AMO Pension

[Queequeg]

(…Only 6 of the 14 members I work with regularly have voted. Brother Bethel said he would debate Does Brother Hearn have the stroke to get this information and confront Brother BetheL
There is time. By the way Bill went crazy when I told him about the the new lump sum scheme. He said that they killed it once and killing it again is even easier. Get some real information ask some real questions.
Every four years we have some power. Use It! and keep on using after the election…)

Unta, If you had the stroke, you would have those other eight members you regularly work with mail in their ballots. Let’s be pro-active. Don’t let Bethel, Hearnia, or True Ballot steal their votes.

[Steamer]

[QUOTE=Hearnia;43591]Steamer: MMP President Tim Brown said the MMP pension plan is underfunded, I didn’t. As for MEBA, take the question up with Keefe and ask him about the pension status of the Interlake officers. You want to “throw a chair across the room” in this “bar fight?” Take that up with Keefe too. He’s been known to enjoy a good brawl.[/QUOTE]

One union being in the “red zone” or being underfunded at the moment doesn’t equal what AMO members claim has happened to their pension funds and the future benefits they paid for.

If you feel like you need to attack another union’s official but can’t differentiate between metaphor and reality then I can understand why the AMO membership is so upset.

If AMO policies did not have such a tremendous negative impact on the industry as a whole I wouldn’t even speak out here. What your employment agency does is something that should be fought out among those who subscribe to the “service” but since you insist on bringing legitimate maritime unions into the discussion as a means to define your own apparent mismanagement, I feel comfortable commenting on it.

[Palmer]

It is a fact, known only because he was not smart enough to cover his tracks, that “Hearnia” is Thomas Bethel. He comes here and blasts Captain Hearn because that is all he can do - nothing in his record or platform is positive. Bethel has pillaged the Union and hurt its members and their families. If elected, he will deliver the AMO bound and gagged to Mike Sacco and the SIU.

I have sailed around the world with Captain Hearn. He is the best Captain I met in 30 years at sea. He is also the kindest man I’ve known and has the calmness and patience you find in people who are 100 years old. He still loves going to sea. He is dedicated to his family first, then his church, and then his career. When we’d go ashore overseas he would visit a church before meeting the rest of us for a beer. Personally, I am a better man for having known him.

At $333,000 a year, plus a huge expense account, Bethel is here on payroll time taunting his victims and amusing himself. Don’t be incited by him. Pay your dues, mark your ballot across the full AMC slate, and get it in the mail today. In the last 2 elections the AMC did not carry a majority and the few who were elected caved in. Their positions have been eliminated in this election by Bethel who has packed the Board with stooges like Murdoch & Murphy.

Say one thing positive about your accomplishments for the membership, Bethel.
You sold out the Defined Benefit Plan to the employers. You wrecked the pension. You cashed in your buyout for untold millions. You pay yourself 50% more than successful Union presidents. You publicly supported the racketeer Michael McKay. You fly around the country in chartered jets and stay in swank resorts at the member’s expense. You rammed a mulitmillion dollar construction project past the members in a phony referendum. You undermined the Constitution by stealing the top job with your phony “Resolution 3”. You had an immunity deal during the racketeering grand jury. You renamed the Union AMO-SIUNA as a prelude to handing it to Sacco. You have no education, no license, and no concern for the lives you damage. To you, the men in this Union are a commodity to deal and double deal.

McKay’s judge said corruption in the AMO was “pervasive” and that the Union was his “personal piggy bank.” Ychangenow?..because nothing has changed yet.

[Palmer]

“Brother” Bethel issued his debate challenge just as Captain Hearn returned to his job at sea. Say what you want, at least Jack Hearn can tell you the color of a sea buoy. Bethel was a wiper on Phildephia harbor tugs and never saw one during his short and undistinguished career. His “license” is as mysterious as Obama’s birth certificate.

