Andrew,
The fact is that taxonomists do have large amounts of power with few restrictions, and can publish new names or synonymize old ones as they see fit with minimal oversight.  Along with that freedom comes the responsibility to be familiar with and respect the rules that do govern the process, and not leave it to future workers to clean up the mess that can be made by ignoring the rules.

Allen Aigen
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-- Andy Rindsberg <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Well, if nothing else, this thread demonstrates (1) the necessity for
standardized terms, and (2) the exaggerated sense of independence that many
taxonomists have. The tension between (1) and (2) neatly explains how so
much ink can be spilled over so little.

Cheers,
Andy

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama