Theories and Speculation....

I was sitting here this morning wondering what to blog about. So many things have happened recently, none of them panned out to truly be "bigfoot related" but, none the less, things being discussed within the community.

When the thought hit me.

Weird "theories" and "speculation"...

Where do they come from? I often wonder about this. In the field of bigfoot research we have some "out there" "theories". Everything is "speculated" on by some. From wormhole jumping, to bigfoot being the intergalactic pet of space aliens and then my personal favorite the "disappearing" bigfoot club.

Maybe I shouldn't call that last one a club, those who have that belief do not hold that as an exclusive belief, but they do think it's not just plausible, but a fact.

They investigate every paranormal claim when it comes to bigfoot and, believe me when I tell you, these people are serious.

Then we have another group, which raised their collective heads in the last couple weeks, just like Punxsutawney Phil (you know, the famous groundhog that comes out every year to look for his shadow). I will refer to them as the "Bigfoot is human" group. When this crowd pipes up it's like shooting fish in a barrel, they are all over the place, and pretty easy to put your sights on.

Is bigfoot human? I have no idea. I will however venture a guess and say "NO" (you can quote me). Chimpanzees display some very human traits, bonobos even, but they are NOT human. You can "speculate" or "theorize" on this issue all you like, but I do not foresee bigfoot (if categorized and documented) being defined as human. Bigfoot (if categorized and documented) will most likely be called a non-human primate. No more, no less. So, why are there some out there "hell bent" on making this animal human?

I do not know (again you can quote me).

As we all know Scott Marlowe took a very brave and/or foolish step in this regard last week when he fired off that letter to the D.A. of Humboldt County. I bet your asking yourself, "how was his step brave or foolish?" right now aren't you? Well, if for some strange reason, the D.A. of Humbolt county were to actually pick up this request by Scott Marlowe and "run with it", the D.A. is not charged with the duty of investigating or prosecuting the death of animals, only humans.. So, the natural conclusion to make (if this investigation happens) is that the D.A. for some strange reason, would be of the opinion a human (either in a suit or not) had been either shot or killed, and later limped away injured or buried, thus vindicating everyone who thinks bigfoot is human. Scott Marlowe has been a proponent of the "Wolf boy syndrome" as being one of many possible answers to the bigfoot mystery for a long time. In his letter to the D.A. Mr. Marlowe throws out that the subject of the Patterson/Gimlin film is most likely a human with this "Wolf boy" condition. Mr. Marlowe's "team up" with M.K. Davis and John Johnsen was not a shock to me, I wondered when it would happen to be honest.

Scott Marlowe simply took his "speculation" too far.

The community responded, and loudly.

What did Mr. Marlowe think would happen? Now, keep in mind Johnsen and Davis have categorically denied they had anything to do with the decision to mail off this "letter" to the D.A.'s office, but this threesome was working together (at some point). I am just waiting for Mr. Marlowe to finish filling in blanks as to who was involved, their role, and when. I will not be holding my breath though.

In my almost 3 years I have seen some unbelievable "theories", and "speculation". I have commented on them here but, I must be honest and tell you, the recent "revelations" of "theory" and "speculation" have left the majority of us scratching our heads (including myself) as there have been no answers to important questions (and none seem to be forthcoming anytime soon).

Questions?? Are you serious??

Yeah. I have questions, and If you throw out "theory" or "speculation" for the entire world to dine on like a thanksgiving dinner, then you better have answers, or something that resembles an answer. I will not apologize for asking questions, even ones that make you cringe if I need to. I, for one, am tired of those who call themselves researchers who think their job is to throw out "theory" and "speculation".

I am tough. I am proud of that.

If you're looking for hand holding, or someone to rest your head on so you can cry about those who do not buy into your latest "theory" or "speculation" you would be best served by not coming to me. If you feel it is your "God given right" to speak and put forth "theories" and "ideas" that you have no hope of proving, and you get blindsided by those in this community who disagree with you, well good luck to you. You didn't think the idea through to what the logical end would be. You get no sympathy from me.

