At 12:23 PM 3/17/97 -0800, you wrote:
>
>Well, this makes us all look a little ugly, doesn't it? The "experts"
>deciding which sightings will be released to the "masses" of garden variety
>birders, because the masses are unable to control their desire for new or
>unusual birds. This sets up a potential unpleasant dynamic; what if the
>masses decide to stop sharing their interesting sightings with the experts?
>Then where will we be, everybody keeping the good birds for themselves and
>their friends? One would hope for a bit more respect on all parts, both for
>the birds and for other birders. But if we don't have it, what? I have no
>answers, only more questions, and a feeling of dismay that we've
>already sunk so far.
>
>Rob Saecker
>just west of Olympia

It's always been that way--just more obvious now. I know I certainly won't
report any more rare birds. With the recent reviews of the WA rare Bird
Committee, I've seen my reportings over the years to Am. Birds essentially
slandered without even contacting me. Think I'm going to voluntarily go
through the process?

--Jerry Tangren