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Posted By: Joann

I think the article is news if for no other reason than it indicates that the FBI investigation into Mastro still has a heartbeat. It seems like a lot of people have serious questions about some of the underpinnings of the hobby (see other thread on the broken grading system). I get the sense that for the next few years a lot of people involved in the hobby will be holding their collective breath waiting for the house of cards to collapse as soon as the first domino falls (gads - I really love mixed metaphors!). The article is a sign that there are forces chipping away at the foundations. To me, that makes it current and relevant.

As to Leon, I am with JimB on this one. He has a right to his opinion. I don't know that his opinion on Mastro is based on their advertiser status - I have no reason to think that. Regardless, he can base his opinions on whatever he wants - whether it be friends, advertiser status, or that he has a cousin that once lived on Mastro St somewhere. It doesn't really matter - he can voice his opinion like anyone else here.

The line would get crossed of the contents of all posts were regulated based on the interests of the advertisers. I think that's what some feared when the board took ads, and to me it remains the only relevant issue yet today. So far I haven't seen it, and I've been kind of keeping an eye on it. Leon voicing an opinion that favors an advertiser is not the same as his doing something so that the opinions of other also have to favor (or not disfavor) advertisers.

Joann