China seems to care, why don't we? Options

[Hominid,WA]

Wild men spotted again in Shennongjia

Two giant ape-like creatures were spotted in the afternoon of November 18, 2007, in Shennongjia, an area famous for the legendary "bigfoot" wild man located in central China's Hubei Province. Four independently traveling tourists claimed that they were almost face to face with two wild men while touring around the Licha River, at the northern foot of Laojun Mountain. If their words prove to be true, the tourists will be the first eyewitnesses of "bigfoot" in southeast Shennongjia Nature Reserve in recent years.

According to a Changjiang Times report on November 20, Zhang Jinxing, a scientist conducting investigations in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, reported the thrilling event to relevant local authorities in the afternoon of November 19. When Zhang had finished his investigation that morning, he came across four independently traveling tourists, two men and two women, in a land-rover. These tourists told him that they had seen two wild men around the Licha River in the morning of November 18. They were near a sharp curve on the mountain road when three of the four, two men and one woman, spotted two giant, dark figures standing behind a tangled mass of shrubbery some 50 meters away from their car. It seemed that the two creatures didn't see the car at first, but they soon fled into the dense forest. Later that day, the tourists reported the event to the Lichahe Forest Maintenance Station and came back to the spot with two forest rangers. At this time, they only found a few footprints, branches they believed were broken by the wild men and wild fruits scattered on the ground.

Since the Lichahe Forest Maintenance Station is situated in a remote area in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, local authorities didn't receive the report in a timely fashion. Currently, the proper authorities are busy contacting the four eyewitnesses and an investigation team has been sent out along the Licha River to conduct a thorough investigation. Local authorities have promised to announce investigation results as soon as possible.

(China.org.cn by Chen Xia, November 20, 2007)

Reading over this report today, one thing stands out.

It's not the sighting; we have many of those.

It's not the region; these types of reports come in from all over the globe.

What struck me is the last paragraph of this article.

Since the Lichahe Forest Maintenance Station is situated in a remote area in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, local authorities didn't receive the report in a timely fashion. Currently, the proper authorities are busy contacting the four eyewitnesses and an investigation team has been sent out along the Licha River to conduct a thorough investigation. Local authorities have promised to announce investigation results as soon as possible.

Can anyone offer any insight as to why the authorities over in China take this matter relatively seriously, and here in the United States they do not?

This isn't the first time I've read about China's reaction to Wild Men. They've had Universities look into the matter. They've thrown money at it. I mean, a government paid investigation team? Local authorities announcing investigation results as soon as possible? Thorough investigations??

And correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't North America have larger amounts of trace evidence, then China?

Might this simply be a tightened regulatory control issue?

Yet, why such high official concern?

Here in the United States, as many of you know, if one tells a ranger about a sighting experience, the usual reaction is not encouraging.
"You can write it in our animal sightings log book if you wish." was one response I recall here in Washington. They certainly don't send investigation teams promising expedient results.

Keep this in mind, the prompt action taken by local authorities regarding this report in China, is all based on a story told by tourists! Nothing wrong with a sighting reported by tourists, but do you see what I'm getting at?

Where's the scratchhead button?!!!

There we go.

This post has been edited by Hominid,WA: Nov 21 2007, 03:10 PM

[WmRoy]

Well a conspiracy fan would say it's because China doesn't have private corporations that might be damaged by environmentalist rushing to save the endangered species and it's habitat............ in China, the government does whatever it dang well pleases.......... if you're a radical this or that you're likely to end up 'gone'.

[Flashman]

Mr. President, we must not allow... a Sasquatch gap!

[longtabber PE]

I've been on 2 projects in China and have a little bit of experience with the culture.

There are several possible reasons for this reaction

1) Asians as a whole have a culture replete with mythical monsters and such- their acceptance as a society to the unknown is greater than ours and as a race, they have an unusually high curiosity

2) They also place a higher emphasis on the sciences than we do ( this is especially true now as their goal as a nation is to grow their economy and eventually rule the world)

3) they also have a high degree of order ( forced a lot of times) and they get to the bottom of anything that may disrupt or interfere with that order.

