I totally agree.

I cant say you're wrong, cause you're not. But what you said was from a "Hiring" perspective, not a "To be hired" perspective. And from a "to be hired" perspective I have to add that all employers are not so well informed and clear-sighted as you John. :) I've seen it happen to many times not to say that some companies have people that at least gives you an interview because of what certificates and other "shiny" stuff you have on paper. So from your perpective John, I'm 100% with you. But from the posters perspective: It will very, very seldom hurt to have the certificates and now and then you are able to fool someone as well. But then again it might very well be someone at a place most programmers would not want to work at though (quoted you there John). :)

That's just a rhetorical issue. Well put, eye to eye but preferably in writing as stated before, this is almost never an issue.