Two ideas that may ruffle feathers

[Ray McAllister <mcallist@gate.net>]

Hi gang,
        From a dinolurker I would like to get some people mad at me. I 
hear a lot of flames directed at Bob Bakker. However there is no denying 
that he, like Jacques Cousteau, has caught the public attention and in 
that respect, done a great deal for vertebrate paleontology. People read 
his ideas and because they are couched in popular language, they do not 
toss them aside. We need the popularizers and the hard core scientists.
Some of Bakkers ideas have caused us to look at hot bloodedness, 
coloration, dino sex, etc, moreso than others who suggested the same 
things because he is colorful and assertive.
        I recommend that we all do a bit more popularizing of the 
discipline to get some support from the taxpayer who eventually pays the tab.
        I just finished MacDonalds book on the Permian trackways of the 
Robledo Mts of New Mexico. While he dwells a bit too much on his 
tribulations, as a sociologist I suppose, the book is excellent and 
demonstrates the need for public support. It also makes a helluva case 
for ichnology? or trackway studies. In addition he gives a bunch of 
books, comics etc on dinos, on trackways and on the Permian. If anyonr 
wants, I'll post the full title,publisher and ISBN #. Cant do it now 
cause book is in my office.

Ray McAllister, Prof (Emeritus) Ocean Eng., FAU, Boca Raton, FL 33064
Diving Dinosaur, Geologist/Oceanographer/Ocean Engineer, 43 years SCUBA
mcallist@gate.net (305) 426-0808, Author Diving Locations, Boynton/Dania