Speaking without knowing ?

[Paul Cherubini]

Mike Quinn wrote:
> 
> It's interesting how little is known about Jeffrey Glassberg by some who
> publicly criticize him the most... (One hopes that the "Museum of the
> Hemispheres" (MOTH) is more carefully constructed that most posts to
> Leps-l.) Jeff collected butterflies for about 30 years. He continues to
> consult museum specimens as anyone must who writes field guides no matter
> what the taxa.

The next step could be a NAFWA (North America Flower Watchers Assn.)
It's purpose would be to discourage flower collecting and picking unless 
individuals have a scientific permit for such collecting.

From: Bruce Walsh (bruce_walsh at TIKAL.BIOSCI.ARIZONA.EDU)
Subject: Our insect bias 
Newsgroups: sci.bio.entomology.lepidoptera
Date: 1997/09/05 
Subject: Our insect bias                        

Since all organisms extend from the same common ancestor, 
ANY lifeform is as highly evolved as ANY other.  For example,   
bacteria are FAR superior to any animals in terms of biochemical 
evolution (could you live on just a single carbon source?).

Likewise, this ANIMAL bias is, frankly, disgusting.  PLANTS are 
just as evolved, and just as sophisticated, having very complex 
adaptations that allow them to accommodate for their lack of 
mobility.  They also have a very well developed wound-response 
system.  If they are animals, we would call this a nervous system, 
but since they are "just" lowly plants, our animal bias ignores 
these complex systems.

Imagine how barbaric it is to rip the reproductive structures off 
of living organisms.  Yet, this is just what we do with flowers.  
A truly strange act to show love for ones companion.

Given all the above, it is clear that we should BAN all flower-collecting 
(or picking) unless individuals have a scientific permit for such 
collecting.

Obvious, the above logic extends to, god forbit, the actual EATING 
of any plant-related products, expect thoses killed by natural causes. 
This, however, is only a small step, as once our plant bias is overcome, 
we then need to work on our multicellular bias, extending the same 
respect to yeast, fungi, prostists, and prokaryotes.  At this rate, 
only viroids and prions will be safe.

Cheers

Bruce Walsh

 
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