George --
I agree with much you say. On that note, I would point out to anybody in the Northeast that there is a seminar coming up next weekend (April 27,28, 29) in Brattleboro, Vermont with Ken Nisson.
Ken's seminars have always been underattended, and quite frankly, underpriced. Indeed, I can't think of another American aikidoka who was regarded as a peer by any uchideshi to the founder, much less by the only American uchideshi to the founder.
http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12310
On that note, I'll still my fingers and tongue for the moment.
FL