Solitary shots should be ignored, but when they come from several directions it’s time to pay attention. As some one once said, "If one calls you a donkey, ignore him. If two call you a donkey, check for hoof prints. If three call you a donkey, get a saddle."

I can tell you why a PR firm was necessary. Blair’s letter demonstrates it. It took 337 words in the passive voice to say: Our staff was unable to craft a message to the membership. EAA refused to provide a writer, so we hired a consultant EAA recommended. We paid for it with NAFI funds, but I won’t say if it came from dues.

SAFE has a once in a lifetime opportunity to do it right. Let’s not build a bureaucratic institution where fund-raising and butt-covering are the two key activities.