JS Your response makes no sense, anyone could become a 3rd Mate or engineer and there is no alternative after walking down the gang planks with our heads high. No more contracts for ARA once the Mates have full FCC licenses even now, cut the BS, get it? Comrade Jew Stanley Blumenthal In a message dated 2/15/2013 6:59:28 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, schalestock@xxxxxxxx writes: Stanley, Let me clear something up for you. My position during the election was NOT shutting down the ARA. It was intended to PROTECT our members that were brass pounders only. (I believe you were in that category?) With the arrival of GMDSS, even Steinberg saw the hand writing on the wail., I believe his intent was to eliminate the code license requirement in order to bring in competent electronic technicians, thus presenting the companies with a reason to renew our contract. What I was advocating was to give the brass pounders the option to take an early and full retirement. The pension plan at that time certainly had the assets to accomplish this and, had I been elected I would have seen to it that these members were fairly treated. In addition we would have remained with the MMP. As you may (or may not) recall, I had an excellent relationship with Tim Brown, his full support during the election, and had his promise of full support of the ARA membership when negotiating with the companies. This would have been a win win for the entire ARA membership - including those that were not the competent technicians required for the new GMDSS. environment. JS ____________________________________________________________ Start Taxes for FREE TaxSlayer.com. Fast, Secure and Always Accurate. Start for Free today. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/511e22f9d0bed22f95624st04vuc