Friday, May 13, 2005
Irigonegaray Refuses to be Questioned
After concluding his closing arguments in the Topeka science hearings yesterday, Science Coalition attorney Pedro Irigonegaray told the board he would not answer questions.
"Draft 2 of the Science Standards is my client," Irigonegaray said. "I will not stand for questioning."
Board Chairman Steve Abrams objected, saying that there was an agreement on procedure. Never far from the spotlight, John Calvert demanded that he get his allotted hour to rebut Irigonegary, anyway.
Irigonegaray's refusal to be questioned as a witness marked the first time during these odd proceedings that a participant actually played the role assigned to him.
John Calvert, like the primadonna who wants to play every part in the school play, acted not only as counsel for the intelligent design minority, but as witness, and behind the scenes board advisor, as well.
Board members Steve Abrams, Connie Morris, and Kathy Martin acted not as jurists who impartially weighed the testimony of the 23 intelligent design witnesses, but as cheerleaders for them.
As Irigonegaray noted, he's neither an expert on science or an educator. His role was to defend the interests of science at the hearings -- something he did in an exemplary manner.
"Draft 2 of the Science Standards is my client," Irigonegaray said. "I will not stand for questioning."
Board Chairman Steve Abrams objected, saying that there was an agreement on procedure. Never far from the spotlight, John Calvert demanded that he get his allotted hour to rebut Irigonegary, anyway.
Irigonegaray's refusal to be questioned as a witness marked the first time during these odd proceedings that a participant actually played the role assigned to him.
John Calvert, like the primadonna who wants to play every part in the school play, acted not only as counsel for the intelligent design minority, but as witness, and behind the scenes board advisor, as well.
Board members Steve Abrams, Connie Morris, and Kathy Martin acted not as jurists who impartially weighed the testimony of the 23 intelligent design witnesses, but as cheerleaders for them.
As Irigonegaray noted, he's neither an expert on science or an educator. His role was to defend the interests of science at the hearings -- something he did in an exemplary manner.