4) a find like this would give them bragging rights against the west ( like we used to go tit for tat with the Russians)

5) the story could just be a PR campaign

It will be interesting to see the results of their investigation

[Dudlow]

Well, at the least it makes for good PR since the first Olympics ever held in China are nearing their opening date. I'm sure they know that Westerners love a good Bigfoot story and that BF is quite a draw everywhere. Both Russia and China have published numerous sighting and encounter reports over the years, but it seems that no one at the governmental level is really very good at following up - more important things to do, I guess. The private, independently funded researcher probably has better odds of reaching closure after the media storm dies down.
Dudlow

[RogerKni]

It's nice to think that the Chinese are more open to this sort of thing than we are, but what I recall is that about five (??) years ago one of their top officials issued a real wet-blanket statement about the subject and shut down what little research there was on the matter. In light of that, this report may be a fluke. That is, there may have been dozens of previous tourist sightings that never made the news because they were dismissed by the ranger on the scene, in accordance with "policy." In this case, the local ranger may have failed to follow the rules.

This post has been edited by RogerKni: Nov 22 2007, 04:42 PM

[Huntster]

.....Can anyone offer any insight as to why the authorities over in China take this matter relatively seriously, and here in the United States they do not?....

Because the Chinese authorities want's to know what's going on, and the American authorities do not.

I think this reply is a good indication why:

Well a conspiracy fan would say it's because China doesn't have private corporations that might be damaged by environmentalist rushing to save the endangered species and it's habitat............ in China, the government does whatever it dang well pleases..........

Government in the United States runs almost exclusively on the principle of Crisis Management. Most of the sane within government try to avoid crisis as much as possible, because it causes work and responsibility. Those who you really don't want running government try to cause crisis in order to gain control. Thankfully, such people are rare, but I'm afraid they may be increasing in numbers.

Like longtabber stated, Chinese culture is vastly different. They simply want to know what is going on if for plain curiosity alone.

[accozzaglia]

Government in the United States runs almost exclusively on the principle of Crisis Management. Most of the sane within government try to avoid crisis as much as possible, because it causes work and responsibility. Those who you really don't want running government try to cause crisis in order to gain control. Thankfully, such people are rare, but I'm afraid they may be increasing in numbers.

Hmmm.

[Hominid,WA]

Good points all. It does seem Chinese authorities have a tight reign, and being how different the culture is, it's making more sense to me. I suppose if I had to choose between citizens tackling this mystery or having the government sticking their nose in it, I'd choose the way it's done here at home.

[Flashman]

Just occurred to me that they might be investigating that it's not Russians in Chewbacca suits camcording their secret installations.

[Hominid,WA]

Just occurred to me that they might be investigating that it's not Russians in Chewbacca suits camcording their secret installations.

[longtabber PE]

Just occurred to me that they might be investigating that it's not Russians in Chewbacca suits camcording their secret installations.

Dont laugh at that, trust me

Thats at the forefront of everything the government there does.

I can tell you from personal experience my 2 times there ( and I'm talking from working inside a plant- not just walking around) when we use standard equipment for predictive maintenance ( ultrasonics, parabolics, thermals) that equipment has to be registered in customs, there is always an "official" close by when its in use, we have to literally give them an operational plan when we are developing inspection routes and that equipment has to be secured ( either at the hotel or inside the plant) when not in use.

They arent doing that to protect 'trade secrets" because they dont have any (yet) and you better NOT be caught with it ( or even without it) in areas where access is limited or restricted.

They make that quite clear during an in country orientation. They have "tourist" areas where it doesnt matter ( because theres nothing there) but dont press it.

