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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I think David is right.  Gore's not currently a candidate but that is just a
technicality.  The movie will be associated with Gore the Liberal Politician
for eternity.

-----Original Message-----
From: Eyesblue1492-News [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 10:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ISEN] 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.
****************************************************************************
*

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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