So what was the big meeting all about last night at the national with JP & Marshall?

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by mark evans

You guys are tough.

As I say, the system will only work where its members cede authority to the association to establish and enforce a strict code of ethics. We can only hope and assume that the alleged impending indictments will put the fear of God in those individuals who need it in order to operate ethically.

Mark,

If you re-read the original email, there was no mention of any intent to establish or enforce any code of ethics. There is no mention of doing anything to clean up the hobby nor "operate ethically."

The intent is to figure out a way to maintain the status quo. They are worried about reputations and financial consequences.

That's a very different goal than you are hoping for.



"Marshall emphasized to me that this meeting is important in combating the national consequences that are about to occur causing damage to the reputation and the past financial successes of our industry."

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Mark,
"Marshall emphasized to me that this meeting is important in combating the national consequences that are about to occur causing damage to the reputation and the past financial successes of our industry."

is: "combating the national consequences"
this suggests an overaching structural change of some sort, and one that could be met on some field of battle with some tactic...

also, how do you "damage...PAST financial successes"? perhaps they are finding that the hobby's biggest collectors amassed their amazing collections with the use of PEDs, and will have an asterisk placed by their names going forward?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by JasonL

also, how do you "damage...PAST financial successes"?

By confiscating funds or property that were gained through illegal actions.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by JasonL

perhaps they are finding that the hobby's biggest collectors amassed their amazing collections with the use of PEDs, and will have an asterisk placed by their names going forward?

Anyone that used credit cards, loans or lines of credit instead of cash to purchase cards for their registry sets will have an asterisk assigned next to the respective set or sets and registry points will be docked accordingly in accordance to the severity of the occurrences within each set.

[Butch7999]

Yes indeed, entities with a vested interest, acting in collusion, to form a self-regulating monopoly whose rulings can not be challenged, is always the best way to ensure integrity...

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Butch7999

Yes indeed, entities with a vested interest, acting in collusion, to form a self-regulating monopoly whose rulings can not be challenged, is always the best way to ensure integrity...

LOL!
Oh! Don't worry! They intend to charge a big application/membership fee. That will keep out the riff-raff.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

LOL!
Oh! Don't worry! They intend to charge a big application/membership fee. That will keep out the riff-raff.

Or keep them in, depending on your POV.

[FUBAR]

Maybe all the masterminds could sign a document !!! but whom would be able to authenticate it?

If those are masterminds, then i must be a pure F**kin Genius!!

[tbob]

Here's a taste of what might have been discussed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vYrj...eature=related

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by tbob

Here's a taste of what might have been discussed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vYrj...eature=related

I turned it off after hearing the phrase "investment portfolio" repeated approximately 12 times...............so it was about two minutes in.

[mark evans]

Back to basics: I don't wish to set myself up as defending the individuals who held the meeting, none of whom I know. My point is a larger one, that I think the concept of an association is viable. It would obviously need to include virtually all of the major companies that are generally perceived as operating in an ethical manner. If they do not see it as in their best interests to participate, leaving only companies of dubious reputation, no one is going anywhere.

Peter's questions raise a level of detail that would need to be worked out during the development of the association. I think the potential answer to all is "yes."