I don't think the crux of the article is about intelligent design per se. The controversy is whether the guy was fired for expressing religious beliefs at the office. What makes it potentially interesting to HN is that 'the office' in this case was JPL, an ostensibly scientific organization. Whether or not it's the case here, should a scientific organization be able to fire an employee who subscribes to bad science? Does it matter if the belief is religiously motivated? I can see where HN readers might be interested in these questions.