Abel

From more than any other single person, I got them from you! Look back at your posts over the last several years. The thing that stands out is the questions that you ask and their source. They are never made up hypotheticals that are unreasonable. You use as the source of your questions, documents that are published by the AMA. Things we all have access to. You ask probing questions. You taught me where to find the questions to ask.

Running a close second is Bill Lee. You may remember a number of exchanges that I have had with him. I labeled him an “insider” and he got upset. He kept saying that anyone could get the information if they asked the right question. I took him at his word and started asking the questions I had learned how to ask from you.

The third factor is that I do not have a problem asking anything of anyone. If I feel a question needs answering, I ask it. I do try not to alienate people. Abel, you saw the results of that when I wrote to every member of the EC and published the answers. I think that you would have to agree it was an adversarial approach that I took. I am a firm believer in the old adage that you can tell anyone to go to hell if you make them look forward to the trip. There is no reason that asking “hard” questions should cause you to make enemies. A little tact goes a long way and brings much better results. I often take the approach that I need some help, rather than saying “give it to me or else”. Most people do not respond well to threats… real or implied.

When I ask the questions, I proceed on the assumption that the AMA is a non-profit organization and that most documents must be made available to the membership. Such was the case with the Nominating Committee Minutes. I assumed they existed and I asked how I could get a copy. Not all documents are going to be disclosed, and rightfully so. I do not think it would be right to disclose the salary of each individual at HQ, as an example. The total salaries are one thing and the individual information is another. Some common sense must be applied.

Most questions only take a three line e-mail to solicit a reply. In most cases, it is not necessary to call anyone. How long does it take to write a three line e-mail? Certainly not long enough to be classified as an avocation.

Occasionally, I see, or hear an answer, and I know the response has no “heart’ behind it, such as the issue of putting the insurance policy on the AMA web page. In other terms, the individual did not fully believe in the excuse and it was obvious. In that same conversation, it was, again, confirmed that the policy does not yet exist in writing. My conclusion was that there was no reason to push about publishing something that does not yet exist. The time will come when it does exist, and I will pursue it again. Sometimes, hearing what you have said, repeated back has amazing affects on people.

In the case of Doug Holland, I called him on a couple of occasions. I asked him some very pointed questions at the time, as I am sure you can remember my reporting. He told me that he does not type well. I have a great deal of faith in my ability to determine when someone is telling me the truth. I believed him, and so reported.

I am neither going to defend or support the new definition of a model. The part I will defend is this. The 2004 Safety Code must be set at the time of renewal in order to hold the membership responsible to it. The 2004 Safety Code was up on the AMA site before the renewals were mailed. Is it a good reason for expediting the definition? I won’t argue either way. Simply put, I have not made up my mind about it. It was certainly a quick and easy process to get the definition once I knew the question to ask, as I am sure you remember. It took at three line e-mail.

Sometimes I like the reasons given that things are done and sometimes I do not. I have no “special” relationships, although I have managed to make a few friends along the way.

Now, you have your rose colored glasses. How do we extend the information here so that all members may have them?

JR