Plasmas have built a fairly bad reputation off of mere speculation. Almost every person that comes into circuit city (i currently work there for the holidays), come in with this statement, "no, i don't want a plasma, someone told me they where not good". When i ask them why, 95% of them can not answer. Honestly, comparing the picture between all the pictures on the wall, the lg, and panasonic plasmas are by far the best. The only thing we have close to it is the new 120 hz 1080p samsung lcd, and thats $3800.
In the 40" range, still, the plasmas are the best price/value. Once again, the lg plasmas own the even the most expensive sony's in picture quality. People still buy the sony's, only because thats all they know.
The only advantage i can see in buying an lcd, is the non-glass screen, which is a plus for rooms with a lot of light. And even now, with plasmas with anti-glare technology, that is not even an issue.