Re: political stuff - Benet's reply

[Guest guest]

Just re-read it and it struck me - why on earth did he go into that

genetic stuff at all??? I mean Sara's complain was mainly that she

didn't feel her and her son's needs were being met by the NAS and that

meeting was catering exclusively for people on the other side of the

spectrum.

Why on earth did he go into that genetics stuff in such detail? it took

up most of his reply - it smells a bit of a politician-like avoidance of

real issues, drawing attention away from what is being asked/demanded...

Either that or taking sides with those awful speakers because " look, it

is genetic and unchangable, therefore they have the right to be saying

whatever crap they want... "

Sara, I agree with Sally's suggestion to cc the letter to NAS

Directors/Chairs.. whoever makes decisions there, whoever is behind the

approaches and policies they implement. If Benet is a PR guy then not

much use.

Natasa

>

> So, following 's advice:

>

> TA would write to the mem bers of the Parliamentary Cttee and remind

> them of their existence (TAs that is)

> Sara would locate her MP and write to him explaining her situation and

> saying that the NAS didn't represent her

> anyone else who felt inspired and had a personal anecdote/gripe would

do

> the same to their local MP

>

> And

>

> Thinking over Benet's statement of the NAS scientific position I was

> struck by the genetic pre-disposition/environmental trigger stuff and

I

> wondered if that was a result of the Indie letter because the

> phraseology is very reminiscent of that letter. I spoke to

Mills

> the NAS scientific officer about a year ago and he seemed very

> frustrated to me and finding himself in the middle of NAS rows about

the

> science. It might be that the Indie row strengthened the science hand

> inside the NAS.

>

> Maybe we should consider attempting to influence Research Autism

again.

>

> We know that Benet Middleton is on the way out (he/she is

> retiring/resigning I'm not sure which) perhaps we could influence the

> choice of successor towards someone more " severe friendly "

>

> xx sally

>