[Nhcoll-l] The Growing Power of the Ranks of the Dead

[Ellen Paul]

I am not being cynical. This is my direct experience. I am stating my 
views based on my own experience. As I see it, my view is realistic, not 
cynical.

I agree that you can persuade a few. However, your premise was "the 
general public."

As I said last week, this seems not to be a problem as to the permitting 
agencies except to the extent that they occasionally hire people who 
happen to be anti-collecting and there is no way to screen those people 
out. There should be a way to stop them from superimposing their biases 
onto the permit process and, as you know, once it occurs and we learn of 
it, we do express concern to the higher-ups and thus far, that has been 
effective. Generally, however, I don't think that's a big problem at the 
federal level. I have seen two egregious examples in 18 years. Actually, 
one was not permitting. One was an endangered species listing and 
believe me, the anti-collecting bias was only one of several major 
issues with that particular listing.

Ellen

Ellen Paul
Executive Director
The Ornithological Council
Email: ellen.paul at verizon.net
"Providing Scientific Information about Birds"
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nmnh.si.edu_BIRDNET&d=AwICaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=Fj9Z1haUtfkLHp_AyA583eKpOofYtRlcPvCt4PPQI84&s=dsEEpNvZOsodQe2xH5DkgvFT2iLfbNWDnzcPB4n8Fo4&e= "

On 10/27/15 1:37 PM, Kevin Winker wrote:
> Yes, I have days when I am that cynical, too. But then I realize that 
> if I can only persuade a few, then I will take those few. And with the 
> only other option being to not even try...well heck with that. We do 
> have many arrayed against us, passionate about their being right. But 
> as long as we can maintain core supporters outside our ranks, we're 
> likely to prevail where it counts most, such as with permitting 
> agencies, volunteers, and our administrators.
>
> Best, K.
>