I've been holding this one off for a few weeks, but my hand has been forced by a recent interview in
an L.A. Times article on the Spitfire effort in Burma:
Mark Magnier wrote:
"When someone says there's 15, then 30, then 60 planes, it looks like a case of a fish that keeps getting bigger," said Ric Gillespie, executive director of a Delaware-based nonprofit group that excavates historic aircraft. "I hope they're right. But this smells."
Gillespie, who's searched 25 years for the wreckage of aviator Amelia Earhart's plane, which disappeared in 1937 over the Pacific, said transparency is essential in high-risk search projects. Cundall's quest has been characterized more by excuses, share sales and claims than by evidence, he said.
Gillespie said his group had used ground-penetrating radar and metal detectors as well, and while Pacific island and Burmese soil differ, scans are often inconclusive and frustrating. Cundall raises doubts because he has often presented his findings with great certainty, Gillespie said.
So, to my argument. I realized about a month ago that Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Cundall seem - at least to me - to be very similar. After thinking on it for a while, I came up with a list of a number of characteristics they or their most notable efforts share:
- Both face significant, legitimate concerns/criticisms about the theories behind their efforts. (This is the most significant comparison as it seems to me, as well as the initial comparison I realized.)
- Both are attempting to discover missing aircraft. (Both of which are roughly in the same area of the world and from roughly the same time period.)
- Both have significant financial backing and/or resources. (Both on their own and in the organizations they have been involved with.)
- Both are experts at drumming up substantial media publicity, or have been involved with groups that do so.
- Both have done significant background research into their respective topics.
- Both have some sort of background in similar projects.
- Both efforts have received government backing/approval/blessings. (Gillespie: U.S. government; Cundall: Burmese & British governments)
- Both believe sincerely in what they are doing.
I find everything in the above list to be a true fact of the matter, if you disagree, please feel free to respectfully tell me otherwise. I have tried to do my best to be fair to both parties, but I do not begin to pretend that this comparison is not controversial. However, I believe that a responsible debate can be had on this topic. My only request is that any snarky remarks or otherwise unhelpful comments remain absent. Or as I put it in
an earlier thread:
Noha307 wrote:
...sarcastic one-liners don't really help.
_________________
Tri-State Warbird Museum Collections Manager & Museum Attendant
Warbird Philosophy Webmaster
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
