how do you propose to change a corrupt system from within, when even election returns are "adjusted" to insure a specific outcome?
it is an interesting problem, I think
a reasonable concern for those with disparate perspectives, I do not criticise their choices. I encourage them to use whatever methods they find are effective to achieve what objectives they feel are important
that is unfortunate
"an enemy of mine is the friend of my enemy", and my "enemies" in a matter of speaking are those who work towards the extinction of rocketry in any or all of its forms
but it is funny
where were these people over the past decade, long before I came on the scene? Many of the issues date to 1990, and the persons responsible still on the BoD, or otherwise in positions of influence
no, Fred. They cannot use my brashness as an excuse for their complacency or ineffectiveness
cases in point
Chuck Rogers is still on the BoD, serving without interruption since
1986, despite his perpetration of or role in any number of improper or illegal events throughout the history of the organization; many of which are of sufficient magnitude to threaten TRA's very existenceBruce Kelly was on the BoD until just recently, and remains the Prefect Liasion and custodian of HQ and its corporate records; despite substantial 'irregularities' shall I say of a fiscal nature to which he was a beneficial party
and more currently, TRA remains the agent of sale for a magazine which has consistently failed to meet its commitments, despite member outcry and BoD a number of successively imposed probationary periods
the time for alternatives has been long since overdue
I have thought about it
it is sad that some apologists continue to deny any malfeasance, despite irrefutable evidence of its existence
it is sad that many members (including BoD members) are complacent, apathetic or incredulous when issues of legality, member funds, and organization continuity are concerned
it is sad that the complaints and concerns of members have been dismissed, to the point where they voted with their feet
it is sad that the particularly vocal members found themselves expelled, or their memberships quite unexpectedly lapsed, in some cases even Prefects found disassociated from their Prefectures without notice or due process
but it is especially sad when a leadership can so delude a membership as to engineer the death of a exemption that would benefit every member without exception
I am not the least bit concerned with popularity, Fred, or the praise or even agreement of those who watch as their hobby is destroyed before their very eyes, by "leaders" using the members own money to to do it with!
but I am encouraged
by the real lovers of rocketry that would not and will not stand idly by when such blatant corruption continues, but rather choose to speak out; even at the risk of being derided, shunned or worse
by the amount of factual information available, both through government agencies and historical documents as well as through the first hand experiences of members past and present
by the unswerving commitment a few continue to have to free the organization from the grips of its hijackers
and by the unexpected encouragement from well wishers, whose every pat on the back heal the wounds inflicted by a hundred apologists
we have a vision of an enviornment in which rocketry is respected for its benefit to our society, in education, in research, in commercial enterprise and in national defense
that vision sustains us, and rocketry will not be "going quietly into that dark night"
not on our watch
- iz