May 13, 2010
For those who haven’t been watching, during the last couple years, a blog has been doing a bit of muckraking of its own special kind.
“The Bigfootery Enquirer: A Blog About the People of Bigfootery” has toiled away in the backchannels and back shadows of hominology. Some would say, it has been in the backwoods, too.
Whoever is writing that blog has decided to hide his or her identity, to the ultimate frustration of various members of the Sasquatch field. It appears some Bigfoot forums have been yelling for the author of The Bigfootery Enquirer (henceforth, TBE, rejecting his “BFE” designation, for now) to be “outed” for some time.
I only bring this blog up at this time, as TBE seems to be in full-force battle with the organizer of the forthcoming – this weekend’s – Ohio Bigfoot conference, Don Keating. I’ll get to that in a minute, but first an example of the TBE’s point of view. The blog author there laid out rather clearly the point of view of the writer when he posted his “principles” (sic) leading to the “5 Levels – ‘Bigfoot Researcher‘”:
1. You can be a “Bigfoot Researcher” by simply calling yourself one.
2. Your rise to other levels of “Bigfoot Researcher” is mostly limited by yourself. If you have a strong ego, can toss out a good line of BS, are relentlessly self promoting and want to invest some time you to can become a fourth or even a fifth level “Bigfoot Researcher”.
3. Your rise is hardly limited by a lack of education, a lack of money, a lack of looks, a lack of creativity or a lack of values (actually lacking values will serve your rise well).
4. Your mileage may vary.
The Bigfootery Equirer classifies “Bigfoot Researchers” into five levels. There is some graying of the levels, especially at the top ends.Level 1 – The Neophyte “Bigfoot Researcher” aka, The Newbie
Level 2 – The Inter – net Social “Bigfoot Researcher” aka, The Arm Chair Researcher
Level 3 – The Bigfoot Group and Field “Bigfoot Researcher” aka, The Gander Mountain Cammo Guys
Level 4 – The Self Appointed Ruler, Junior Profiteer and Hoping to be Famous ”Bigfoot Researcher” – aka, Carney Barkers
Level 5 – The Profiteer and Iconic “Bigfoot Researchers” aka, The Mavens
One commenter, John Phillips added this new category:
Bigfootery Pariah. The resume of detractors I personally have in tow would surely make the Guiness list. From armchair wannabes to psycho felons (who travel 300+ miles to stalk your family) it is indeed a list of the best and worst of level 1-4 practioners. Sadly, tho’ when you add up ALL of their accomplishments in the realm of Bigfootery it only amounts to .02 waiting upon change.
Now, let’s move onto the Don Keating internet fight. TBE appears to have started calling Keating the Bigfoot Bully (or simply, the Bully) long ago. I am not sure of the full historical/psychological origins of this moniker, as, frankly, I have not had time to do an indepth investigation in that realm, as I have had various real Bigfoot investigative and field work matters to tackle.
But I thought, for those attending the Ohio Bigfoot Expo, you might wish to not be blindsided by the steamy background of what’s going on behind the scenes. There appears to be a great deal of complaining, and a certain other (known female) blogger has jumped into the mess. See below.
TBE recently posted this:
Ohio Bigfoot Conference Update
April 30, 2010 by thebigfooteryenquirer
This update comes from an informant, we have not checked the facts but unfortunately it rings true. Our informant listened to an internet radio show and claims this is right from The Bigfoot Bully’s mouth.The stellar comment idea of having a canned food donation and our challenge to match the donations is, sadly, not going to happen. Too much greed. And evidently the admission fee has doubled from $5 to $10. Adding insult to injury, from our tip, is that greater bigfootery is being told to feel lucky the admission price is just $10 as others charge much more.
In a true double insult to injury, our idea to charge a package price for the “guided tour” has been stolen and people can expect to part with 5$, or $20/car, to have the privilege of visiting a free state park. That sounds like someone is setting themself up as an outfitter/guide and we are curious about licensing and other arrangements Ohio may have on such arrangements on public lands. Expect some investigation and possible inquiries to the proper officials in Ohio from one of the BFE’s crack stringers. Crack as in sharp and quick, not crack as in drugs, although some may disagree.
There has been one comment:
April 30, 2010 at 8:29 am | Reply
[from] Sharon
Since you love bashing Don so much, i would love for it to be known that Joyce Kearny is paying to fly in Bob Gimlin and Tom Yamarone AND that Tom and Bob have to pay for their own rooms at Salt Fork. Don is keeping all the money
We reply… gullible, is that you? That will add some money to the bully’s bottom line, which is substantial. Thanks for the info, it will be helpful, but not here. Goodness, his costs are near nothing (promises of gas money – that in past years were not always honored – compted rooms for a few, airfare for Meldum [maybe?]) and nearly every dollar will be profit this year, what a gig….
TBE has updated his/her virtual intelligence work regarding this weekend’s Ohio Bigfoot conference with a new posting on May 12th, discussing the issue of Keating canceling the weekend tour. If you wish to read about it, you can go there.
Look, I am directly sending you to TBE as well as to the Ohio Bigfoot Expo. But come back here to share both sides of what you Cryptomundians think about this whole issue. I am sincerely interested in what you wish to share below, in the comments’ section here. I have no opinion, yet, as to what TBE is saying.
Disclaimer: TBE has mentioned on his website that he once donated a modest sum to the museum. I don’t know have any way to know who did that or when, and don’t know the identity of TBE. I will reveal that while I have had problems with Don in the past, in the realm of mending fences, we buried the baseball bats a few years ago during the Mass Monster Mash, meeting in the middle of our disagreements on the mutual mid-field of baseball to work some things out. I contributed to Keating’s forthcoming conference by donating two signed copies of my books for his auction. I have no favorite dogs of war in this battle, other than being somewhat concerned that such conflicts may not be good, longterm, for the field of cryptozoology.
Therefore, opinions, histories, and identity guesses regarding of TBE’s insights will be tolerated within the comments’ section below, pro-TBE, con-TBE, pro-BFE, con-BFE, pro-Big Bully, con-Big Bully, pro-Keating, and con-Keating, to support the full airing of whatever is going on here. Also, your guesses as to the secret identity of TBE/BFE can be noted too.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Filed under Bigfoot, Breaking News, Conferences, Conspiracies, Cryptomundo Exclusive, Cryptotourism, CryptoZoo News, Cryptozoology Conferences, Men in Cryptozoology, Pop Culture, Public Forum, Women in Cryptozoology