The following is a viewpoint from Willard Schaeffer

They should be disbanded. If they wish to be anonymous. Their viewpoints should be the same in the basket. How can you consider their thoughts or ideas if they do not show they aren't some kook.

Willard Schaeffer

The following is a counter viewpoint from Bernna Berkowitz

June 16, 2005

Just because someone uses a pen name does not make them a kook. You have to read each viewpoint or concern and weigh it on it's merit. People that sign their names could just as easily be considered kooks.

I found some of the people with pen names had some very valid points.

Long before any of these people started writing, well over a year ago, I had stood up at meetings and made many of the same comments. Obviously I wasn't hiding behind a pen name. When I said the presidents were going to take over the Master, I was told I was crazy; none of what I said could be true. Why was I making this up? That there were meetings people didn't know about; requests to change the by-laws for the number that sat on the Master and who would sit. I said that they wanted to dissolve the Master and Club committee a year before it happened. Was I just clairvoyant? No, a few of us had been fighting the change. But again, I was told I didn't know what I was saying. Why would I say such outrageous lies. I was personally attacked for such untruths. Nobody would listen. I now feel vindicated. Everything I said has come to pass.

So Willard, am I kook? People thought so. Would people have paid attention if I wrote under a pen name? No, but they didn't pay attention when I came forward as a known individual. My experience has shown that perhaps people need to at least feel they have some freedom to speak without criticized for their opinion if it isn't the popular opinion.

Bernna Berkowitz