[Queequeg]

[QUOTE=RkyMtn Paul;40500]I only sailed as an AB and not since '97. I did make many trips with Capt Hearn with TOTE. Having mostly been on the 4-8 and 8-12, I had a lot of time around him on the bridge. The conversations with the Mate and Chief were enlightening. He ALWAYS treated everyone with courtesy. How many Capts do you know who thank their ABs for their turn on the wheel and/or doing their job in general? This is a man that I have said many times that I would gladly sail to hell and back with. Only one other skipper has that endorsement with me. Graduated first in his class, I think KP. Don’t make assumptions with that. I can’t say enough good things about Capt Jack. And no, we’re not related. Certainly a man to be trusted, and one that I can easily respect.[/QUOTE]

I too sailed with Jack Hearn and I have to agree with RkyMtn Paul. The man shows everyone nothing but respect. From the top down. There is no Captain I would choose to for more than Jack Hearn. I cannot for the life of me think of a reason why he shouldn’t Captain this union for us as well.
Is there anyone out there at all sailing or not that have similar praises for Bethel and his ‘at sea’ leadership? Please. Do tell. I have yet to read or hear anything good about that man who wasn’t on his payroll in some way shape or form. Even then it was hesitant.

[View_From_The_Lakes]

Amen brother Palmer and thank you.

[awulfclark]

I’m willing to bet the only buoys Tommy has ever seen have the blue stripes. It’s been proven to us time and again that if we don’t get ALL the old guard out nothing will ever change. Only by getting new blood in can we ever progress as a union. The mismanagement continues–I know personally several people who were paid improper vacation benefits within the last couple months. The contract was negotiated in July, and the vacation department only recently got the updated rates–over three months later! Why would it take that long for updated rates to make their way, oh, to the next building down the street? Or electronically–how long does that take, exactly? Maybe the union forgot, maybe the lines of communication are weak, or maybe someone’s trying to make a point–but any way you slice it, it’s mismanagement, and more specifically, mismanagement of members’ money. If they can’t get things like regular vacation pay right, how can we expect them to get bigger things like, say, our PENSION fund correct? I fully believe that if the current administration remains in power, our pay and benefits will only be reduced, and the new DC pension plan will be somehow raided, while they continue their current lavish lifestyle.

“Hearnia” is Bethel, but in the same sense that the AMO Currents are Bethel–he’s directing someone with actual English skills (probably Doell, possibly Branthover) what to write. It’s funny that, in this thread approaching 300 posts, that the only positive support for the incumbents is from this “Hearnia”. I have yet to speak to anyone who supports Tommy and his gang in any way. Maybe the Hearn supporters are just a very vocal minority, or maybe most members are finally waking up to the hard screwing we’re receiving. If nothing else, at least we’ll have someone in there with an actual education AND recent experience. Otherwise it’s time to learn the SIU pension rules.

[Kaiser_Sosei]

Bethel, from your mid-september post

(Joe Connors was identified by Jack in a meeting with “more than 20” AMO members in Newport News on July 27 and in a subsequent post on the Hearn-AMC campaign Web site as a pension authority who had volunteered to guide Jack and the AMC on retirement issues. We do not know if Mr. Connors is an attorney, a money manager, an actuary, a benefit fund administrator or all four – Jack identified him only as a former trustee of the Mine Workers’ fund in what Jack called the “hallmark” days of the UMWA under the late John L. Lewis, who served as president of the Mine Workers from 1920 until 1960.
Jack’s clear intent was to hold the United Mine Workers of America Pension Fund up as a model of what the defined benefit AMO Pension Plan could be under a Hearn-AMC administration with direction from Mr. Connors. )

Well Mr. Bethel. Either you are praising Jack’s choice of Mr. Connors or you are attacking his credibility. Which is it? When he left the fund in the 80’s, he left with his integrity intact and fiduciary responsibilities fully covered.

Again…from that post

(Jack and the AMC call their latest pension strategy an “alternative” to what this administration did to ensure the greatest possible measure of retirement security for all deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members. But it is actually an alternative to the false, futile hope Jack and the AMC had placed in Joe Connors and the United Mine Workers of America Pension Fund)

How is he placing hope in the UMWA fund exactly? I don’t think that fund has anything to do with Joe Connors anymore or Hearn for that matter.

"Instead, Jack and the AMC chose to address the problem by pretending that there is no problem. Which brings to an older but no less harsh reality – Jack Hearn and the AMC have no idea of what they would be getting into as elected AMO officials. They have no real-world understanding of how things are and why, and they are not at all prepared to serve effectively. "

Tom Bethel, National President

Well Tommy, I would have to agree. No honest member of this union could possibly know what they would be getting into as AMO officials. I just hope its not a lost cause yet. I just hope its not too late for an HONEST member of this union to salvage it. And Tommy, do you really live in the ‘Real World’? Does this world you talk of have expensive suits, Cuban cigars, and single-malt whiskey? Gee Tommy, I want to live there. As for our 7 million dollars, that Hearn fought on his own dime to have returned to the AMO membership, where is it? How much of that 7 million dollars did you contribute? You suck off the tit, boy. You have always suckled. Where is your license? So many questions, so little answers. But as an AMO member, I’m used to it.

