[sac-board] Re: Star parties & waivers

Peter Argenziano wrote:

>As if there already hasn't been enough traffic on this subject, I thought I
>would do a little 007-type investigating. Below are a few of the national
>events, a link to their site, and a comment about their process.
>While I am personally Swiss on the subject, I don't see why anyone would
>not sign a waiver if that is a condition of participation in an event.
>Philosophical discussions aside, what does one really forfeit by signing a
>waiver? If a waiver is required to attend the next Marathon, I'll gladly
>sign it.
>
>Peter
>
>  
>

I won't sign a waiver because I don't have the ability to be able to 
predict the future.

Signing a waiver says that I will "hold harmless" SAC, and its officers 
and members, for any incident, through their negligence, or intentioned 
actions, that occurs during their sponsored / sanctioned event in which 
I become injured, or suffer some loss, either bodily, mentally, or 
monetarily.

Why would I do that, not knowing what is going to occur during the 
event?  I have no time machine to be able to see what the outcome of the 
event is.  It gives SAC, its officers, board members, and general 
members, a Carte Blanche to do whatever they wish without any 
consideration to me, or what it might do to me, and any long term 
ramifications affecting me, or my family (should they wish to 
participate).  In my humble opinion, that's stupid, and I will not sign 
away my legal rights, nor my family's, based upon the unknown / 
unpredictable future.  Maybe some of you folks have time machines, but I 
don't yet possess one.

Amateur astronomy is supposed to be fun, entertaining, and educational.  
Having to worry about tiny 6-point fine print legalese, just to 
participate in a social astronomical event, makes it not so anymore.  
Thanks, but no thanks.  I'll stay away, and enjoy the night sky on my 
own, and never have to wonder what SAC has up their sleeve to do to me, 
or my family, that would make me seek legal counsel.

/Bob

----------------------------------------------------
Bob Erdmann - Webmaster & Core Team Member
The NGC/IC Project - http://www.ngcic.org
Prescott, Arizona - e-mail: bobe@xxxxxxxxx

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