20 Years a small handful of us knew each other to buy, sell, trade and/or discuss collecting casino chips and tokens. Ten years ago this number grew to over 200 and now more than 2000 are chippers; a term that we use to include all the collectors of casino memorabilia. The internet and Greg's Chipguide.com has been a great factor in increasing this hobby.
I no longer wish to log on to Chequers or chipguide after this post for a number of reasons which I will try to explain.
It's no fun anymore to log onto all the discussions and controversies that seem to the choice of the extremes of anti-slabbers, politicians and their platforms. For the rewards of meeting all the newcomers, annoucments of the latest in chipping matters, and the ability to discuss chips; the adversities that seem to have carried over to showrooms and personal conflicts that make further participation here impossible.
I apologize to Archie, Andy, Jim Perlowski, Jim Reilly and even Gene Trimble for criticizing their conduct at the Palace Show. Maybe it was not as deplorable as my perspective reflected. I guess being too close to the action resulted in some chippers stopping at my table with negative feedback. And in that manner, it seemed to me that ICG has gained more noteriety than money could buy through the sincere efforts your all making.
Slabbing has not attracted me, nor do I see it as the nemises to the hobby. And until I can understand the danger; I refuse to make vows and foresee their economic demise. Besides, I like to touch chips. Even used and dirty ones.
Using the internet for political platforms, heated discussions, and vindicive commentary has been an accepted practice without much revulsion by the lurkers and silent "majority(?)". I really don't know if we are the majority since those chippers that I hear lurk but do not post every day....might be the minority. It just seems that those that venture posting, hazard long threads of denials, posturing, and what some of you feel is "playful banter". Not me...that stuff stays written for a long, long time.
Even trying to be silent, I have received a lot of E-mail this past week that I would not expose to further discourse. So I have a convenient, simple policy that I use for Post Office junk mail. I throw away junk mail. I also delete e - mail from origins I do not wish to further discuss subjects that do not involve buying,selling or trading chips. Simple, but it works for me just as this last post will work for me to continue chipping with less turmoil.
Good luck to whoever wins the election....I will try to support you as long as you let the rest of us continue.....chipping. Sincerely, ChipperMel