Sure do love a tennis match. Back and forth, back and forth ..... 'Quoth' the Raven, "Evermore" ..... back and forth. The only trouble is that we will never get to any 'Pk' point - not even hoping for set or match. Maybe we should call this the Pk Whimp-le-ton. Seems to me a lot like the Libby trial -- a very important question but those who really know what is going on just ain't talking while others can only speculate.
Maybe it is time to go back to CITES. Let's try for something really juicy to speculate on: Will the US/EU CITES Police once again blow it like they did at one of the Redlands International Orchid Festivals a few years ago (French grower - don't remember which of the 'Family' it was) or will they exercise wisdom and cut the WOC some slack? Las Vegas - will you offer odds? Betters - go for stupidity and bureaucracy. That 'other' Jerry Fis(c)her identified the problem(s)(Orchids Digest, Vol 9, Issue 88) and nobody from AOS nor the Miami WOC has replied about how they are working with "Authority" to have things go smoothly - or even rationally: "The problem really is that if a person from the EU wants to purchase plants at the 19thWOC they have to have an import permit in advance from their countries management authority. This means they have to know exactly what they want to purchase well in advance of the WOC. ... Many other countries also require import permits and this all takes time. It is truly time for CITES reform regarding (ORCHID-my add) plants and I will shortly begin posting on this forum (and others) proposals as to how CITES could change to accommodate trade in truly art-prop material. I will be looking for feedback and if growers approve of these ideas I will ask for a statement of support. I will then begin to take this material to CITES officials in the US and Switzerland to see if change can occur." Don't like CITES? MAYBE WE CAN WE CONSIDER SOMETHING FOR WHICH I HAVE A DEEP PASSION (and something that can be accommodated by local/WOC societies - something over which they do have direct control): 1. Will all orchid shows (especially the WOC) set aside a special time for photographers - you know those guys and gals with tripods? Recently 'Rf WOC Bob' got right back on CITES but I have seen nothing on my comment on WOC and photographers dated 2 March 2007 Orchids Digest, Vol 9, Issue 82. 2. Will all orchid shows allow someone other than 'THE AOS chosen - FILM CAMERA - one' to take quality pictures of AOS awarded plants while they are being photographed for award record? I only write for myself but I would be perfectly resigned/willing to do so at 02:00 if that was the only time available. 3. When will the AOS recognize Digital Photography? Maybe they are reluctant to do so because it seems to me that their magazine 'frequently' has 'juiced' pictures. While I am on the soap box - but it is actually related. I ask that judges do the best they can to judge the quality of the photograph rather than the orchid. I was once told by a judge that my picture was not selected for a ribbon because the orchid I had selected to photograph was not of award quality. Maybe he was being kind but I don't think so - it WAS a lousy blossom but a very good PhotoShop pastel rendering worthy of an 'artistic' ribbon. I later sold the picture for US$50.00. PAX - but I fear not of my time. Jerry in IN _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
