X-Message-Number: 23534
From: "Michael P. Read" <>

Subject: RE: Cooperation Not Confrontation Defines Future of Cryonics in Arizona
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:33:16 -0700

Paul,

	Well, that's impressive.  Throw a bomb and then bail.

	A large group of people arrived at the Arizona Legislature on
Thursday morning prepared to fight uncompromisingly for Alcor's
existence.  Were you one of them?  Were you even there to see what went
on?  I was.  How do you know no one took a principled stand?  It was
because of the efforts of the leadership at Alcor, and others who do
more than just bitch about not compromising, that Alcor can even
continue to exist.  Had the bill passed as Stump had proposed it, that
would have very well been the end of Alcor in Arizona.  The fact of the
matter is the bill would have been defeated in committee.  The efforts
of many Alcor members and many others who contacted the Arizona
representatives brought that about.  Stump compromised with us to save
face.  We did not compromise with him.  Instead of a bill that would
have meant the likely end of Alcor, we created one that respects and
even enhances our right, and the right of any other cryonics
organization in Arizona, to exist.  But of course you wouldn't know that
because you weren't there and you obviously haven't taken time to learn
about what really went on before you started insulting people.

	The leadership at Alcor also accomplished something else that is
very important.  They turned an enemy into an ally.  Yes, we could have
crushed Stump's bill and humiliated him.  But, of course, he would be
back again next year as a determined enemy.  It is na ve and a complete
denial of reality to think otherwise.  Alcor decided to think a bit more
long-term.  They decided to befriend Stump rather than humiliate him.
Thus making him an ally along with the other representatives in the
committee who stated publicly during the meeting they would be watching
to make sure all our concerns are addressed.  In other words, by being
magnanimous in our certain victory, we made a bunch of friends, secured
complete legitimacy under the law (something that didn't exist before
last Thursday), and opened the door to potential funding from people and
organizations interested in cryonics but unwilling to help us because we
operated outside of the law.  But, of course you wouldn't know that
because you weren't there, were you?

>My wife and I remain committed cryonicists. We fervently and
>passionately want to live unbounded lives. However, until Alcor obtains
>leadership with principle and backbone, we will have nothing to do with
>them (and CI also, of course) unless and until either of us is at
>death's door.

	There are a lot of responses to those statements I could make.
Some of them quite personal.  Maybe, others will take up that torch.
However, I really don't see the point.  Do what you think you need to
do.

>I am also terminating my membership in the ConsideringCryonics group
and
>CryoNet immediately.

	Is that what the principled person with backbone does, alienates
a large group of people because a few of them do something he doesn't
like and haven't even taken the time to understand?

Sincerely,
Mike Read
Tempe, Arizona, USA

-----Original Message-----


This compromise to government threats instead of a principled stand is
but the latest of many examples of unacceptable behavior from Alcor
leadership. All such appeasement leads ultimately to disaster.

My wife and I remain committed cryonicists. We fervently and
passionately want to live unbounded lives. However, until Alcor obtains
leadership with principle and backbone, we will have nothing to do with
them (and CI also, of course) unless and until either of us is at
death's door.

I am also terminating my membership in the ConsideringCryonics group and
CryoNet immediately.

--Paul Wakfer

MoreLife for the rational - http://morelife.org
Reality based tools for more life in quantity and quality
The Self-Sovereign Individual Project - http://selfsip.org
Rational freedom by self-sovereignty & social contracting

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