[Turk_182]

WOW!! Incredible, insightful and thoughtful commentary these last few days!! It makes me feel like I am at a loss for words, as all of you have said it as good if not better than I could!

Many thanks to AMO members, and those outside who have chimed in. It was not until reading the latest posts that it dawned on me how badly our brothers in MEBA and MMP have been screwed by our “talent agency”. As Bethel enjoys wages almost $100K higher than MEBA n MMP Presidents, we get lousy contracts, and only the HOPE of a pension - in 7 years! The only thing guaranteed by this continued corruption is “BOHICA” - with no vaseline.

I liked the comment about continuing the fight AFTER the election. If enough interested parties get involved, perhaps justice will be served. The key is to stay active, stay in touch - and keep up the pressure.

It is a very sad statement to know that our union’s corrupt policies have done so much damage outside the AMO ranks. Let’s hope we can “right the ship”.

Finally, from everyone I know who has sailed with Hearn - the commentary is “spot on”. Personally, I believe his motives are 100% pure. Add Jack’s to Tom’s, and we’re batting .500!

Let’s change now…

[c.captain]

For God’s sake…somebody go to Wikipedia and edit this self serving steaming pile!

Thomas J. Bethel is an American labor leader. He was elected national president of American Maritime Officers in 2008. He had been appointed as the national president of the American Maritime Officers union (AMO) on January 8, 2007 by the union’s National Executive Committee. <SUP></SUP>Bethel formerly served as AMO’s national executive vice-president, which is the third highest position in the union.

<SUP></SUP>
Bethel sailed with AMO as a Chief Engineer for several years before being named a union representative in 1986. <SUP></SUP>He later served as an executive board member and as the national assistant vice president at large.

<SUP></SUP>
Now in its third year under Bethel’s leadership, the union’s administration is pioneering job opportunities for the AMO membership in the U.S. and international fleets and operates with the hallmarks of transparency in operations and open communication with the membership. An independent firm administers union elections and referendums. A hotline and compliance committee have been established for officials and employees to report any instances of abuse or misconduct. Attendance of National Executive Board meetings has been opened to the union’s membership. Bethel has actively sought the input of former unsuccessful candidates for union office in an effort to harvest new ideas for improving the union’s performance and service to the membership.

“named a union representative in 1986”!..Right smack at the summit of the infamous Ray McKay’s power. How ever could Bethel not today stink of putrid corruption going back almost 25 years! He probably learned his craft under the tutelage of the great Bill Powers himself! How ever has he survived this long…how I ask? Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!

I’m not even in the AMO and want to vomit after reading this!

[Hearnia]

From ychangenow.com

November 2, 2010 Print Copy
The ‘AMC solution?’ Where?

In a Nov. 2 post on their campaign Web site, Jack Hearn and his AMO Membership Committee listed what they called “real issues” in this AMO election, and they called upon seagoing AMO members everywhere to “vote the AMC solution.”

The Hearn-AMC “issues” were five points recycled from previous posts, and the "AMC solution " was nowhere to be found in these latest versions. Jack and the AMC were no more specific in this new post about what they would do as AMO officials or how they would do it than they had been since they began their campaign last April.

The pension issue led the list this time. Jack and the AMC said nothing more about their proposed strategy, but we already know that the Hearn-AMC plan outlined earlier would bring the AMO Pension Plan from deficient to bankrupt in three years or less – making matters even worse for active AMO members and ending monthly benefit payouts to AMO members and survivors already on the retirement rolls.

The second point was a pledge to “improve financial management” by “cutting executive pay and privilege.” Again, no details here – but we already know that any anticipated savings from payroll reductions under a Hearn-AMC administration would be canceled out by retainer fees, monthly expense assessments and “billable hours” paid to the unidentified consulting firms Jack and the AMC have said they would hire for job development, contract negotiations and lobbying.

In their third point, Jack and the AMC said they would promote “true transparency,” but we already know that Jack and the AMC prefer to keep seagoing AMO members in the dark about such important matters as Jack’s campaign collaborations with convicted felons and their debt to the Washington-based law firm that has advised Jack and the AMC since 2005. If Jack and the AMC are in fact committed to “true transparency,” they can demonstrate that now – as candidates – by identifying the consulting firms they would retain, specifying what each firm would cost and setting a time frame for their services.

