>All I can say is that people do wonder about whether the MVPs can be completely honest and objective and resist the obvious potential for conflict of interest. I am not the only one that has said that, however I haven't seen you lecturing anyone else, unless I just missed it. Basically, the potential for a conflict of interest does exist, though you seem to turn a blind eye to it. You say "the problem, however, occurs when the feeling/wonder/opinion, is given voice." You amaze me! We can have opinions, but not voice them? We can wonder, but not criticize because "it may give a bad impression about the program"? What's the goal here, George? Open and honest discussion or just to protect the MVP program? I was here to discuss, which means I have to voice my opinion. If you want to try to squelch my opinion in order not to "give a bad impression about the program", then too bad. My impression, overall, of the program is good, but I have some misgivings. If you can't handle
>that and you only want praise for the MVP program to be uttered here, then you had better wake up and smell the coffee - ain't nothing perfect and the MVP program is no exception. I didn't expect these types of comments from you!

Russell,

All I'm asking that is people treat each other with the same dignity and respect they would want to receive. Nothing more. If you don't mind being characterized in, what may be, an unflattering fashion by someone you don't personally know because of your comments here, that's your choice. I do mind.

The award is for service to the community. You don't get the award without first having provided that service. There're no rewards in the process. I do what I do in order to pay back those who helped me along the way. All of them answered in response to the question, "How can I pay you back?", responded, "Do the same for someone else."

I'm not trying to put a clamp on "Free Speech". People are entitled to whatever their opinions are and to express them. However, when that "Free Speech" brings into question the individual's personal integrity because they happen to have received an award, then in becomes a matter of respect for that individual.