To Self Publish?

Why isn't self-publishing a highly regarded alternative for would-be authors? I think it should be, especially in these days of money over art.
Of course you can get a lot of crap published as a book, badly written or badly plotted, but mainstream publishing puts out crap, too. The DaVinci Code springs to my mind as a good example. So I say the argument of self-publishing as a haven for hacks is full of holes.
In fact I say self-publishing may be the only way some writers can get published, and that is a loss for readers who won't give self published books a try.
I think self-publishing should get some respect.

My Yahoo group.

I just created a group on Yahoo, for the promotion of self published writers, and their readers.
Anybody who wants to join is welcome. I am trying to start a self publishing forum with this group, to help authors get their work out to the public.
I am encouraging shameless promotion!
Here's where you can find the group: PODauthor

Update

Just posted my book on Google product search.
And I am a member of Authorsden.com, where you can view my bio, book info, poetry, and my news.
Here's the link: authorsden.com

New Author Releases First Book Of Poetry To The Print-on-demand Publishing Market.

View my Press Release at the above link.

Published!

Hi, I'm a writer and I'm pleased to announce that I have just self published my first book on Lulu.com.
It is a book of poetry, entitled Tears of Poetry, available here: Tears of Poetry