[mark3k]

You're absolutely right, Fullmetal.  Too often, people who have no idea what the Declaration of Independence and Constitution actually say drop such platitudes when they run out of facts that might actually substantiate their arguments.  There is no nationally ordained "right" to "Freedom of Conference Alignment".  While I would certainly hope that most people in the worlds of business, academics, and even some areas of government can negotiate with one another fairly and with integrity, these conference have written agreements that they can either fulfill, or compensate their counterparties sufficiently to extract themselves from them.  If you don't like the terms of your agreement (or mortgage, etc.), don't sign it in the first place!  Funny how these people never seemed to complain when those agreements (or mortgages) helped them make more money than they otherwise might!?!

[mark3k]

You're absolutely right, Fullmetal.  Too often, people who have no idea what the Declaration of Independence and Constitution actually say drop such platitudes when they run out of facts that might actually substantiate their arguments.  There is no nationally ordained "right" to "Freedom of Conference Alignment".  While I would certainly hope that most people in the worlds of business, academics, and even some areas of government can negotiate with one another fairly and with integrity, these conference have written agreements that they can either fulfill, or compensate their counterparties sufficiently to extract themselves from them.  If you don't like the terms of your agreement (or mortgage, etc.), don't sign it in the first place!  Funny how these people never seemed to complain when those agreements (or mortgages) helped them make more money than they otherwise might!?!