X-Message-Number: 1591
Date: 12 Jan 93 03:28:30 EST
From: David S Pizer <>
Subject: CRYONICS

Saul:

I have a few observations on your reply to me.

You seem to be a person who likes to ask others questions.  You seem to
like discussing wide-ranging topics in cryonics matters.  I don't
understand why anyone should have to accuse you to get you to discuss
your past cryonics history?  

Often you ask us to rely on your suggestions.  You sometimes ask us to
take major steps like: Remove our CEO; Remove directors; Split Alcor;
Buy a building or don't buy a building, and so on. These are not little
things you are advocating.  Clearly, you are a mover and shaker in the
cryonics movement. It would seem natural that new members like Scott
Herman and old members like me would like to know your version of what
happened with CSNY and Cryospan. 

I know that you want to help Alcor and the cryonics movement.  I know
that you want to survive just as much as the rest of us do. It would
seem that you would want all of us to know exactaly what happened with
CSNY and Cryospan so that we could avoid whatever mistakes were made. 
In any case, it is now apparant that you do not want to discuss it on
this Cryonet and therefore I am willing to let that matter drop.

I do not understand why the failure of Alcor to raise the money to buy
the building in Phoenix is "Dave's failure?"  Was I expected
single-handedly to raise this money?

If you remember, I did not pick out the building, the Comos family did. 
You, and other members, initialy though it was very nice and that we
should have it.  I was then asked by the Board to try to help.  I don't
look at this as my personal failure.  Perhaps you could explain this to
me.

Some of your mentions of the FDA case reminded me of your writings in
"Cryonics" magazine before the judge's decison in the Dick Jones
litigation.  You were confident early on.  I thought I saw a
similarity.  I apologize if I was wrong.

Your paragraph about the Dick Jones matter illustrates what I am trying
to say about what I see as occasional poor judgement on your part.  For
instance, you admit that "The decision to fight that battle was not a
calculated one, but a moral outrage."

I would more prefer Alcor's money to be spent with careful calculaton
rather that in moral outrage.  

In my opinion, the mistakes you made in the Dick Jones matter were: 

1.	Not agreeing with Dick and letting him leave more money to his
relatives when he came to you (and Jerry) several months before his
legal death and told you he wanted to leave them more money.

2.	Not assessing the opposition's side more accurately.  
I keep remembering that you said they had several witnesses that were
close friends of his, or family members, that were going to testify in
opposition to your position.  You, on the other hand, had one paid
witness that was going to testify from written records.  I am not
saying your side was not more honest, however, how could you think that
you could convince a judge under these circumstances?  Don't you think
that an average judge would believe a handfull of family friends and
relatives over one paid witness in cases like this.

In closing, Saul, please remember that you asked (Keith) if other
people viewed you as a threat on this open network.  Keith can't answer
for other people.  I don't know why you would ask a question like that.
However, since I think some of you ideas might be a threat to Alcor, I
felt compelled to respond.

Saul, as you know, we have a new CEO taking over and new members on the
Board. I think we both want to see how they will do, so let's drop this
for now.  You have requested that people that want to discuss your past
involvement in CSNY, discuss it with you personaly and privately.  I
respect this.  And, I am also asking you that we drop this and if you
have more questions on this matter that you call me personaly and we
discuss this privately.  

Sincerely, Dave Pizer	

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