X-Message-Number: 1600
Date: 13 Jan 93 05:54:25 EST
From: Saul Kent <>
Subject: CRYONICS:  Reply To Dave Pizer

No one has to "accuse" me to get me to discuss my past history in
cryonics, all they have to do is ask...nicely. I've spoken openly and
honestly about my involvement in cryonics many times in the past and
expect to do so again many times in the future.  On several occasions
I've discussed the matters that have been brought up on Cryonet for
hours before large groups of cryonicists.  What I don't like are vague,
accusatory questions from people who have no idea what they're talking
about.  With such people, I prefer direct accusations, which I can
answer directly, before responding.

I have never asked the Alcor Board or anyone else to "rely" on my
suggestions.  All I ask is that they be considered.  

I've never said that I am *not* confident of winning the FDA case.

My point in stating that the decision to sue Dick Jones' relatives was a
matter of "moral outrage" rather than "calculation" was that this moral
outrage was shared at the time by *everyone* on the Alcor Board as well
as by everyone else in Alcor who knew anything about the case. I
believe today just as strongly as I did then that it was the right
decision. If Dave wants to argue that it was the wrong decision he can
do so, but I suggest that he at least make some effort to see things as
they were at the time rather than being judgemental in hindsight.

Dave's statement that I made a mistake in "not agreeing with Dick and
letting him leave more money to his relatives..." is factually wrong.
Dave's characterization of the evidence on both sides in the Dick Jones
case is also factually wrong and grossly distorted as well.  The Dick
Jones case ran at high-octane speed for many months.  It included the
submission of thousands of pages of documentary evidence to the court
and was highly complex.  For those reasons, I don't believe Cryonet is
an appropriate forum to discuss the case in any depth.  Once again, I
repeat that I will be happy to discuss the Dick Jones case or any other
aspect of cryonics history that I was involved in openly and honestly
on a personal basis with anyone who shows a sincere interest in doing
so. 

I never said that the failure of Alcor to raise enough money to buy the
building in Phoenix was "Dave's failure".  What I said was that his
suggestion that *I* was to blame is "inappropriate" and an "evasion of
his responsibility in the matter".

Saul Kent

[ FYI: Dave Pizer has moved on to other projects.  He told me "If you
  see any responses addressed to me on the net, I would appriciate it
  if you would just mention that I no longer have time to participate
  and anyone can send me a letter care of Alcor." - KQB ]

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