QUOTE(Ciraxis @ Jun 15 2005, 04:14 PM)
can anyone put aside religion for once?
[right][snapback]678255[/snapback][/right]
I'm afraid it isn't quite that simple. Let me explain:
In science, nothing can be taken on faith. In science, faith is replaced by credibility. Credibility comes in many shapes and forms, and is difficult to earn and easy to lose. Credibility matters not just to individuals, but also to entire subjects, in this case, the argument for modern dinosaurs.
This subject suffers from some fairly significant flaws, which I will get into in a moment. For now, suffice it to say that they make regular apperances on this page, and are in no way considered a new topic. It is because of this that you received the reaction that you did. Since you haven't yet established your credibility, and are presenting an argument that suffers from a great deal of negative image, you are tainted with the same brush. In other words, we have seen hundreds of claims identical to yours, and so, since we know nothing about you, have to assume that you are simply the latest in the series.
So, that explains the reaction you received. After all, if the only time that you see a claim is when it is being presented by a group that is trying to advance a specific agenda, would it not make sense to suspect a certain bias? This is all part of establishing credibility.
Now, in reagrds to the figures. I will freely admit that I haven't looked at them yet, but let me make a few guesses:
1) They reflect a comic book version, rather than a scientific version, of what dinosaurs looked like.
2) They do not look like items that were made with a great deal of care or effort, more like items molded by hand somewhat haphazardly.
3) They are available for sale to tourists.
These things tend to pop up regularly in places where tourists flock to. The legends are, by and large, a fabrication created and supported by the local populace.