##5 Activism and YSN ?

[Eric Schmidt <schmidt () sunset larc nasa gov>]

[This is an abstract: the full post is found in YSN #1307.  -ed.]
  The suggestion is put forth that YSN needs to become 'active' again.
While the discussion of topics is useful, the actions of YSN have caused
it to reach its current level of success. Let's get the letter-writing,
meeting organization, and watchdog activities going again.  A recent
ASLA (AGU Science Legislative Alert; AGU = American Geophysical Union)
post is cited.

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From: sbenton () telerama pgh pa us (Scott Benton)

[Summary - see YSN #1308 for the original post.  -ed.]
  Some of the recent discussion on YSN has dealt with the perceived need
to develop the organization necessary to actually do something about the
MYTH.  YSN members should be involved in this type of activity.  I
believe, however, that the real strength of YSN as an organization is in
helping individual participants to explore the MYTH and its potential
causes and solutions.  The individual participants are thereby motivated
to take action in specific areas that interest them.
  We are discussing issues that have a variety of causes and a number of
possibilities for solutions (as many as there are YSN members, I 
suspect).  It would be difficult, and possibly counterproductive, to
turn YSN into a lobbying organization, which would necessitate taking
definite positions on issues on which there is considerable disagreement
among the YSN community.
  This was demonstrated by the recent debate (?) over the immigration 
issue. This is an important issue of concern to YSN, but not one on
which a consensus is likely to be achieved.  Because of the degree of
controversy involved with this and other important issues, YSN members
as individuals should address them as their arguments become refined
through YSN discussions.

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