American Polygraph Association Elections: Race for president-elect pits Daniel Mangan against Patrick O'Burke

[Dan Mangan]

As reported in the newly released March/April 2016 APA Magazine, current APA president and longtime polygraph establishment politico Walt Goodson's suggestion to effectively disenfranchise the vast majority of APA members has been soundly rebuked.

Of his slap down, Goodson admits:

"As I mentioned in my last [column's] message, the current election process has been called into question by a few of our members due to its limited capacity to offer candidates an opportunity to share their platforms beyond a 500-word candidate statement and a photo. ... After the publication of that message, I received considerable support for the current electronic election process. Moreover, informal discussions with APA board members during the Winter Board Meeting revealed unanimous backing for the current process. It is very clear to me that access to the polls is most important to us."

Elections are fast approaching. Let the games begin.

[Ex Member]

Dan,
What are the detailed requirements to run for APA president elect?

[Dan Mangan]

Ark, the requirements are minimal: one must be a full member of the APA.

The more candidates for president-elect there are, the greater my chances of winning.

In my opinion, the good ol' boys want a two-man race.

That said, I would not be surprised if certain nominees for APA president-elect were "discouraged" from running by establishment politicos.

Injecting a slate of straw candidates into the mix would be an interesting experiment.

[Ex Member]

Is a university degree required?

[Dan Mangan]

Dunno. Let's look into it. The by-laws are readily available on www.polygraph.org, the same folk who claimed 98.6% accuracy for fifteen (15) years -- ten (10) of them after the devastating NAS wake-up call.

As for a university degree, I'm not sure. At the last APA national seminar, the cool kids in charge foisted an ObamaCare-like massive redo of much of the terms, conditions and language of the association's constitution. So, nothing would surprise me.

But let's move on.

Maybe one (or more) of your APA-member harem could run for president-elect. I'd love to see a wide field of races, religions and genders throw their hats in the ring for all offices.

The APA political machine has been whitebread WASP for far too long.

[Ex Member]

Dan, I did mention it to two members who I know personally and they acted like I was trying to get them to kiss their mother-in-laws.

[Dan Mangan]

I wonder if such sentiments could be swayed by a financial incentive...

[Ex Member]

Dan, if you are looking to bring some international diversity to the APA, you many consider Mr. Enrique Gimeno from Spain. I can vouch for his knowledge and professionalism. I believe he is a full member.

http://www.poligrafo.us/index.html

[Dan Mangan]

Maybe someone will nominate him for president elect.

[Ex Member]

Dan,
How are your election efforts coming along?

[Dan Mangan]

Ark, I'm having second thoughts on running. 

I fear that my platform of a test-taker bill of rights, realistic research vis-a-vis a countermeasure challenge series, and equal opportunity for APA members is simply a bridge too far.

Last year, when the politicos who run the APA decided to shitcan the organization's time-honored goal "to serve the cause of truth with integrity, objectivity and fairness to all persons," they really tipped their hand.

In my opinion, the "new, improved" APA is no longer primarily about truth, as it was in the days of Backster. Now, the APA seems to be dedicated mainly to sustaining the polygraph indu$try.

Truth -- especially the truth about the "test" -- be damned.

I have come to accept the fact that in life, sometimes (perhaps all too often) the bastards win.

[Evan S]

Dan:  Take the high ground and quit the damned APA.

What good are they and how does membership help your business?

So that you can put it on your business card ("Full Member, American Polygraph Association")

[Ex Member]

What got you so discouraged Dan? You normally have much more fire in the belly than this. Very recent events have shown that a brash, persistent and determined outsider can unexpectedly topple the ivory towers if he gets the message out.

[Dan Mangan]

An APA tribal elder -- someone for whom I have the utmost respect -- met with me and laid out a most convincing case as to why my efforts at reform will remain futile.

Here's the takeaway: The polygraph profession is mainly about money. Understandably, everyone wants to protect their own rice bowl.

As for curtailing polygraph fraud, abuse and victimization...not many practitioners care much at all, at least from what I've seen over the past 11+ years.

What matters most to the APA, it seems, is sustaining polygraph's commercial viability.

Given that my reforms would have a negative impact on indu$try economics, it's easy to see that amassing enough votes to win the office of president-elect is a most daunting task.

[Ex Member]

Most industry organizations are profit focused; hard not to be in a capitalist infrastructure. Pure altruism is usually not very cost effective, otherwise we'd have fresh baked bread every morning. But, ethics plays in the hearts of most non-sociopaths. Perhaps another more tactful approach may open doors?