Religion and Faith!

Thankfully I'm too stubborn and stupid to be that easily set off by a few words
designed to provoke certain reactions.

Only the most die-hard clueless fanatic would ever say that most of SETI
and astrobiology's tenents are not based on speculation. It kinda goes with
the territory until we actually find some alien life.

Of course the Catch-22 is that certain groups won't take SETI seriously until
alien beings are found, but how do you find them unless you search for them?

I for one don't expect them to land on the White House lawn, but it sure would
help.

Shall I run and hide because I and others dare to question the authorities of
SETI and science, who certainly have their own limitations and agendas even
as I recognize their long and hard work and good insights. I have already said
such before.

But I also do not have to agree with them if I and others think they aren't
keeping up with the times. Maybe I am headed down the wrong path, too,
but I'm not going to keep from trying new methods just because someone
tells me it ain't science as they see it. I KNOW a lot of it is speculation
and I know they are incomplete, but what am I supposed to do, hope the
right equipment and the aliens fall into my lap? People need to start thinking
about how to make that happen, and speculation and awareness are where it
all begins.

You want research and results. Gosh, so don't I, amazingly enough. But
I'm afraid my budget doesn't quite call for a serious observatory or a satellite
with IR detectors, so I have to call to attention those who do to try some
new methods. If they want to tell me they can't do it right now or even if
they aren't interested, that is their right. I'll be disappointed, but at least
I can deal with it. But I am not going to have someone tell me I can't
speculate or suggest ideas I and others have given more than a little
thought to just because it doesn't fit their parameters.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I don't have to bow to it any more than
you do to mine. But I will be damned if I am going to cave in because someone
tries to intimidate me with words.

And if you want that SETI research so bad, stop griping here and go to those
who have the resources. Or do your own work. I at least am trying to influence
the situation so our field is a bit wider to improve our chances of finding ETI.