ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dave,

Since Al Gore is not a candidate for office, I don't believe that's an issue.

Michael



>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Hi Teri,
>
>No argument over the content or its relation to scientific
>understandings - my issue has nothing to do with propaganda or lack
>thereof.  The issue is that the movie prominently features, and thus can
>be construed to advance or promote, a currently active politician who
>might soon be seeking national office.  In addition to lobbying, which
>seems to be a non-issue (thanks, eyesblue), it's my understanding that
>non-profits may not publish or communicate anything that explicitly, or
>implicitly, favors or opposes a particular candidate.  If the movie had
>been done by NCAR scientists, there would be no issue at all and I would
>be signing up for a box to hand out right now.  It's Al Gore's name and
>face and voice all over it that could potentially cause a problem, even
>with showing it.  I'm no lawyer, so I'll happily yield to anyone with
>better knowledge of this law, but I do know that the IRS is extremely
>picky about this and I certainly believe that the current administration
>wouldn't hesitate to single out science institutions that disagree with
>it, just as it has done to individual scientists.
>
>Dave
>
>David L. Smith, Ph.D.
>Director of Professional Development
>Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown, PA
>http://www.davinci-center.org
>
>Engage, Explore, Share
>
>
>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>>  From: Informal Science Education Network
>>  [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Teresa Eastburn
>>  Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 7:21 PM
>>  To: [log in to unmask]
>>  Subject: Re: Op Ed in Today's WaPost
>>
>>
>>  ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
>>  Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network
>>  of science museums and related institutions.
>>  **************************************************************
>>  ***************
>>
>>  Hi Dave,
>>
>>  The scientific evidence of our  changing climate is overwhelming. 
>>  Gore's movie is not a political propaganda piece.  It is based on the
>>  best scientific evidence we have in regard to Earth's climate.  Would
>>  you ask this same question as you put forth support for evolution --
>>  perhaps in a movie that shows the overwhelming evidence of
>>  the process
>>  of evolution at work in our world past and present?  And if you did,
>>  would you fear losing your non-profit status?  I think not. Funding? 
>>  Perhaps.
>>
>>  The movie is based on the best scientific evidence we have on
>>  the status
>>  of our climate - not the best political or religious views of
>>  our very
>  > complex but largely understood climate system. We have an
>>  obligation as
>>  science centers to science.  When it is controversial, we have an
>>  obligation to understand why it is so and convey that
>>  information to the
>>  public in any of a number of ways.  Among the scientific
>>  community, the
>>  debate about climate change is over.  Let's avoid adding to the
>>  confusion at the very least.
>>
>>  Teri Eastburn
>>  National Center for Atmospheric Research
>>
>>  David Smith wrote:
>>  > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
>>  > Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and
>>  > related institutions.
>>  >
>>  **************************************************************
>>  ***************
>>  >
>>  > Could distributing the movie be construed as lobbying or political
>>  > action in a way that could jeopardize an organization's non-profit
>>  > status?
>>  >
>>  > Dave
>>  >
>
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