Re: ATM True Stellafane Stories(long)

[Mel Bartels <mbartels@efn.org>]

I have a philosophical issue with star parties and judging for prizes. 
If it is like RTMC where merit awards are given, then I support it.  But
if it is a contest, then I strongly disagree and will never enter one of
my scopes.  I have stood back and seen the intimidation and
exclusiveness that judging for placement causes and frankly it is bad
for the hobby.  Scopes should be built to be used not built for
display.  This is not a model hobby, this is a 'use it' hobby, and
judging like cat shows or dog shows has no place at star parties.
-- 
Clear skies, Mel Bartels    Programmer/Analyst, amateur astronomer
Eugene, Oregon, USA         homepage: http://www.efn.org/~mbartels
mailto:mbartels@efn.org     atm, atm-digest list-owner
Motorize A Dob: http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~mbartels/altaz/altaz.html