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Re: Collectors

In a message dated 6/19/98 1:37:32 PM Central Daylight Time, FERNLEA4@aol.com
writes:

<< I've just been slammed on national radio and accused of being a rather bad
 person because I collect meteorites. Luckily, I did manage to get the last
 word at the end of the interview, but Professor X in Glasgow maintains that
by
 making them "collectors items", we are depriving science by "keeping them
from
 scientists". >>

Hello Rob and List,

Why don't you pass on Dr. X's real name to us?  He was not ashamed to go on
radio with his name.  I am personally going to be in England week after next,
maybe I can go talk to him personally and straighten his warped "holier than
thou" thinking out!  Maybe there are others on the list that might like to
write him or his superiors a letter telling him (and them) the errors of his
misguided opinions!  He has a right to express his opinions, but so do we.  

This is a PERFECT example of where unless we stand up and point out how
destructive that point of view is, then it is just accepted and we all lose
ground.

Collectors have done ten times more good for the science than harm, and it is
a real easy case to make.  Unfortunately, you got blasted in public, (boy do I
know how it feels) but when you are in the right, you don't need to worry,
just state your case and he will look like the fool!

I was interviewed on national Canadian radio show last week, about the
Monahans fall.  I was asked about meteorites in general and how to ID them.
Just as the interviewer was ending the interview, I said "And...oh well...,
never mind."  And she said, "No what?"  And I told her that Canadians in
general (and her listeners specifically) have a real problem when it comes to
finding new meteorites.  She asked how and I said that they can't export them!
She said "WHAT?"  I said, "Yes, there are some kind of laws established that
prohibits them from being exported."  I mentioned that some years back someone
thought it would be a good idea if Canada would restrict them so they could
keep them all!  I went on to say that "Since 99% of the researchers, 99% of
the museums and 99% of the collectors are all out side of Canada, you can
imagine what that does to the value of Canadian Meteorites?"  She asked how
they could change the laws, and I said "I have no idea, they are YOUR laws,
not mine!"  She said, "Well we will get working on that RIGHT NOW!"  

I have been reminded (on this list) that Canada is not MY country, and that it
isn't any of my business.  However, I have had several people with meteorites
from Canada want to have me sell them for them, and I have to say "Sorry, you
won't be able to get what they are really worth, since they MUST be sold and
remain in Canada!"  As you can expect, they are not happy campers!  So I
expect, if Canadians had a choice in this matter, they would not like the way
things are now.  

Unless someone speaks up, then we let the "Ignorance go to seed!" and that is
not a good "harvest" to reap!

I talked with Bob Haag the other day and his suggestion to me was, keep a
smile on your face and just talk positive and the fact that these are worth a
fortune, both scientifically and financially, and all those other comments
that are tossed at you get pushed aside!  

I think that is great advice.

Rob, I commend you for your fight for "Truth, Justice, and..." well, er, um,
"the Good Guy Way!"  Next time ask Dr. X what his salary is, and how many new
meteorites he has turned up last year?  That ought to shut him up!

Keep us all posted as to what comes out of this!

Steve Arnold
www.meteortebroker.com