Leonard, yes, I'm assuming a sovcorp acts in its own self-interest. So do bluefin fisherman when they try to be the one to get the last bluefin tuna. Somebody's going to get it, and each individual fisherman thinks it might as well be him. I can't argue with that.If sovcorps are going to act collectively, they'll need to be able to punish defectors, which runs counter to the whole noivniter-entionnsm thing.

great thanks

Updated: I still wear them, because they are comfortable. However, within 6 months the stitching came out of the little flap over the center of the toe of both shoes, and I had to cut the string and work it back so that it wouldn't come out further. I stopped wearing them as frequently because of that. After a year, they still looked ok, but the stitching started to come out of the leather around the front of the shoe. I am pretty sure that I did not wear them enough to have stitching come out, so I removed a star from my review. Typically with other brands, my experience has been that the sole wears away before the shoe comes apart and I have to toss them.

Otherwise, very comfortable and good for both active and casual wear.