Fourth, Jack and the AMC would “crew-up” membership committees to “review contracts, fair shipping rules, and Constitutional protections and independence.” Of course, Jack and the AMC did not acknowledge that AMO membership committees now actually negotiate contracts as well as review them. Nor did Jack and the AMC explain specifically how they would “crew” these committees or where they find fault in the AMO National Constitution or in the deep-sea or Great Lakes shipping rules (Do Jack and the AMC even know that there are separate shipping rules?).

Finally, Jack and the AMC would “protect jobs and growth” by hiring “real expertise to build a business plan by keeping the AMO competitive.” This means “marketing,” and that starts with “M” and that stands for “Money” for high-priced businesses more accustomed to selling cereal than finding jobs for U.S. merchant marine officers – again, so much for operating cost savings under a Hearn-AMC administration.

The number of jobs brought into AMO under our administration since January 2007 recently surpassed 500, the number we had counted through September 2010 – and we secured this new deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters employment without marketing consultants.

As for “keeping the AMO competitive,” Jack and the AMC apparently remain unaware that AMO already stands as the largest and strongest union of U.S. merchant marine officers. And Jack and the AMC have charged that AMO contracts are in fact too competitive – a contradiction that defies the new warning by Jack and the AMC that “this is not the time to be indecisive.”

Tom Bethel, National President
José Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer
Bob Kiefer, National Executive Vice President
Joe Gremelsbacker, National Vice President (Deep Sea)
Don Cree, National Vice President (Great Lakes)
Charles Murdock, National Vice President (Inland Waters)
Mike Murphy, National Vice President (Government Relations)

[Queequeg]

Thanks Kaiser for clearing that up! Hearnia caught in another lie.
Bethel, your lame post today is laughable. From what I hear, there are entities out there so disgusted with our state of affairs that they have offered their services free of charge. At least the AMC won’t be collecting ‘consulting fees’ from our fund management.

“…and that starts with “M” and that stands for “Money” …” Gee Tommy, really?

Do yourself and the AMO membership a favor. Go away. Go back to the SIU where you belong and are welcome.

[awulfclark]

sigh With the midterm elections over, I thought the mudslinging and negative campaigns were over for a while.

Yeah, Tommy, the latest AMC post is largely recycled–but are you really going to stand on your soapbox and tell us you never recycled ANY campaign point? Seems to me you’ve been spewing the same crap for nearly four years now. Even worse, you’ve spent the last four years at the very least misleading the membership, if not outright lying to us. Whereas we know Jack and his slate are men of integrity (no, I don’t know anyone else on Jack’s slate, but I do know he will ensure they are all men of integrity, and that’s enough for me).

I also have to point out a few things:
–The AMC solution is in fact prominently displayed in most postings; the actual step-by-step mechanisms may not be there, since we don’t know exactly how f-ed up things are and what the fixes will be;
–We do not know that the AMC pension strategy will bankrupt the pension plan within three years, or at all. I would think Jack would be a little smarter than that and not pursue such a disastrous course. I should think an administration that almost single-handedly sunk our plan within a matter of months should not be casting any stones here.
–We also do not know that there will be “billable hours” or “consulting fees” or what they would be. By the way, what do Branthover and Glanstein charge as retainers and fees? I also have to imagine the AMC does not yet know what consulting firms (if even any) they would use, as there wouldn’t be much point in shaking that down until AFTER winning the election.
–Don’t even get me started on transparency! This union has operated for over sixty years as anything BUT transparent–and that includes under your administration, Tommy. We don’t know, for example, what you REALLY earn (pay, pension, matching contributions, so on). We don’t know what contracts are out there until we’re forced to go work for them. We don’t know what ship’s we’re losing. Whereas the AMC has promised FULL transparency.
–Do membership committees REALLY negotiate contracts, or do they just sit in while Philly Bob and whatever company rep sits there and figures out how to screw us a little harder and a little deeper with each negotiation? Maybe the rank-and-file members sitting in on the negotiations get to bring up pertinent points, but do they have any actual power to accept or reject the contracts? Or, as always, do we get stuck with what we’re given?
–Wanna talk fault in the AMO Constitution? Does Resolution 3 ring any bells there? Seems like a San Andreas size fault there to me. And I would have to imagine Jack would know about the separate shipping rules by now, seeing that one of his candidates sails on the Lakes. And how do we know that we’re not going to be taken over by the SIU at some point in the (possibly near) future?
–Of course marketing costs money. Or have you never heard the oft-quoted figure for what a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl costs? Most businesses spend money in marketing (you know, advertising) in order to promote and grow their business or product. And again, we don’t know what this marketing would cost–it may be as simple as advertising in various publications or, say, putting a banner ad up on a web forum that rhymes with “gcaptain”. If it grows our union or promotes our product, what’s the problem? And we could really do without the infantile “this starts with this letter and so does that, so they must be linked” commentary. Remember, we’re a union of highly educated and trained professionals, not knuckle-draggers. Maybe you should get to know us better.
–Maybe the number of jobs brought in is over 500 since your administration took office, but how many jobs were correspondingly lost? Seems to me our membership numbers have been dropping consistently, and yet I know of people who sat on the beach for many months before finally finding work. How, exactly, does that equate to “adding jobs”? Instead of spinning your numbers, how about giving us the figure that matters, namely net job gains or losses.
–Is AMO really the largest and strongest of the three officer unions? Or just the largest? Not to say MM&P and MEBA operate perfectly, but at least they operate like UNIONS and not hiring agencies. At least their members get to say their piece without fear of reprisal.
–I can’t say for sure, but my guess would be that what Jack meant by our contracts being too competitive is that they’re too LOW–in other words, the other unions won’t accept anything that low, so we win. I don’t think that was meant to be a compliment to your administration.

