[mou] Fw: What are the requirements for posting to the list server.

[Gerald Brimacombe]

I fully agree!  I too have encountered a few elitists in this group who consider it their private domain.  Heaven forbid that the word "photograph" should appear in the text of a message, while the very core of bird observation is a visual experience!  I fully realize some of the folks in the group are still dealing with dial-up, and the MOU has set up a good gallery on their website to accommodate photographic display.  But there is an attitude problem with a few of the very unfriendly cliquey types that can turn off good members. Those individuals are like the Rufous Hummingbird who sits back in his lair in full attack mode just waiting for another hummer to visit "his private"  feeder. I encountered the very same attitude in the Audubon Society a number of years ago, and know it has not changed and also why I have never rejoined.  I had an extensive, 46-page photo essay on Lake Superior published in Audubon Magazine a number of years ago, and the local chapter (I was a member at the time) refused to recognize or otherwise even acknowlege it in their newsletter . . . a cheap shot if ever there was one.  Who needs it?  

Gerald B.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Chuck Cole 
To: mou-net at moumn.org 
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 2:14 AM
Subject: Re: [mou] What are the requirements for posting to the list server.


The on and off list censorship here that goes way beyond the stated rules and is done by people who are not moderators is why I would not join MOU and why I only selectively read topics and posters.  This is a very unwelcoming and semi-hostile community.  Casual but definite interest in just some bird types is just not welcome in the group.  Perhaps such interest should be welcomed and the unrequested moderators be silenced forcefully by MOU in order to give the stated welcomes.


Chuck


  -----Original Message-----
  From: mou-net-bounces at moumn.org [mailto:mou-net-bounces at moumn.org]On Behalf Of Derek Bakken
  Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:01 AM
  To: mou-net at moumn.org
  Subject: Re: [mou] What are the requirements for posting to the list server.


  At the risk of starting an argument (why not - haven't had one in a few weeks on here) 




  This is the response I received to my most recent post (names have been removed - no point in making it personal)


    You can find all of those warblers in any park in the whole southern half of the state right now.  After all it is migration and that is a normal common thing.  Heck, we saw over 20 palm warblers in northern MN today and we weren't even looking for them  His post was out of line.  It was about trying to sell photos and not doing anything to further MOU subscribers understanding of MN birds.

    This is part of the rules for MOUnet.

    "We particularly invite posts of observations that contribute to the understanding of the birds in the state. This includes sightings of birds that are unusual, in an unusual location or out of season, or present in significantly higher numbers than normally expected."

    Jeff Fischers posts and others like his are driving the best birders in this state off of MOUnet.  They don't want to be associated with this junk.






  What is out of line or wrong with Jeff's post from 5/1/08? 


  "Yesterday I had a couple of free hours between work and work so I made a stop off at the Bass Ponds. There were not many waterfowl around, except a pair of hooded mergansers and a pair of blue winged teal, but there were quite a few yellow-rumped warblers as well as barn and tree swallows. The catch of the day was a palm warbler down by the first pond. It was fairly cooperative and I got a few good pics as well as a lot of yellow-rumps pics and some mating green darner dragonflies. I will try to get the pics up on my blog, http://ecobirder.blogspot.com/ as soon as I can.
  Thanks,
  Jeff Fischer"




  1) He is not trying to sell photos anywhere on his blog that I can see.  And if he is  - so?


  2) I know many birders on this listserv have expendable income and/or lots of free time.  They have the time and money to get out often and go where the birds are being seen.  That's fine, but many people, like me,  on this listserv don't.  I work two jobs, 55+ hours, most weekends, and am frequently broke.  I get out when I can and where I can and it is nice to know what is being seen and where, even if it is not a "chasable" bird.


  3) I subscribe to 3 other listservs (IA, ND, SD) and all of them have frequent postings of common/everyday sightings and personal stories.  Why not this one?  


  4) What is the definition of "best birders?" 






  -Derek


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