hmmm. Is the Coburn amendment such a surprise given the way AAM  
promotes the museum sector? Coburn — perhaps disingenuously —  echoes  
Ford's logic of museums as a 'water-park phenomenon'.

"None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this  
Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment,  
aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park,  
museum, theater, arts center, or highway beautification project,  
including renovation, remodeling, construction, salaries, furniture,  
zero-gravity chairs, big screen televisions, beautification, rotating  
pastel lights, and dry heat saunas."

New York Times. 12 March 2008:

"While museum market research has been around for two decades,  
gathering data about visitors has never been as important, or as  
sophisticated, as it is now. As museums expand, they need more paying  
customers to cover ever-increasing costs. And they're competing for  
those customers with local shopping malls, movie theaters, even  
grocery stores.

"I call it the water-park phenomenon," said Ford Bell, president and  
chief executive of the American Association of Museums in Washington.  
"A zillion other things are competing for our leisure time. People  
might visit a museum to see a Monet or a toaster or a textile display  
-- what's important is it's getting them in the door."

AAM email. 5 February 2009:

"Call Your Senators Today! Senate Votes Against Vitter Amendment to  
Restrict Funds; Coburn Amendment May Still Be Considered

"On Wednesday, February 4, during Senate consideration of the  
economic stimulus bill, Sen. David Vitter offered an amendment (S.  
Amdt. 179)  that contained a provision barring funds from being used  
for zoos, aquariums, or a Mob Museum. ("None of the funds  
appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used for  
any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf  
course, swimming pool, or Mob Museum.") ...

"I am pleased that this misguided amendment failed," said AAM  
President Ford Bell. "But the fact that museums, zoos, and aquariums  
are being targeted in this way illustrates the fact that we need to  
educate our legislators about how museums serve as economic engines  
and are a vital part of our nation's educational infrastructure."


oh yeah, there's that education thing...

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