Re: Send an email, lose your job

Also, want to talk to you soon about fleshing out the science journalism improvement project. We've just recruited Mano Singham, head of theoretical physics at Case Western, for Project PM, and I've discussed this sub-project with him briefly. We have also gotten a hold of some other relevant assets. Give me a ring sometime if you have a moment, as we have much to talk about now.

On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 1:01 PM, Robert Luhn <luhn@ncse.com> wrote:

Ah...that makes sense. Lemme know what you need...

r
On 7/6/2010 5:05 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:
Robert-
I am going to try to get a piece on this run in either D Magazine or Texas Monthly, or perhaps another venue. Will be in touch soon.
On Tue, Jul 6, 2010 at 7:37 PM, Robert Luhn <luhn@ncse.com> wrote:
You may recall that Christine Comer--who was the Director of Science at the Texas Education Agency--was fired in 2007 for forwarding an email which announced a public lecture by NCSE Board member Barbara Forrest. (Forrest was an expert witness in the Kitzmiller v Dover trial and author of a book on the intelligent design movement.) TEA employee Monica Martinez called for Comer's termination, complaining that "Ms. Comer's email implies endorsement of the speaker and implies that TEA endorses the speaker's position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral."

Comer sued, claiming she was illegally fired. But on Friday, July 2, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate her latest suit.

Our story: http://ncse.com/news/2010/07/comer-loses-appeal-005612

Steven Schafersman, Texas Citizens for Science, on the suit: http://www.texscience.org/news/comer/comer-lawsuit-dismissed-2009April1.htm

Court filing: http://ncse.com/webfm_send/1390

Video: "Chris Comer, Expelled for Real"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpCdQ2Tbf6s

background:

"Science Supervisor Chris Comer Sues Texas Education Agency" (2008)
http://ncse.com/news/2008/06/science-supervisor-chris-comer-sues-texas-education-agency-00169

Comer case dismissed (2009)
http://ncse.com/news/2009/04/comer-case-dismissed-004712

Comer appeal heard (2010)
http://ncse.com/news/2010/04/comer-appeal-heard-005475

...also of note: Exclusive chapter excerpt from "Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution". Download it at: http://ncse.com/files/pub/evolution/Excerpt--LifeAscendingb.pdf

rl
-- 
Robert Luhn
Director of Communications
National Center for Science Education, Inc.
420 40th Street, Suite 2
Oakland, CA 94609-2509
510-601-7203 x314
fax: 510-601-7204
800-290-6006
luhn@ncse.com
http://www.ncse.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evolution.ncse
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/NatCen4ScienceEd
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ncse
    
--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302
-- 
Robert Luhn
Director of Communications
National Center for Science Education, Inc.
420 40th Street, Suite 2
Oakland, CA 94609-2509
510-601-7203 x314
fax: 510-601-7204
800-290-6006
luhn@ncse.com
http://www.ncse.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evolution.ncse
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/NatCen4ScienceEd
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ncse
    

--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302