OK, Lynn--calm down! I know you're seeing RED already--but it's Dave Green's
problem now! (Smile!)
K
Ross Mayhew wrote:
> Since this seems to be a rather Quiet time, perhaps it is now that i
> should toss out a question that has been kicking around for a while now.
> I DON'T wish to tread on people's toes, point fingers, make
> accusations or cause trouble - that is not why i am raising this issue,
> and would certainly not be good for anyone!! Rather, i simply wish to
> objectively put forward some facts, and ask a question that i believe is
> a very valid one which should be put to a good cross-section of the COA
> membership for rational discussion. So, i don't want to hear any
> personal gripes or flames: let's just tackle this in a civilized manner.
> The COA is the largest conchological organization in the US, perhaps in
> the world. It has a very good reputation, and represents conchology
> well. It represents, and presents via its great website and other
> educational and research initiatives, the best aspects of our avocation,
> such as the pursuit of scientific knowledge and a strong concern for a
> wide variety of conservation measures and issues. I think most members
> would agree that anything that could significantly damage the public
> image and credibility of the COA would be bad for conchology in general,
> and should be avoided or remedied as a matter of principle (I certainly
> hope that most members would agree with me on this point - anything that
> damages the COA's reputation is detrimental to conchology in general).
> The annual COA convention is a wonderful affair, attended by many
> collectors and dealers from all over the world. That said, it contains
> a time bomb which could explode in the COA's face some day, and which i
> think CAN and should be remedied in a manner fair and equitable to all
> concerned. (and i hope the metaphor is not too extreme for some - i'm
> not trying to be inflammatory!). There are a variety of laws and
> regulations regarding businessmen coming into the USA and doing business
> - they are a bit tricky at times, but fairly straight forward in
> general. Non-USA dealers who set up shop at the famous bourse at the
> COA conventions, are in violation of some of these laws - at least the
> informal way things are done today. If someone were to call in the
> Immigration police ( i have no idea why such issues come under the
> rubric of "immigration" - this must have been decided by the same person
> who put tobacco and firearms in the same category!!), BIG trouble could
> result, and although the COA would not be LEGALLY liable for any broken
> laws, if the incident were to make the national news, the organization
> would be presented to the general public in a VERY unfavorable manner,
> which in my opinion could hurt its reputation substantially, depending
> upon how it was reported. This hasn't happened in the past because few
> people even knew that there was a problem. However, after i got into
> trouble at the border a couple of years ago (when i told the questioners
> there the same things i had said three times before, without any
> problems at all! - these laws are for some reason far more strictly
> enforced at airports than at border checkpoints on the roads) and flew
> off the handle a bit (for which i *****REALLY***** want to apologize, to
> anyone who was offended by remarks i made at that time, some of which
> were made in anger since i felt the COA should have at least advised
> non-resident dealers of the laws they might have to face), now a lot of
> people are aware of the dangers and i even heard (from a source i trust)
> that a couple of folks had even discussed the possibility of instigating
> a raid; the dangers are real, and not just in my imagination.
> OK - the question: Considering that a situation exists which could
> result in damage to the reputation and credibility of the COA, (not to
> mention losses to non-resident dealers, some of whom make a good profit
> by bringing a wide variety of excellent shells to the bourse!), what can
> or should be done to minimize this danger?? I heard that one convention
> in Florida acquired an exemption from some of the applicable laws,
> making the bourse a "safe zone" where non-US dealers could sell their
> shells without worries. Could this be done at all conventions, or is it
> just possible in Florida? Should the COA detail all applicable laws to
> non-resident dealers applying for the bourse, so that they can be fully
> informed? Could a committee be struck to investigate ways that dealers
> can comply with the laws in the easiest, least troublesome manner
> possible (and i'm SURE that such a solution could be found - there are a
> LOT of VERY intelligent people in the COA!!!)? Let's hear some ideas,
> people. (or am i just full of hot air, worried about something not
> likely to take place, and if it does, unlikely to have the effects i fear?)
> I fully realize that by bringing this matter out into the open in a
> public forum, i have increased the chances that my concerns could be
> realized. However, plenty of people have known about the problem for a
> long time, so it is not as if i am the only one who has ever brought it
> up. If anything i said in this message has offended anyone, i apologize
> IN ADVANCE this time - i have no intentions of hurting anyone, but
> rather to help prevent harm from occurring.
>
> -Ross M.
--
Karlynn Morgan
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Post Office Box 7606 / Naples, FL 34101-7606 / USA
FAX: (941) 649-8165
"Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values."
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