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WSA - Not exactly but close. Our unsupported opinions are equal which is why sightings of Fairies, Chupacabras and Sassy are treated equally. Opinions supported by evidence are treated differently from those which aren't. It's why sightings of crypto creatures don't hold the same weight as sightings of known creatures supported by evidence. Opinions supported by evidence which has been mulled over by other experts can reach the level of consensus - still an opinion with other possibilities possible but well known and understood by most in a field. This type of opinion holds more weight because it has been defended and survived, not because it's an opinion. I know you aren't a fan of western education but there are many primers and textbooks out there that cover these topics if you would like a second opinion? It won't hurt my feelings at all, you should be skeptical of unsupported claims.

So I guess Bill, what you are saying is: The weight of my opinions are about equal to yours? Not a problem, I assure you.

The science of this creature hinges on no one man, though we all seem to look at Meldrum in that way. He is just one voice crying in the wilderness. What makes academics so reluctant to step out on a limb is that being labeled as part of this community is tantamount to academic suicide. They may certainly be persuaded that it is worth the inquiry, but to enter the fray will cost them position and money. Meldrum himself suffered a great deal of scorn within his field for his stand, Bindernagel, Krantz, they all suffered ridicule and being overlooked and passed by. It is a sad testament to the University system that someone with as much enthusiasm for discovery should be snuffed out, or that ideas with such great implications, if true, should not be more front and center in research. Too much of the thinking power of this country is bought out, or sold out, to corporations and self seeking agendas. Where are the true scientists? This deserves to be studied and funded in a grand fashion, yet the Falcon Project, fit or unfit, could hardly garner support from within the community, much less outside the community. Little science can be accomplished by field researchers of our ability, no matter how good we think we are. We need professionals to undertake the task, people whose whole lives are devoted to obtaining needed knowledge and skills to do such research, whose foundations are already laid and who simply need to take the risk. We need a University to step un and actually fund some research of this variety, long term, boots on the ground, using state of the art techniques and equipment. Don't hold your breath...