This seems as appropriate a time as any other to explain a little about the workings of this blog in particular, and the CFZ in general. Recently, our old friend Highland Tiger commented on what he saw as inconsistencies within the CFZ. Now, I have usually made it a policy to pay little or no attention to what he has to say, but - on this occasion - I think he might actually have a point, and so I would like to clarify the situation.
There is no such thing as an official CFZ viewpoint on the existence, or non-existence of any cryptids, or the merits (or otherwise) of any specific author. HT seems to think that there is an anomaly whereby the CFZ is prejudiced against the work of the two Harpurs whilst praising the equally esoteric work of Doc Shiels and John Michel. This is simply not so.
Although, Richard F allegedly dislikes Patrick Harpur's Daemonic Reality, and allegedly Neil Arnold disapproves of Merrily's book, this is not official CFZ policy. Why? Because the CFZ has no policy on the matter.
I am on perfectly friendly terms with both Harpurs, and although I disagree with her conclusions, I enjoyed Merrily's book immensely. It is perfectly true that I am both a friend and a fan of Tony 'Doc' Shiels, and that I was a friend and still a fan of the late John Michell. This is has no bearing on my relationship with the CFZ or anyone in it. It basically means that I am an old hippy.
Various members of the CFZ disagree on all sorts of things. For example, Richard likes Goth music, Neil mod music and I like an esoteric mix of avant garde, prog, punk and alternative country. We don't come to blows about that. Why should we?
There seems to be an unfortunate illusion that the CFZ is some sort of Fortean Scientology Cult with me as its Elron, or worse possibly its Xenu. This is nonsense - we are a society of people whose interests include natural history, cryptozoology and books and who beleive that the world would be a much better place if people paid more attention to all three of these things. We are nothing more and nothing less than that.
Which brings me on to the blog.
The blog is a forum where people can discuss cryptozoology, natural history, books with occasional asides about progressive rock music and politics. As long as people promote their viewpoint in a civilised and non-antagonistic manner, and as a long as it is not blatant nonsense, I will post most things, including (HT please note) comments critical of articles posted by members of the CFZ. None of us, including me, are above criticism, and I would not wish us ever to be so. Again, there is no official viewpoint on the subjects we write about, and so if (for example) I was to post an article by Fred Smith stating "BIGFOOT DOES NOT EXIST" this is not an indication that I personally, or the CFZ generally agrees with the non-existent Mr Smith. It merely means that Mr Smith has written an article in a reasonable cogent manner, and presented it in a non-combative way. I would be quite happy to post an article by Mrs Sally Jones taking a diametrically opposite view the next day. However if Mrs Jones wrote an article suggesting that Mr Smith was a complete %^&* for writing his original article, or tried to post a comment saying this, then it would be censored. End of story.
I posted the comments by Aaron T about a posting by Neil Arnold the other day, because - although they disagreed with Neil - they did so in a perfectly gentlemanly manner. And as long as the debate remains civilised I will continue to post anything on-topic that is sent to me.
I hope that this clears up any misunderstandings.
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