X-Message-Number: 23534 From: "Michael P. Read" <> Subject: RE: Cooperation Not Confrontation Defines Future of Cryonics in Arizona Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:33:16 -0700 Paul, Well, that's impressive. Throw a bomb and then bail. A large group of people arrived at the Arizona Legislature on Thursday morning prepared to fight uncompromisingly for Alcor's existence. Were you one of them? Were you even there to see what went on? I was. How do you know no one took a principled stand? It was because of the efforts of the leadership at Alcor, and others who do more than just bitch about not compromising, that Alcor can even continue to exist. Had the bill passed as Stump had proposed it, that would have very well been the end of Alcor in Arizona. The fact of the matter is the bill would have been defeated in committee. The efforts of many Alcor members and many others who contacted the Arizona representatives brought that about. Stump compromised with us to save face. We did not compromise with him. Instead of a bill that would have meant the likely end of Alcor, we created one that respects and even enhances our right, and the right of any other cryonics organization in Arizona, to exist. But of course you wouldn't know that because you weren't there and you obviously haven't taken time to learn about what really went on before you started insulting people. The leadership at Alcor also accomplished something else that is very important. They turned an enemy into an ally. Yes, we could have crushed Stump's bill and humiliated him. But, of course, he would be back again next year as a determined enemy. It is na ve and a complete denial of reality to think otherwise. Alcor decided to think a bit more long-term. They decided to befriend Stump rather than humiliate him. Thus making him an ally along with the other representatives in the committee who stated publicly during the meeting they would be watching to make sure all our concerns are addressed. In other words, by being magnanimous in our certain victory, we made a bunch of friends, secured complete legitimacy under the law (something that didn't exist before last Thursday), and opened the door to potential funding from people and organizations interested in cryonics but unwilling to help us because we operated outside of the law. But, of course you wouldn't know that because you weren't there, were you? >My wife and I remain committed cryonicists. We fervently and >passionately want to live unbounded lives. However, until Alcor obtains >leadership with principle and backbone, we will have nothing to do with >them (and CI also, of course) unless and until either of us is at >death's door. There are a lot of responses to those statements I could make. Some of them quite personal. Maybe, others will take up that torch. However, I really don't see the point. Do what you think you need to do. >I am also terminating my membership in the ConsideringCryonics group and >CryoNet immediately. Is that what the principled person with backbone does, alienates a large group of people because a few of them do something he doesn't like and haven't even taken the time to understand? Sincerely, Mike Read Tempe, Arizona, USA -----Original Message----- This compromise to government threats instead of a principled stand is but the latest of many examples of unacceptable behavior from Alcor leadership. All such appeasement leads ultimately to disaster. My wife and I remain committed cryonicists. We fervently and passionately want to live unbounded lives. However, until Alcor obtains leadership with principle and backbone, we will have nothing to do with them (and CI also, of course) unless and until either of us is at death's door. I am also terminating my membership in the ConsideringCryonics group and CryoNet immediately. --Paul Wakfer MoreLife for the rational - http://morelife.org Reality based tools for more life in quantity and quality The Self-Sovereign Individual Project - http://selfsip.org Rational freedom by self-sovereignty & social contracting Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23534