I am saddened and appalled for the third time in the last couple of years. I've kept my counsel, but I can no longer remain silent. First with respect to Janice O'Neal's protest resignation from the officer's position she had just been elected to, then by the chip-slabbing issue and Gene Trimble and Jim Kruse's resignations, and now with respect to the brass core chip report issue and Marty Kaplan's resignation.

Many of you know me. I was a founding member of CC & GTCC and served as its Secretary for the first 11 years of its existence. I have been heavily involved in building the Club and in building relationships with my fellow collectors. I've held many volunteer positions with the Club over the years. No one in this organization values public debate and respects differences of opinion more than I do. I have always believed that honest differences of opinion, openly discussed, ultimately improve an organization, it's policies, and its benefits to its members.

Name-calling and accusations of incompetence, dishonesty and self-dealing are absolutely inappropriate. They are disgusting and have no place in the discussion of any of the issues I've noted above. Not everyone who disagrees with you is incompetent, dishonest, or motivated by personal greed. To suggest that they are, merely because you disagree with something they've done or a position they've taken, is reprehensible.

The officers of this Club, as well as the many volunteers who support them and the Club's activities, work hard to satisfy and benefit the most number of members they possibly can. I haven't always agreed with positions the Club has taken, even when I was on the board and was outvoted. But never have I verbally assaulted those elected to serve as the Club's officers, nor do I believe it's appropriate to do so. I do not believe that members of the Club must like all decisions of the board, whether they disagree or not. But if a member disagrees, and if he thinks the matter is significant enough, he has the option to work with the board to change the policy or decision. In my experience, the board has always welcomed open discussion, constructive ideas and proposals for solutions.

I must also say that I absolutely believe that resignation is a completely inappropriate response to a disagreement. Every one of the people I've mentioned above is a friend of mine. Every one of them has contributed to the growth and well-being of this Club. In resigning, they have served only to deprive the Club of their talents and contributions, without in any way altering the course of the issues about which they had disagreement.

We are civilized people, for heaven's sake. And the vast majority of us are adults. Is it not possible to act like it? Politely expressed and well-reasoned arguments can change minds. Name calling and the "I'm taking my ball and going home because you won't do things the way I want" approach don't.

Michael