So, speaking of highly paid consultants, how much money are you paying your campaign manager and/or propagandist to write this drivel for you? Meanwhile I just blew it up while sitting on my couch drinking coffee. If this is the best you can offer…it’s time to CHANGE NOW!

I won’t repost it here, but I highly encourage everyone to read the latest AMC posting. Not all of it is recycled, in particular the part detailing the voting numbers from the headquarters referendum. How is it that the number of disqualified ballots actually OUTNUMBERED the ballots to approve the construction? I surely hope they were disqualified for legitimate reasons and that the ballot games aren’t continuing as before.

Tommy–you’re out. But at least you have your pension you can live on, unlike the rest of us. Your administration refuses to entertain any ideas that would ease the pension sting for most of the membership, while simultaneously enriching a select few, including yourself. Jack has already said he will make it more equitable for all. So I really don’t want to hear any more BS out of Tommy about flawed pension strategies.

Change now before it’s too late! Vote AMC and get your union back. My name is awulfclark and I approved this message.

[mariner173]

Great posts lately but keep the pressure up for those last minute voters to get their vote in. We’ve got to overpower the high powered light operation by the guys who have been there since the McKay days and who know exactly how to bilk the rank and file!

Yes to change now!

[mariner173]

Anyone else want to projectile vomit when they read the latest BS in the currents posted on 2 Nov. Yeah great that our pension fund is suddenly pulling down Bernie Madoff like returns AFTER the current administration determines that we must move forward with a new pension offering that gives THEM a second windfall. I find the timing a little suspect considering people questioned why we would have the same advisors after such a rapid collapse of the pension in recent postings in this forum. Makes you wonder why they could not factor in some of the ideas discussed in this forum to improve the pension so that it is not so favored of those with a lump sum…you can see that they follow what is being discussed here with great interest (after originally discounting this forum as a bunch of disgruntled AMC followers!)

Take the information they post with a grain of salt, they used the AMO Currents to announce a strong pension just three months before the “collapse”

Yes to Change NOW

[Queequeg]

Sorry Awfulclark for the mudslinging. As one of those most affected by this mess, I just can’t play nice anymore. I would also like to state that I am not affiliated in any way with the AMC. I do believe that they make a well rounded slate of WORKING members who have collectively contributed to this fund we are trying to save. In the outside chance that Hearn is not elected, then the corruption and ballot tampering has obviously become more prevalent. If Hearn doesn’t take 75% of this vote I will be shocked and will be making phone calls to the D.O.L… as should we all.

[awulfclark]

Queequeg–you don’t need to apologize in any way. Just keep your harpoon ready in case we need to take matters in our own hands! That comment about the mudslinging was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. In any event, it should be “Hearnia” who should be apologizing for all the mudslinging. I definitely understand the not playing nice idea–they f-ed with our money, and I don’t play nice either when you mess with my (and by extension, my family’s) livelihood and future. Like many people I was looking at getting out after 20 years WITH A PENSION and at least having the chance to see my kids grow up and all that.

