I really like Polchinski's et. al. ideas and approach. The one thing that I can't get my head around is the following. They argue that the monopoles don't mess the arguments up, because their number scales less than exponential. However, unless I am missing something (and I assume I do), when I count I find that the monopole scale over-exponentially, something like a nasty factorial. If I'm right their argument is ready for the trash bin. I wish I had a chance to ask Joe. Next best thing: Ask Lubos. ;)) Do you happen to know?