Re: [meteorite-list] Mike Farmer and Oman
After cooling off, I want to apoligize to John Blennert and the list for the crack on his writing skills. It was a petty blow, and I wouldn't have made it if I wasn't already angered by his "chump change" comment (I concider that a heck of a lot of money, so by definition I guess I'm a chump). __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: Re: [meteorite-list] Mike Farmer and Oman
On Mon, 22 May 2006 11:17:43 -0700, you wrote: > > >Darren (and Listees), >You seem to have little problem expressing your opinion on this list so I >hope you don't mind if I share not only a few of my opinions but also some >hard facts. > >When John Blennert says he's independently wealthy he is being >modest. He's a self-made man who got to where he is by working hard and >making good business decisions. How many people do you know that retired >at 50? Maybe I spoke out of turn, but it just rubbed me the wrong way to see him call an amount of money that most people have to do 5 or 10 years of work to gross before taxes "chump change"-- meaning "a trivial amount of money". It came off as really, profoundly eletist and insluting. And I doubt that someone with only a few million would concider $280,000 "trivial" So I'd really like to know just how rich you have to be before a quarter of a million dollars is so little that it is "trivial" to you. Which isn't meant to address the issue if this amount is enough to make you lure someone into a trap over-- just when you reach the point that a extra quarter of a million dollars-- around the total gross income of five years of hard work for the average US household-- becomes such a trivial amount that it is insulting. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/002484.html __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Mike Farmer and Oman
Darren (and Listees), You seem to have little problem expressing your opinion on this list so I hope you don't mind if I share not only a few of my opinions but also some hard facts. When John Blennert says he's independently wealthy he is being modest. He's a self-made man who got to where he is by working hard and making good business decisions. How many people do you know that retired at 50? You have pointed out (by your suggestion that he purchase a book about writing well) that his grammar and spelling are not up to your standards. Those of us who know John personally have known this for years and accept it as part of his unique personality. I get a big kick out of JBs writing style. But, his shortfalls in the composition department are minuscule compared to the good things he's done for meteorites. In addition to being a devoted and productive meteorite hunter, John works behind the scenes providing museums, research facilities and universities with FREE meteorite specimens. John has never...NEVER...sold a meteorite. He has, however, donated meteorite specimens to scores of institutions and facilities over the past 6 or 7 years. He has also placed much of his personal collection on public display at the Flandrau Science Center located on the campus of the University of Arizona. Because of his generosity, the public and students alike have access to meteorites that wouldn't be available otherwise. John was the co-finder of the Gold Basin meteorite strewnfield along with his partner Jim Kreigh, that is a fact. Jim got the credit for the actual find, but John hunted side-by-side with him on every trip that was made to Gold Basin in the beginning. Additionally, John has found the following new meteorites that I can remember off the top of my head. King Tut, White Elephant, Dos Cabezas, Roach Dry Lake 002, Hualapai Wash 021. He also has several others that are currently being worked on. Those people who know John personally will tell you he's not one to BS or exaggerate. If John Blennert claims his statements about Oman and Mike Farmer are true, that's good enough for me. I am privy to more information but I won't go into details here. If anyone is considering going to Oman for the purpose of hunting meteorites, you might want to talk to JB before you go. JKGwilliam At 09:42 AM 5/22/2006, Darren Garrison wrote: On Mon, 22 May 2006 08:40:21 -0700, you wrote: >being interrogated I was offered 100,000 RE to get him to come there. For >those of you unfamiliar with Omanie monies that's equivalent to $238,000.00 >US. >Tucson? Well lucky for Mike that I'm independently wealthy and don't need >there chump change. I'm curious-- just how "independently wealthy" does one have to be before he can concider $238,000 to be "chump change"? (Maybe you should concider tossing a few of those millions of dollars at a copy of this http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?isbn=0060006641&itm=1) __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
RE: [meteorite-list] Mike Farmer and Oman