ETA- having done projects both in China and Russia ( georgia)- The Russians dont really care because all of their "sensitive" areas are clearly marked ( and you best not get "lost' and wind up in one)- if you arent in one of their areas, they dont really care what you do- but the going theory is that the entire "industrial complex' in China has a covert military mission ( they are viewed by the intelligence communities of both the US and Russia as probably building up an industrial economy for the purpose of potential offensive military action)

This post has been edited by longtabber PE: Nov 23 2007, 09:03 AM

[Texas Bigfoot]

Let me stick with the theme and reiterate that they are more willing to investigate because they are a totalitarian government. They investigate everything because they control everything. Or want to. We get frustrated because our government seems to show no interest, but given the two options, no interest is better. Once government gets involved they seek to control, that costs money and limits freedom. The largest owner of wilderness land in this country is the Federal Government. That is not an accident. Our founders knew this, but we have forgotten it. We will one day pay dearly for that oversight.

[longtabber PE]

Let me stick with the theme and reiterate that they are more willing to investigate because they are a totalitarian government. They investigate everything because they control everything. Or want to. We get frustrated because our government seems to show no interest, but given the two options, no interest is better. Once government gets involved they seek to control, that costs money and limits freedom. The largest owner of wilderness land in this country is the Federal Government. That is not an accident. Our founders knew this, but we have forgotten it. We will one day pay dearly for that oversight.

BINGO- anything that upsets "order" is going to get looked at

[Huntster]

Let me stick with the theme and reiterate that they are more willing to investigate because they are a totalitarian government. They investigate everything because they control everything. Or want to. We get frustrated because our government seems to show no interest, but given the two options, no interest is better......

I'm sorry for not understanding how the current environmental movement, complete with their close ties and cooperation with many in government (even agencies created since 1970 with the expressed purpose of environmental control) and the courts do not seek to control everything......

.......Everything, that is, except the sasquatch question. The environmental industry is more silent on this question than every other group which can be remotely expected to have a position (and I still await for someone to explain that to me), yet on a regular basis, they will vociferously produce a rare creature which should halt any and all resource extraction industry in a particular area.

BINGO- anything that upsets "order" is going to get looked at

BINGO - anything that upsets "order" is a "crisis", and it will be dealt with as a crisis, when it's a crisis, and not a moment sooner.

[Hominid,WA]

Dont laugh at that, trust me

Thats at the forefront of everything the government there does.

I can tell you from personal experience my 2 times there ( and I'm talking from working inside a plant- not just walking around) when we use standard equipment for predictive maintenance ( ultrasonics, parabolics, thermals) that equipment has to be registered in customs, there is always an "official" close by when its in use, we have to literally give them an operational plan when we are developing inspection routes and that equipment has to be secured ( either at the hotel or inside the plant) when not in use.

They arent doing that to protect 'trade secrets" because they dont have any (yet) and you better NOT be caught with it ( or even without it) in areas where access is limited or restricted.

They make that quite clear during an in country orientation. They have "tourist" areas where it doesnt matter ( because theres nothing there) but dont press it.

ETA- having done projects both in China and Russia ( georgia)- The Russians dont really care because all of their "sensitive" areas are clearly marked ( and you best not get "lost' and wind up in one)- if you arent in one of their areas, they dont really care what you do- but the going theory is that the entire "industrial complex' in China has a covert military mission ( they are viewed by the intelligence communities of both the US and Russia as probably building up an industrial economy for the purpose of potential offensive military action)

Well, just to be clear, I wasn't laughing because I don't think there is truth to that statement. Yet your point is well taken. Having not been to China myself, it is understandable from people with first hand experience, how things work over there. But sometimes, a sense of humor is all you've got.

[That is one big ...]

Those damn communists are years ahead in Sasquatch research. The amount of anti-Sasquatch lobbies there are in Washington, it's a wonder they don't have us true believers rounded up and shot.

[FoxMulder]

I agree with tioba... this is something our government has been lagging behind on for decades. Just mentioning the name "Bigfoot" or "Sasquatch" in or around the D.C. area is enough to get you put on one or several watch-lists. They just don't want The Truth getting out.

[That is one big ...]

The Truth is a proper noun? Who knew...

Bad grammar is NOT going to get us the evidence we need to silence the critics. Please work on this for all our sakes.

[FoxMulder]

I wouldn't argue that bad grammar ist going to hold us back as much as you seem to think it can or could.

[That is one big ...]

You, sir, are the reason we get laughed at.

