NCCA's "Minister of Propaganda" Declares Fuerstman a "Non-person!" Many weeks ago, just after the new slate of NCCA officers had been elected, I wrote a detailed letter to President Victor Beaman asking questions about policy and recommending changes. I am sorry to say that his belated one sentence answer did not address any of the issues which I mentioned. Since then, I have become convinced that he is incapable of doing the job properly. Subsequent open letters posted on the CCC website by me (and other past officers) prompted Vice President Gary Newsom to E-mail all of the members of his private circle and notify them "not to respond to anything that Leland Fuerstman says?" Because, "to respond would enable him!?" In fact, it has been brought to my attention that Newsom authored a number of such E-mails continually reminding the officers of the NCCA to "completely ignore Leland Fuerstman"? He further stated that "because I had not posted my letter(s) on the NCCA website, they shouldn't be addressed, anyway?" And, he even went as far as to call a member of his private circle whom he found out had intended to participate at the Charlotte Chess Club to caution him not to discuss anything related to the NCCA? When that person mentioned the name "Leland," Newsom said, "Who, who? As if I didn't exist?! - I personally find his immature behavior to be disturbing. Where is this transparency they were talking about. This organization was designed to be a communication point for all chess players; no one should be restricted just because certain officers don't agree with their opinion? The unfriendly tactics being used by Newsom remind me of those used by the Nazis against the Jewish population of Germany in the 1930's. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels instructed citizens not to acknowledge Jews by even saying "hello" to them on the street whereupon the term "non-person" was coined. Newsom has, in fact, followed this same strategy of declaring me a "non-person" while on his personal mission to defame and disgrace me. My question is, WHY? Are my asking questions and making recommendations really such a crime? Or, is his administration just too lazy to do the work necessary to make the corrections and improvements? Under the First Amendment of the Constitution, all American citizens have the right to free speech. Therefore, members of sanctioned organizations such as the NCCA (should) have the right to speak freely and ask questions. The president or other officers naturally have an obligation to answer those questions. To single out any individual and brand him as undesirable just because he has an opinion about the way they are (or, are not) operating diametrically conflicts with the purpose for which the organization was established?! In effect, it violates the civil rights of that person. Regardless of whether Newsom has a personal vendetta against me, or anyone else, common sense would dictate that he set aside such sentiments while in the course of conducting official NCCA business. His conduct has simply been deplorable. When one reads the messages which I posted, (See NC Politics), it becomes apparent that my honorable intentions are to make things better for chess and chess players in North Carolina. I have always been sincere in my attempts to help "educate" the newcomers and assist them in any way possible. But, this current administration has gone far beyond simply rejecting my suggestions. Never mind that I have conducted the Charlotte Chess Club and promoted chess for over 30 years, directed over 500 tournaments, served as NCCA President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Gambit Editor, Delegate to the National Meeting, achieved the Title of National Master in 1985, Life Member, Member of the Hall of Fame, promoted many simo's, taught hundreds of students young and old, edited the CCC website, played in the invitational twice and Drawn SM Greg Samsa twice! One would think the opinion of a person with such experience would be valuable! But, unless Newsom can substantiate why he is treating me in this manner, his vendetta against me is doing nothing for the good of chess in North Carolina. Regardless, he still has no right to carry on in the covertly negative manner which he has. Since Newsom rode into Charlotte on his white horse (a particularly sturdy white horse) and established his chess club, he has done everything in his power to publicly berate me and shut down the CCC. I, on the other hand, welcomed his new club, just so it didn't meet on Wednesday evening and even offered to exchange links which Newsom has refused to do to this day. His continual refusal sends a negative message to everyone in Charlotte. Most of the players in his club were borrowed from the ranks of the CCC. At first, they welcomed the change; but lately they have become somewhat disillusioned with the poor playing conditions and lack of accommodations at his facility. In effect, his method of operation has only served to drive a wedge between an already dwindling chess community. I believe his attempts have been more self serving than an effort to serve others. And, recent revelations of current manipulations of the "Invitational" prove it. When one examines the results of the NC Open Championship, they will notice that (after deleting the out of state players who shouldn't have been allowed to play in the first place) Newsom tied for 2nd Place with Dr. Maurice Dana each scoring 3.5. However, this editor has learned that President Beaman has declared that "Newsom will play in the invitational" even though Dana's tiebreak points are greater by using all 4 systems?! I doubt that Dr. Dana would approve of that. (Evidently, Newsom's attempt to muzzle everyone in his inner circle has failed; I assume the traitor will be swiftly sought out and hanged!) In a previous letter, I suggested that for the good of everyone, the new officers of the NCCA "reshuffle" their positions. Now, I recommend that both Beaman and Newsom do the honorable thing and resign. This will allow a very competent and honest person, Tom Hales from Asheboro, to step in and do the job properly, and legally. I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman