Re: [Paddlewise] The truth

Ralph wrote;
 
> >I have it on good authority that John Winters is the invention of Dr.
> >Inverbon and not the other way around.  It has been clear all along.
> >The clue was in the choice of last name.  (SNIP)

To which Mr. Winters responded:

> How sad when professional jealousy bubbles to the surface of the E-Mail
> swamp.
> 
> Neither Dr. Inverbon or I are fictions. ...<snip>...

Hmmm. I suppose that it is time that I speak up and share with the group
an incident that is relevant to this discussion. Last winter, while I
was in Ottawa (offering advice to the Canadian government), I wandered
away from Parliament Hill, across the bridge spanning the Ottawa River,
and over to the Canadian Museum of Civilization (or Musee Canadien Des
Civilisations, if you prefer). I was drawn immediately to the "Wave
Eaters" exhibition, which contained many fine examples of native
watercraft. Standing in front of one of the exhibited boats was a
"robust" gentleman expounding on the evolution of Inuit culture (or
cultures, to more more precise). The speaker had captured everyone's
attention, in part because his rather odd mannerisms of speech, which
were at the same time both fascinating and repulsive. His manner of
speech and extensive knowledge of Inuit cultural development left me
with an eerie feeling of familiarity, and then it struck me where I had
I "heard" this voice before. I thus approached the gentleman and said
"Dr. Inverbon, I presume!" 

After some initial confusion as to whether I was a former student whom
he had somehow managed to forget, I explained that I was familiar with
his work not from any first-hand exposure to his teachings, but rather
as the result of the Internet postings of his "humble servant", John
Winters.  Hearing this, he became incensed, and began a long diatribe
laced with vitriol.  His face glowing red, words such as "scoundrel",
"impostor", and "plagiarist" flowed from his mouth, mixing with the
spittle that was by this time showering those who were standing close
by. Feeling the need to defend the honor of a fellow Paddlewiser, I
immediately jumped into the fray, demanding that he back up his
outrageous claims with some proof that he is who he claims to be and
that Mr. Winters is in fact misrepresenting the nature of their
intellectual relationship. He said that he would be happy to provide all
the proof that I need, on the spot! But just as he was beginning to
offer this proof, a group of workmen who were in the process of moving a
Haida war canoe stumbled, and as they attempted unsuccessfully to regain
their balance the canoe swung around, striking "Dr. Inverbon" squarely
on the temple. He was rushed to the hospital, and I was never to see Dr.
Inverbon (or whoever he was) again. 

So where does the truth lie? Does Dr. Inverbon exist? And if so, is John
Winters misrepresenting the nature of their relationship? At this point
I cannot say. I know only that there appears some controversy regarding
Mr. Winter's claims, and that the truth shall not remain hidden forever. 

"Magna est veritas, et prevalaet." 
(Great is the truth, and it shall prevail.)

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
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