In a message dated 9/15/05 12:16:56 PM, vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM writes:

<< But I do know and respect Ken Wilford. I can't imagine that he would allow
himself to be a participant in any ethically questionable business practices
with any party. His reputation on the list has always been excellent, and
deservedly so. >>

but . . .

I am not bashing ANYONE, I'm only giving an example of how things may not be
as they appear.

Hustlers, conmen and politicians, just love to use a square as a strand in
the webs they weave.  Because he believes the scam is on the up-and-up, the
square will act naturally with no hint of a "tell" and he will carry the deception
to its bitter end.  The square may even share (although not a full share) in
the proceeds without the light bulb ever being turned on.  Even if the hustler
felt a fondness for the square, and even if the hustler felt that the square
would still want to participate once he was wised up, the hustler would never
wise him up because there is too great a risk of the square queering the deal
once the truth is in his mind, yet, in the dark he will play his role to a
tee.  In other words, the square can be a dupe.

In the history of man, this nefarious game has been played more times and on
more levels than can be recounted.  The best we can do is to try to avoid
being duped.

One other thing, ethics come from the minds of men, so, they have never been
made of high carbon, heat treated steel . . . they're made of clay with a lot
of spin on it.

George