Reader DJ writes in Tips & Notes:
Since becoming a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists when I found out all you needed was a valid credit card, my curiosity about who and what they really are has spiked.
Chief Executive Kevin Knobloch makes $229,000/yr, and isn’t even a scientist. He has a masters in public administration. UCS has a staff of 121 with an AVERAGE salary of $92,000/yr. 15% of their income goes to fundraising and administration.
$5.4Mil, or roughly 1/3 of their program budget is spent on climate, and $460,000 is spent on “legislative”. (Lobbying?)
I’m now receiving emails from them soliciting donations, in the same format as the save-the-whales/puppies/children/ pleas.
=============================================================
Seems to me like just another NGO with policy predicated on distributing FUD. Gotta love the way they combine global warming and nuclear war in the header. – Anthony
kadaka (KD Knoebel) says:
August 18, 2011 at 6:06 am
From Murray Grainger on August 18, 2011 at 5:41 am:
What have you naysayers got against butterflies? What did the butterflies ever do to you?
—————–
Do you really want me to get into that? Let’s just say I don’t have a problem with most butterflies like Monarchs. But that Venus one… Arrgghh!!
———————————–
And that one they talk about that started the hurricane. Bad butterfly!
Andrew Harding says:
August 18, 2011 at 1:46 am
I think this sums up the financial merry-go-round that depends upon AGW being fact and this also explains the hysteria that the warmists resort to when people question their dogma.
I do not pretend to know a great deal about American politics so please don’t shoot me down in flames, Rick Perry one of the Republican candidates for US President has stated that the whole AGW is a scam and scientists are making billions of dollars out of it.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/rick-perry-climate-change-is-a-hoax-drummed-up-by-scientists-looking-to-make-money.php
As far as I am aware he is the only senior politician to question AGW, certainly on our side of the Atlantic, no-one does.
————————————-
Please remember “Politicians, whenever they think it necessary, lie to whatever degree, in whatever direction about anything they think can impact their reelection.” For example … “Julia down under” spouted one direction making promises about taxes and now look.
We lost the first Bush the same way.
Understand that Perry is a “democrat turned republican” who backed algore.
Although it appears he may be one of the few who might be able to take on Obama.
Red Jeff says:
August 18, 2011 at 7:24 am
Would a ‘scientist’ demand this…? “Tell Congress What You Want for Dinner”, I assume so they can decide for you?
———–
The First Lady needs Harry Reid to tell her our menu requests.
mkelly says:
August 18, 2011 at 7:22 am
Nuke says:
August 18, 2011 at 5:54 am
I want to be concerned!
Me, too. But I am now concerned by my lack of concern.
—————-
I too am concerned. I’m concerned a concerned scientist from the Union of Concerned Scientists might be concerned with showing his concern by ignoring my concerns.
Well, at least they care….
sunderlandsteve says:
August 18, 2011 at 10:25 am
“to reduce the threat of global warming AND nuclear war”
Wow, I didn’t know they were connected. Which do you suppose leads to the other? 🙂
—————–
I think it’s CO2, then warming then nuclear war. or maybe it’s …….?
Chuck Nolan, you have not supplied any research to back up your statements about Gov Perry. He was one of the governors who passed resolutions stating that both Cap and Trade and Obamacare are huge federal overreaches, and that his state is not subject to either of them. His book, Fed Up, is about the unconstitutionality of much of what the federal government does. You are simply making unsupported assertions about his positions. Please back it up, as I did. I made specific mention of Gov Romney’s green policies in Mass. He firmly believes in taking money from the private sector and redirecting it to Universities and select companies for “renewable energy” research and development. That was the thrust of his economic policy in his state. So pony up.
I can’t find documentation of it on the internet (too many hits to sort through), but I distinctly remember a story years ago of someone who signed up his dog as a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists. So for 25 bucks and using a paypal account, you could probably still sign up the family pet as a concerned scientist. Woof!
Zeke the Sneak says:
August 18, 2011 at 8:32 am
James Sexton, the candidate Mitt Romney ————
=======================================
Yeh, I was being polite. And not wanting to move the discussion toward a political commentary of repub candidates, but Romney’s not getting my vote in the primary. I think the legislation passed in Mass is more reflective of his constituency than his views, but, that’s not very endearing to me either. IMHO, Romney is a pragmatic politician. Wet a finger, stick it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing and go that way. I’d much rather someone with more convictions than that. This nation needs a leader, not a follower.
That is good idea Manfred. btw you might want to do something to differentiate yourself from me!
I remember some talk show host saying something like your dog could join the UCS. I thought it would be funny to have Rover Random who is a member of UCS.
How does the Union of Concerned Scientists actually work? Who sets their policy directions? What percentage of the members are actually scientists? Do the scientists involved have an actual voice in what the organization decrees?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_Concerned_Scientists
I am surprised at how little information there is about how this organization actually works, ie – the nuts and bolts of its administration. Do the members vote on policy issues?
Chris Shaker
So far, I have not had any luck searching for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) bylaws online. I know that they exist, because of numerous references to them in legal papers like this
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/efile/NOTICE/135400.pdf
It seems that the UCS bylaws should tell us how the organization is supposed to work, ie – how decisions are made, etc. Seems that it would be interesting reading
Chris Shaker
No luck finding Union of Concerned Scientists meeting minutes. Found a subcommittee meeting minute document, but can’t seem to actually download it. I find lots of meeting minutes from the organizations who met with the Union of Concerned Scientists, but so far can not find meeting minutes from the Union of Concerned Scientists
Surprised at how little visibility there is into this organization. Why is it so secretive?
Chris Shaker