Randy,

I do not believe AERC should accept any money from the UAE. Just as we shouldn't
accept it from the French Endurance Riders, or Australia...or whoever. The money
is addictive. We get along without it but once we get it we think we cannot get
along without it. When you begin to *depend* on that money coming in you are
going to be in some way controlled by the donater. That's why our governments
have conflict of interest laws. You cannot accept money from anyone and not give
them some control of you.

Now, what motives might Sundowner Trailers have? None that I can imagine other
than advertising. By making Sundowner Trailers the official trailer of AERC we
provide them with a valuable endorsement from the riders most likely to live out
of their trailers. What is that we have to offer the UAE? Nothing that I can
think of. We aren't providing them with anything, but what if there is a
discussion of how the World Championships should be run...or discussion of the
future possibilities of Olympic Endurance (seems to be their main focus) are we
now independent of them in our views or have they bought our friendship? How
many people who are in decision making positions have benefitted from their
hospitality? Goodness knows it's handy to have a generous friend, but can they
accept the perks and still stay independent in their opinions?

If the tables were turned, I wonder how they'd feel about a U.S. interest
sponsoring one of their most prized National Events and plastering their flag
all over everything? Just doesn't seem like a good idea, though the intentions
may have been noble.

Angie


________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!