No subject

life, and was not about supporting a campaign. 

To be blunt, I think you are entirely out of touch when it comes to the
breadth of scope of a modern arts organisation. Might I suggest you pop
along to one of the Radical Independent Book Fairs:

http://is.gd/a2Pin

There are bound to be all sorts of books on sale which you will highly
disapprove of. You might wish to collect some samples, to support your
letters of complaint to the SAC etc. Texts on anarchy, feminism and all
manner of sedition are likely to be brazenly displayed...

> I think one reason there is a limited amount of electronic/maker
> activity in the EC is the restricted range of electronic tools and
> instruments available in the EC. More equipment, is to my mind, a
> priority. When I worked in the Electronics Dept. at Glasgow University I
> got a hold of various oscilloscopes, computers and other items which
> were being thrown out. I've also bought instruments secondhand from
> amateur radio rallies. Some of my lab kit is home-built.

Many people bought and donated what little is there. More is always welcome.
 
> Another issue is lack of a place to store one's tools and projects, a
> big problem given that dismantled electronic equipment, and projects in
> progress are vulnerable to accidental damage. Theft of tools is also a
> risk. Lockers for individuals/groups would be a good solution.

We have Bob to thank for the big wooden shelves. This was a lot of effort on
his part. More storage would always be welcome.
 
> I think a meeting/social night to sort these issues out, as has been
> suggested, is not a bad idea. These things are better discussed in
> person than via email.

Good idea. And I think you need to focus more on constructive criticism. All
this energy going into trying to stop use of the space is silly. It only
serves to lose the goodwill of the groups being pushed out, who have
contributed and would otherwise continue to contribute. And increases the
risk of the CCA taking the space off the EC, to turn it into a more
inclusive facility.

Also, these more "marginal" EC groups would undoubtedly be given access to
the CCA / EC space by the CCA itself, were EC members to say "no". You might
think showing such films etc is out of scope for the CCA - however, it is
precisely those sorts of films that they should be showing, and do show.

Organisations such as the CCA (hopefully) operate on the principle that
intelligent people can make up their own minds, and that they do not need
protection through censorship. It's nothing short of absurd that you are
challenging this, and extremely disappointing to see that you have resorted
to rattling the funding sabre. Having met you numerous times, Jim, I'm
astounded and, saddened, to discover that you'd rather be left holding half
a dead baby.

Cheers,

Andrew

-- 
Andrew Back
a at smokebelch.org