[fpdavis]

Yes, but it depends on how they are utilized and if they actually do the job as intended [by Scrum]. In my company the Scrum-Master also manages the team members as well as all of the normal Scrum-Master duties. I find that this gives the position enough power and responsibility to enact change. If you are saying "No" then I feel that you have not had a good Scrum-Master and/or the company didn't fully embrace Scrum.

[ipaddr]

That's much much worse. You need that separation

[sethammons]

True, under the theory that a scrum master protects the sprint and the process and that managers wont