Forgive my slow response, I have been weighing options, and decisions will come very soon. In the meantime, I will continue to defend against Maria's lies with the truth.
It should be noted that defending myself from the lies of TAPE and Ms. Hubbard, is being done at great professional risk. It seems telling the truth about the Texas polygraph industry is a risky proposition.
Anyway.
Ex Member wrote on May 12
th, 2016 at 6:02am:
Joe,
Why don't you toss your hat in for the APA election? That would definitely generate some critical mass.
Dan Mangan wrote on May 12
th, 2016 at 2:38pm:
Ark, to the best of my knowledge, Joe does not belong to the APA.
However, he should. The organization would benefit greatly from Joe McCarthy -- and many more like him.
I agree that his presence in the 2016 APA elections would help shake things up.
Meanwhile, I am hopeful that we will see a good showing of outsider candidates for ALL open positions this time around, but especially for the office of president-elect.
Women, minorities, and non-WASP members would bring some much-needed balance to the APA board of directors.
It's time to break the back of the traditional good 'ol boy APA establishment.
I may show up to APA, if for nothing else but to see that the earlier listed complaint made it to the ethics committee, offer my two cents (if allowed. If not I understand, after all I am not a member), and hopefully see that she is at the very least admonished for her poor behavior, in front of children and conduct unbecoming a committee member; something.
At best, I do not want to bring critical mass, I want to encourage homeostasis. While Maria and TAPE seem to favor a prolonged war, my actions have shown that I favor everyone putting swords away and going home.
Everyone was prepared for the worst at last years APA, including myself, and we all proved to one another that we can be decent to each other; with the exception of maria. Even the Holden's and I shook and called it quits. A peace, that to my knowledge, has not been broken. So much for me being the instigator huh?
In fact, I would hope that the APA would want to get everyone in the same room, and iron this out before it gets out of hand. While I understand the APA' s positions that they have no jurisdiction, lets face it, the APA is very influential. Given that the current president and the president elect are from Texas, you would think they have a small versed interest in a peaceful Texas market. NOTE: I know both the current president and president elect to be good men. I respect them both and would prefer not to engage in any negative discussions about either man.
If I do go to APA this year, I will entertain membership, no matter what the outcome of any outside issues.
As far as office goes, Dan and I have similar points of view over a couple issues, but different approaches in regard to fixing them. Moreover, any position I may or may not hold in the future, comes with, checks, balances, and restraints of power; AS IT SHOULD BE.
As an officer, I would be elected to be fair, independent, and unbiased; on the side of the truth, making the industry better, and improving polygraph to ALL who come into contact with it.
The stand point of bringing polygraph down from within will change nothing and cause more angst and animosity, in a profession which seems to have enough already.
While I will agree that consumer/examinee proaction does need to be reviewed and given more focus, I do not think that Dan's approach will achieve much without a board of directors willing to hand him the bully pulpit he desires.
The changes that do need to be made, should be made because people know that the changes are necessary to show the public that we can govern ourselves responsibly. I strongly believe that this app rock is needed to prevent another EPPA, which even a few big names in the industry have agreed is inevitable, if this industry down't get our shit together.
I do feel that PCSOT needs to have more teeth, to make sure anyone APA PCSOT follow the rules set by the APA. Either that or encourage states to codify APA and or JPCOT guidelines, so as to take licensing and enforcement out of the private sector totally, leaving only in place the ability to instruct and advice with new updates of the law that support research.
Right now, there are lots of people getting improper PCSOT tests, but because PCSOT is not addresses in polygraph law, and the APA is, for the most part a "toothless organization" (not my words), It leaves the consumer/examinee no recourse to complain.
I also think that bylaws need to be passed, similar to that of the AAPP and the Arizona Polygraph Examiners Association, in regard to the use of polygraph during ethics investigations, where appropriate and needed. If we, as an industry, expect the consumer to buy the product we sell, should we not make an example, and show the consumer, that we use the test we sell, to help solve our own problems from within?
I know examiners disagree with me, but we look pretty arrogant when we say it's good enough for everyone else, but nor for us.
Now, where Dan and I agree a lot on, with what is said above, we do need balanced leadership. But that is really a matter of the people stepping up to run, and then the members having the right to vote. Sorry, as with any election, it is about the vote. We have learned that lesson over the past 12 to 16 years of political division in this county.
I also agree that the old ole boy system needs to go. Problem is, once you oust one good ole boy club, another will form and take the place of the outgoing one. Checks and balances need to be explored.
My gripe is with TAPE and Maria for the most part. My only gripe with the industry, is it's unwillingness to step in and use the influence it has, to make sure that even state agencies don't act in a manner that puts forth an appearance of impropriety. Sorry I feel if I had the right to seek remedy within the industry with the TAPE issue back in 2010, I strongly believe none of the past two years would have been necessary.
Now, let me say something good about the APA; something they did right.
The antitrust policies and statement which were put forward by the APA recently, was a good move on the part of the organization. If only TAPE and other organizations would ask the APA why it was done, and should they follow suit. But hey, the FTC will eventually catch up to that. It's only a matter of time, especially for TAPE...
In a nutshell, the Krackin people see me as, only comes to the surface when it is time for a fight. The rest of the time, I am shockingly reasonable, and very flexible. I am the easiest person in the world to talk to as long as reason is a two way street. In the end, I would rather see the right thing done, over what is right for me; because sometimes I am wrong. When that happens, I admit it, but when I am right, I'll fight for that of which I believe.
Now, back to sorting through the documents and data I have received recently in regard to current issues in Texas. Hope everyone has a good night.