It's January 4,1997 and I have just received my MAAM. First thing I did was mis-read the headline on page 1. With my legendary Mensa speed-reading ability I just automatically read "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Phoenix Phiesta Phiasco". After all, what would the front page story of our newsletter be about, if not a complete explanation of this most shocking episode in our organization's year (in many years?) . .And probably an apology to the many members who built their Thanksgiving holiday plans around this event rather than the more traditional "family" and to those deeply embarrassed members who convinced others to attend (particularly out-of-towners!) .. .And possibly a castigation of those who, apparently, did not feel it necessary to have written, legal, agreements.. .or at least a promise to look into it and report fully sometime before the next millennium begins.
BUT NO...
Finally, on page three, you tell us that X and Y "...made a great recovery and when the dust settles the ExCom will make a report on the whole thing. In the meantime, GPM owes a vote of thanks for X and Y's hard work." When will the dust settle? Isn't one month time enough to ascertain the true facts and print them?
And then I turn to the unbelievable "LETTERS" section! How much did you pay these people to write them? (I can understand Iliff getting angry. He's not getting paid!).
Writer #1 tells us "Kudos to X.." (Editor reminds us that kudos are due Y also).
Writer #2 notes that "...attendance was down a little and the program was amended slightly." Dare I ask exactly how many people requested their registration fees be returned? And speaking of "program"; just what was the program to be? I notice on the last page of this bulletin that the upcoming Los Angeles RG will feature Steve Allen, Richard Lederer, and several others of more-on less renown. Even in our own distant-dimming past we had the likes of Tim Leary. Who did we have lined up this time? I was never told, although I was an early registrant and a committee worker. Additionally, I was told (by X) that there would be the traditional sit-down Thanksgiving Dinner in Phoenix before we went up to Prescott. After mentioning that I had seen nothing regarding this in the MAAM (through October), I was told that "somebody dropped the ball and that was not going to happen." Writer #2 finishes his letter regretting that we did not have an affair at which to formally thank X and Y and their committee.
On page 14 I learn that a plan "...which has the individual approval of some Board Members..." would position a state-wide RG in Sierra Vista. My questions are: Is this the geographic center of the state? Is this the demographic center of the state? ... of our membership? If I use a Mercator Projection map does a more likely spot for an RG become Tuba City?
THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS DEPARTMENT
The final two comments in this issue come from the LocSec and the Far West Regional Vice Chairman. The former congratulates X and Y for a "nice save" (he should be in politics) and promises that there will be a report on unresolved issues "later". (again 'Later!'). The latter did not go so far as to congratulate anybody. He did say that X and Y "accomplished the impossible". (I can't disagree with that!). And he ended by saying that "Phoenix can be proud".
Well folks! I am not proud. I am disgusted, humiliated, and ashamed to have to say that I am even a member of this sophomoric organization. (I was a member of San Diego Mensa in the early eighties and they did not have their BEST years either!)
Do not keep a light on for me. I will try to spend this next year within another more mature supposedly-high IQ Society to which I have also belonged for many years. What else could happen?
Robert M. Pine