Rest my case. According to Henry B. Crawford: > > >I have already interjected the premise that-however > >well-intentioned the heroic efforts to keep inside-the-Beltway > >museums open, e.g., the Vermeer exhibit-to do so is a big > >mistake in the context of the political dynamics of the > >budgetary process. > > >I am sure that museum people think of themselves primarily as "museum > >professionals," and from that perspective are inclined to > >applaud the heroic efforts and their success. They do not see > >themselves as primarily "government workers," and consequently > >probably do not realize how keeping such high-visibility > >government operations as museums at the seat of power open > >damages the cause of other "government workers. . . > > >"Everyone came to take it > >for granted, got fat and lazy, and that-coupled with some > >undoubted excesses and corruption-have apparently caused > >workers to view "solidarity" with either indifference or > >disdain. Perhaps they choose to view what they do as not being > >"labor": "I am a professional," not a working person . . . > >Until working people realize that unless they organize and > >combine for power, they will continue to get [deleted] over by > >"management." > > > Hello. Excuse me. We ARE museum professionals, and WORK very hard at it. > We are not labor leaders, not politicians. We are the custodians of a > culture, and serve a higher purpose than mere petty politics. Don't saddle > us with the guilt of today's labor and budget problems. In our business we > are obligated to care for and interpret our cultural patrimony, no matter > what. The objects in National collections still need attention no matter > what the financial position of the government happens to be, and our > colleagues in Fed museums do whatever it takes to care for them. I realize > that many federal museum employees CAN'T go to their work places regardless > of whether they want to. Nontheless, I commend those in the Fed system who > can and do recognize their professional obligations above fleeting > political agendas. > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > Henry B. Crawford v > Curator of History v > Museum of Texas Tech University v > Box 43191 v > Lubbock, TX 79409-3191 v > 806/742-2442 v > FAX 742-1136 v > [log in to unmask] V > All opinions expressed are mine v > <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >