Long email about gerrymandering. please read – it’s important. DGA.

DAVID — when the Supreme Court upheld partisan gerrymandering, we knew it wouldn’t take long for the GOP to seize the moment and further manipulate maps, undermine the will of voters, and block fair districts. Now self-serving Republicans are moving to manipulate the system in states across the country. The GOP’s partisan gerrymandering isn’t simply unfair, it’s a tactic used to systematically silence millions of voters and lock Democrats out of office nationwide. We cannot let them succeed. That’s why our Unrig the Map program is leading the charge to fight back. But we urgently need your help to get to 15,000 more signatures nationwide. Will you join me and add your name to end partisan gerrymandering? The Washington Post reports that the court’s 5-to-4 decision “brings new urgency to [the] Democratic fight to win state seats.” That’s absolutely right. With the 2020 census right around the corner, Democratic governors are now the strongest line of defense against Republican gerrymandering. SIGN ON: We need 156 signatures from 02771 to end partisan gerrymandering! As the Political Director at the DGA, I work day in and day out to make sure our campaigns are prepared to take on their Republican opponents and have the resources they need to win. Last cycle, we won SEVEN redistricting targets with our Unrig the Map program! Now we’re launching an all-out offensive to put Democratic governors in charge in five key states ahead of the 2020 census and redistricting. If we can win these races and secure fair maps, Democrats can deal a crushing blow to Trump’s agenda. But everything depends on what we do right now. Please, speak out before it’s too late: Add your name to put a stop to partisan gerrymandering! Thank you for taking action on this critical issue. Marshall Cohen Political Director Democratic Governors Association

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PART 4. BIGFOOT- SECTION 1.

What awaits us in the Deepest Parts of the Unexplored Forests of the Pacific Northwest?

-  or maybe its the Mountains of Appalachia?

-  Could it be the Remote Back Roads of New England, New Jersey, or New York?

-  What about the Lands around the Great Lakes, and the Upper Mid-West?

Come to think of it, there is one Type of Cryptid that seems to have found a Home in every one of the 50 States in the U.S., and All the Provinces and Territories of Canada.

CRYPTID-  A LEGENDARY OR MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE WHOSE EXISTENCE HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN, OR EVEN REASONABLY POSTULATED BY EVIDENCE AVAILABLE FOR TESTING OR ANALYSIS.

Cryptozoology, is the one area where Evidence does not Have to meet any Kind of Scientific, or Critical Thinking Criteria.  So, that is where we find the continued insistence that such Improbable Creatures actually do exist.

The Number of Cryptids that are Promoted as Real by Cryptozoologists are Numerous, and are said to exist just about everywhere on Earth.  However, to begin with, let's look at the Most Famous Example found on the NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT.  I am Referring to the Backwoods Beast known as BIGFOOT.

When Starting a Discussion about any possible living thing, particularly one that is Unlikely to Exist, the MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY DEFINE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE VALID QUALIFYING EVIDENCE PROVING ITS REALITY.  

That is the First Problem, and it Points out something that will be a Detriment when Talking about any CRYPTID;

THAT WITH ONLY PURELY SUBJECTIVE TESTIMONY OFFERED AS THE "BEST EVIDENCE",  A PROPER DEFINITION IS NOT REASONABLY POSSIBLE.  IT CAN BE CHANGED EASILY, SINCE IT IS NOT BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENTIFIC THEORY.

That brings us to first IMPORTANT QUESTION-  WHEN SOMEONE WRITES OR TALKS ABOUT BIGFOOT...

... WHAT ARE THEY REFERENCING?

SEE SECTION 2.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PART 3.

Before you can even begin to Scientifically Justify a Belief in the Existence of a Legendary or Mythological Creature, several Criteria must be met.

1)  What Type of Physical Evidence are you using to back up the Claim? Is it still Available for Study and Analysis by Independent and Qualified Researchers, who have access to the Best Technology?

2)  How was any and all Evidence Obtained?  The Who, What, Where, When and How Set of Questions that can Validate or Invalidate any Conclusions regarding the Reality of the Creature in Question?

3)  Is the Evidence best explained by the Introduction of a Previously Unknown Member of the Natural World, or do the Laws of Probability Indicate a more likely Solution?

4)  To what Degree are you Relying on Anecdotal or Eyewitness Testimony to Support a Conclusion that Asserts the Existence of a Real and Tangible Entry into the Animal Kingdom?

5)  If these Creatures Exist in the Wild, and their numbers are Large Enough to Populate an Extended Area or Region, how many must be living to Overcome the Problem of Genetic Diversity?

Remember, much of what you see on Television regarding Cryptozoology is Virtually Worthless, from a Scientific or Critical Thinking Perspective. Much of the time you are given Stories and Legends that are nothing more than Wild Speculations, repackaged for Mass Market Entertainment.

However, when you Ignore the SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND THE RULES OF LOGIC, YOU ARE LEFT WITH OPINIONS THAT ARE LITTLE MORE THAN EMPTY WORDS.  THESE ARE OFTEN USED TO DUPE THE GULLIBLE AND THE DESPERATE.

A Good Start to Identifying this Line of Irrational Thinking, is to see how they stand up to the Questions that are asked above.

Real Science is done when these, and Other Pertinent Questions are Answered, and not Ignored.

In the next Installment, we will begin looking at the Different Creatures that make up the Cryptozoological World.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PART 2.

So why is CRYTOZOOLOGY a PSEUDOSCIENCE?  Here are a few reasons:

-  Starting with a Conclusion, and working from there.

-  The Extensive use of ANECDOTAL TESTIMONY.

-  Improper Methodology.

-  Financial Incentives that are much Greater if the Legendary/Mythical Creature exists, at least in the mind of Die Hard Believers.

-  Taking what little Physical Evidence there is, and not subjecting it to proper Laboratory Analysis by Credible Sources.

-  Not using the Scientific Method and, in some cases, rejecting Natural Law all 

together. 

-  Not Understanding the Cultural, Religious or Social Traditions that are the Foundation for many of these Beliefs. 

-  Counting on "EVIDENCE" that cannot be Properly Verified, Studied or Analyzed.

-  Falling into the Logically Invalid Category that says the More Evidence you have, the more likely that your Conclusion is True. 

IN SCIENCE, NOT ALL EVIDENCE IS CREATED EQUAL.

These are some of the points about CRYTOZOOLOGY, that will be covered in future posts, in regards to specific subject matter.

Don't get me wrong.  I would love to believe that BIGFOOT, SEA MONSTERS, AND GIANT SNAKES/REPTILES etc.,  ACTUALLY DO EXIST. The World would definitely be a more interesting place, and the Travel Industry would be Booming.

However I, like many others, refuse to toss out COMMON SENSE, THE RULES OF LOGIC, AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, TO SUPPORT A SHARED DELUSION.  WANTING SOMETHING TO BE TRUE, IS A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR REALITY.