Pat (et al), while there is nothing wrong with pride in your accomplishments, displaying your credentials does not, a priori, lend credence to your stated position or argument. To allow the letters to prove someone's ability to form a reasoned argument would be to commit an "appeal to authority" (or "false authority") error. Conversely, not having letters after your name (or at least, not posting them) does not mean that you are not qualified to make sound and insightful commentary. To paraphrase a great public figure, I long for the day when a man may be judged by the content of his post and not by the length of the letters after his name. Being modest about accomplishments doesn't mean you haven't accomplished them.

Certainly the content of the post that started this string speaks for itself. There is nothing added or subtracted by listing the degrees and certifications.



(For the record, if I had spent the time and effort required to get so many letters after my name, I might post them as well.)

Steven J. Avato, ADD