Collecting in Florida (E.D.)

[Mark Walker]

David Chesmore wrote:

>PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
>
>let's not get back into the collecting debate again.  This
>seems to crop up just about annually, usually when someone
>says something about collecting and Neil Jones replies!

You're right about the periodic nature of this debate, although the
frequency is about 3 times per year (maybe higher with me around).  However,
over the last two years the debate has been quite appropriate (albeit
repetitive and rhetorical), and not even slightly acrimonious.  You are
probably right about the argument never being _won_, but I would argue that
we have an increased collective awareness as a result of our discussions.  I
am not quite sure why it bothers you so that it is regurgitated so often.
Granted, we all have too many email messages to filter through each day, but
I personally look forward mostly to those from LEPS-L.  In fact, I savor
each one.  However, the dialogue on this list (with equally high frequency)
occasionaly becomes slow and sparse (with the exception of the faithful
sighting reports we get from the U.K.).  These _collecting_debate_ exchanges
seem to get everyone's blood flowing again - and I like that.

Sorry if this is old hat.  You suggest that we drop it and discuss something
else.  Anything specific in mind?

Mark Walker
Castleton, VT.