Re: [UUPoly-L] UUPA and independent affiliate status

[alan7388@comcast.net]

Personally, I'd just as soon we not apply for IA status.

1)  We'll be freer to do what we want if we have no strings attached.

2)  We'd clearly be turned down anyway, like the other 17 of 19 recent applicants -- because of the new, very high bar for IA status if for no other reason.

3)  For us to pick a guaranteed-losing fight with the UUA will, among observers and bystanders, gain us a reputation for antagonism and damage-doing, turning opinions against us.

4)  An application would let the UUA, as the de-facto governing body and voice of UUism, formally reject polyamory at least in a symbolic way, handing conservatives inside and outside UUism a victory at polys' expense. You can be sure UUPA's critics, from UU bloggers to the Weekly Standard and the National Review, would claim credit. And they'd be right. 

What do we lose by NOT applying? Cheaper ad rates in the World? Presenter's rights at GA? We won't get them anyway. And are those a big deal? How is our classified ad drawing, compared to the old ad? Didn't someone say that the booth we were "relegated to" at last year's GA actually worked better for us? If someone really wants to do a presentation at GA, couldn't we get someone else to invite us onto their panel?

I'm often a big one for stirring up trouble, but not in this case. We'll do better spreading honey than vinegar.

Alan