Colon Credentials

[WSpence245@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/3/99 2:14:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, MJTurano@AOL.COM 
writes:

> Of course there are differences between a mechanic and a doctor, but the 
>  value we've come to place on credentials alone has gotten a bit 
ridiculous. 

	There's an assumption here that the work 'credentials' refers to 
college or university accreditation.  While the examples I used did refer to 
such, the word itself does not refer specifically to formal education.  The 
actual definition of the word reads as follows (and here again I defer to the 
American Heritage Dictionary):  (1) That which entitles one to confidence, 
credit, or authority.  The second most common definition reads, (2) Evidence 
or testimonials concerning one's right to credit, confidence, or authority.

	Nothing there I saw which implied that credentials are of the 
scholastic variety only.  Granted, a diploma can be sited as evidence of 
credentials, but so can job experience (the 500 testimonials from Matt's 
super surgeon, for example).  I only used academic references in my previous 
email because no others occurred to me off the cuff, and the demands on my 
time tend to be pressing at best.  :)