John, I have never done you wrong either. But I will say this, and you must admit it. Were you, or were you all not running around 24/7 without pants and shirts on? Ivan's videos (wonderful videos I might ad) ALL, every last one shows nothing but 10 or 11 guys in underwear running around, and even on the one paved highway in the country. Again, in an Islamic country, this is absolutely forbidden! Anyone who has been to one knows that for a fact. I think that your actions and demeanor played a large part in your unfortunate situation. Sure, they found trucks full of stones, equipment, computers, etc, and wanted to know the deal. I find it so hard to believe that they had this major task force looking for me, that they offered a 1/4 million dollars for my capture. Hell, I would sell them all my Omani meteorites for $250,000 today, and ship them back for free! They caught you guys with hundreds of kilos of meteorites, took Ivan to get another ton which were in storage, and then they let you go, while they still want me, who has found like 1% of what Ivan has found? This story just doesnt ad up. Either way, I love Oman, I have never had the slightest problem there with police/customs, and if my day comes, I will deal with it. Oman customs opens my crates, looks at my stones, and sends me on my way. You sound angry that the Omani police would hold you in jail for two days without charges. President Bush is holding people in Cuba for 4 YEARS now without charges. Maybe they thought you were terrorists. You are lucky Bush didnt get hold of you and ship you to Cuba. Michael Farmer -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John B. Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 8:40 AM To: Meteorite-list Meteoritecentral Subject: [meteorite-list] Mike Farmer and Oman Hi List I've been stewing on Mike Farmer's statement about a bunch of naked idiots in Oman. I forget his exact statement but close enough. I still believe there is no law or decree regarding meteorite hunting and exporting from Oman. The law that they say we violated pertains to archeological resources! The Embassy's and we were of that opinion. But when you're in a country that is a monarchy and the constitution is for show and nothing else then you're on your own. You are there and operate at the whim of a dictator or the powers that be. After our release from jail my second phone call was to Mike Farmer. My first call was a call home to get his number. Mike seemed annoyed at my call and felt I was accusing him of our problems. When my call to him was only a warning! Warning him not to come to Oman. While in custody and being interrogated I was offered 100,000 RE to get him to come there. For those of you unfamiliar with Omanie monies that's equivalent to $238,000.00 US. The investigator had a manila file folder about ½ inch thick full of info and web stuff about him including copies of many of his web page adds. I guess they thought I worked for Mike or something because I'm also from Tucson? Well lucky for Mike that I'm independently wealthy and don't need there chump change. Besides that I really like Mike and would hate to see him rotting in an Omanie prison. As far as Mike's integrity in dealing and knowledge on space rocks I think he's one of the best and come a long way from working the table for that dirt bag Michael Casper. I consider Mike Farmer an Icon in the field of meteoritic's for his knowledge and hunting abilities. The only reason I'm writing this is to warn those that hunt with him. They may or may not be aware of this fact. Mike has been very lucky that the Oman government operates in the dark ages with little or no computers to aid their business. Sooner or later probably by dumb Omanie luck Mike and partner(s) will be captured and I just hope they like eating dates. As far as the Governor of Dhofar goes after Mike's last post to the list since I'm certain it's being monitored. I think his new job is at the local camel wash! Mike is a big boy and can take care of himself; I did what I thought right I warned him. Those that hunt with him in Oman take head you too have been warned! Happy Hunting John Blennert __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Mike Farmer and Oman
On Mon, 22 May 2006 08:40:21 -0700, you wrote: >being interrogated I was offered 100,000 RE to get him to come there. For >those of you unfamiliar with Omanie monies that's equivalent to $238,000.00 >US. >Tucson? Well lucky for Mike that I'm independently wealthy and don't need >there chump change. I'm curious-- just how "independently wealthy" does one have to be before he can concider $238,000 to be "chump change"? (Maybe you should concider tossing a few of those millions of dollars at a copy of this http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?isbn=0060006641&itm=1) __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
