Nice post Mike... similar ones have been made in the past. Unfortunately, some think that this bulletin board is soley for the discussion of chips only. Does anyone want to serve as the censor as to what subjects are deemed publishable on this board and which are not?

I too "was told something once also that has stuck with me for many years and it sure seems to hold true...." "If one doesn't like the thread that develops, skip over the posts and read something else."

I'm not going to allow some folks who may have been born with a silver spoon in their mouth, or who have received a break in life and who take the attitude that "I got mine .... tough sh*t .... you go get yours", to denigrate many honest, hard-working, less fortunate, American blue-collar working people the way they do. If taking that position paints me as the bad guy... then I'll wear that mantle proudly. (BTW: No silly grin here)

Go back to the lead-off post Mike ... and then decide where the discussion got off track, and by whom. Not by me posting a link to a factual newspaper story in response to the lead off question.

"You have just wandered into a public, no-holds-barred, uncensored airing of many controversial issues in and outside the boundaries of the chip hobby. You are reading and digesting opposing opinions of many dedicated chippers. Some of these chippers are brand new to the hobby, just like you are.... others are seasoned veterans more than willing to share their experiences and the knowledge they have received in the hobby with others.

Please treat this bulletin board as if you lifted the receiver of your telephone at home and overheard some private heated discussions.... much as someone else has compared this board to listening friends argue at the neighborhood bar. Do not take these public exchanges for more than they are worth. Most posts are merely opinions.... others are very factual. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two. You may agree with some of them. You may disagree with others. But in the final analysis, most of the posts on this board are meant to be informative and others are intended to be expose's of various conditions in the hobby.

Many heated exchanges you will be reading are between friends who have known each other for years and who will continue to be friends after the fire has died down. Some exchanges are between former friends who will never be friendly again. Some are just plain spiteful. So it is with that caution that I welcome you to thechipboard.com where everyone is encouraged to say what ever is on their minds. Hopefully, we can all appreciate where the other person is coming from when the day is over.