We like Bruce Ramsey, editorial writer for the Seattle Times, and we often agree with his columns. And we are grateful that the Times sponsored the recent and definitive debate on intelligent design between philosopher of science and geologist Steve Meyer and astrobiologist Peter G. Ward. Ramsey, who attended The Talk of the Times debate at Townhall and is a fan of Ward — he cites Ward’s books in this morning’s column — was wrong, however, in suggesting that Meyer’s formulations are merely “clever”.

But don’t take our word for it. WATCH the debate yourself on Thursday at 8 p.m on TVW in the Seattle area and check schedules for other times elsewhere. We hope it will be made available for a downlink later, too.

Further, we already have the debate in audio form available on our website. (Just since we put it up, it has been downloaded by over 2000 people, more than twice the live crowd that saw it last week.)
Ramsey refers to a pair of anti-Darwin “hecklers” at the debate.

Again, listen to the debate yourself. Except for some people who yelled “Answer the question!” when Ward was ducking a query about his own religious views (having attacked Meyer’s), the audience was enthusiastic on both sides, but civil.

There was only one conspicuous heckler and that was Peter Ward himself, who repeatedly interrupted Meyer (who was carefully polite to him) and made rude gestures to try to distract Meyer (and failed). See for yourself. The Times made this way to check on its own writers’ opinions available to the public!

Like, I say, we’re grateful. Would that other papers would sponsor comparable debates.