[amsat-bb] AMSAT Leadership Explanation ...

[Alan]

I read the recent allegations by Directors Stoddard and Thompson of improper
behavior on the part of some AMSAT Officers and Directors with concern, but
also caution. Concern, because nothing remotely similar has occurred in the
30+ years I have been a Member and sometimes Board Member. Caution, because
the nature of the accusations and particularly the timing during a holiday
week in the AMSAT election cycle had all the hallmarks of a cynical
political hit. That is now the most plausible explanation. If they believed
the serious allegations to be true, it was irresponsible not to have brought
them to the attention of the Members before now. These accusations were
either carefully crafted for maximum political effect, or to put the most
charitable face on it, represent genuinely honest concern but egregious
errors in judgement by the accusers. 

I call on Directors Thompson and Stoddard, in light of these unwarranted
accusations, to apologize publically to both those they have so grievously
misrepresented, and to the Members for the harm they have caused AMSAT. It
would be honorable to resign because of how badly they have broken trust
with the organization and its Members. Lacking that, at a minimum they
should pledge not to seek reelection. If as they claim they represent a
vision with wide support, surely they can find genuinely qualified
candidates to replace them without their baggage.

Hopefully AMSAT Members will consider carefully which current Board
candidates have either expressed support for these failed Directors, or been
endorsed by them. There are other, better, proven candidates.

Alan Biddle
WA4SCA
Past Board Member and Corporate Secretary