Well Jim, I don't have the facts from the horse's mouth as the AMA admin has chosen to give us the ol' mushroom treatment re their actions as per SOP. However, some sources on the grapevine that have proved reliable in the past related to me that what got DB's knickers all in a knot was that an AMA member (or so he thought) involved in a liability situation unknowingly had the credit card charge for his AMA renewal bounce. DB's response was to the effect that nobody should benefit from AMA insurance until AMA has the hard cash in hand, and that in a nutshell is the story behind the policy change as I understand it. I called it a 'knee-jerk' as that's simply how I read it - and my use of the term is in the sense of an impulsive response to a situation with no forethought as to the possible negative consequences of that hasty response. As you noted, it's a damned unfriendly way to treat modelers that AMA is seeking support from. People make mistakes, most everyone has had a check bounce or credit charge refused due to their own error or that of others. DB apparently assumes the worst in people, i.e., that every is out to rip off AMA. Don't you suppose that has something to do with his immediate personal experience with human nature?
The $10-12 per year that goes to the AMA insurance kitty for each member could easily be covered by a small reserve to give the benefit of doubt to some few poor saps that have glitches with their credit account or inadvertently overdrew their checking account. I'd be happy to put up the 58 bucks out of pocket, if AMA can't afford the risk, to cover the next guy that applies and has a funding glitch, rather than have DB assume he is a felon and have AMA reject his application or renewal.
If I got the story wrong, I'll certainly listen while sombody sets it straight.
Abel