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I think Keith Olberman's news show on MSNBC tonight might be relevant here. 
He gave the president of the NSTA his worst person of the day award. Even 
ahead of Bill O'Reilly.

Eyesblue1492-News wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
> institutions.
> ***************************************************************************** 
> 
> 
> David,
> 
> Yes, exactly right.
> 
> Michael
> 
> 
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
>> institutions.
>> ***************************************************************************** 
>>
>>
>> Failing any lawyers stepping forth, my curiosity sent me digging and I
>> found the next best thing - the IRS fact sheet on political activity at
>> non-profits: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html
>> It seems Michael is right.
>>
>> First, the prohibition:
>>
>>>> The Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention
>>
>>
>> Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are
>> absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or
>> intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition
>> to) any candidate for elective public office.  The prohibition applies
>> to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local
>> level.  Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation
>> of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.<<
>>
>> Then the context under which you can advocate for issues:
>>
>>>> Issue Advocacy vs. Political Campaign Intervention
>>
>>
>> Under federal tax law, section 501(c)(3) organizations may take
>> positions on public policy issues, including issues that divide
>> candidates in an election for public office.  However, section 501(c)(3)
>> organizations must avoid any issue advocacy that functions as political
>> campaign intervention.  Even if a statement does not expressly tell an
>> audience to vote for or against a specific candidate, an organization
>> delivering the statement is at risk of violating the political campaign
>> intervention prohibition if there is any message favoring or opposing a
>> candidate.  A statement can identify a candidate not only by stating the
>> candidate's name but also by other means such as showing a picture of
>> the candidate, referring to political party affiliations, or other
>> distinctive features of a candidate's platform or biography.   All the
>> facts and circumstances need to be considered to determine if the
>> advocacy is political campaign intervention.
>>
>> Key factors in determining whether a communication results in political
>> campaign intervention include the following:
>> . Whether  the statement identifies one or more candidates for a given
>> public office;
>> . Whether the statement expresses approval or disapproval for one or
>> more candidates' positions and/or actions;
>> . Whether the statement is delivered close in time to the election;
>> . Whether the statement makes reference to voting or an election;
>> . Whether the issue addressed in the communication has been raised as an
>> issue distinguishing candidates for a given office;
>> . Whether the communication is part of an ongoing series of
>> communications by the organization on the same issue that are made
>> independent of the timing of any election; and
>> . Whether the timing of the communication and identification of the
>> candidate are related to a non-electoral event such as a scheduled vote
>> on specific legislation by an officeholder who also happens to be a
>> candidate for public office.
>>
>> A communication is particularly at risk of political campaign
>> intervention when it makes reference to candidates or voting in a
>> specific upcoming election.  Nevertheless, the communication must still
>> be considered in context before arriving at any conclusions.<<
>>
>> Whereas we are advocating an issue, my reading of this document suggests
>> that my concerns were unfounded and that it is acceptable for a
>> non-profit to distribute the movie or screen it outside of election
>> years.  If however, the movie contains a "vote for candidates who
>> support limits on carbon emissions" message, or if Al Gore should run
>> for office in the future, it should not be shown or distributed during
>> election years.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> David L. Smith, Ph.D.
>> Director of Professional Development
>> Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown, PA
>> http://www.davinci-center.org
>>
>> Engage, Explore, Share
>>
>>>
>>>  Dave,
>>>
>>>  Since Al Gore is not a candidate for office, I don't believe
>>>  that's an issue.
>>>
>>>  Michael
>>>
>>>>
>>
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