Re: Harassing Museums

[Danvarner@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/28/01 7:58:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time, RISI@chevron.com writes:


<< However, to truly be a public trust institution they need
to allow easier access to interested persons. References are nice, but in
reality, may not be easily obtainable. >>

       I was referring to my own experiences here. The recent theft of a tyrannosaur jaw from Berkeley put numerous museums on alert. I have been denied access even with my fairly rabid position on commercial collecting and theft. But I would rather error on the side of safe repositories for our non-renewable fossil resources. 
       Adding staff to accommodate the general public in collections is a luxury museums at this moment cannot afford. Perhaps all that money floating around out there purchasing fossils will find its way toward solving this problem someday, but until then, I'm not holding my breath. DV