3rd September 2005, 05:32 PM
I accept what you say. What I find extremely nauseating is a rude and arrogant refusal to help. My bias in terms of consultants is deeply rooted by their own actions in the past. Bias...an interesting concept, if I were living in Zimbabwe or, starving to death after a catastrophe in New Orleans, would you see me as bias if I were to become hostile to those in positions of responsibility? I have not come across one individual(within the profession) who can give me one good reason why consultants should be a part of the system. As I said before, County Mounties should be the source of advice for clients. I`ve seen it time and time again where the client`s interests are put before the archaeology. That`s not bias, thats observation. I was unlucky enough to work for a team of consultants as a colleague. They happen to be one of the biggest and most respected but, also happen to be one of the most incompetent,bent and contrived coven of liars this side of the House Of Parliament. Putting my neck on the block, I feel that there is no place for consultants. There is also no place for archaeologists who refuse help to members of the public- particularly when they stand alone in the face of adversity in the form of developers and countless archaeologists who are doing their level best to reduce an incredibly simple concept to a writhing mass of psudeo-legal garbage. Yes, I was wrong to be so harsh when Peter was simply offering an opinion. I stand by my comments relating to Peter`s rude refusal of a simple offer of help. One of these fine days, the nations heritage will cease to be sold off to the cheapest bidder by the careful and contrived manipulations of parasitic consultants. As a parallel, I see some consultants in the same light as government spin-doctors-a lie here, a changed word there and, hey presto! All is well for the client. The Thornborough issue is very simple for me, it`s not for sale! The landscape and it`s occupants never heard the legal arguments that surrounds it today...tis not ours to dispose of as we see fit. No amount of carefuly worded argument will convince me otherwise. As archaeologists, we either support the efforts of the public fighting in Thornborough`s corner or, accept the rule of law as dictated by developers and arrogant consultants.