Isaac Asimov proposed for postage stamp

[Toto]

A while back, there was some discussion about getting a priminent freethinker of some sort the honor of being on a postage stamp. I have now received this information:

The Stamp Development program of the United States Postal Service is currently considering issuing a stamp with the likeness of Isaac Asimov sometime after 2006. Americans can write letters in support of this proposal to:

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee,
C/O Stamp Development,
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 5670,
Washington, DC 20260-2437.

Getting a person on a stamp is a very involved political process. I had some information on it at one point, will try to find it.

[Writer@Large]

I think I'll be sending a letter in support. Asimov deserves a stamp at least as much desert birds, the 80s, or Andy Warhol :D.

--W@L

[Stiletto One]

I think this calls for a resounding w00t!.

Asimov is the man. :notworthy:

[Shake]

I think I'll be sending a letter in support. Asimov deserves a stamp at least as much desert birds, the 80s, or Andy Warhol :D.

--W@LYeah, me too! I think I'll also forward this information on to some other people I know who might be willing to support such a thing. Does anyone know if there is any sort of required format, or can we just say pretty much anything?

[Toto]

Prior thread on getting a Freethinker on a stamp (http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42024)

Another thread on stamps (http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=43237)

Here is the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee (http://www.usps.com/communications/organization/csac.htm)

Almost all subjects chosen to appear on U.S. stamps and postal stationery are suggested by the public. Each year, Americans submit proposals to the Postal Service on literally thousands of different topics. Every stamp suggestion is considered, regardless of who makes it or how it is presented.

On behalf of the Postmaster General, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) is tasked with evaluating the merits of all stamp proposals. Established in 1957, the Committee provides the Postal Service with a "breadth of judgment and depth of experience in various areas that influence subject matter, character and beauty of postage stamps."

The Committee's primary goal is to select subjects for recommendation to the Postmaster General that are both interesting and educational. In addition to Postal Service's extensive line of regular stamps, approximately 25 new subjects for commemorative stamps are recommended each year. Stamp selections are made with all postal customers in mind, not just stamp collectors. A good mix of subjects, both interesting and educational, is essential.

Scroll down to Criteria For Stamp Subject Selection .

Note #6: Stamps or stationery items shall not be issued to honor fraternal, political, sectarian, or service/charitable organizations.

and

# 9: Stamps or stationery items shall not be issued to honor religious institutions or individuals whose principal achievements are associated with religious undertakings or beliefs.

So those are the themes to be emphasized: Asimov (http://www.asimovonline.com/) the writer and educator, an entertaining figure. It would not be helpful to ask for representation of a non-believer.

[Shake]

From the Asimov link which Toto provided, I clicked through some of the links there and came across the following, which would be good to use (IMO) in any letters advocating his likeness on a stamp:with over 500 titles, Asimov has covered almost every major division of the library Dewey decimal system with topics including anatomy, physiology, astronomy, the Bible, biology, chemistry, etymology, geography, Greek mythology, history, humor, mathematics, and physics (Riley, 1975, pp. 16-17).Again, IMO, his sci-fi work would cover the "interesting" aspect mentioned above, and these other fields would cover the "educational" side.

[abe smith]

I wrote/sent the letter; very brief; recommended Asimov as a thinker, popularizer of "scientific" ideas & information, all-round admirable guy. Said no word about atheism, nor I think skepticsm.

expl: I put "scientific" in quotes, not (O key produces P!) in order to dismiss the fact of there being ideas etc about "science(s)", but only because we Nominalists (You can't logically LABEL yrself a "Nominalist"!) feel uncomfortable with Platonist labels/categories e.g. "scientific".

[CX]

A while back, there was some discussion about getting a priminent freethinker of some sort the honor of being on a postage stamp. I have now received this information:



Getting a person on a stamp is a very involved political process. I had some information on it at one point, will try to find it.

I think it's a great idea. If I wasn't so busy already I'd write a letter. :D

[Beren]

It'll almost certainly be Science-Fiction based, you can't exactly put free-thought into a picture anyway. ;)

[Hitetlen]

Can't we just send an e-mail and save the cost of a stamp??? :)

[azidhak]

Great I'll want one! I also want a stamp with Philip Kendred Dick on it! :D
HOT