Lep News Schappert Editorial

[James Adams]

Listers,

         While I agree that Phil's editorial may not be the best written 
piece I've ever seen in the news, and it might be a *little* unfortunate 
that it is in the newsletter that will be handed out at the meetings, Phil 
is simply stating how he feels about the state of affairs, which is his 
right.  He hasn't, as far as I know, turned away anything that is sent to 
him as an editorial, and is exercising his right to include what he thinks 
as well.

         I, too, had a strong feeling about but one statement of his, the 
same one that Stan mentions, about recreational collectors being ashamed of 
themselves.  But, like Stan, realized that "recreational collector" is open 
to interpretation.  I, like Stan, assume that this does not apply to the 
youngsters, or anyone of any age for that matter, that is first exploring 
the world of leps by collecting.  No one, serious collector or not, has 
gotten to the point they are at without doing some of what I would call 
recreational collecting.  If Phil, however, is referring to the following, 
then I could agree with his statement:

         1.  Collecting without any regard to the status of the 
species/population -- included in this would be collecting massive numbers 
of any species (open to some interpretation, as collecting a lot of some 
species with significant variation could be a useful thing).

         2.  Collecting with complete disregard for the specimens 
collected.  I can't imagine anyone doing so, but collecting specimens, then 
throwing them away and just retaining the experience would be ludicrous.  I 
would also suggest, however, that if no attempt is made to retain data with 
specimens that this behavior should be corrected or the individual should 
stop collecting.  Understand this is my feeling/interpretation.

         Stan also suggests that we should abhor mass collecting for 
commercial purposes, which I would also agree with.

         As for Phil leaving, he has wanted to pass the reigns for a long 
time.  His work load on top of the editor's job has been brutal, but he has 
stayed on because he feels he is providing a valuable service, which I 
would agree with.  For the most part, the Lep Soc news has become a solid 
item of the society that has been the most attractive for the 
"non-professional" in the society.  So, no, he wasn't fired.

         As I stated above, okay, perhaps it wasn't the best worded piece 
of prose, nor the best timing, but it isn't the horrid "attack on 
everybody" that some claim.  Besides, it is his opinion as to where things 
stand in the lep world at the moment.  That is why it is an *editorial*.

James



James K. Adams
jadams at em.daltonstate.edu
Phone: (706)272-4427
FAX:  (706)272-2235
Visit the Georgia Lepidoptera Website:
    http://www.daltonstate.edu/galeps/
Also check out the Southern Lepidopterists' Society Website:
    http://www.southernlepsoc.org/


 
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