Re: Critique of a critique

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Mickey Mortimer wrote (quoting from Storrs Olson's critique of Chiappe et 
al.'s description of _Confuciusornis_.)

> "Thus, if Chiappe et al. actually understand the true significance of 
> >Confuciusornis, then they have done their best to prevent it from >being 
> revealed. Their paper will stand as an exemplar of manipulation >of 
> information to conform to preconceived ideas, but it is otherwise 
> >insufficiently credible or comprehensive to constitute a lasting 
> >addition to knowledge."

Please!!!  Could the pot be any blacker??!!

The "manipulation of information to conform to preconceived ideas" is the 
building blocks of the ABSRD (Anything-But-a-Small-Running-Dinosaur) origin 
of birds.  Just look at the way that _Longisquama_, _Megalancosaurus_ and 
_Scleromochlus_ have been dragged by the scruff of their necks into avian 
phylogenies.

As Mickey has said, there is even evidence that some nonavian maniraptorans 
may even have been arboreal.  Perhaps ABSRD should stand for 
"Anything-But-a-Small-RAPTORIAL-Dinosaur".


Tim

------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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