.
A few weeks ago Mr Tompa was going on and on about how in order to protect their cultural property from illegal export, instead of asking US collectors to watch what they were buying and importing, the Washington-based CPAC:
Vignette: Peter Tompa would probably look a bit like this on the beaches of Cyprus before they jail him for unregulated metal detecting if he goes - bet he won't though.
"should recommend that Bulgaria clamp down on metal detectors".Any attempt to explain to him that the Bulgarians already do were to no avail and he has still been churning out the same suggestion with a stubborness which would be more suited to worthier matters. What is more, he has been applying it to other countries. So it is that he now says the Cypriot government
"has no coherent regulatory scheme for metal detectors and even allows British tourists to bring them to the Island".On 18th January I invited Mr Tompa that we both go to Cyprus, with him dressed as a British tourist with a metal detector and me with my video camera.
Let him just first publish on his website: "I am going to Cyprus for a few days to do some metal detecting for ancient coins". He can go out metal detecting on some fields on the island and I will film him doing some "unregulated metal detecting". And when the police come to "unregulate" his metal detecting, I'll film that too. So that coineys can see that to the last, Peter Tompa was willing to back up the words he writes on their behalf with action. Go on Mr Tompa, show us all that you really DO believe you are right.
Now it has been almost minus 30 degrees celsius here at night for the past few days and I could do with a winter break in a warmer country, but Mr Tompa has not reacted to my invitation. Perhaps he is still trying to get the money for his airfare out of Old Man Sayles or the PNG. Come on Peter, what are you waiting for? The beaches and ancient sites of Cyprus await. We'll have a few beers, splash around in the Med a bit before you go off 'tekking. Aren't you curious about what will happen?
Vignette: Peter Tompa would probably look a bit like this on the beaches of Cyprus before they jail him for unregulated metal detecting if he goes - bet he won't though.
It's kinda like saying that instead of making it illegal to buy stolen goods you should make it illegal to steal stuff. In fact, that's exactly what he's saying.
ReplyDeleteWonder if there's anywhere in the world where fencing is legal cause theft is illegal.
It's actually the typical collector/schoolboy "it's not me, miss, it's the others, is' their fault!"
ReplyDeleteWhen are antiquity collectors going to recognise the need for them to take responsibility?
It seems Mr Tompa is not so willing to put his (or the PNG's) money where his mouth is.