ORIGINAL: MikeL
ORIGINAL: Stickbuilder
Once again, what do you have against someone asking if you are a member? It is not something to be embarassed about. You should be proud to display your membership in this Grand old Academy.
I find it interesting that you think it necessary for someone to identify their AMA number in order to pose a question. I don't know about you, but like most people I have an interest in my personal privacy. Supplying a number is hardly verification of identity or membership. If the AMA allows those who do not hold office or employment by the AMA to check a membership database, that's a privacy concern. Is that possible? Can someone who doesn't fit into one of those two categories access an AMA membership database? If so, that is very troubling. If that were the case, such a thing would need to immediately be changed.
I would assume that the AMA values the privacy of its members, and does not make such a database available to the general public. Working on that assumption, just what is the point of the hoop that Horace is attempting to put up? It appears to be a private agenda, and a misuse (in my opinion) of apparent authority.
Your attitude is akin to the attitude of conformance. "Papers, please!" is an unkind phrase. To most Americans it is an anathema to our senses of freedom and privacy. Before you align yourself with such a camp, please think of the historical connotations associated with it. I would not be proud to ask someone why they won't identify themselves just to ask a candidate a mere question. Part of why I chose to serve my country was to support ideals that run counter to that sort of authoritarianism.
To answer your questions, I have nothing against someone asking me if I am a member. I may answer as I choose. I won't divulge my personal information without what I consider good cause. Am I embarrassed about being a member? Of course not. What, beyond some childish form of peer pressure, would prompt you to suggest such a thing? Pride? I'll decide where and when to display how I feel about my membership. I try not to get emotional about such unimportant things, and I tend to think this world would be a better place if fewer people casually gave their opinions and feelings on a wide variety of subjects. I'm not the type to put a bumper sticker on my car. Perhaps you are?
Again, I ask why an AMA EVP candidate is afraid to publicly answer questions from anonymous individuals. Are the questions inappropriate? Do they violate the forum rules? Are they an affront to decency? If the answer to all three of those is no, then an individual asserting their
right to privacy should not bar the asking of the question.
First, I don't wish to get into a protracted argument with anyone. I merely stated that I understood the reasons for his requirement. I remember way back when no one had to ask your number. You proudly displayed it on the upper wing surface of your models.
Second, Your AMA number cannot be used to steal your identity, since the AMA does not have your Social Security Account Number, what harm does the requirement pose?
Third, you may require me to make certain information available to you for you to have a conversation with me, or give me information pertaining to the issue at hand. If Horrace initially states that he will require your name and AMA number to have correspendence with you, and you choose not to provide that information, then don't become upset when he chooses to ignore you. You are going to him, and are asking questions, he is not approaching you requiring the same.
In other words, he is at present a private citizen, and a member in good standing of the AMA. If you wish to check his bona-fides, and you are a member, you can go to the AMA site, log in with your personal information, and look him up. You will be required to know his first and last names, and his AMA number. The AMA will tell you whether or not he is a member and what type of membership he holds.
The idea of this equating to the time-worn movie scene of a Wehrmacht officer demanding, "Your papers please", is beyond the point of silliness.
If you don't wish to tell me your name, that is your right. If you don't wish to give your AMA number, that too is your right. If I won't speak to you without them, that is my right.
Have fun. It's a hobby.
Bill Hurt
AMA 4720
ps...did it really dip into the 30's a couple of nights ago?