Jim ----- You obviously have well-developed sense of personal worth, a pre-requisite, I think, to being willing and able to speak one's mind.

I felt comfortable with my comments about your posts because (as you will recall if you read any of the messages I reposted here regarding my correspondence with certain eBay sellers), I have been known to be somewhat abrasive and personal in expressing my own opinions. [Never post them here because they have nothing to do with chips, but I have a long history of letters to the editor of our local paper, many of which have been less than kind in expressing my opinions of the actions of local governmental officials.]

I agree with you completely that any of us should speak up (forcefully if necessary) on subjects on which we are knowledgeable. You obviously have considerable experience and expertise regarding Nevada chips (especially vis-a-vis California chips). Others who post here frequently obviously have equal experience -- perhaps this thread will encourage them to join in when they have information about chips being offered or discussed here.

I did receive one private email from another collector who expressed sympathy for your position and acknowledged that he perhaps could have provided support. I will leave it to him to contact you directly, if he has not already done so, but I'm sure there are others who feel as he does.

NOTHING about this country is more important than our right to speak our minds without fear of governmental interference/retribution. Chip collecting may nmot be the most important subject on which we will ever exercise that right, but those who have an interest in our hobby should continue to do so. My original post WAS intended to be supportive of your exercise of this right (even if not entirely without reservation <g>). ----- jim o\-S