Dammit. I hate it when I’m right. Andy Schlafly of Conservapedia is planning on suing Lenski.

About a week ago, I predicted that Andy Schlafly may consider suing Lenski to get access to the data from his e. coli citrate experiment: despite Lenski’s willingness to give his data to a certified biologist, since Schlafly’s pride is now in issue, Andy wants a personal victory, and he’ll do anything he can to get it. Well, now Schlafly has issued the first “Conservapedia challenge,” urging his crack squad of stormtroopers homeschoolers to look for a way to sue Lenski into giving his data to someone who won’t understand it. Personally, I don’t think there’s a way: Lenski’s not a “public agency” within the meaning of FOIA (5 U.S.C. 522). But, for the sake of those of you that care, I’ll do some research on my own time and report back. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, look out world. Andy Schlafly, armed with legal knowledge, a personal score to settle, and NO sense of honesty whatsoever, is a scary thing. He has no honor and, as I’ve said, regardless of whether he has a case, he won’t hesitate to use his limited grasp of law to bludgeon you. He may be all bark and no bite, but a lawyer’s bark has been known to cost money in and of itself.

Update: the debate rages. It seems Schlafly’s just bluffing… again. I’m SHOCKED! If you’re just coming to this post, please take a look at the comments: as one of the posters there points out, Schlafly’s intense desire to stare down anyone that looks at him – evinced in this whole Lenski debacle, and his conduct at Conservapedia – can all probably be explained by his ardent desire to please mommy. He is the last of three boys, a second-career lawyer who abandoned a good electrical engineering job… it all screams “LOOK AT ME, MOM. AREN’T I GOOD?”

