Ark, while a more tactful approach may open a few more doors, I doubt it would have much of an effect on the cult-like zeal that dominates the APA.

Remember, this is the same outfit that peddled the myth of 98.6% field accuracy for 15 years -- 10 of them after the devastating NAS report.

In my opinion, the APA lives in a bubble the likes of which are seldom seen in other professional organizations. The group feeds itself on its own self-serving propaganda while looking askance at reality, similar to the operational models of many faith-based religions.

Dr. Richardson,

I appreciate your thoughts on this matter.

Clearly, my motives as a polygraph consultant are not financially oriented. I'd say that less than ten percent of the inquiries I receive are converted into actual business.

The main reason for such a low conversion rate is simple: When prospective clients are candidly informed of the risks, realities and limitations of the "test," they either lose interest entirely or find an examiner whose claims about polygraph are more in line with their own twisted perceptions.

On the other side of the coin, some individuals who have been victimized by the "test" seek me out in hopes of finding a remedy, and I have been successful in that regard. By the way, those cases can be most telling of the ethics (or lack thereof) on the part of the examiner who administered the original "test."

As for continuing my efforts to become APA president-elect, I agree that such candidacy forays provide me with a platform, albeit limited, by which I can appeal to APA members to temper their financial motivations, think critically for themselves, and do the right thing.

But hey, I'm a realist. That noble mission is proving to be an uphill slog, and I appear to be well on my way to becoming the Harold Stassen of APA politics.

But I'm okay with that.

Why? Because the record will continue to show that this rogue member of the APA is not afraid to speak truth to power, tell the unvarnished truth about the "test," and strive to bring about reforms that are long overdue.

For me, that's reward enough.

Dan