Glassberg's public statement on collecting.

[Mike Soukup]

"From what I've been reading on this site there appears to be sound scientific
evidence to justify not releasing butterflies not native to an area. "

   Stan, the trouble with this logic is: "There is sound scientific evidence to
justify not doing just about every human activity".    We know driving cars is
bad - but we allow it - so people can make money and feed thier kids.  We know
that building office buildings destroys habitat (and does more environmental
damage  than any "release") - but we allow it and don't think twice about it.
Why, it's always  been that way.  And, we need the jobs and the money.

    So, why is raising and releasing butterflies any different???

    I think it is looked on so disparigingly due, in many case to, "intellectual
snobbery".  Most lep people are "scientists" and "profesionals" and feel that
they "are above such activities".  Which is fine.  We all understand the
attitude.  All of us are good at something and tend to think of the "amateurs" as
well "amateurs".  I have no problem with that.

    The trouble comes when they try to a) make publically perjorative comments.
And b) When they try to control thier activities.

    As long as we exist on this planet, we are going to have an environmental
impact.  Period.  Even if we all collectively killed ourselves - we would have an
environmental impact.  I keep repeating this on this list. We are part of the
environment - we are NOT in charge of it.

    So, we collectors, breeders, smokers, capitalists, gun owners, and whoever
else the fascists seek to demonize in order to marginalize thier public opinions
and gain control over are starting to get a little pissed at the hypocrites who
drive, live in houses, go shopping at malls and work in offices - telling US we
are causing an "environmental problem".  As the saying goes - look in your own
back yard and fix the problems there first.  After you've done that - then mind
your own business.

My 6AM rant!



Stan Gorodenski wrote:

> Paul Cherubini wrote:
> >
> > them, the anti-release group is trying to impose their beliefs on everyone.
>
> Could you elaborate on these so called 'beliefs', and who composes this
> 'group', Glassberg and NABA excluded - we already know about that. Are
> we talking about Nazis here (I recall seeing a photo somewhere that had
> a Nazi symbol on the underwing)? It almost sounds like we're getting
> into religion here with all this talk of 'beliefs'. From what I've been
> reading on this site there appears to be sound scientific evidence to
> justify not releasing butterflies not native to an area. Were it
> necessary to do so to save a population, that would be one thing, but
> from what I've read the sole motivation appears to be the greed for
> money an any social or environmental cost.
>
> This release practice reminds me of a company who has suckered people
> into paying to have a star named after them, or whatever person they
> choose. They get a fancy document making them believe the star name has
> been recorded in the archives of science, little knowing the name has no
> scientific value whatsoever, or any other kind of posthumous value. It
> sure makes money for the company, though, in fact so much so that they
> have threatened to sue astronomers for attempting to reveal the fraud it
> is.
>
> As much as some would like to think we should and can have the freedom
> to do whatever we want, in reality this is not feasible, or else we
> would live in anarchy. Interjecting the 'release' issue in the context
> of the debate on collectors vs. non-collectors does not make it any more
> acceptable to me. Were it to stop (i.e., the releases at weddings,
> funerals, etc.), there would not be any significant negative impact on
> human society at all. The only negative impact, which would actually be
> a good one, is that owners and employees of companies involved in
> promoting this practice would have get a 'real' job and make a 'real'
> contribution to society.
> Stan
>
>
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