I would like to respond to some of your statements regarding Ben Ford's postings.

What we have been dealing with here for the past several weeks is a
vendor who is attempting to use this forum to enhance the value of a
somewaht questionable "flag" for resale purposes.

Mr. Ford IS a dealer; however, I cannot know or ascribe motives to his arguments. He may sincerely hold these beliefs.

His use of alias names has greatly reduced his credibility and we may
never discover his true identity.

The use of aliases is allowable and sometimes encouraged for posters who would feel uncomfortable posting in a public forum. This gentleman has included his real name in one of his postings to Bob Bradley.

When asked several times for the provennance of the flag he replies that
it was found by a "picker" in a family estate only miles from a union general's
home. Some provennance, huh!!!!????
After everyone and their grandma telling him for weeks that his "flag" is hogwash.
He suddenly "discovers" that there is some writing on the hoist; probably the "ll"
in Nashville. But, alas its too faint to photograph! Why was not this info part of
his original argument.
He further claims that this "flag" has had a "forsenic" study done. Well, who did that study?
and what did they discover? I'll bet it was nobody that anyone on this board would recognize as
a textile expert. No doubt, another vendor.

Here, I'm out of my element. It seems Mr. Ford has lengthy circumstantial arguments for the authenticity of the flag. I am not aware that anyone has used the term "hogwash", regarding this flag and I believe, WE generally would encourage Mr. Ford to look for additional supporting evidence for his claims.

We have been asked our opinions concerning this flag and "Ben" or whoever he might be, has
continuely disagreed with us. Resorting to name-calling several time. The whole time, never offering
anything in the line of new information or provable information. When asked specific questions he
more often than not says "its on the thread, look it up".
Personaly, I feel this person has wasted our time and questioned our integrity for far too long.
If he believes that he knows more about his "flag" than the collective minds on this board; why has he
even bothered to seek out our opinions?

I agree that Mr. Ford can be somewhat irascible. I have attempted to filter comments, which I thought were too inflammatory for the board.

I can only hope and pray that he may at some point keep his word and not post on this board any longer.

I would hope that Mr. Ford would continue to post and be a little gentler with his remarks.

A promise which he has made several times already.

Jim