For Privileged Planet, Smithsonian withholds $5000 for “expenses”

Well, I went to the Smithsonian, saw the Privileged Planet film (again), had a great time in the Hall of Gems and Minerals (which is absolutely fabulous), greeted the New York Times reporter — and learned an interesting tidbit.

According to a Discovery employee, the Smithsonian - having magisterially announced that it was returning Discovery Institute’s US$16 000 donation - has further very recently announced that it is actually keeping US$5 000 for “expenses.” That is, of course, the $5000 that DI put down as a deposit. So, by my math, the Smithsonian really only returned $11 000. I hope the future record on this money point reflects that.