Hi Excaliber

If you take the time to actually see what goes on in this forum, it is not at all unusual to see a thread lose interest when the facts are put forth. In other cases, the facts raise additional questions and the discussion continues. The fact that Bill Oberdieck took the time to call and clarify the facts will certainly make a difference in the speculation in the thread. I had invited him to do that any time. It’s an open invitation to anyone that knows the facts and can substantiate them, and it has been communicated before.

The resolution of some concerns in this thread raises an issue. One that Bill and I discussed. Why is it that the AMA does not communicate with the membership? The S&L committee existed for two years, yet was largely below the radar. The average member does not know it existed. Is there a better media than MA, or the AMA site? A lot of discussion took place, but no really good answer. Part was due to the current political atmosphere and Bill’s desire not to point fingers. Why should the AMA leadership have to contact a rather ordinary member to get the facts out? This was not the first time this has happened, although it is with Bill. I had offered to do so, and he took advantage of it. Let everyone understand that this offer is not limited to Bill. It’s a general complaint that I have made many times against the lack of communication.

Excaliber, while I was talking to Bill, I suggested that he have you write a post on his background and qualifications. I hope you take advantage of this forum and do so.

This forum appears to be maturing into a genuine conduit to the AMA. In my opinion, people such as yourself should step up, take the heat if necessary, and deal in facts… not try to get me, or anyone else to do that for you. The level of “background noise” has recently risen to a new level. Folks that should be above such things are playing games. This is not a reference to you, but to those that will not even post, but try to influence others in the background. Like it or not the leadership is paying attention to us. The three presidential candidates have pledged a clean campaign. I believe they, personally, will adhere to that pledge. There seems to be mutual respect among them.

The report that was posted at the beginning of this thread was not something obtained through some special source. I got it be requesting, from HQ, the EC minutes and appendices of the last meeting. They are free to any AMA member that requests them. This is a fact I have posted several times. There were no attacks, just unanswered questions. Now, with help, many have been answered. Some may remain. It would not hurt if you answered them rather than me.