On 14 Oct 97 15:56, Andy Baracco said to All:
 AB> Hi Carl. I agree with everything that
 AB> you said except for that last part
 AB> about putting your full support behind
 AB> what decisions are made whether you
 AB> think they are right or not. I think
 AB> this sets a dangerous precedent. This
 AB> is like the Germans being expected to
 AB> fully support the decision to
 AB> exterminate the Jews. A democratic
The comparison doesn't wash.  The Germans had power over their 
Jewish citizens and, after they had occupied most of Europe, over 
the Jewish citizens of the occupied territory.  As many of us keep 
saying and some individuals keep ignorning, NFB is *not* a 
government.  NFB has no power over blind persons.  One may join or 
not join NFB as one chooses.  As with any voluntary organization, 
if one is to stay a member for long, one generally must abide by 
the norms, values and traditions of the organization.  See below.
 AB> organization must allow its members to
 AB> follow their conscience. Obviously, if
 AB> you constantly find yourself in
 AB> disagreement with an organization, you
 AB> should probably leave that
 AB> organization, but an organization that
 AB> cannot except dissent is nothing
 AB> more than a cult.
Let's be clear.  NFB does not say that its members cannot disagree 
with its policies.  What NFB *does* require is that, in order to 
change policies, the campaigning be done *within* the organization 
and be done in such a manner as to not disrupt the organization or 
villify individual members.  The practical upshot of this is that 
there can be plenty of open debate before a policy is set; after 
that, in public, members back the position espoused by the 
organization.  If an individual seeks to change the policy, s/he 
can do so but quietly and within the organization.  As you say, if 
an individual disagrees with a substantial number of NFB policies, 
s/he might be more comfortable in another organization.
Mike Freeman: 
Internet: mikef@pacifier.com
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