Theos-Talk Archives (May 2008 Message tt00266)

Let me add:

We may also want to know of  Algeo's wife's involvement in the letter -
drafting, editing etc., since she is also an excellent English Professor.

mkr
On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 5:09 PM, MKR <mkr777@gmail.com> wrote:

> When you read Carbonell's letter, it is obvious that it is crafted by some
> one with an excellent command of English language as shown by the choice of
> words and style.
>
> It would be very interesting to find out, if John Algeo wrote the letter,
> and/or edited the letter prior to it being sent. I do not think, it is
> writen by Carbonell. Can some one who is in contact with Algeo, ask him and
> find out the answers. In addition, anyone who is in contact with Carbonell
> can also ask her to confirm the facts.
>
> It would clarify who is/are pulling the strings behind the curtain and
> clarify the behind the scenes involvement of John Algeo in the elections
> even though it is made to appear that he is not actively campaigning.
>
> mkr
>
> On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 3:45 PM, prmoliveira <prmoliveira@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >   Below, I reproduce Elvira Carbonell's letter, which
> > was sent out, by email, from Adyar, on 19 December 2007:
> >
> > "Dear General Council member, Mr Lindemann:
> >
> > Since there has been uncertainty about the state
> > of our President's health and our
> > Vice-President's willingness and ability to
> > accept nominations for the upcoming Presidential
> > election, several of us at Adyar feel the need to
> > write to members of the General Council to share
> > the following information.
> >
> > Many of us at Adyar are concerned that our
> > President will be putting an unnecessary burden
> > on herself and her prospects for continued
> > recovery if she runs for another term. Because of
> > our deep regard for her and the Society, we would
> > like to see her live as long as possible as a
> > wise counsel and guide to whoever gets elected as
> > the next President of the Theosophical Society.
> >
> > We have learned that our Vice-President has been
> > asked if he will accept nominations, and have
> > confirmation from him that although he is not
> > eager to run for President, he will do what seems
> > to be in the best interest of the Society when
> > the time comes, and he will accept nominations.
> > We have also received confirmation from him that
> > he feels Adyar has to remain the international
> > Headquarters of the TS, for both practical and
> > symbolical reasons.
> >
> > We hope that others who are qualified and have
> > the best interest of the Society at heart will
> > make themselves available as nominees in a
> > non-adversarial spirit, as having several
> > candidates on the ballot will ensure a wider
> > choice of experience and abilities, which can
> > only benefit our Society.
> >
> > Fraternally yours,
> >
> > Ms Elvira Carbonell
> > Theosophical Society, Adyar, India"
> >
> > The first paragraph of the letter shows that:
> >
> > a) Mrs Radha Burnier's health was an issue in this election, with Ms
> > Carbonell using the word `uncertainty' in relation to it;
> >
> > b) Dr John Algeo, as Vice-President, was willing and able to accept
> > nominations;
> >
> > c) Carbonell and several others at Adyar decided to write to the
> > members of the General Council.
> >
> > Comment: Carbonell was working as assistant to the International
> > Secretary, Mary Anderson, and therefore residing at Adyar. As some of
> > her articles had appeared in `The Theosophist', her name was known
> > around the world. The Secretary's Office contains the entire
> > membership database of the TS (Adyar), including names and addresses
> > of GC members. Miss Anderson issued the official nomination papers on
> > 18 December 2007 to all GC members by airmail. Several GC members
> > while at Adyar for the Convention received theirs hand delivered.
> >
> > A question that arises here is: what was the impact of Carbonell's
> > letter, and the letters of the several others at Adyar mentioned by
> > her, on those members of the GC living overseas? What role did it
> > play in the number of nominations received by both candidates?
> >
> > The second paragraph attempts to pre-empt Mrs Burnier's candidacy by
> > suggesting to General Council members that she should remain as a
> > retired elder in the TS.
> >
> > The third paragraph includes a confirmation by John Algeo that he
> > will accept nominations. As Carbonell's letter was read out by the
> > President at the General Council meeting of the TS, held on 25
> > December 2007 (the minutes of this meeting are included in the TS
> > Annual Report for 2007), and as Dr Algeo's mention in Carbonell's
> > letter was not questioned by him at that meeting, the logical
> > conclusion is that Carbonell's assertions about him having decided to
> > accept nominations are factual.
> >
> > As Elvira Carbonell and others at Adyar wrote the above communication
> > to the members of the General Council of the TS, not only attempting
> > to pre-empt Mrs Burnier's candidacy but definitely announcing that Dr
> > Algeo had agreed to accept nominations, Mrs Burnier was entitled to
> > write to the same GC members and present her views.
> >
> > It is also interesting to note that the National President of the TS
> > in America, Mrs Betty Bland, who attended the GC meeting last
> > December, while accusing Radha Burnier of electioneering
> > (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/43531)
> > she makes no mention at all of Carbonell's letter which was read out
> > at the same General Council meeting mentioned above.
> >
> > Another interesting point is that Mrs Bland's message mentioned above
> > includes only the text of her (Bland's) letter, while the same
> > message which was received by email in other places, including New
> > Zealand and Australia, included at the bottom the text of Radha
> > Burnier's letter to the GC members, which was originally sent by
> > airmail.
> >
> > Pedro Oliveira
> >
> >  
> >
>
>


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