Readers may recall this story a few weeks back:
Be a “concerned scientist” – valid credit card required
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.
I decided to put that theory to the test. I am very proud to announce that a member of my family has been accepted into this prestigious organization. With pride, I present new UCS member, Kenji Watts:
Yes, Kenji is our dog. Apparently, the claim is true, all that is required to be a member of the illustrious group of “concerned scientists” is a valid credit card. No discerning questions were asked of me when I prepared Kenji’s application and no follow up check after the application was done. I simply put in his name, address, and provided a valid credit card that matched the address.
Here is his letter of acceptance:
And the envelope it came in:
Kenji surveys his welcome kit:
Kenji is a Japanese Chin, hence the name. I found it ironic that the issue of the UCS Catalyst Magazine (seen above) was all about Japan.
So the real question is: How many real “concerned scientists” are there in UCS? Membership is apparently not any more discerning than the ability to send money.
I’m disappointed the Guardian hasn’t called for a quote on this story citing “leading U.S. Scientists”:
Overqualified.
Money talks…or should I say: barks!
What? No secret decoder ring?
Awesome! Way to follow through.
They need to change the about us on their website.
“What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 250,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students.” ….. and a dog.
He is on a list now! He’ll probably start getting a bunch of junk mail asking for donations.
REPLY: Yep, probably, I’ll report those here too. The UCS entry is public address zero for Kenji, it will be an interesting experiment. – Anthony
Can it happen here?
That depends, how many reactors do we have in places that can be hit with 9.0 earthquakes, followed 20 minutes later by a 30 foot tsunami.
Even if it did, if we put the back-up diesels in concrete, water tight bunkers, then there won’t be a problem. Put the batteries in water tight bunkers as well.
For the rest of the reactors, no changes will be needed.
I should submit my two Irish Setters, Kelly and Seamus to the UCS. They too are concerned and very passionate about climate and food production, specifically on how it can benefit them, soil erosion and drought at the local off-leash, environmental policies at home in regards to vacuuming the floor and security concerns vis-a-vis the mailman and flyer delivery guy.
Are all UCS members barking?
A mouse pad? No mouse in it? And what’s with the CAT magazine?
===============
Kenji’s wisdom is sorely needed – can he run for office in the UCS too?
Uh huh, laugh it up, Anthony… It’s all fun and games until someone reports you to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And PETA !!!
funny stuff… Thanks for that!
Or you could just read the “ABOUT US” link on the site
“What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 250,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students. Our achievements over the decades show that thoughtful action based on the best available science can help safeguard our future and the future of our planet. ”
Idiots.
I don’t understand; what is the problem with caninologists joining the Union of Concerned Scientists?
p.s. That’s one ugly mutt, all the better for loving.
Here’s a blueprint for destroying a state economy. Amy Luers, UCS. Money for their work collected from a public goods charge on electric bills amounting to $1 billion per year in California. Public Interest Energy Research got about $100 million per year.
http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/events/2007_conference/presentations/2007-09-12/2007-09-12_FRANCO_CAYAN_SANSTAD_LUERS.PDF
I wonder how many other members of UCS are housebroken?
Latimer Alder says:
October 7, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Are all UCS members barking?
Barking mad, maybe.
The picture would have fit in better if Kenji was chewing on a hockey stick…
Kenji looks like a mouser, good thing they are sending him/her a mousepad!
> So the real question is: How many real “concerned scientists” are there in UCS?
Did you care enough to ask them? Or were you in too much of a rush to get your readership to mock them?
> Membership is apparently not any more discerning than the ability to send money.
It is not supposed to be discerning. It is a charity. I wonder how many members of Women Against Abuse are neither women, nor abused? Should I have to be subjected to some sort of faith test before donating to Christian Aid?
As is absolutely obvious from the Guardian article you link to, when the UCS draws attention to an issue what they do is issue a joint statement signed by a number of genuine scientists. 100 in this case, over 10,000 in past instances.
So. The UCS is a **charity** which adopts science-based advocacy positions, has a scientist as its chair, and organises public statements with mass signatories by scientists, and allows anyone who agrees with their message to donate money to help them spread it. What **exactly** is your problem?
Ha, ha, now I’ve got to go clean up the mess from Pirates of Penzance.
On the internet, no one knows you are a dog
“Don’t mind them Kenji, I think you’re cool”. – Kayleigh, the ungrateful dog.
I laughed.
Not too sure about the wisdom of giving them your address – after all, like most climate activists they are sons of Kenji’s (why couldn’t you have a female dog Anthony!).
I love it when folks like Dave H can’t see the tagged humor and satire and get all bent out of shape. It reminds me a famous phrase when thinking about UCS and global warming:
“Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!”