Sadly, I would say that there is one part of S.I.'s mission that actually
fits this circumstance:

"authoritative experiences that connect us to our history and our heritage
as Americans"

No doubt these people are authorities on I.D., and as frightening as it is,
this is indeed part of both our history and our heritage as Americans.  Ugh.

DISCLAIMER: This comment does not in any way support the idea of holding
this event there.  As many have stated, I think without an actual forum to
debate varying ideas, having the film there is quite simply crap (I'm
feeling eloquent).

On 5/31/05 11:44 AM, "Rebecca M. Trussell" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Considering the Smithsonian's mission statement, as refined by Secretary
> Small, the Smithsonian does not seem to serve itself in any way other than
> financially by housing a program on ID unless it results from bona fide
> scientific research, peer-reviewed and published in a recognized scientific
> journal. Founder Smithson's broad-brush mission statement might be
> interpreted to allow such a program, but the same interpretation could also
> support programs exploring the existence of an Aryan race and asserting UFO
> existence based on eye-witness testimony.
> 
> Perusing the Discovery Institute's website gives one the distinct
> impression that hocus-pocus can easily masquerade as science with the help
> of a slick website.
> 
> 
> http://www.si.edu/about/mission.htm
> "I then bequeath the whole of my property...to the United States of
> America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian
> Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge..."
> James Smithson (1765-1829)
> 
> 
> "The Smithsonian is committed to enlarging our shared understanding of the
> mosaic that is our national identity by providing authoritative experiences
> that connect us to our history and our heritage as Americans and to
> promoting innovation, research and discovery in science. These commitments
> have been central to the Smithsonian since its founding more than 155 years
> ago."
> Lawrence M. Small, Secretary of the Smithsonian
> 
> http://www.discovery.org/
> Intelligent design is "simply the argument that certain features of the
> natural world?from miniature machines and digital information found in
> living cells, to the fine-tuning of physical constants?are best explained
> as the result of an intelligent cause." Jay W. Richards
> 
> Rebecca Trussell
> 
> 
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Jay Heuman <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Date: 5/31/2005 1:47:07 PM
>> Subject: Re: ID Movie at Smithsonian
>> 
>>     I think we all must keep in mind, the Discovery Institute gave a
>> contribution of $16,000 to the Smithsonian and, just like any other donor,
>> they have been granted permission to use the auditorium to screen their
>> movie.
>>     Whether one is sympathetic with the contents of the movie, the system
>> has this 'loophole.'  The Discovery Institute is not abusing or misusing
> the
>> system.
>>     However, perhaps the system should be changed once we ask ourselves:
> Who
>> should decide what can be shown in the Smithsonian's facilities following
>> such a donation?  Do we want Holocaust deniers giving money to the
>> Smithsonian for the right to show revisionist propaganda?  Do we want the
>> KKK donating money so as to conduct a 'White Power' lecture series?  I can
>> come up with dozens of other scarier thoughts than an intelligent design
>> movie.
>> 
>>     [Note: I'm not a supporter of the Design Institute, their
>>     ideas, or their movie.  I am a supporter of consistency in
>>     museum policy.]
>> 
>> Best wishes, sincerely,
>> 
>> Jay Heuman
>> Curator of Education
>> Salt Lake Art Center
>> 20 South West Temple
>> Salt Lake City, UT 84101
>> 
>> tel: 801-328-4201 | fax: 801-322-4323
>> web: www.slartcenter.org
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 5/31/05 11:07 AM, "Mary Rogers" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> Hello Everyone,
>>> I have been hearing a lot lately about ID...mostly by way of various
> groups
>>> (radio stations, etc.) making fun of ID believers.  Now we have listers
>>> calling the showing of this movie at the Smithsonian shameful and
> horrifying.
>>> Although some would call people who believe in ID narrow-minded, I am
> feeling
>>> compelled to put that same label on those who are bashing those
> believers and
>>> also those who are so concerned about this situation.
>>> My comments and questions:
>>> It sounds to me like no one is going to be FORCED to watch this movie
> at the
>>> museum.  Those who want to watch it may do so.
>>> Individuals may choose to believe in whatever they want, no matter how
>>> ridiculous I think it sounds.
>>> Aren't museums the perfect place for this type of exchange to take
> place?  If
>>> not here, then where?  Do we think that because we don't like what
> these IDers
>>> are saying that we shouldn't let anyone else hear, either?  Isn't it our
>>> mission and job to present ideas?
>>> I tend to be somewhat skeptical, but I think that most big-money donors
> to
>>> museum have some type of agenda for which they intend to use the museum
> to
>>> further. Isn't this the way the world works?
>>> Thanks. Keep up the good work.
>>> Mary Rogers 
>> 
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