Ron, Rich et al.:

I fully appreciate that public museums may chose not to take a stand on
political issues, for fear of angering both (or all) sides of a given
debate.  I will ignore the matter of the Boy Scouts in favor of highlighting
two ridiculous assertions.

Ron wrote: "but most are cultural institutions - reflecting culture not
creating or directing it . . . ."

Culture is a construct, invented by historians (of art, science, etc.) and
museologists.  Cultural institutions CREATE and DIRECT culture based on
their exhibitions (i.e., the specific artifacts on display and their
accompanying interpretive texts).  After all, that's what INTERPRETATION is!

Rich wrote: "We should report facts, do good science, and let the chips fall
where they may."

How can you presume anything is a fact beyond debate?  What were once
considered unmistakable facts have been overturned.  We all deal with
theories -- lots and lots of theories, with a sprinkle of conjecture and
educated guessing.  As for what is "good" science -- versus "bad" science, I
assume?  Good and bad is in the eye of the beholder.  What might cause a
destructive explosion might harm humankind or help with mining precious ores
and gems.  What might cause a medical condition might also cure it . . .

Ron, Rich and everyone else: Do not allow yourselves to get sucked into an
"argument."  In an argument, everyone loses.

Sincerely,

Jay Heuman
Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator
Joslyn Art Museum http://www.joslyn.org
2200 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE     68102
Phone: 402-342-3300, ext. 298
Fax: 402-342-2376

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).