I have been watching the discussion of this subject and waiting for someone else to mention the other problem with the video, which was what I picked up before even thinking about the disclosure of the location of Airman's Cave.
In the 3rd video, when they are leaving the cave, there is a segment showing how easily the sediment and altered bedrock could be scraped away from the wall of the cave. To me, this perpetuates the concept that it is OK to vandalize caves. Had this been the intentional breaking of speleothems, the caving public would have been outraged, so it surprises me that nobody else has commented on this type of video-taped vandalism. Altered bedrock and cave sediments are just as scientifically valuable as speleothems. There is a reason we don't shoot video and distribute it to the general public when "Cave Cholesterol" must be removed from a passage to continue pushing a survey lead. When surveying and pushing leads, cave modification is generally accepted because the scientific value of further exploration is believed to be offset by the amount of impact done on the cave. However, destroying wall rock simply to show it on a video has no real gain and is just as bad as other types of cave vandalism. especially when it is distributed to the general public. Just a thought from someone who has recently returned to Texas. Kevin Stafford On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:50:22 -0500 "Don Cooper" <[email protected]> writes: Responding perhaps from the negative vibes generated by publicizing Airman's location, Mr. Z. has apparently pulled his infamous video's from the public domain. From his YouTube account: I recently posted four videos, some of my best work yet, about Airmen's Cave. I have decided to make those videos private now, because of the irrational demands of a handful of DOUCHES in the "Caving Community." That's right, douches. Every group has 'em. Again, just a handful, in this case. If you'd really like to know exactly how to find Airmen's Cave, send me a personal message and I'll consider it. Overall, I feel it's important for everyone to be able to self-censor, as I have chosen to do in this case. It's a valuable ability that not enough people have. To my video fans, sorry folks. More great videos are on the way though. :o) Proud to be a DOUCHE this time - -WaV (In French that means "Shower") ____________________________________________________________ Click here for free info on Graduate Degrees. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nNPPnmRXakniqDehnhbffe8IOjGbTlftEWGNDRAgaUCvufd/
