In response to the artical in The Monitor newspaper...
In my opinion, the author, who wrote the article needs to concentrate more on the corruption in the government than on a small band of individuals with a personal, harmless hobby. If I am not mistaken, one of the reasons the European Union postponed Bulgaria’s entry into the EU is because of the corruption still taking happening in high places in the government. The BNFMD and its members want to enjoy their hobby within the ethical boundaries of the Charter of the Organization and the laws of Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has traffic laws just like every country but every day I see people speeding, people running red lights, people making illegal turns, people tailgating, and many individuals with road rage. Laws and ethics all come down to the morals of the individual!!! If these people had good self control they would not break the law and be “criminals”.
Laws are in place to protect my personal property and I have locks on my doors to prevent the entry of robbers. The laws and locks will keep out the honest people but will they keep out the would-be robbers if they really want to break in?? Again, the boundaries of the laws should be controlled by the individual.
My point... There will always be dishonest people in all aspects of society but you are trying to portray that ALL of the honest, decent, people who practice the hobby of metal
as criminals of which they are not. I refer you to the Code of Ethics in the Charted of the BNFMD. There have been tomb robbers as far back as the pharaohs and always will be. The modern day “tomb-raiders” are the criminals, not us, and they will continue to do so with or without laws for protecting cultural artifacts. Be assured that if someone in the BHFMD found out the name of an individual doing illegal acts they would report that person to the authorities.
You make the following statements;
“ …it (BNFMD) illegally maintained list of archaeological sites, which is an activity that they have no right to do.” If the information is available at libraries or official government web sites, then it is public record and anyone has access so what makes public information Illegal? If it is there for the public, why can’t the BNFMD have it available for its members to ensure they are within the law??
“But the site (BNFMD web site) is suggesting that anyone can dig anywhere as long as the site is not designated as an archaeological site.” How are archaeological sites found?? Someone had to start digging somewhere!! So, do you ban all types of digging implements used in farming, gardening, and “digging tools” used by children in sandboxes? Are people going to be punished for having a garden in their own back yard???
“…because for us this organization operates with elements of danger to the public.” How is metal
of danger to the public?? I guess if a person
does not fill in a hole someone of the “public” could slip into the hole and get hurt but that is the only danger I see. But our Charted requires us to fill in holes we dig.
“When someone tries to replace the contents of laws in the country for personal gain, it is dangerous.” Sometimes laws need to be replaced not for personal gain but for reasons of being archaic and of advancing technology. Why are horse and wagon banned and prevented from being downtown in the major cities and on the interstates??
“We believe that attempts to replace the functions of MK on Ninka (National Institute of immovable cultural heritage) and the Archaeological Institute of organizations with unclear objectives, is mildly dangerous. Behind the seemingly innocent hobby lies not so innocent sentiment.” For your information, if you have not read the Ethical Code of the BNMDF, here are the portions that cover having to obey the laws.
Ethical Code of Bulgarian National Metal Detecting Federation
ETHICAL CODE OF SEEKER
Chapter One
General Provisions
Article 1.This code determined the ethical norms and rules of conduct of the members of the Bulgarian National Metal Detecting Federation, and aims to increase public confidence in their morals and to raise the prestige of the Federation.
Article 2.The rules in this Code are voluntary moral and ethical obligation of the members of BNMDF and, in its nature, it is provided essentially as a means of self-discipline and self-improvement.
Article 3.The personal conduct of members of the Federation is realized by:
(1)strictly observing the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Charter of BNMDF…
… Chapter Two
Conduct and aspect of the members of the Federation during practicing the hobby of metal
Article 4.Members of the Federation agree to observe all laws, regulations and rules that are valid for their countries and have relation to metal
.
So again, to address the author of the article, the next time you speed, run a red light, or break any law, traffic or otherwise, you show your lack of ethics, honesty, and self control and put yourself in the same category of criminal.