A question of credibility (Bushing's Degree)

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Posted By: Kenny Cole

PSAJD, I've watched this thread and have tried to stay out of it because I collect cards, not bats or other memorabilia. For that reason, I really don't care whether Mr. Bushing is the greatest thing since sliced bread, a complete ******* or something in between. What I do care about is honesty, integrity, and how those concepts generally affect our entire collecting hobby.

I don't know what kind of law you practice. However, if you want to parce the legal stuff, I can do that too. I do it all day. Let me know and we'll play that game. However, I don't really think it needs to go that far because the issue presented here is far more simple.

When someone purports to be an expert in a given field of endeavor, their credibility is always an issue. When they seek to bolster their credibility by claiming to possess credentials that they don't, their credibilty takes a hit. When they knowingly allow others with whom they are affiliated to make those claims on their behalf, their credibility takes a hit. When they fail to correct statements regarding their (false) credentials made on websites which have existed for a lenghty period of time, to which they have access, their credibility takes a hit. It doesn't matter whether the misrepresented item directly relates to the purported area of expertise. The fact of the matter is that, at least according to popular wisdom, if you lie about one thing, you are likely to lie about others.

If you are a trial attorney, I'm sure you recognize the concept. In that regard, I'm sure you are also probably familiar with the old maxim "Falsis in unum, falsis in omnibus" ["false in one, false in all"]. That seems to be a pertinent concept here. If I ever had Bushing on the stand, falsification of his credentials would be a major theme. Given what has been reported about his Master's situation, I feel fairly certain that I would be able to completely tear his ass off on that issue.

From a hobby perspective, that's really kind of sad. How do you square the truth of opinions coming from the "preeminent" bat expert with being a liar? I have some difficulty with that concept. Please feel free to explain it to me because I just don't understand.

Kenny Cole