[TheForge] Bored with the Board

[George Dixon]

Hi
The forwarded letter seems to indicate that the Board is trying to
silence anyone who takes a position or a stand counter to their intent.
This is wrong in any arena.
I have just about nothing with which I agree with Tim Ryan.  However, I
believe he has the right to be as contrary as he wants.  He ran recently
on a platform statement of disaffection with Board policy and was
elected by the membership.  Jerry Kagele and his ilk can just cope.  The
idea that the sec of ABANA can use the Anvil's Ring to try to destroy an
ABANA member is unacceptable (good luck trying to get the editor to
respond though...I've tried for 6 months to get ads corrected to no
avail:).  He hasn't the right.  The Board at large bears huge
responsibility in allowing him to act as he does.

The last time I wrote of issues with the Board on this forum Dave Mudge,
Board member, took the other side.  As the topics developed, rather than
offer honest rebuttal....the Board sent me a registered letter stating
that they would take legal action against me if I spoke of anything but
forges and coal on theforge. In short they attempted to intimidate me
into silence.  It was written and signed by Jerry Kagele.  Now Jerry and
the Board (Dave and others) want to silence Tim Ryan through threats and
intimidation.  A sordid pattern, eh?

There have been folks who wanted Tim off the Board since the mid 90's.
The 2002 conference issue Kagele refers to is a canard.  Anything to
silence opposition.

There have been several times in the past where Board members, in
violation of written abana publications procedures, have misused the
Anvil's Ring for their personal vendettas.  I wrote of both on this
forum. The first was the trashing of abana member Greg Biddle who had
made the mistake of asking for how-to in the Ring.  The second was
allowing a Board member access to another members business ads prior to
publication.  Mr Kagele�s assault would be the third since I have been
watching this crowd abuse their offices.   Tim would get 90 days until
the next issue to live in rebuttal.

There is an old, too often forgotten saying...."I do not agree with what
you say but I will defend your right to say it"...then there are those
who hear their neighbors trouble and close their window and turn up the
volume on the tv.   The latter are reprehensible but all too numerous.

This is about fairness, honor and open dealings.  The Board which allows
members to get put on legal notice (threatened) for disagreements or
allows fellow members to be intimidated (threatened) by being trashed in
the magazine they control are complicit and wholly responsible.  Right
Dave?  Takes a lot of courage to have the Secretary of ABANA jump folks
with his law license.......or misuse the organizations newsletter.

Gotta wonder what they are so afraid of...

George Dixon
abana member