So what it seems to be is a political move on their part to placate both sides of the debate. Science can claim victory because evolution is being taught. Magic can claim a victory because of the "examine criticisms" line included in the act, and politicians can claim victory for creating the compromise.

AU is concerned that it wasn't a clean win, that because of the wiggle room in the motion, IDers still have some ground on which to press their claims. Fair enough. I too would have liked a striking rebuke to the Invisible set.

Yet what occurred is a political compromise, one where each side gives up a little, or a lot, in furtherance of agreement. Truth be told, I think the IDers gave up more than science ever did. While they can claim victory, given that young people are still going to learn the facts of life -- evolution -- and that magic isn't being endorsed and, given the lack of time to teach anything, let alone the regular curriculum, the ID'ers came out on the defacto loosing end of this vote.

I'm going to therefore change my hrrrumpppth against Ohio. While I'd have liked a legislative "Get Stuffed" to those in the ID camp, the vote the school board passed is close enough.