A few thoughts:
1) I don't know how guys can look at this list and honestly think it's that bad. With the exception of 3 and the Edge, the rest all are very good (of what I've had and read about).
2) CA, like them or not, helps drive interest in the cigar world. Any publicity is good publicity. But this is all good. Sure, mostly for the inexperienced, but still, it exposes people to the culture and market. The more cigar smokers the better.
3) Although it does seem that the spots are up for bid, the fact that the entire claim to fame is that this is blind makes me think that they stand by the process. If it was discovered they have been lying, the whole thing would come crashing down.
Anyways, carry on. Smoke what you like, like what you smoke.
-Signed: Not a CA lover....