Dover Case

[Dave Ball]

What I always heard and sensed from teaching faculty is that "professor"
is more appreciated than "doctor" since there are lots of Ph.D.'s out
there who don't have teaching appointments (such as yours truly) but a
"professor" has achieved not only the degree but the academic status.



David T. Ball, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Director
Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation
10 W. Broad St., Suite 950
Columbus, OH  43215
voice: 614-644-1582
fax: 614-728-3749
cell: 614-316-8222
www.olaf.org 


-----Original Message-----
From: religionlaw-bounces at lists.ucla.edu
[mailto:religionlaw-bounces at lists.ucla.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Monsma
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 2:10 PM
To: religionlaw at lists.ucla.edu
Subject: Dover Case

I've just finished reading all 139 pages.  I will  resist commenting on
the substance of Judge Jones' opinion, but I was struck by one thing.
Without exception, when referring to the plaintiffs' expert witnesses
(such as Miller and Padian), he refers to them as Dr. Miller, Dr. Padian
or Drs. Miller and Padian.  When referring to the defendants' expert
witnesses (such as Behe and
Munnich) he refers to them as Professor Behe, Professor Minnich,, or
Professors Behe and Munnich.  (I've checked and both Behe and Minnich
have earned
doctorates.)

Assuming (as I would) that holding a doctorate gives one more
credibility than simply being a professor at some college or university,
is this consistent use of titles an indication of a  bias on Judge
Jones' part?  Or am I reading too much into this?  Is there some more
innocent explanation?

Stephen Monsma



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