Gene, As a matter of principal I believe that people can and should make their own choices. I don't like to be restricted and I don't believe members want others to make decisions for them when they are quite capable of making these decisions for themselves. Personally, I want the option of making choices for myself. I let these beliefs guide me in this matter.

Allowing slabbing companies to have tables at the convention was a compromise. The original decision allowed slabbing companies to have tables, allowed slabbed chips in the auction and allowed slabbed chips to be sold at the convention. The compromise banned slabbed chips in the auction and added a new provision that banned slabbed chips in the exhibits. And while it allowed slabbing companies to have tables, it restricted the ability of the slabbing companies to provide and sell their services in the convention facility. The sale of slabbed chips at the convention was still allowed. While you give me credit for influencing other Board members, I didn't seem to wield much in this situation. Neal and Marty worked me over pretty well.

But, what was important to me was for the slabbing companies to be allowed back. If they did return, I wanted the membership to have the right to make their own decision on whether to deal with these companies. These companies didn't fair well in their initial attempt in 2001. I wanted to see if they would come back and try again. If they did return, our members would again have the freedom of choice. As we know, they did not come back. But if they did come back, I think we all know that the slabbing companies would have gotten the same message as they did in 2001.

I hope this helps.

Best regards, Nate