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”:
So what sort of research does Kenji do? Is he concerned about the Ozone hole? Does he have advice for us wind turbine haters?
Inquiring minds want to know! Did he realize it was only a charity and that any dog could join, not just qualified dogs?
Does he care what Dave H. Thinks?
Looking forward to Further articles and notes from “The Desk of Kenji” 🙂
Alright own up! Which one of you concerned scientists is the guilty party here?
http://viralfootage.com/?p=18730
I predict Kenji will make fewer foolishly unscientific statements than the average UCS member.
[yeah funny, but a bit over the top – Anthony]
Will you submit one of Kenji’s “poop, er… peer-reviewed” papers?
“To reduce the threat of global warming and nuclear war”
Wouldn’t a good nuclear war reduce the threat of global warming.
Just wonderin’.
🙂
Your dog has a credit card? You trust him?
When I first read this I thought it was hilarious and I laughed out loud at the computer.
Then I read the points made by David H.
After reading what he wrote I felt …
…even better.
(apoologies to P.J O’Rourke)
I can’t wait for someone to quote UCS as an authority at me.
Their web address needs to be changed to
http://www.ucsusa.dorg
Anthony,
I have lurked daily this post is Priceless……UCS or UKC/AKC Pedigree on Kenji?
Garbz
at last we have a dog in the race…
Anthony: Now that Kenji is a scientist will he be writing posts here?
Ugly?!? I think Kenji is cute. Probably playful as well.
UCS started in 1969? {—-} back in 1960 we had fallout shelters and had to put up with films like “what to do in case of nuclear war”. (kiss part of your anatomy goodbye?) I still have my C-D radiation survey meter. It never moved off zero. If it did, you never saw it, as you were dead.
Like AGW, it’s all about the money. I’ll keep my $35.
Anthony, this is really funny … 🙂
Found some typos in my previous posting … here it is again
Over the past 15 months, I’ve been working on some papers about the GH theory. As part of my research, I tried to contact UCS on several occasions with specific questions regarding atmospheric physics. I was never able to speak directly to a scientist! Every time, the UCS phone was answered by some administrative person with no science expertise. I was always told that UCS has a number of scientists on staff, but they are all busy and cannot take calls. I was encouraged to send my questions via email to the administrative person with a promise that it will be forwarded to the appropriate scientist. I did this 3-4 times, and I only received one reply, not directly from a scientist, but forwarded to me by some program administrator. The reply did not even address my specific questions. Instead, it provided a number of unrelated quotations from the latest IPCC report… So, your story kind of explains my experience with UCS.
My dog has started giving me funny looks, since I read this:
Pet dogs as bad for planet as driving 4x4s, book claims
Owners should consider doing without, downsizing or even eating their pets to help save the planet, according to a new book.
The Union of Concerned Dogs looks like it might pick up a few members.
Thanks for the levity Anthony.
It almost makes me feel sorry for the regulars at RC and Tamino, among others.
Uh oh. Didn’t the name on the credit card have to match the name of the applicant?
REPLY: No, it didn’t, and that’s the surprise. – Anthony
Careful Anthony. This site is under warmist surveillance. Kenji will be hounded out.
I admit that I laughed first. But, seriously, … .
Dave H: wrote: What **exactly** is your problem?
Priceless.
A good straight man always heightens the joke.
What is really scarey is that these guys look like conservatives compared to the rest of “The People’s Republic of Cambridge”.
“So Kenji, what’s it like being a skeptic in an organization with generally alarmist membership?”
“Ruff!”
“I feel your pain.”
I believe I’ve read some of Kenji’s papers. His work on feline psychokinetics was cutting edge.
Kenji should have credentials. You should have given him the prefix Dr.
[snip – funny but over the top – Anthony]