To all who claim the legal expenses were a waste of money, consider this:
In January 2020, a demand letter arrived at AMSAT from an attorney representing Directors Thompson and Stoddard.
Submitting a demand letter from an attorney is a really big deal. That legal line was first crossed by the new board members. Apparently, Joe Spier resigned at this point in order to avoid unfair legal entanglements - and, as far as I can tell from the few interactions I have had with Joe - he is a kind person.
Plenty of evidence, plenty of facts - obviously point to AmSat not keeping up with the times. But that does not justify legal betrayal of existing board members by new members in an effort to usurp full control of the board. A more perfect response would have been to do nothing until the election cycle and hope to replace the board members who may have been dragging their feet.
My point is this - nobody should be making the argument the legal expenses were not required. Hearing this from the members who delivered the demand letter feels insulting on many levels and should stop. Own it - the members who brought the demand, and their Backer(s), are ultimately responsible for the costs incurred. Actions have consequences - and side-effects.
Ends do not justify means. There is a right way and a wrong way to move forward. Trust is more valuable than performance.
The legal expenditures were both Wise and Required. The demand letter sent by the new board members was neither. Shifting blame and not owning the side-effects of our actions is less than optimal.
This observation is not a vote in favor or against any member or candidate.
For reference: https://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2020-July/078239.html
Robert MacHale . KE6BLR Ham Radio License . http://www.aprsat.com/predict . http://www.spaceCommunicator.club%C2%A0 . Supporting Boy Scout Merit Badges in Radio, Robotics, and Space Exploration
Silly Joke: What did the little mountain say to the bigger mountain? Hi Cliff!