The motivation to satisfy Wall Street earnings expectations may be overriding common sense business practices, ... In the process, I fear, we are witnessing a gradual but inexorable erosion in the quality of financial reporting.

Richard is a multifaceted kind of guy,

It has been almost 30 years since significant steps were taken to improve the mutual fund governance structure, ... Whether shareholders realize it or not, how directors fulfill their responsibilities directly affects them every day.

We have an opportunity today that we may not have again in our lifetime, to realize the vision for a true national market system,

These issues are not academic or peripheral -- they directly affect every mutual fund investor. ... One word above all must define a fund's overall management structure. That word is accountability. And, without strong independent directors, accountability is nothing more than words on a page.

do whatever was possible to expedite the process.