Ellis,
First, you had better go back a read the post. I did not say "as to the WWHA findings, that discussion was not helpful and was inconclusive. I figure one of these days it will be revisited."

I believe that you are a bit “wound up” over this topic because of your personal involvement in the panel. My point was, and thank you for helping me demonstrate it by the way, that most criticism bring instant retaliation, and that outcome of that WWHA discussion means very little on the grander stage of uncovering who killed Garrett. As I said, the WWHA is blessed to have many fine members, some of whom are respected historians, but neither they nor the WWHA have a corner on all of the knowledge. I value the research of all and am pleased when their hard work is shared. I do not, however, place a higher value on the work of one over the work of another based on status, or the prevalent “class system.” I maintain that the next big discovery will come from someone outside the inner circle of “landed gentry.”

I bristle every time I read a post saying something like, “What WWHA findings are you talking about? Please provide me with those findings” or the one that started this discussion which states, “There is no agreement on this (per 2009 WWHA Roundup)”. It would be good to lighten up a bit and recognize that the WWHA is comprised of a great many noted authors and historians, but whatever knowledge or power flows from that is in the hands of the individuals themselves, not the organization. To infer otherwise is arrogance, and makes some members feel small. That fosters and furthers an undesirable “class system.” The issue of the WWHA membership not having a vote in the election of directors has already come up, and has been discussed widely. That too, fosters the “class system”, as does the latest wrinkle…the “Gunfigther” membership. While many young, working class folks struggle to justify the $45 annual dues and $340 annual meeting tab the “Gunfighter” class member is invented… at $250 annual for the privilege of being held apart from the great, unwashed masses I suppose. By far the worst idea to ever surface.

For my money I liked the WWHA the way it was when I joined, and was delighted to see the old NOLA and WOLA salvaged. Let’s try to be humble, and not take each other too seriously. The history should be free, and for everyone. Each voice has equal importance over the next. A democracy although “prickly” to manage is better than a benevolent dictatorship.

PS
I am pleased that you helped me prove that “no good deed goes unpunished.”