...I thought the same thing as Gene when I read your post.

"My post was not directed at anyone in particualr. You made the assumptions and you made your own conclusions."

It would be difficult to not make assumptions or come to conclusions given the timing of your post. Two BB threads turn into Banjo goes bonkers last night, something that has become way too common here, and you title your post "Regarding classless posts on this board...". For some reason, I don't think you were commenting on the four rockers thread.

"Had I left these four words - 'slabbers versus anti-slabbers' - out of the quote, would you have responded differently?"

As would Gene, so would I. And, while Doug has my utmost respect and I do consider him a friend, I think his reaction to the discussions on this board when the slabbing companies were trying to turn this hobby into an industry like they have with other hobbies was a bit short-sighted. What he may have seen as Hatfield/McCoy feuding was in actuality a passionate effort by many in this hobby to keep it from becoming what the slabbers envisioned. Sure, it was a hot topic in that there were disagreements as to how to handle the issue. Feelings ranged from "I'll quit collecting and sell all of my stuff" to "I don't care" to "Slabbers, slappers, what the hell, I getting some chips slabbed".

I think the entire exercise was actually healthy for the hobby. ....and I would be willing to bet that our hobby would be different today if those of us who stood up against slabbing would have been silent.

Take good care my friend,

Bob