The following message was written by Dr. Ron Fox, Former APA President, to the APA DIVOFFICERS list serve. His comments follow APA's Call for Nominations for Interim CEO, which excludes from consideration anyone who was mentioned in the APA Independent Review ("Hoffman Report").
From: Ronald Fox <@LISTS.APA.ORG>
Date: September 30, 2015 at 18:39:05 EDT
To: DIVOFFICERS@LISTS.APA.ORG
Subject: [DIVOFFICERS] Fwd: Interim CEO search
In our efforts to correct, change and reset our moral/ethical compass, some of us appear to be willing to simply toss aside anyone even mentioned in the Report a la Nixon administration folks all of whom were permanently tarred by association. Although I do not accept the analogy as particularly apt, I would observe that those folks broke the law, and after trials, went to prison or were pardoned. Not one of the people mentioned by Hoffman is facing criminal proceedings or ethical complaints to my knowledge. But, even were some of the "tarred" ones facing such actions, they would have the right to defend themselves fully and vigorously --- even if he or she was "guilty as sin" so to speak. What is being proposed is ostracism ""tarring" from our professional association family without a fair chance to defend themselves.
Forced resignations and guilt by association is not simply something that effects their activities in APA. It totally damages their reputations and seriously hinders their ability to secure another position. These things are happening. Some seem willing to let these things play out regardless of the associated damage so we can get on with healing APA; or worse, absolve ourselves by assuring them that it would be better for the organization if they would just disappear without saying they are guilty of anything. They have only to live with the shame and the real life consequences.
From: Ronald Fox <@LISTS.APA.ORG>
Date: September 30, 2015 at 18:39:05 EDT
To: DIVOFFICERS@LISTS.APA.ORG
Subject: [DIVOFFICERS] Fwd: Interim CEO search
In our efforts to correct, change and reset our moral/ethical compass, some of us appear to be willing to simply toss aside anyone even mentioned in the Report a la Nixon administration folks all of whom were permanently tarred by association. Although I do not accept the analogy as particularly apt, I would observe that those folks broke the law, and after trials, went to prison or were pardoned. Not one of the people mentioned by Hoffman is facing criminal proceedings or ethical complaints to my knowledge. But, even were some of the "tarred" ones facing such actions, they would have the right to defend themselves fully and vigorously --- even if he or she was "guilty as sin" so to speak. What is being proposed is ostracism ""tarring" from our professional association family without a fair chance to defend themselves.
Forced resignations and guilt by association is not simply something that effects their activities in APA. It totally damages their reputations and seriously hinders their ability to secure another position. These things are happening. Some seem willing to let these things play out regardless of the associated damage so we can get on with healing APA; or worse, absolve ourselves by assuring them that it would be better for the organization if they would just disappear without saying they are guilty of anything. They have only to live with the shame and the real life consequences.