Re: Distinctiveness(Thornbird)

Hi everyone,

What I just wrote (this message) turned into more than I intended it, so I apologize
for the length.  In fact, I thought about changing the title to "Why do I open my
big mouth?"  I realize I have presented some controversial, if you will, views and
that I haven't made the best impression on everyone here.  I regret that, and I realize
that what I have to say won't help me any, but I feel that there are things I've
needed to say for a while contained in this message. 


>
>
>On Tue, 21 Apr 1998, Dennis Stoneburner wrote:
>
>  At least THORNBIRD
>> received, in my book, a full set of points for an item that NO iris
>> since BROWN LASSO has or should have received; DISTINCTIVENESS!
>
>Walter added,
>	Many would say its DISTINCTIVENESS lies in its narrow form and
>muddy color.
>
and the snipes go on and on...

I am going to address everything that has been sent to the list, and to me in private
over the "row" I started about Thornbird.  

First off, I was emailed by a list member who was upset that I said Phil Williams
was spreading rumors about Thornbird. This is what I based my reasoning for that
statement on: Terry Aitken talks about it in his Editor's Message in the Jan. Bulletin.
 If the picture on the cover of the Oct. Bulletin weren't Thornbird, he wouldn't
say "Well, Bob Plank's photo of THORNBIRD on the cover of the Ocotober 1997 Bulletin
certainly stirred up some discussion!"  Come on folks, how could the AIS put a picture
of an iris they were uncertain of on the COVER of their bulletin?  Now, what I meant
by rumors was: what proof does he have that the iris on the Bulletin WASN'T Thornbird,
and *if* it wasn't, what else was it?  I respect his right to an opinion, but "the
iris on the cover of the A. I. S. Bulletin is... (underlined) not THORNBIRD" certainly
sounds like a statement of fact, does it not?  And when we start passing off opinions
as statement of fact... 

(Yes, I realize I am basing my argument on what Walter originally posted to the list,
but this means something to me, so just bear me out, okay?)

Next point. Regarding THORNBIRD,  Bill Shear said " Compared to the many magnificent
irises that have won the medal in the past 20 years, it's a real dog."

Well sir, I would wager that if Monty Byers were still alive today you wouldn't dare
post that to our list, or even put it in writing.  You know, we can carp about the
efforts of hybridizers today, but we wouldn't dare tell them to their face.  In fact,
on our Bus Tour on Saturday, there was some gossip about the introductions of a few
of the hybridizers there.  (There were plenty present.)  But I noticed that it was
always done in a low voice, "shh, don't let anyone hear."  THORNBIRD, if I'm not
mistaken, was Mr. Byers' last shot at a (well deserved) big award, and what a shame
he wasn't there in person to receive it.  Love it or hate it, you've gotta respect
the fact that it had the merit to win the Dykes.  Leave it alone!  The man is dead,
and the closest things we have to him (especially for those of us who never got to
meet him) are his irises.  And for people to sit here and say that its only distinction
is "muddy color and narrow form" and that it's a dog really upsets me.  I honestly
thought iris people were above that kind of backbiting.  What an eye-opening day
this has been. 


I have really enjoyed being a member of this list, and being allowed to "run with
the adults" so to speak, but whenever I voice an unpopular opinion, I get *a lot*
of negativity, and people who think it's their duty to correct me when I sneeze.
That's fine, everyone is allowed to voice their opinion, (it seems, except me) but
it gets confusing when one moment, I'm being treated like a valuable, contributing
adult, and the next, I'm a child who needs reprimanding?  I hope you all can understand
the conflict I have here, and for others, this is just a waste of your time, for
which I apologize.  I think I've said everything I felt I needed to say.  


Rusty Thornsburg



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