... as Pete says, an expression of my personal opinion on the subject. You can see the first post in which I used it at:

http://www.thechipboard.com/cgi-bin/tcbarc04/tcbarc04.pl?read=106268

Note the header: "I will also vote with my $$$ ..."

It was never my intention to have it turn into the List -- that happened spontaneously.

If you want to see my explanation to Mark Scott of why I was opposed to slabbing, there is a detailed message at:

http://www.thechipboard.com/cgi-bin/tcbarc04/tcbarc04.pl?read=105707

Each of us has to choose where to stand on this issue and I respect those who have joined the Slabfree Club but chosen not to sign the pledge, for whatever logical reason they might have.

However, as for your objection to the last line of the pledge:

>> This would take some time to answer but let's start with the last line
>> which is a rather ludicrous attempt to extend the policy well beyond
>> the hobby itself (the entire line should simply be removed).

>> If I sold computer services FOR A LIVING and a slabbing company wanted
>> to engage my services, I would not decline the engagement because of a
>> "hobby". Even more ludicrous is that according to that line, members
>> could not do business with my company because it doesn't say directly
>> involved, it says involved "in any way" and it could be interpreted
>> that my company is now "involved" in the slabbing of chips.

The last line of the Pledge says:

>> I will NOT do business of any kind with any DEALER
>> who participates in any way in the slabbing of chips.

Only someone who is "a moron or French" (or perhaps a "wannabe lawyer on an internet BB") could possibly interpret that sentence in the way that you have. It applies only to chip "dealers", not 3rd party suppliers of services to chip "dealers".

If you sold computer services for a living, rather than chips, you wouldn't be a "dealer" within the meaning of the pledge, so the last sentence would not apply to you. Even if you had a side business as a chip dealer, selling computer services to another chip dealer who markets slabs would not be "participating in the slabbing of chips" by any reasonable interpretation of the English language.

As for your continued harping on the "good old boy" thing, have you noticed, for example, that David Spragg's member number is R-6180? And that he posted here for the first time in October 2003? He's almost as much a "newby" as you are. Your problems here have nothing to do with old timers and newbies and everything to do with your LOUSY ATTITUDE.

BTW, are you going to accept my "simple challenge", Stu, and show me where I threatened you? Or, as usual when you're wrong, NOT?

----- jim o\-S