I for one have not been hypoctitical in anything I have said. I don't like shill bids, and I think they are dishonest and counter to the essence of an "auction." A single "protection" bid BY THE SELLER, when it is apparent to other bidders that it is the seller bidding, is much more like a reserve than a shill. If it's not apparent, then it's a shill. If indeed our club auction permits shilling, then I am appalled. If a protection bid is to be allowed, it must be identified to other bidders as such. Of course, we've seen in the past how much influence I've had on club policies. I certainly won't quit the club over this, but I won't play in the auction either.

As for your POINT, I think I wasted a lot of time trying to respond to your original post. I thought the issue was shilling and I brought up some ligitimate issues, but you were more motivated to steer the debate towards your predestined outcome than to respond to them. I guess that's a good lawyer game.