X-Message-Number: 632 From: Subject: Policy Date: Wed, 5 Feb 92 13:36:30 PST Dear Kevin: Please post the following: To: All Concerned From: Carlos Mondragon, President, Alcor Foundation Re: Interorganizational Relations -- Russ Whitaker, Edgar Swank & Brian Wowk messages. This is official Alcor policy: Bickering and petty criticisms do not do any of our organizations any good. Alcor will engage in public criticism of other cryonics organizations only in terms of reporting that which they have chosen to disclose as news or publish as claims. We will avoid ad hominem jabs and inflammatory subjective language. We hope other organizations will adopt similar policies. Reasoned arguments and objective evidence is how people get close to what is true. If any official Alcor positions ever appear in this forum, they will be clearly labeled as such. Meanwhile, readers may assume that messages contained herein are entirely the private personal views of the writer. Mr. Whitaker is a well respected Alcor member and one of our most valuable volunteers, but he does not speak for Alcor. Of course he is free to express his personal opinions and readers are welcome to use their own judgment in evaluating them -- all in the freewheeling context of this bulletin board. Regarding the specific issues which were raised in prior exchanges: Alcor never releases the names of our suspension members or associate members without written consent. We don't know what ACS policy is in this regard, so we can't comment on it. I've been misquoted by the media often enough that I would ask Ben-Abraham what he actually said. In the article in question, I'm sure that much of the text was in fact fabricated by the reporter since the article also alludes to Avi's research efforts, while in fact, Avi has told me personally that he has never engaged in any kind of research and that he never makes any such claims. As for suspension and emergency response capabilities, the best way to make comparisons is to go to the facilities and see for oneself. If that isn't possible, then I would suggest asking questions and subscribing to organizational publications for a period of time long enough to form an educated opinion. I do want to keep things civil and I do hope I've addressed Mr. Swank's concerns, since this is my least favorite way to communicate. If not, please call me at 714-736-1703. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=632