[mkianni]

Hmmmm....something tells me you guys are related.

[Crow Logic]

Unfortunately there isn't any hard evidence of Sasquatach's existence to warrant a government investigation.

[Remember Novembe...]

Hmmmm....something tells me you guys are related.

You are freaking me out. I have gone back and read all of their posts and it was like listening to Gollum tell him self to "leave and never come back"

[RedRatSnake]

Hmmmm....something tells me you guys are related.

Hi

Sure Looks that way


Peace
Tim

[moregon]

I agree for the most part with longtabber PE's view on why the attention is being paid to this incident by their government.

The source of that story is an online site known as China.org.cn and this is not an open source news source like one might consider online sites like CNN, FOX News etc.

The authorized government portal site to China, www.china.org.cn is published under the auspices of the State Council Information Office and the China International Publishing Group in Beijing.

Everything there is examined, and censored by their government, and nothing they don't want you to see will appear there.

From Wiki

The Information Office of the State Council is an administrative office under the State Council, the chief administrative body of the People's Republic of China. It appears to be the chief information office of the Chinese government.

There are some questions I'd have, first of all WHERE were the tourists from and what were they doing there? Were they other Chinese civilians from a different part of the country, or were they foreign tourists. Were they possibly "Bigfoot" Researchers/Investigators/enthusiasts who were there to specifically investigate that area, it sounds like there have been a number of historic sightings in that area. Could they be there for the purpose of producing a "Documentary" on bigfoot sightings in China? They mentioned they found a number of footprints, but no descriptions stating what the footprints looked like or if they were something that could be indicative of bigfoot. Or were they horse, dog, cat, cow, people with shoes??? As far as being a "PR" gimmick and even possibly tied to the upcoming Olympics? Don't forget "Quatchy" the Sasquatch Mascot of the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Olympics... maybe he's down checking things out in preparation for their upcoming games. Or could be their government might use it in hopes of bringing in more tourists into their country.

[rockinkt]

Moregon - I just got about twenty emails from China saying that your last post was heavily edited.
If I were you - I would keep a watch out for any black Zhongxing SUV's that might be following you...

[moregon]

OK... I've got my eyes peeled!!!



It does look like something Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones would drive.

Never seen one.. they aren't importing them here are they?

Well.. guess I should have looked.. They Be Coming!

Zhongxing Automobile awarded a contract to ZX Automobile Company of North America, Inc. (ZXNA) to sell rebadged and upgraded versions of its Grand Tiger pickup trucks and Landmark SUVs in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in the fourth quarter of 2008.[1] ZXNA is a wholly owned subsidiary of China America Cooperative Automotive, Inc. (CHAMCO AUTO), a holding management company incorporated in New Jersey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongxing

This post has been edited by moregon: May 5 2008, 11:23 PM

[Huntster]

Unfortunately there isn't any hard evidence of Sasquatach's existence to warrant a government investigation.

There's as much or more evidence that sasquatches exist than Ivory-billed woodpeckers still exist or that extraterrestrial intelligence exists, yet the Feds have spent multi millions on searching for both.

The Federal investment in sasquatch investigation?:

$0.00

[That is one big ...]

There's as much or more evidence that sasquatches exist than Ivory-billed woodpeckers still exist or that extraterrestrial intelligence exists, yet the Feds have spent multi millions on searching for both.

The Federal investment in sasquatch investigation?:

$0.00

Like I said. The anti-sasquatch lobby is too powerful.

[COGrizzly]

"The anti-sasquatch lobby is too powerful."

OMG! That is so LOL!!!!

[Texas Bigfoot]

There's as much or more evidence that sasquatches exist than Ivory-billed woodpeckers still exist or that extraterrestrial intelligence exists, yet the Feds have spent multi millions on searching for both.

The Federal investment in sasquatch investigation?:

$0.00

Except for building interstate highways and defending the borders, the federal gov't screws up everything it touches. I'm not too sure about the "defending the borders" mission either. I want the feds doing less, not more.

[JayleeD]

This one has gotten off the topic and has turned so political...it is now closed.