The aftermath of the Dover intelligent design trial continues to create issues that demand news coverage. This week, the Christian group Repent America is handing out fliers advertising an upcoming creationism vs. evolution event at Dover's high school. http://www.ydr.com/doverbiology/ci_3557843
And the impact of the local decision is being felt in courts and school districts in Ohio and elsewhere.
And other intriguing details are coming to light, too. Personal type of stuff.
Joe Maldonado, a York Daily Record/Sunday News freelancer called to testify by the plaintiffs attorneys and ACLU in the federal court case, has penned some heartfelt poems written in the middle of the flurry of subpoenas that compelled his testimony.
You might remember that Joe and fellow correspondent Heidi Bernhard-Bubb risked jail time and fines by staring down subpoenas for full testimony about their coverage of the then pro-ID Dover school board. They took the stand after the judge agreed to restrict their testimony to what was published. (See "Reporters emerge as heroes in Dover ID trial" in the York Town Square archives.)
Anyway, the prospect of jail weighed heavily on Joe and his family. Witness the following from his new poetry collection, "The 3 a.m. Journal of Joseph S. Maldonado." ...
The Day Before the Day
(Sept. 26, 2005)
If tonight
is the last night for some time
that i am free
then i am pleased to spend it with you
On the first perfect evening of fall
listening to Fourplay
and Boney James
drinking Shiraz
and eating crackers
There isn't one cloud
in the baby blue sky
There isn't one bird
singing out of tune
Whatever the temperature is
it's perfect
Like you
As hard as this is on me
it's at least as difficult on you
Thank you for trying to hide it
But i know
and love you more for it...
Just Said No
(Sept. 27, 2005)
i just said no
and was asked if i was sure
i wouldn't change my mind
i'm sure
Are you sure?
Are you sure you want to violate
one set of Constitutional rights
to argue another?
Are you sure your case is so weak
that you really need me?
Are you sure you want to make it
so that journalists everywhere
have to read their subjects
their Miranda Rights
before starting any interview?
i'm very sure about what I'm doing
How sure are you?
Ovation
(Sept. 28, 2005)
i got a standing ovation
A STANDING OVATION!
when i returned to my office Wednesday
The genuine heartfelt appreciation
given to me by my peers...
i'm not sure the rest of the world
understands the stand that was made
but the ones who matter most
do
i will absolutely bask in this memory
for as long as my mind stays with me
�?
Other ID-related selections are available in "The 3 a.m. Journal of Joseph S. Maldonado." (Available at joe.reporter@verizon.net).
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