As Subtle as Spandex

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There is an extremely interesting post on a discussion list by collector David Knell addressing one of the no-questions-asked "collectors' rights" propagandists which well illustrates the difference between those who attempt calm reasoned debate of real issues and those who use personal attacks, spin and false arguments to shout down any discussion:

"I used part of your post anonymously as a springboard for discussion and criticised it. I referred to you as a "specialist collector"; you referred to me as a "moron". Spot the difference?"

I am not going to quote it extensively, it should be seen in its entirity and in the context (that "dreadful" word again) of the preceding thread and other posts on that list. Knell's post is well-considered, carefully researched and well written, cutting through the crap to the core of the issue of the nature of the opponents of these debates and who is engaging in them and what tactics they use. It also addresses the isue of who listens to the arguments of the no-questions-ased-trade lobby and why.

Registering with Tim Haines' closed-access Yahoo "AncientArtifacts" discussion list is required to see this contribution to the debate, but while there you can look and see what that list owner regards as "responsible" discussion (no archaeologists allowed) of the issues currently surrounding collecting and which should be the concern of all who have a stake in the survival of the archaelogical record. Then you will see why collectors feel the need to shut their discussions away from the policy-makers, the rest of us and the other stakeholders in the past, the general public.
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