... may be emotionally satisfying, but it does nothing to keep the scoundrels out of office! <g>

Failing adoption of a club-sanctioned statement of some kind regarding chip condition (either an official grading system or a set of definitional terms), I would support a formal statement that the club endorses no grading system.

However, "nature abhors a vacuum". As long as there is no grading system, there will be pressure to create one (why else would Gaming Times have one? and the Campiglia-Wells book? and, in fact, each of us in his own mind?).

I do worry about the possibility that once the club takes a formal position, it will always be possible somewhere down the road to change it (the old "camel's head in the tent" concern). However, I do think it would be easier to fend off such an attempt from within than it will be to prevent outside influences from continuing their push for a more detailed system if the club does nothing.

I agree entirely that if the club leadership is unwilling to act on the desire of the members in this regard, we should do whatever is necessary to take it to the membership for a vote.

Thanks for your input, Gene. ----- jim o\-S