The Rocket

Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Opinion

Let the Sasquatch people chew on this.

Normally, I do not comment on articles I have already written, but I feel this issue needs to be addressed since my last column is still receiving comments on The Rocket's Web site.

I have learned many things during my stay at this university. But one of the greatest lessons I will take home with me is not to mess with the Sasquatch people. For those of you that missed the article, I wrote a piece about a possible Sasquatch that was photographed in the Allegheny National Forest by a remote camera.

The main point I brought up in the article is that I want to believe creatures like this exist, yet all the evidence I ever see is blurry, grainy photos that look like they were taken by a camera held in place in a paint mixer. I do not require extensive scientific evidence, only a high-quality photograph.

Unfortunately, many people from various Sasquatch organizations tended to disagree with my column, pointing out that I didn't do enough research for my weekly article and that it was lacking crucial facts. I apologize and will make sure that next time I write a piece about urban legends, I will research the topic months in advance for a 500-word opinion article.

I looked for a bit more information for this article and spent some time on various online academic databases. Most of the articles I found on Bigfoot, Sasquatch and the like came from a magazine called Skeptic. The database listing said the magazine covers the topics of religion, theology and science. Seems like a reliable source for information.

I personally did not know there were so many serious scientists studying the Sasquatch. I figured that with all the scientific studies done about these creatures, organizations would not have the time to search through college newspapers commenting on the topic.

Yet I can understand their concern. A lone journalism major at a small university in western Pennsylvania comments on a topic he has limited information about and suddenly, he discredits an entire "scientific field." It would be like if I made fun of scientist researching cancer. Actually, it would not be like that at all since the latter example serves a purpose.

The oddest thing that came from the comments my article received was the fact that only one person mentioned the Pennsylvania Sasquatch that the article was actually about. Everyone else commented on his or her own personal experiences and research, which had nothing to do with the one spotted in Pennsylvania.

Since these folks are obviously not familiar with my articles, let me explain that I am a bitterly sarcastic senior that enjoys writing about unusual things that are either true or have a following of people that believe they are true.

I have been harsh, but I will leave with a compromise. I will support your Sasquatch if you will help me convince our president to give us the funding needed to create the zombie fortifications we desperately need.

With that, go back to your research.

Tony Maiocco is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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