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Controversy ensued within hours of publication,<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]]</ref> with senior Smithsonian scientists referring to Sternberg as a "shoddy scientist" and a "closet Bible thumper."<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]]</ref>  Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education ([[National Center for Science Education|NCSE]]), a think-tank that promotes evolution, defended the Smithsonian:  "They don't care if you are religious, but they do care a lot if you are a creationist,"<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]], Statement to Washington Post reporter Michael Powell</ref> and "Some <nowiki>[</nowiki>scientists<nowiki>]</nowiki> probably did speak intemperately,"<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Hagerty 2005]] Recorded statement to [[National Public Radio]]</ref> out of frustration and annoyance over Sternberg's role.

Controversy ensued within hours of publication,<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]]</ref> with senior Smithsonian scientists referring to Sternberg as a "shoddy scientist" and a "closet Bible thumper."<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]]</ref>  Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education ([[National Center for Science Education|NCSE]]), a think-tank that promotes evolution, defended the Smithsonian:  "They don't care if you are religious, but they do care a lot if you are a creationist,"<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]], Statement to Washington Post reporter Michael Powell</ref> and "Some <nowiki>[</nowiki>scientists<nowiki>]</nowiki> probably did speak intemperately,"<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Hagerty 2005]] Recorded statement to [[National Public Radio]]</ref> out of frustration and annoyance over Sternberg's role.

Although Sternberg had announced his resignation from PBSW before the controversy irrupted, he continued to work at the Smithsonian as a [[National Museum of Natural History]] (NMNH) Research Associate (RA).<ref>{{cite|USHRCGR|2006}}</ref>  Sternberg states that he was subjected to a hostile work environment as an RA, and requested that the United States Office of Special Counsel ([[United States Office of Special Counsel|USOSC]]) investigate his allegations.<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Sounder 2006]]</ref>  The USOSC ultimately concluded in a letter obtained by three media outlets that Sternberg was subjected to a hostile work environment at the NMNH.<ref>{{cite|Hagerty|2005}}, {{cite|Powell|2005|p=A19}} letter is referred to as a report in this article, but quotes make it clear that the report was addressed to Sternberg.  See also {{cite web | last = McVay | first =James | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Letter to Dr. Richard von Sternberg Re: OSC File No. MA-05-0371 and MA-05-0015 (Pre-closure letter) | work = | publisher =  | date = 2005-08-05 | url =  | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-06 }} [http://www.rsternberg.net/Documents/OSC-Sternberg-preclosure-ltr2.pdf facsimile] retrieved on [[2007-04-29]]</ref> USOSC pre-closure letter to Sternberg</ref>  However, the USOSC closed the investigation without taking further action due to the jurisdictional issue of Richard Sternberg's salary, which was not paid by the Smithsonian.<ref>{{cite|Powell|2005|p=A19}}, {{cite|Hagerty|2005}}, {{cite|USHRCGR|2006}}, USOSC pre-closure letter to Sternberg</ref>  Eugenie Scott, whose organization also consulted with the Smithsoian, countered that "<nowiki>[Sternberg]</nowiki> didn't lose his job, he didn't get his pay cut, he still has his research privileges, he still has his office....You know, what's his complaint? People weren't nice to him. Well, life is not fair."<ref>{{cite|Hagerty|2005}}</ref>  [[Mark Souder|U.S. Representative Mark Souder's]] staff subsequently issued a report findng that the allegations of a hostile work envirionment and other retaliations including demotion were backed by "substantial, credible evidence."<ref>{{cite|USHRCGR|2006}}</ref>

Although Sternberg had announced his resignation from PBSW before the controversy irrupted, he continued to work at the Smithsonian as a [[National Museum of Natural History]] (NMNH) Research Associate (RA).<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Sounder 2006]]</ref>  Sternberg states that he was subjected to a hostile work environment as an RA, and requested that the United States Office of Special Counsel ([[United States Office of Special Counsel|USOSC]]) investigate his allegations.<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Sounder 2006]]</ref>  The USOSC ultimately concluded in a letter obtained by three media outlets that Sternberg was subjected to a hostile work environment at the NMNH.<ref>[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Hagerty 2005]], [[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|Powell 2005 p A19]] letter is referred to as a report in Washington Post article, but quotes in this article make it clear that the report was addressed to Sternberg.  See also  

[[Smithsonian_Controversy#Sources|McVay 2005]]</ref> USOSC pre-closure letter to Sternberg</ref>  However, the USOSC closed the investigation without taking further action due to the jurisdictional issue of Richard Sternberg's salary, which was not paid by the Smithsonian.<ref>{{cite|Powell|2005|p=A19}}, {{cite|Hagerty|2005}}, {{cite|USHRCGR|2006}}, USOSC pre-closure letter to Sternberg</ref>  Eugenie Scott, whose organization also consulted with the Smithsoian, countered that "<nowiki>[Sternberg]</nowiki> didn't lose his job, he didn't get his pay cut, he still has his research privileges, he still has his office....You know, what's his complaint? People weren't nice to him. Well, life is not fair."<ref>{{cite|Hagerty|2005}}</ref>  [[Mark Souder|U.S. Representative Mark Souder's]] staff subsequently issued a report findng that the allegations of a hostile work envirionment and other retaliations including demotion were backed by "substantial, credible evidence."<ref>{{cite|USHRCGR|2006}}</ref>

=== Opinions on the Smithsonian Controversy ===

=== Opinions on the Smithsonian Controversy ===