I would submit that there are countless places to debate the pros & cons of political candidates and their positions on the environment: the break room at work, chat rooms, blogs, or even the letters to the editor section of your local newspaper. We could even start up a SC political topics listserve if enough people felt it would serve a useful purpose. When the political parties have chosen their candidates, the Sierra club does have a vigorous endorsement process of selecting candidates to support (usually without the overriding veto of the SC National political committee). Prior to the primary process, it is SC policy to remain neutral. Philip W. Scott Leopold Group Political Chair Iowa Sierra Club P.S. For the record, the posting I objected to was not a SC member opinion, it was a press release lifted directly from the John Kerry for President web site. P.P.S. Sorry Erin, I just couldn't resist getting a dig in about last fall. On Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at 03:37 PM, VernonandJoyce Naffier wrote: Just a question..... I, for one, consider IOWA-TOPICS a place to hear what people really know the records of candidates. No punches pulled with an expression that this is the writer's opinion and with an amount of good manners. Of course I don't want more unsolicited candidate pushing. If "Topics listserv is not the place to debate the environmental merits of presidential candidates." where is a citizen to go? One cannot depend on the media or the candidates press releases. Is this an effort to be smart in hopes of some political negotiating? Do we wait until the leaders of Sierra have pontificated??? Just a question...... Joyce Naffier On Wed, 30 Apr 2003 14:30:43 EDT erin jordahl IA <<[log in to unmask]> writes: Phil, thank you for weighing in on this. You are correct that the Iowa Topics listserv is not the place to debate the environmental merits of presidential candidates. Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] www.iowa.sierraclub.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]