I agree that it is vital to maintain an even keel and quality of scientific practice and interpretation. Ultimately science and pragmatic observation -- not media hype, public sentiment, or opinion however expert -- is the best light to truth. Opinions and conjecture and hope as they may, the one pragmatic solution is to send out more researchers and spotters and alert birders local in the area or willing travelers and comb the habitats until a concrete beyond dispute conclusion is drawn one way or the other. Debbie Antlitz In a message dated 10/23/2006 1:44:28 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
While it is critically important that the governmental >and non-governmental authorities do everything in >their power to confirm the existence of the >ivory-billed woodpecker or to refute the belief of its >existence if necessary, it cannot be overlooked that >quality of scientific practice is at stake here, and >good will towards a charasmatic bird must not induce >"faith-based ornithology". > >I am pleased that this issue continues to percolate >and this next field season will surely play a huge >role in resolving this controversy one way or another. > >Stan Moore San Geronimo, CA >[EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
