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.

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