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”:
Now that Kenji Watts is a member in good standing in the Union of Concerned Scientists, what is the next step to be taken towards becoming a UCS officer and top dog at UCS?
“Nevertheless, as one of its last acts in power, the Liberal government added CO2 to the list of toxins covered by CEPA.”
That was 6 years ago.
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/10/05/kill-co2-regulations/
More people are killed or injured by bathtubs every year than anything else in the house. In fact bathtubs kill more people that nuclear energy and global warming combined!
The Union of Concerned Scientists needs to take swift action to halt this menace to society. The Precautionary Principle demands it. Governments need to outlaw bathing in all forms. Anyone found bathing should receive the death penalty to prevent accidental death.
he’ll be running things in no time!
[snip -over the top ]
David Falkner says:
October 7, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Kenji could make a donation to the US Treasury, PETA, the American Cancer Society, etc. Since Union of Concerned Scientists is an advocacy group that accepts donations, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to see the acceptance process automated and accepting donations from dogs with credit cards. Not sure why the composition of what they call members is important. Was it cited somewhere as significant for some reason?
——————————————————————-
You don’t think the name of the organisation is just a wee bit misleading?
Anyway, congratulations Kenji. Next step – the Nobel Peace Prize. Judging by some recent winners, you should make the short list with minimal difficulty, as your political position is a whole lot more coherent than most of the competition.
Also, since you are allowed to live in Anthony’s house, I’m guessing your manners are much better as well.
bikermailman says: (October 7, 2011 at 5:38 pm)
Paw-ly?
Congratulations! Next stop is the IPCC AR5.
Now Kenji is not only a registered scientist but a concerned scientist at that, he will be able to submit papers. With his credentials he should be able to get a “Pal” review from his “Pedigree Chums” and “Winalot” of funding. However if he does he is likely get some “ruff” treatment on WUWT. If so he might end up “Goreing” somebody.
I’ll get me coat….
hahahahhahhhaa Good one Anthony.
Now we want Kenji Watts to challenge Al Gore.
At 3:28 PM on 7 October, Dave H had whined:
Jeez, dunno, Dave. How about blatant deception in the title of their organization, and the abject lack of valid support for their allegedly “science-based advocacy positions“?
The topic of his thread brings me instantly to think of the only proper categorization of Dave H.
He’s a dogwhistle..
To quote from writer L. Neil Smith’s essay “Day of the Dogwhistle” (10 July 2001)
That’s our Dave H in full, isn’t it?
Returning to Mr. Smith’s essay, I can think of nothing better with which to close this post than:
Emphasis in the original.
Unfortunate surname the letter signer has.
Crosspatch 2:11
“…the death toll at Fukushima …is exactly zero.”
According to the Uk’s Daily Telegraph five people have now died there, two in the original tsunami, one from a heart attack, one from leukemia and one a couple of days ago whose cause of death is being investigated. The Tokyo Power and Electric Company denies that any were caused by radiation leaks, but of course the teams working there have an incredibly hard and stressful job that may contribute to a pre-existing condition.
old construction worker says:
October 7, 2011 at 7:35 pm
“Smokey says:
October 7, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Kevin Knoblock [or anyone else] can be searched here:”
I looked him up. He is a lobbyist.
“Kevin holds a master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University,……”
This is from the original post on joing UCS:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/08/18/be-a-concerned-scientist-valid-credit-card-required/#comment-736933
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
Kenji can now go the meetings and report back, and of course contribute to the discussions..
I was expecting someone else to highlight this, so I didn’t do. But nobody has.. so… from the letter to Kenji:
Right here is the truth of the UCS; analysis is explicitly geared to support the argument, rather than the argument being formed based on the analysis performed.
This is the difference between scientific discovery, which is what we pay for, and religious dogma, which is what we get.
Now think a moment, Anthony. Do you really want a fully paid-up member of the fatuously named Union of Concerned Scientists living under your very own roof? My guess is that Kenji is spying on you.
The name of the UCS, unlike the names of the organizations cited above, implies that its membership consists of scientists. And it trades on that false implication to boost the presumptive disinterest, scientific authority of the positions it takes.
As the time ticks down to a potentially below average year of earth’s temperature, all the barking by groups like UCS will die down. The cooler temps will cause the UCS members to flea their previous position since they will no longer have a dog in this fight once they kick Kenjii off the board. I suppose they will just collar another worthwhile project to be concerned about so let’s just throw them a bone and give them credit for being concerned about something
My cat is far more intelligent. Too intelligent to join the Union of Concerned Scientists, in fact. She is a scientist, too. Investigator of plumbing, mastered the can opener in two seconds (without can — get real), likes to open ink jet printers and watch the cartridge move. But you know, Calico cats are like that.
Anthony, is there any way you can get a picture of your dog peeing on the mousepad?
This is really great.
I think a lot more dogs should join the Union of Concerned Scientists.
It would really give a boost to their credibility.
They can now call themseves,’Union of Concerned Scientists and Dogs.’
Sounds impressive.
Careful, Kenji may get elected to the executive board of the UCS, and that would mean lots of travel to meetings in exotic 5-star locations to decide which exotic 5-star location will hold the next meeting. ;->
LOL!