They seem good points but preaching to the converted in my case....

They seem good points but preaching to the converted in my case. If SGH sinks below the waves, might change attitude.

I am eligible for the CA but decided against it.

If the amount that is returned is 25% or I thought I remembered someone said 26%, then wouldn't it be worth more to just claim it as a loss on tax? Note I am not saying it would be better I am asking a question.

I also thought that there are fees extracted even if there's a loss but Jim says this is not the case. Do you know of examples where the lawyers extracted cash from people after or during a losing "no-fee" case?

I do remember that I was asked to pay a couple of hundred dollars up front to join some HIH CA's and one shyster asked for more later I seem to recall even though I hadn't joined.