X-Message-Number: 706 From: Subject: Ralph Whelan's Response to Michael Paulle Date: Tue, 7 Apr 92 18:56:03 PDT Kevin: Please post this on the cryonet as Ralph Whelan's response to Mike Paulle's recent postings, "The Bold Beat The Cold" and "ARROGANCE IS BLISS" Having just finished a phone conversation with Mike Paulle, I now have a better idea of what his position is on the subject of moving to Arizona, and what caused him to get upset. Thank you, Mike, for expressing your concerns. I will take them up with Carlos shortly, and in the meantime we'll all be eager to hear what you and others have to say regarding other potential relocation sites. That said, I would like to help others in their research of this subject--especially those not present for the business meeting in question--by pointing out that while Mike voices valid concerns in his postings, he does so only through a wild misrepresentation of the truth that he apparently feels will enact itself into reality if he repeats it often enough. The simple gist--eloquently worded--of both of Mike's communications to date ("The Bold Beat The Cold" and "ARROGANCE IS BLISS") is that the five persons on the Alcor Board of Directors are forcing through a decision to move to Arizona against staunch opposition from the rest of the board and the entire membership. Mike says, "The board listened for several hours to repeated expressed concerns about a quick decision to offer on the new building. The sincere concerns were made by the forty- plus Alcor members present from all over the world." Of the forty-plus Alcor members present at the meeting, certainly all were concerned about the move. However, only a handful seemed OPPOSED to the offering. Perhaps ten. My recollection is that the majority were concerned but in favor of the offering. Mike repeatedly asserts that the Board is deaf to its membership, and that if this "oligarchic rule" doesn't stop soon the membership will be forced to abandon the Board. (I will not bother to quote him in support of this statement, since I would have to quote near everything he wrote.) Mike, we listened to the membership for weeks prior to this meeting, then for over four hours during the meeting. We'll continue to listen to them for the next few weeks and months. So far, everything that I have heard (and I'm sure I've heard most of it) has been DECIDEDLY BALANCED. If there's a leaning in either direction, it's in the direction of moving. This is the way it is, no matter how much and loudly you insist that it is otherwise. Further, our decision was NOT "screw the membership, we're going to Arizona." The vote was on whether or not the Board would support a move to Arizona IF all of the necessary money was raised and IF we got all the desired legal and political clearance from the folks in Arizona. We have not committed Alcor to anything, and it is irresponsible of you to give your readers the impression that we have. The picture you paint, Mike, of forty Alcor members actively objecting while five board members forced through a vote that flies in the face of everyone's wishes, borders on slander. While you seem very reasonable on the phone, your written communications are replete with unfounded assertions, ad hominem attacks, and B-grade sensationalism. Perhaps you've decided that you're willing to endure such a literary persona if it will force people to confront your objections/ideas. If this is your thinking, I will caution you away from it. People can't see your ideas when all they're seeing is red. My personal reaction is not so high-key, but if you persist in your method of recognition through sufficient irritation, that's the only place it will take you. Further, the "independent minded cryonics membership" that you portray as preparing to revolt is intelligent enough to react unfavorably to your unstructured rantings. Even the ones who are opposed to the move. (The reactions that I've heard, that is.) If you want people to take you seriously, you must organize your thoughts and defend them intelligently. I look forward to your reply. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=706