Dave…

First of all, no one would want to discourage anyone from posting on the Board. I've seen some squabbles develop but by and large the interplay is both constructive and incredibly knowledgeable. There are some amazing people in this forum and I try to read through it whenever I have the time.

That said, I do still have some issues with a couple of your statements, if you'll allow me (without quoting you).

I do not feel that ICG has made the samples as a trial balloon, they have expressed that they ARE in the chip-slabbing business. Now, we as an organization DO have the power to influence the demand for slabbing by taking a stance and maybe even legislating a proscription of the sales and advertising of slabbed chips and slabbing services at club functions and in club publications, as has been suggested.

Many argue that this would not be an appropriate endeavor for the club to undertake, but I haven't noticed another suggestion about how to influence the demand for slabbing, which is the key to the whole issue. In my opinion, those who have signed onto "the list" have pledged that they will, by act, not contribute to the demand for slabbing services… and nothing more.

There are, of course, many, including a good number of prominent chip dealers, who are sitting on the sidelines and waiting to see which way the wind will wind up blowing. I can understand how a chip dealer might have a vested interest in keeping an open mind about the slabbing issue, as they have a different financial perspective than we pure collectors do.

But, whereas the dealer might wind up benefiting from the proliferation of chip-slabbing, I can't imagine a scenario where the collector would benefit. (Ask your dad about that one!) My point here is that I can't understand why a chip collector would be better served sitting on the sidelines and taking a "whatever will happen will happen" attitude (like you seem willing to do). No one can guarantee that being proactive and actually trying to do something constructive about the slabbing issue will have any effect at all… but I can guarantee that if we, as a club, are NOT proactive, we will have NO effect on the demand for slabbed chips.

And, in the same vein, I never meant to imply anything about how you conduct your business (although, I must admit that I'm dying to know what your business is!). But, the same rules apply to any endeavor… if you take a "whatever will happen will happen" attitude, you can be assured that you will have NO effect on what eventually happens… which, in turn, is counter to the entrepreneurial spirit.

So keep posting, and be against ANY chip slabbing! See you in LV. ;^)