[meteorite-list] Aussie Meteorite Rant...was sale of scorpionbight main mass by http://qmig.org

From: Martin Altmann <altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:57:12 +0100
Message-ID: <006f01c95ec5$6d23c9c0$177f2a59_at_name86d88d87e2>

Yes, Elton

the protective laws in Australia yielded a disastrous effect for Australian
meteorite research.

The find rates completely broke down to a level lower than in the 19th
century.

Australia has more than 600 meteorites,

but in the recent 10 years only 7 new meteorites were found.

Remember the observed fireball from last autumn, it was a meteorite dropper
for sure. Nobody was trying to hunt it down - in Europe and USA that would
never happen.

I can't imagine, that these effects were the intentions of the Australian
meteorite researchers.

Additionally the funds for purchases of the collections seem to be lousy.
All in all, after all these wonderful years, it seems, that Australian
meteorite research has come to an end. And that is a pity.
I'm wondering, why Bevan et al. let this disastrous evolution happen.

There must happen something,
else world-class meteorite research in Australia will be a closed chapter in
the history of science.

I'm glad to live in a more open-minded and reasonable country,
Unfortunately we haven't the deserts of Australia here.

Martin


-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von Mr EMan
Gesendet: Montag, 15. Dezember 2008 15:04
An: Meteorite; Bob WALKER
Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Aussie Meteorite Rant...was sale of
scorpionbight main mass by http://qmig.org

Bob, standing firm or not-- you are talking out your rear. Everything you've
ranted about is based on falsehoods and the fake facts you or your
countryman invented. I've had a decent respect for you Bob, but this
fairy-tale is an insult. The description of Haag "raping and pillaging" is a
over the top. It is an attempt to revise history by creating a set of
"false facts" underpinned in hyperbole. Contrary to your claims it isn't the
truth you are trying to share.

For the record and admittedly from memory, let me recount the circumstances
of what ignited Australia's meteorite export law. Haag did not go to
Australia looking for a "lunar meteorite". He wasn't at the Millillibillie
looking for chondrites to pillage. He was collecting Millillibillie when an
unusual rock was brought into the collecting station. Were it not for Haag
it would still be out there on an ant hill, unrecognized. Milli is a
eucrite, Calcalong was a lunar so where are all these chondrites you are
complaining that he raped and pillaged?

When Calcalong Creek was recognized as lunar, an Australian Academic went
ranting and raving and when he couldn't extort Haag to give him the entire
meteorite, he went whining and crying to Parliament to get it back. He
couldn't but they threw him a bone so he would shut up.

You had politicians that saw an angle and exploited it. They were able to
keep the Aboriginals repressed yet again but forcing them to sell their
finds to the state at state set prices. If meteorites were such an important
cultural heritage then why didn't the academics go looking for meteorites
themselves? Why did they go uncollected? Why has Australian meteorite
science been stagnant for the last 20 ears? Haag offered half of the
Calcalong Creek lunar in a spirit of cooperating and the Australian academic
(who's name escapes me) told Haag to pack sand.

Until that time there were no laws regarding meteorite export and Haag was
paying the Aboriginals to collect them on their own land. Using the same
criteria, you are a rapist raping the Australian "Herritage" yourself,
prostituting yourself for profit. Sounds like your main rant is that you
didn't think of the raping and pillaging first. Just using your own
hyperbole to illustrate a point.

I understand you claim to be venting, but venting is no excuse for spreading
facts that you know aren't true. Lay off the exaggerations, stick to the
science and leave politics to scorpions. Good luck in getting your export
permits.

Elton
Received on Mon 15 Dec 2008 09:57:12 AM PST