To whom am I speaking today, Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?  I don't have a problem with the English language.  Though, your conflicting positions make it difficult for anyone to follow.

You said... and I quote:

It seems like there is an opportunity to provide a Project Gutenberg-like database of public records through a nonprofit.

With all of the harddrives out there containing county-by-county document copies, it would seem that our industry could create a "joint plant"-style system online for anyone to use in order to get a document copy.

And you also proposed what I quite accurately described as "just about the most absurd thing I have heard."

My personal solution would be to eliminate public records:  marriage becomes part and parcel of a  religious registry (like in Israel to this day), deeds become things kept in safety deposit boxes like in old England, mortgages become signed 2-party papers enforced in courts...

How can you say that "This "solution", while stated as an idealized concept, was NOT suggested for implementation by me"... when you clearly wrote "My personal solution would be to eliminate public records?" (That was a rhetorical question!)

You clearly have a lot to learn before you can attempt to educate me, but thanks for trying. 

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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