The Washington Times today ran with a straight news piece on the plight of evolutionary biologist Richard Sternberg, who has been under fire recently for allowing a pro-ID paper to be published in his former journal the peer-reviewed “Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington.”

The Times reports that there is now an investigation underway:

“I was singled out for harassment and threats on the basis that they think I’m a creationist,” said Richard Sternberg, who filed the complaint with the federal Office of Special Counsel. … Mr. Sternberg, who holds two doctorates in evolutionary biology, says he’s been told by the Office of Special Counsel that “they take my complaint seriously and are investigating.” The special counsel’s office said it cannot discuss the case.”

Then the Times reporter, Joyce Price, does something you don’t see much in the MSM — she actually took the time explain what ID is and what the paper that caused this fracas is all about.

The story goes on to clarify that the paper was peer-reviewed, countering the insinuation that’s been circulating that it had not gone through the peer-reviewed process.

“The report was ‘peer-reviewed’ by three outside scientists, Mr. Sternberg said, ‘but employees at the Smithsonian, who had a sharply negative reaction to the report, insinuated that editorial malfeasance occurred on my end. I protested vigorously.'”

This should put that speculation to rest, but you can be sure that the Darwin-only lobby will likely keep peddling that particular rumor.

The most telling thing is the quote that finishes the story off:

“‘Research associates are here at our pleasure … but every effort was made to ensure there was no discrimination, even though he (Mr. Sternberg) published something a lot of people didn’t agree with,’ Mr. Kremer said.”

The message here is loud and clear, don’t publish things people at the Smnithsonian disagree with and you can still be a pleasure to work with.