... convention, Al. Was looking forward to some interesting conversation.

I don't really want to get in a big debate over this, either, but I have to say I disagree with your assessment of my use of Jefferson's quote.

>> Jefferson was the greatest proponent in history of a free market
>> of ideas in which even the most unpopular ideas are provided
>> with a chance to find their niche.

I agree with that observation. However, in this case, the slabbers had the chance to find their niche, tried to do so and found that, at least with respect to casino chips, the niche was not profitable.

>> But anyone who has ever studied Jefferson should realize
>> that to quote him in such a context is the height of irony.

This observation I disagree with. The Slabfree Chapter and The List (not synonymous) were two components of the "marketplace of ideas" that Jefferson espoused. ICG presented their "idea"; we responded with our "idea". Both the chapter and The List were entirely voluntary. I don't doubt for a minute that Jefferson would have felt that, in this case, the "marketplace" worked.

Furthermore, it seems to me that in this respect:

>> ... they are attempting to use a majority position
>> to bully a minority opinion out of the marketplace,
>> and rob it of the opportunity to catch on ...

... you are simply mistaken. Those who signed the pledge (now 438 active) aren't even close to being a majority of the CC>CC (more like 20%), much less the chip collecting community as a whole. And we are but a miniscule portion of the potential market for slabbed collectibles.

----- jim o\-S