[TheForge] housekeeping my last comment

[xlch58 at swbell.net]

schade at acegroup.cc wrote:

> it's sad that theforge has been reduced to beating up plumbers. We 
> used to discuss important stuff like which way the horn pointed.
>
> Bob
> ________

That was never my intent.  I expect a fair number of folks on the list 
are tradesmen.   Paul is a master plumber which is no simple feat and 
requires sustained effort, I expect he is justifiably proud of his 
accomplishment, and sensibly protects that investment by acting 
ethically.  My point was only that certifications do not bestow ethics 
or integrity, only ensure a level of competence.   I agree with him that 
most of the transgressions are probably not by licenced operators.   
Around here it is rare that you get a master electircian or plumber on a 
residential job, instead you get their employees, who may be working 
toward a master certification.   I probably should not have just 
identified the problem as a tradesman issue, as it seems to be endemic 
to our society these days.  Spoiled by cheap chinese goods turned out by 
slave labor, we are un-willing to pay for honest labor.   Anyone that 
tries to make money smithing sees that pretty quickly.   Commercial pays 
better in general it seems whether the trades or smithing.  Hook up with 
a good builder or architect.    Sorry if I made Paul feel unwelcome.  He 
responded much the same way as many here would if someone besmirched a 
blacksmith, though we know there are un ethical smiths out there as well 
( though if the smith is also a lawyer how do you tally that one?)

Charles