After reading much of the exchange between Fred and the list, I am left with a certain ambivalence. First, let me say that I am sure based on the list and personal exchange that Dale's reasons for the CR list and site are benign. Let me also say that I consider David Blight's response well thought out and very polite. I can't say that of all elements of this exchange.
I think that regarding the market and ethics, there are very strong and varied opinions here with ideological underpinnings. I think that certain appeals to these views do more to fan the flames than extinguish them. I think Fred's decision to attack Dale was com- pletely wrongheaded regardless of his underlying views, but I also think that Dale's appeal to market ideology as a defense for what Fred saw as scalping, whether right or wrong, did little to restore peace to the list.
To summarize, I don't think anyone benefits much by turning CR into a celebrity death match between E.F.Schumacher and Ayn Rand. That sort of exchange brings much heat but no light whatsoever.
How about this as a rule for the list? "Discussion of the market and its actors from an ethics perspective save for particular cases of fraud is forbidden."
Peace, dude?
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Christopher Oliver, oliver@traverse.net
Got vole?