[meteorite-list] It is a sad day.....

From: Greg Stanley <stanleygregr_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 09:07:43 -0800
Message-ID: <SNT117-W14790C85728B3380C3EC07D2340_at_phx.gbl>

Adam/List:

The reason is as follows: in 1975 three miners found what is called the "Old Woman" meteorite on BLM land in California.? Unfortunately they had a problem; they could not removed it beause it weighed 6,000 lbs.? As a result they contacted the Smithsonian (for some reason) and the Feds sent some representatives to see the meteorite.? Because of its size and it was an Iron, the Smithsonian decided it was scientifically important and thus used the "Antiquities Act" to acquire the meteorite through letigation.? I believe three parties were involve in the dispute: a) the three miners, who discovered it, b) UCLA, felt it belonged to the state, and c) the Federal Government (Smithsonian).? The feds won and removed the meteorite and cut off a large end piece.? Later the main mass was returned to California and it still sits in Barstow, California today.? The end piece is still at the Smithsonian Institution.

>From I can gather, it appears the the enforcement of the this law for meteorites is up to the local BLM offices.? If they do not want to bother with it, then collecting meteorites should be fine.? As to Oregon and Washington: could be a local thing.

You can get more information on the web and in books regarding the "Old Woman" meteorite.

http://www.dustyway.com/2007/10/battle-for-old-woman-meteorite.html

Greg S.



----------------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:34:03 -0800
> From: raremeteorites at yahoo.com
> To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] It is a sad day.....
>
> I cannot understand how a meteorite can be considered an antique when most terrestrial rocks could be called the same thing. The only way to get a rock that is not an antique is to live near a productive volcano where you can retrieve a freshly created one like in Hawaii. A meteorite has no scientific importance whatsover if it is left on the ground to weather away, especially in Oregon and Washington where the climate is very destructive.
>
> Why all of this new interest in meteorites when only a handful have ever been found in Oregon and Washington? Why are old laws being twisted to include meteorites? Why waste the time creating an entry on a website protecting meteorites where very few have been found? It would be interesting to find out what parties are involved with the twisting of these laws and admonish them for being stupid. Maybe they were influenced by the media who overstate the monetary value and understate the scientific importance of these objects. You treat something like valuable treasure and the government will do the same. Everybody wants a piece of the pie whether they have earned it or not. I believe in the finders/keepers concept that has worked well for centuries. A meteorite is worthless until found!
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Adam
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks
> To: valparint at aol.com
> Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Tue, March 9, 2010 6:18:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] It is a sad day.....
>
> Hi List,
>
> I think this is a lot of worry and noise over nothing. The only thing
> that has changed with this announcement is a block of text on a
> website.
>
> How a law is worded, versus how it is enforced are two different things.
>
> It's illegal to keep arrowheads you find in Florida, yet almost every
> local down here has some in a drawer or box. My grandfather (a highly
> decorated WWII veteran and all around great person) was quite proud of
> his arrowheads and I'd like to see some LEO try to take them from him.
>
> I don't think this wording change on a website is going to mean much
> in the long run. It just means we are going to hear more
> conversations like this one :
>
> BLM officer : Where did you get that rock that looks like a meteorite?
>
> Met Hunter : Oh that? I brought that with me from home, it's a good
> luck charm. But it's not working today because I didn't find
> anything.
>
> -----------
>
> Or -
>
> Met Buyer : Where did you say you found this meteorite again?
>
> Met Hunter/Seller : I didn't, because I can't remember where I found
> it. It's the funniest thing, because I know I found it, but I don't
> remember where or when. I really need to stop sniffing glue before I
> forget where all of these specimens came from.
>
> -----------------
>
> Don't you just love it when a government that murdered thousands of
> indigenous people and stole this land from the native American
> indians, now tries to dictate about theft and property?
>
> Message from this tax payer - hey government, you can make demands
> about meteorites when you give back the Indians' land you stole. It's
> very hypocritical to claim that meteorite hunters are stealing from
> federal land, when that federal land was stolen by the government from
> it's rightful owners.
>
> I don't take orders from a government that hands out small-pox
> infected blankets to women and children. (or funds the School of the
> Americas)
>
> -------------------
>
> See yall out on the dry lake beds soon. ;)
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>
>
>
> On 3/9/10, valparint at aol.com wrote:
>> I'll give up my meteorites when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers.
>>
>> Paul Swartz
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>
>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
> http://www.galactic-stone.com
> http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
> ------------------------------------------------------------
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Received on Tue 09 Mar 2010 12:07:43 PM PST