I don't really have a problem with CofI per se so long as it's disclosed and perhaps doesn't fall into some categories not directly related to the issue (e.g., someone trying to discredit a candidate because they just went through an ugly romantic break-up with them.) Who else is going to raise some of these issues but an interested party? Some altruistic by-stander? Yes we can all imagine impartial advocates but it's often an interested party who feels they were wronged and raises an issue. Interested parties often benefit from the righting of wrongs, that's kind of the point. CoI is more important when the person is not just acting as an advocate but has some sort of power to decide an issue (e.g., a board member.) -- -Barry Shein Software Tool & Die | bzs@TheWorld.com | http://www.TheWorld.com Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: +1 617-STD-WRLD | 800-THE-WRLD The World: Since 1989 | A Public Information Utility | *oo*