Just as an aside, I think it would be quite telling if we could see not just the thumbs up and thumbs down numbers, but actually the screen names of those who gave them. There is one "person" who will give a thumbs down to ANYTHING that I post, even if it doesn't concern him or would sing his praises (which admittedly would be a rare unless he actually posted something that didn't contain expletives or put-downs to other board members).
I know that thumbs up or down really means nothing overall, but it would go further toward showing the character and intellect of those who give them.