We then move onto those very people who make these statements, and their "feelings".

Hey, grow up. You were the one who threw out the "theory" or "speculation" in the first place. You were the one that felt the need to invite everyone to your dry turkey dinner. Now, if someone (such as myself) feels the need to decline your invitation, and goes so far as to say "I don't eat turkey and you are a horrible cook", well that is my right. You shouldn't expect everyone to enjoy your dining preferences.

Here is an example (sent as a comment to this blog)

Melissa,

You have 10 days to formulate and publish a statement of apology to me for the constant innuendo and bashing I have received on every one of your published sites, as well as Forest Giants (I terminated my yahoo account) and Cryptomundo. Also, I believe you are a regular on Cryptozoology dot com. If so you may post it there as well. Ten days, then if you haven't complied I play the one thing I know will get your attention. Ten days and counting.

Your move.

John Johnsen 9:52 AM

Then Mr. Johnsen follows up with this little gem,

In the spirit of telling the truth, as you want others to do, are you going to tell your listners and readers why you ran from Washington State to start a new life in Texas? Would you like me to?

12:58 PM

Does anyone have a Kleenex?

This is not my first "go round" with Mr. Johnsen, I am sure it will not be my last. For some reason (unknown to me) Mr. Johnsen feels he should be allowed to simply throw out anything he wants, and the best part, he feels no one should question his comments. No one is more entitled to freedom of speech than Mr. Johnsen (in his opinion), and god help you if you should decide to question him, or those he surrounds himself with.

Mr. Johnsen is right. He does have the right to "throw out" whatever he wishes. But, his right to help be the messenger of these "theories" does not mean he is free from my right (or anyone's) to criticize or question the very things he is helping to promote. I am not advocating anything other than a tough look at the information he is helping to put out there in the form of DVD's. Which is well within my right to do.

Mr. Johnsen (and anyone else) has the right to say whatever they like. I don't care if they throw out the "theory" that "Bigfoot is purple and lives in tree knots" but, you can bet your backside I am going to respond, and not in support of your "barneybigfoot".

Do I have any intention of "apologizing" to Mr. Johnsen?

Nope. I told Mr. Johnsen to point out any factual errors in my articles (which he has not done). I will not be threatened, blackmailed or intimidated by anyone who wants to call themselves a "bigfoot researcher", "enthusiast" or "hobbyist" (I think Mr. Johnsen missed the articles I wrote about this at the beginning of the year). I am entitled to my opinion just as everyone else is. Mr. Johnsen (and everyone else) is free to disagree with me but, when you start making threats to "expose" the lives of those you disagree with, you have become the lowest form of researcher, unprofessional and unethical.

I have asked Mr. Johnsen a number of questions, he has refused to answer them, so I brought my questions and my own thoughts on this latest "theory" or "speculation" to this blog.

I have said this for a very long time now. Either the people who call themselves "researchers" of the mystery for an animal we call bigfoot, finally start taking stands against people like this, or we will forever be force fed dry turkey, and handed a menu of items we did not ask for, or even want, then to top it off, be the ones to clean up after their Thanksgiving dinner from hell. Everything that becomes public reflects on us all - whether you like it or not.

Public perception is everything. Do you think Im kidding? If so, check out this quote:

"The underlying problem is that the bigfoot community has no self-government. There is no procedure of peer-review, controlled theoretical publications, or codes of conduct."

ToddSpell: The word of Todd

I have been on countless websites and read the very same thing. And what's even worse about the above quote is that it comes from someone with only a passing interest, who can see the problems we face.

And we wonder why the world laughs at the work we do.

Having public perception on our side is not something this community has enjoyed. I don't know about you but, I would like to see the time come where I can freely discuss my work in this research with strangers, and not be looked at as if I have lobsters coming out of my ears. Witnesses are not the only people who should be questioned, and it's high time those who call themselves "professional" start acting "professionally" and answering for the mayhem they create, that is completely unrelated to bigfoot.

I fully intend to keep their feet to the fire.