Dr. Samper's statement concerning the ID film is one of the saddest things that I have ever read. It means that the Smithsonian is completely in the hands of the development officers and the special events and business enterprise people, a process that was beginning when I retired from the Museum of American History three years ago. From my own experiences with development offices at the Institution, I am sure that the scholarly staff at Natural History had no say at all in the decision to screen this film. What has happened to the Smithsonian should be a lesson to all museums: when the fund-raisers take over, all scholarly considerations go out the window, because they have different goals and march to different drummers. Someone, perhaps a new secretary, needs to reassert scholarly leadership at the Smithsonian.

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Sally Shelton

To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 7:49 AM

Subject: Message to the Museum Community

Posted on behalf of Dr. Samper.

Sally Y. Shelton
Collections Officer
Room 425, MRC 165
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
P. O. Box 37012
Washington, D. C. 20013-7012

NEW phone (202) 633-0835
NEW email [log in to unmask]

List owner, PERMIT-L

>>> Cristián Samper 7:34 PM Tuesday, May 31, 2005, 2005 >>>
To the Museum Community,

After considerable discussion with NMNH staff and in consultation with the Secretary and his staff, we have agreed to issue the following statement regarding the planned presentation of the Discovery Institute film, "The Privileged Planet," in Baird Auditorium on June 23. Please feel free to share this statement with your colleagues. I will look forward to discussing this further with each of you in the very near future.

Statement by the Director, National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History recently approved a request by the Discovery Institute to hold a private, invitation-only screening and reception at the Museum on June 23 for the film "The Privileged Planet." Upon further review we have determined that the content of the film is not consistent with the mission of the Smithsonian Institution's scientific research. Neither the Smithsonian Institution nor the National Museum of Natural History supports or endorses the Discovery Institute or the film "The Privileged Planet." However, since Smithsonian policy states that all events held at any museum be "co-sponsored" by the director and the outside organization, and we have signed an agreement with this organization, we will honor the commitment made to provide space for the event.