... in some of the points in your post:

>> But signing a list does not put economic pressure on slabbers.
>> Not buying slabs puts economic pressure on slabbers.

The two are indistinguishable. Signing the list is simply a public way of letting the slabbers (and slab sellers) KNOW that you are not going to buy slabbed chips. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. And, perhaps more importantly, that you are not going to buy ANYTHING ELSE from anyone who sells slabbed chips. THAT puts pressure on chip dealers -- and they will pass that pressure on directly to the slabbers.

>> I am a proponent of education, not alienation.

I favor education, too, which is why I keep posting in these threads, despite having made my opinion clear, I think. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FIGHT SLABBING WITHOUT ALIENATING SOME PEOPLE. No matter how you do it. I admire General Colin Powell (well, Secretary of State Colin Powell). He once wrote a treatise on leadership, from which I have quoted here before. On this issue, he said, in part:

>> Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the
>> group, which means that some people will get angry at your
>> actions and decisions. It's inevitable, if you're honorable.
>> Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity:
>> you'll avoid the tough decisions, you'll avoid confronting
>> the people who need to be confronted ....
>> Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by
>> trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally
>> "nicely" regardless of their contributions, you'll simply ensure
>> that the only people you'll wind up angering are the most creative
>> and productive people in the organization.

Thus, even if you are correct in this conclusion ...

>> The list, and the way I see it being used,
>> I believe is putting a wedge between collectors.

... it is inevitable. And, I think you are, for the most part, incorrect anyway. The percentage of people who appear to have been "alienated" is rather small. Certainly a lot smaller than the percentage of people "alienated" by the actions of Bill Clinton or the election of George W. Bush (see, covered both sides of the fence there trying to be equally nice -- or not nice -- to everyone, so I'm not even following Gen. Powell's advice myself! <g>).

>> Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm reading something into
>> it that's not there. But I'm not the only one.

As I said, I think you are wrong and are reading something into the list which is neither intended nor there. That there may be a small number of people who are misusing it (though I haven't seen any EVIDENCE of that) doesn't negate its value through proper use by everyone else. And, you may not be the only one reading something into this which was not intended, but you ARE one of a very small minority of people who see it that way.

>> So maybe it's not a bad thing for proponents of the list to ask
>> themselves if there's a way to accomplish their goals that doesn't
>> alienate so many of their fellow collectors.

Can't be done, so there's really no point in trying to do so. The real question is, how to minimize the alienation and I believe that we have not only considered it, but have also, for the most part, accomplished it.

>> It just looks to me like this war is leaving a lot of
>> civilian casualties in it's wake. That can't be good for the hobby.

A harsh analogy, Larry, "civilian casualties". Soldiers don't like it when innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire of war and killed. But, professional soldiers also realize that in war, civilian casualties are inevitable. I don't particularly care for the "war" analogy, even though I have used it myself, but it is more apt than we might care to admit. And if it is apt, we have to accept all of its analogous consequences.

>> Just so you know, Jim, I have tears in my eyes as I type this.
>> I have this horrible sick feeling that I've lost yet another
>> friend in this hobby over this monster.

I know I wasn't the "Jim" to whom this comment was directed, but I do want to say that while I think you are mistaken in your analysis, I have no doubt of the good faith of your beliefs and feelings on this subject, take no personal offense at them and assure you that your expression of these opinions has no bearing whatsoever on our friendship.

>> How do people on the same side wind up shooting at each other?

It's an emotionally charged subject on which not everyone is going to agree, no matter how it is resolved, no matter how it is attacked, no matter how it is discussed. A small number of people just need to dial down the personal animosity a little.

>> It's not fun any more.

A temporary condition, my friend, which too shall pass.

----- jim o\-S