Speaking of ballot fraud–does anyone know just how independent “True-Ballot” really is? Where are the ballots being stored? Who’s counting them, will there be rank-and-file members there, and how are those members selected? And where’s that huge candlepower light? If it weren’t for the fact that I have to be at sea during the counting, I would seriously think about heading to Florida to watch the hijinks. I definitely don’t trust anyone in the current administration to not tamper with the ballots. It may be guilt by association, but it’s not as though they’ve done anything to earn my trust back. I would even like to know whether my ballot was qualified or not–have they ever given us this info before? Not that I have any doubt that I’m qualified as per our rules, but who knows the games they’ll play.

I’m not so sure anyone on the AMC slate will get 75%–I still think there’s a large contingent of members who, for some insane reason or other, either don’t care, or actively buy the BS being spewed. I would still be surprised if Tommy and his gang are reelected after this pension fiasco. Nevertheless I’m photocopying my ballot before I send it in.

[Turk_182]

I remain very impressed with the recent posts - many thanks to those who have had more than enough, and are speaking out - FINALLY! 60 years is enough.

Been thinking about the post by awulfclark. The ballots are being mailed to an AMO PO Box in dania Beach… Hmmmmmmm - isn’t that a Union PO box? I believe that AMC has opened a case with the Dept of Labor (imagine that, the DOL is willing to give it a “look see” based on previous shenanigans by the leaders of the Employment Agency they call a union). Anyone with half a brain would have to have some reservations about the security of a ballot that is going to be “stored” by those who have been previously proven negligent or worse when handling ballots. Of course AMO claims they will not be touched… makes one wonder WHY are the ballots not being sent DIRECTLY to TRUE BALLOT, instead of AMO??? True Ballot, for their part, claims they will have no access to the ballots until whatever day that the candidates will be there to see them handed to TRUE BALLOT. However, True Ballot also acknowledges that they have NO WAY OF KNOWING whether a “janitor” or otherwise did not stop by and ‘borrow’ a few ballots. Not accusing here, but based on PREVIOUS elections - anyone with the same half brain would HAVE to be suspicious! True Ballot also claims that ballot tampering can be checked out by the bar codes on the business reply envelopes. Basically, the Post Office does not charge the union for the postage until the envelope is scanned when going thru the Postal Service processing. IF tampering is suspected, one can try and go thru the DOL to have the Post Office records accessed, in order to verify that the number of “scanned” envelopes actually matches the number of ballots that ended up with TRUE BALLOT. IF this is true, then there is a chance to at least confirm that all ballots were delivered or not - what is IN each envelope, well that’s another story…

Personally, I applaud those who claim they are copying their ballot before sending it in, and I’ve also heard where some members are sending their ballots certified, receipt requested. Perhaps another good idea.

LET’S CHANGE NOW!!!

[c.captain]

I am not sure if anyone from the Hearn camp is reading these but I can only hope that they are thinking a step or two ahead of the Bethel gang and make all preparations for a legal fight over the counting of ballots and certifying of the results. The fact that the ballots will be in the custody of the AMO henchmen before being turned over to TrueBallot should force the Hearn team to automatically assume that there will be ballot tampering and that Bethel will do everything in his power to prevent the ballots being audited after the fact. I wonder if someone from the AMC team should be in Dania each day and be witness to the receipt of the ballots from the PO box?

Not only should every AMO member voting for Hearn copy their ballot, but they should have that copy certified by a Notary. If there is a suit and ballot copies are subpoenaed by the AMC, the Bethel lawyers will motion to have them all tossed out because they are “tainted”. Remember that one from the way back machine? A copy which has been certified will be much more able to stand the test in court when it comes down to that. I certainly hope that Capt. Hearn has a legal defense team lined up already on the ground and ready to go. They need to be there for each and every step of the battle against Bethel!

I sadly expect it to be a bloody bare knuckle fight and that the Bethel gang will not go quietly into the night over this one…that have nothing to lose and everything to gain by fighting dirty! If the AMC thinks that they can play nicely by the rules and not soil themselves with taking off the gloves, then they might just get their head handed to them when this is all over. I am not even a member of the AMO but I feel that this election is a referendum over the future of every US maritime officer.

[Queequeg]

Thanks Turk for the Ballot information. I’ll be photocopying my ballot as well. Let’s not Go Lightly into this Good Night. Make the phone calls to those sleeper members. Get them to vote. We have 3 weeks.