I agree Tedham Porterhouse. And I'd sure like to see "proof" of their losing $300,000 if cancelling this far in advance. Money shouldn't be the deciding factor in this case, principle and ethics should be.

But that isn't the point. Folk Alliance could send a powerful message, not to get some incredibly positive press which could have a much more beneficial effect on the organization in the long run, by cancelling the conference for 2002, in solidarity with the boycott.

By choosing to go ahead with the conference, I think the organization has just signed it's own death warrant as an effective folk music organization anyway.

CNN.com is already reporting that one United Negro College Fund banquet being given by a small college in Memphis (I think) scheduled at the Adams Mark there for the end of August, has been cancelled. Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis had been scheduled speakers, and they have said they won't attend any functions at Adams Mark Hotels.

If other small organizations with events booked for the coming weeks can decide to take the financial hit on principle, why not Folk Alliance, who has six months before the conference is scheduled to convene?

What a crock Phyllis Barney! Do you think we all fell off the peach truck yesterday?