Re: BOZEMAN'S SVP

["Steve Brusatte" <dinoland@lycos.com>]

On Fri, 14 Sep 2001 19:26:08  
 Tetanurae wrote:
>Oliver brings up a good point.  Although SVP's website has no indication of 
>any changes to the meeting in a few weeks, it's good to keep in mind that 
>things can change.
>
>SVP's website is:
>
>http://www.vertpaleo.org
>
>A good website to check to see if your (major) US airport is operating is:
>
>http://www.fly.faa.gov
>
>Bozeman's Gallatin Field is not among the listed airports unfortunately (ie, 
>it's too small), so please keep the following telephone numbers available:
>
>Gallatin Field (Bozeman's Airport):....406-388-8231
>Delta Airlines:.................................800-325-1999
>Alaska/Horizon Airlines:...................800-654-5669
>Northwest Airlines:...........................800-441-1881
>United Airlines:................................800-932-8555

By all means, yes, make sure you continue to check with the airports and 
airlines, especially if you plan to fly from out of the country.  Although I 
have no idea about what the situation will be in a few days, or in the case of 
SVP, a month, but flights will likely be cancelled regularly and security will 
be tight.  Here in Chicago Midway Airport was closed today after a suspected 
terrorist was found inside.  JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark were closed yesterday.  
I have no idea how long this may continue, but likely for some time.  

I also believe that both Germany and France have grounded all flights to the 
United States.  Whether that ban has been lifted I don't know.  However, anyone 
coming from Europe or Asia (especially the Middle East...) should be very 
cautious.  I hate to say it, but it probably will be very, very difficult for 
international paleontologists to make it to the meeting...
>
>The possibility does exist, however repugnant, that the domestic situation 
>could deteriorate to the point that the meeting would have to be cancelled.  
>There have already been numerous attacks on Arab and Muslim Americans 
>throughout the USA, and even what have been described as race riots in 
>Chicago, as well as countless other threats and acts of vandalism and 
>violence perpetrated against Arab and Muslim Americans.  Although Bozeman, 
>and all of Western Montana is a pretty progressive and laid-back part of the 
>country, we haven't been immune to this.  Hopefully this will stop rather 
>than get worse.

I don't know if the meeting will be cancelled (hopefully not), but Pete brings 
up a very good point.  I don't want to discuss this situation too much because 
of Mary's previous message, but I feel as if I must set the record straight a 
bit.  I know of no race riots in Chicago per se.  I have heard of one instance 
where a so-described "gang" of youths (of Middle Eastern descent) were seen 
praising the attacks and denouncing America in the streets of Chicago.  In my 
home city a local Indian teacher who looks very Middle Eastern has been hazed, 
but other than that I know of no serious race riots in the United States.  Of 
course, there will be misunderstandings due to ignorance, and there will be 
some problems.  I doubt that the SVP meeting will be cancelled because of this, 
but Pete certainly knows much more about what's going on in Montana than I do.

>Additionally, there is the threat of more terrorist acts, which although 
>probably would not hit the Western Montana, they would surely disrupt any air 
>travel, at the very least.
>
>I don't mean to freak people out, as I am very excited to have a hometown 
>SVP, but please everyone keep a heads up in the next couple of weeks.

Yep, this thing certainly isn't over.  For anyone coming to SVP, please be very 
careful.  I wish you all luck.

Steve

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***************************************************************
Steve Brusatte-DINO LAND PALEONTOLOGY
SITE: http://www.geocities.com/stegob
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