North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[fuwafuwausagi@muchomail.com]

Tom wrote:

I don't know the politics of NAFEX, or how/if
the "bunny" colored that history in his review.

My reply:

I tried to use much constraint in my commentary and still allow it to 
have a little "biting" flavor in order to provoke some discussion.  
But I do not think I colored anything.   I tried to avoid 
specifics, names, and situations, although it was very tempting.  
In general such additional flavorful comments serve little purpose, 
except to jerk a few people's emotional cords.   I am more concerned 
with motivating NAFEX.

Tom wrote:

I will only say that I don't expect the leadership of NAFEX to try and
keep everybody happy.  Leadership is not keeping everyone happy, but
leading individuals into doing what is best for the group. 

My reply:

Can't say I agree in the slightest; but I can respect your opinion as 
I know it is held by an intelligent, thoughtful man.  

Leadership has little to do with what is good for the group.  As 
an example such a mentality woud lead to the purposeful isolation and 
elimination of all of the people infected with HIV.   A similar 
principle would be followed for genetically transmittable disorders.  
The Nazi party practiced such measures.  I think we all might agree 
that would not neccesarily be the most appropraite definition of 
leadership.

I would think that one small part of leadership would be balancing the 
needs and desires of a group against the intrinsic rights of the 
individuals.  But leadership thoughts and desires without 
implementation is useless.  

Tom wrote:

We all know that things that do not grow and improve eventually die, 

My reply:

Nothing personal, but "poppycock".   Matsumura Orthodox has 6 known 
practitioners in the world.  In many ways it is more secure now then 
in the past.  In large part this is because we now have so many forms 
of media available for preserving knowldege: video, audio, books, 
webpages, etc all available in lutiple languages with nearly universal 
access.

Tom wrote:

This particular truth carries through to all things.

My rpely:

One again I shall reject your supposition in both the strong and weak 
form.  But that is what makes life interesting.  Little differnces in 
people's perception of the world.

Tpm wrote:

If membership is dwindling, and there is a cash surplus, NOW is the 
time to take action regarding the future of NAFEX.  If we wait till 
there is no more cash, and only a handful of members, it will be too 
late for NAFEX.

My reply:

I might have once thought so, but with the net...heck the archives can 
live on into perpituity.   So can NAFEX.   

Tom wrote:

Like I said to the "benny" in a private reply; Why bother?  Because I 
want NAFEX to be around for my children, my grandchildren, and beyond.

My reply:

Okay, fair enough.  Visceral responses are acceptable.  But I do not 
see a real answer to "why".  What so you think is going to happen if 
membership declines and NAFEX disappears?  Pomona was printed, copies 
can go to national archives, on-line, whatever.  And the knowledge can 
alwasy be rediscovered.  NAFEX, the county agents etc all will leae 
enough clues so the knowledge base can be revitalized at any time.

Once again I ask, so what differenc does a declining enrollment make.  
Why the big concern.  What has Nafex done with its 2000+ enrollment 
over the past decade?   I don't recall them joingin forces in any 
political moves.  I don't recall them funding much of anything. I 
don't see scholarships to "ag" students, city memorail gardens etc. So 
once again, what is the point?

By the by Tom, I am sure you know that I am deliberately trying to be 
provacative and there is nothing personal in this.

The bunny 





 

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