Why do you hate the ISA so much? They have no authority to enforce anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm a life member and proud of it. Your anger seems misdirected. Are you mad at the organization or some of it's members?
Sounds like a new -ism forming. Would it be ISAism or maybe organizationism? Whatever it is, don't worry about getting a visit from the Champaign Cops. Do the right thing, keep spikes out of pruning work.
Here's a put up or shut up bet Clearance. You claim that spiking doesn't hurt trees. If we were face to face you'd be presenting a stack of papers, articles or any written material that "proves" your point. Go to professionals to get your answers. Scientific literature, trade journals, heck, even websites. Then, I would be gathering my info about why spiking is harmful. In the end, we'd weigh, literally on a scale, the stack of literature that we both collected. The winner talks the loser walks.
Care to take the bet?
We can do it via forums too. We can count webpages. I'll chum your water for you and give you the infamous McPeak
http://www.cuttree4u.com/facts.htm
If you dare pick up the gauntlet, I'll let you set the time when the gathering period ends. You can have as much time as you need, I only need a few minutes to bury your arguement. If you choose not to take the challenge I'll let the rest of the people in this thread pass judgement and impose a penalty, or not.