much clippage and snippage

> Obviously it's considered acceptable in China: it exists and
> it's legal. It's considered acceptable and legal in all cultures
> whose trading practices adhere to the standards of the bazaar.

Hey, that's not fair. In Iran -- many years ago and perhaps still today --
when you buy something in the bazaar, it's probably been made before your
eyes of ingredients and parts in your full view. So, the standards in the
bazaar are pretty good. Also, I ate some of the best food with the bazaar
guys, and it *was* delicious and *nutritious,* so dig yourself!
>
> Not trusting anything you're told is a logical and prudent
> consumer practice anywhere in the world. "Trust" is as
> unnecessary (and trouble-causing) a concept in the marketplace as
> it is in a marriage. Use your senses and your intelligence to
> guide your business affairs (and your personal relationships),
> and leave fuzzy, vague, indefinable, and always relative notions
> of "trust" to the self-help-product hustlers. You'll do fine!

Wow. Please do let us know where to send your counseling fee. You have
completely turned my life around. (Yes, I'm joking. This is a joke.)
>
>> Small transactions in the US are usually honest, even amongst the
>> crooks.
>
> Not so, if your determination of "honest" depends on accuracy in
> advertising and labeling.

Our standards here have sunk so low, we have no difficulty whatsoever
meeting them. This obtains from chewing gum to presidents, both heavily
marketed products.

Michael