publication of an article
skeptical
of Darwinian evolution and advocating intelligent design, in the
peer-reviewed
biology journal Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington,
published
out of the Smithsonian. The article was written by Discovery's Dr. Stephen
Meyer, a Cambridge educated philosopher of science.
    According to the Washington Post:  "Within hours of publication, senior
scientists at the Smithsonian Institution -- which has helped fund and run
the
journal -- lashed out at Sternberg as a shoddy scientist and a closet Bible
thumper."
    The OSC letter, made public by Dr. Sternberg, states that "retaliation
came in many forms," and says that the OSC was able to find support for many
of Dr. Sternberg's allegations, including:

    -- A hostile work environment was created with the ultimate goal of
       forcing him out of the Smithsonian.
    -- Sternberg's religious and political affiliations were investigated.
    -- Sternberg's scientific education, background and writings were
       investigated.
    -- Attempts were made to deny Sternberg workspace within the
Smithsonian.
    -- Misinformation was disseminated through the Smithsonian and to
outside
       sources.

    "These self-appointed defenders of the theory of evolution are waging a
malicious campaign to demonize and blacklist anyone who disagrees with
them,"
said Bruce Chapman, president of Discovery Institute, the nation's leading
think tank dealing with scientific challenges to evolution and supporting
research of intelligent design. "Unfortunately, Dr. Sternberg is not alone.
There are a number of scientists under similar attack across the country."
    "Free speech and academic freedom are cherished principles in America,"
added Chapman. "They are too important to be sacrificed to the intolerant
demands of extremists on any issue."
    It was determined that Sternberg "complied with all editorial
requirements
of the proceedings and the ... article was properly peer-reviewed by
renowned
scientists." Furthermore, allegations against Sternberg were later proven to
be false, but no retractions were ever issued.
    The OSC investigation also revealed that not one single e-mail examined
during the investigation showed that a manager attempted to halt retaliatory
actions or administer any admonishment for those that had taken place.


SOURCE Discovery Institute
      Web Site: http://www.discovery.org

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