Mark you couldn't be more wrong.
As Linda pointed out, such topics as discussing politics is regarded by
most Universities as lobbying and as such is not permitted by University
and State law because you are using University facilities. This could
result in actions against the Universities involved especially in these
times of cost cutting and very tight budgets. 
Universities that have state funding do not wish for their resources to
be used for political purposes or for lobbying in general as this places
their funding at risk. This could easily backlash when University
budgets are being considered by the legislatures.
You may recall a recent case when a church suggested that their members
vote for a particular candidate. The IRS, appropriately so in my
opinion,  looked into revoking the charitable status of that church. 
ASCP is politically active as regards lobbying but (as far as I am
aware) because of this does not enjoy tax exempt status.
Let us keep Histonet as the professional well run, non political,
service that it is.
I would also suggest that if this situation arises in future that this
email is not sent out to all, and as this is very difficult to monitor
that, if it does get sent out that we do not reply to this as it just
makes the situation worse (plus I already have a blister on my delete
finger).
Barry

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Mark
Tarango
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 1:06 PM
To: LINDA MARGRAF
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Presidential Voting Infomation etc.

One day of talking politics doens't hurt anyone.  ASCP is politically
active
isn't it?  We can't talk about how it tries to influence politics?
Saying
that they'll close the histonet over this is ridiculous.

Such important things need to be discussed.  It affects histology and
everthing and everyone else.  Not talking leads to more problems.


On 11/4/08, LINDA MARGRAF  wrote:
>
> Dear Histonetters:
> I am the list administrator and I would like to ask that people please
> refrain from further political comments on the list. I know this is a
touchy
> topic but this is not the forum for these discussions.  Please
remember, my
> colleagues and I at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center run
> this list using University resources and it would be a real shame if
they
> were to decide this was not a good use of their funds due to the
off-topic
> comments etc. The Histonet list is an amazing collection of >3300
people
> from around the world helping each other and we really need to stick
to
> topics pertinent to Histology. Thanks.
> Linda M
> Histonet administrator
>
> Linda Margraf, MD
> Professor of Pathology
> University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
> Dallas TX USA
>
>
>
>
> >>> Justin Thomas  11/3/2008 10:11 AM >>>
> Barack Obama will raise taxes on hardworking Americans to give a
government
> handout to the 40% of Americans who pay no income taxes.
> John McCain and Sarah Palin have an economic plan that celebrates the
> American dream of opportunity, not government giveaways. In this
country, we
> believe in spreading opportunity, for those who need jobs and those
who
> create them. While Barack Obama is ready to "spread the wealth
around," John
> McCain has a plan to get our economy moving so everyone has access to
good
> jobs, a quality education and the opportunity to succeed.
>
> The next President won't have time to get used to the office. America
faces
> many challenges here at home, and many enemies abroad in this
dangerous
> world. We cannot spend the next four years as we have spent much of
the last
> eight: hoping for our luck to change at home and abroad. We need a new
> direction, and John McCain and Sarah Palin will fight for it.
>
> Time and time again this team of mavericks has stood up, taken on
tough
> issues and delivered. They're the real deal. They have a clear record
that
> can deliver results, not just rhetoric that delivers votes.
>
>
> PLEASE GIVE CAREFUL THOUGHT WHO YOU WILL VOTE FOR ON TUESDAY...PLEASE
THINK
> ABOUT WHERE THESE TWO MEN COME FROM AND WHERE THEIR HEARTS TRULY ARE.
THIS
> IS A CRUTIAL ELECTION AND WE AS AMERICANS MUST BE CONFIDENT THAT OUR
BEST
> DAYS ARE AHEAD OF US WITH JOHN LEADING THE WAY!!!
>
>
>
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>