September 7, 1996
Dear Members and Friends of SOS.
I am writing to bring you up to date on SOS activities in the last year and a half. This period has been characterized by reorganization and broadening of its goals. SOS is very much alive. Although the publication schedule has been trimmed temporarily, the society has been reorganized to allow broader objectives and subject matter.
The main item of good news is that SOS has expanded its purpose to include science in the widest sense, the science of the real world, including philosophy, economics, and other broad areas of knowledge and education. While the possibilities for research and publication are immensely broadened, a major reason for this change is to allow SOS to spread the philosophy of Objectivism in Ayn Rand's own words. SOS will set up a separate account for this purpose, distinct from its scientific functions. My wife, Gen, and I have willed part of our estate to this cause. If others share our goals in spreading Objectivism as Miss Rand created it, we would be happy to discuss this option with you.
In 1995, I wrote a 9000-word article entitled "Ozone and CFC's: Regulate First, Investigate Later," to be published in The Intellectual Activist. Given the demands of my new career, this was to be my one major SOS article on the environment. However, this paper has not been published for reasons described in the attached material. It is still a timely, scholarly, and much-needed expose of the ozone-depletion issue, so if any one can suggest a magazine or journal that might publish it, please contact me. SOS will pay a "finders fee" if the article is published.
SOS continues to make an impact with the public. I was quoted, with a reference to SOS, on the issue of sustainable development in Forbes magazine (May 20, 1996, p. 132). Second, thanks to SOS member, Jerry Wigutow, Outfitter magazine carried a half-page article on SOS's position on global warming and the ozone scare. As a result, several Forbes and Outfitter readers have contacted SOS for more information (which they got promptly!).
I have now taken over direct management of SOS, and I will make every effort to respond promptly to members and interested people. I hope to resume the normal publication schedule as soon as various distractions are put to rest. Please use the Chicago address; the New Jersey and California addresses are obsolete.
A new set of directors has been elected. I am proud to announce that Dr. George Reisman and (soon-to-be-Dr.) Linda Reardan are the new directors of SOS along with myself.
I am saddened to report the death of SOS advisor Dr. Bill Hazeltine last year. For his entire career, he was a crusader for truth and health in the area of pesticides. insect-borne disease, and the environment. He was a personal inspiration to me and a terrific asset to SOS. He will be deeply missed.
In keeping with the fundamental principle of adherence to reality, SOS always maintains that assertions must be proven with facts. Usually we fight unsubstantiated and harmful myths from environmentalists. Now Objectivists must face a demand by some Objectivists to condemn certain other Objectivists with no valid evidence. Specifically, the leadership of The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) requires that I, my wife Gen, and SOS condemn George Reisman and Edith Packer as immoral while refusing to provide any convincing evidence. The enclosed is a collection of documents concerning the ARI-Reisman issue and SOS's related matter with Bob Stubblefield, editor of the Intellectual Activist. The attached statements summarize the facts available to us, the reasons for our rejection of ARI's demand, and our affirmation of the Reismans' innocence. Because I cannot be sure who among SOS members and friends are Objectivists and who are not, I have included this material in everyone's mailing; non-Objectivists who receive this material may wish to ignore it.
Please remember that SOS still has packets for sale on environmentalism and global warming (see below). I will continue to look forward to your clippings and suggestions for future articles. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Richard F. Sanford, Ph.D.
Never before available!
A Scientific Refutation of Environmentalism (90-minute audio tape)
one: $12.95
4-8: $11.95 each
10 or more: $10.95 each
First time available for years!
Environmentalism vs. Man (90-minute audio tape)
one: $12.95
4-8: $11.95 each
10 or more: $10.95 each
Overview of Environmentalism
Environmentalism Packet #1: Overview of Environmentalism (9 pamphlets)
one packet: $14.95
4-7 packets: $11.95 each
10 or more: $9.95 each
Global Warming
Environmentalism Packet #2: Global Warming (8 pamphlets)
one packet: $14.95
4-7 packets: $11.95 each
10 or more: $9.95 each
Featured Item:
Sustainable Development: Green Fascism by Richard F. Sanford (13-page pamphlet)
one copy: $4.00
4-10 copies: $2.50 each
50 or more copies: $1.00 each
For second-day delivery, add 10%
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