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