... >> ,,, go to Las Vegas and enjoy our convention ...

... very much. I expect to work the slabfree table, have volunteered to monitor the trade rooms, will participate as a panel member of the slabbing seminar, will attend the early bird dinner, will play in the poker tournament, will attend the club auction, will attend the business meeting, have volunteered to assist George Conrad with next year's convention in any way that I can be useful and will continue to serve as the club's claims director.

What do you plan to do on behalf of the club at the convention and/or during the upcoming year?

>> ... when you and others have such hatred and
>> dismay with regards to this issue.

I AM dismayed by the idea that slabbing might take hold in our hobby. However, I defy you to find a single post in which I have expressed hatred in any form or anywhere close to the kinds of comments which are being directed at the vocal anti-slabbers (brown shirts, nazis, commies, Joe McCarthy, etc.).

>> Not only do you and others call for censorship,
>> economic boycotting of collectors & dealers,
>> but flat out state it's your way or the highway.

The club has every right to exercise control over the content of our club publications and venues and I and others have every right to exert our influence to try to have the club take the position we feel best for the club and the hobby. Censorship is an emotionally charged word designed to inflame, not educate. Do you think we should allow pornography in our club magazine? If not, then you favor censorship, too. The difference is one only of degree, not kind.

Show me where I've said it's my way or the highway. I have said repeatedly that anyone who wants to collect slabbed chips should be free to do so, just not by using the club's facilities, publications and venues.

>> Smart people listen to reason and not emotion.

I couldn't agree more. So, why the emotional message that provoked my reply? This comment:

>> Why don't we all vote in Senator Joe McCarthy
>> from Wisconsin to run our club. No commies, no
>> Jews, no Blacks, no Hispanics, no Asians!
>> ENOUGH GENTLEMAN ... This is AMERICA in the
>> year 2001.

... is an appeal to reason rather than emotion? I think not. It is demagoguery, pure and simple.

>> You inform me that if I don't like what you
>> have to say and post, then go start my own board!

That isn't what I said at all. Read it again:

>> ... so we get to say what we think and act on
>> our beliefs. If you don't like that, you can
>> always find another bulletin board to read and
>> post on.

What I said was that this board affords us the freedom to say what we think and act on our beliefs. If you don't like that freedom of expression, you don't have to read/post here. In other words, if you don't want to put up with freedom of speech, there is a way for you to avoid having to do so.

I'm perfectly willing and prepared to engage in a reasonable dialogue on the merits of slabbing. I do, however, resent being called names by those who don't share my opinions.

>> Who do you think you are ... The voice of the
>> CHIP WORLD! I don't think so.

Nor do I. I speak for myself and no one else. On the other hand, I wouldn't think of calling you names because you disagree with me. You, on the other hand, apparently have no such reservation.

>> Thank goodness we have a new level headed
>> President that won't start WWIII.

More demagogic hyperbole, Rich? Have you ever been in a real war? I doubt it or you wouldn't make such a silly comparison.

I have said repeatedly that I believe Nate will make a fine president of our club. I intend to support the new board. I also intend to continue to speak my mind on slabbing. And if my position on slabbing was the reason I didn't win the election, then I'm with Henry Clay:

"I'd rather be right than be president."

----- jim o\-S