PROOF THAT DINOSAURS EXIST

BY DAN MILLER
May 1, 2006

Truth and credibility are vital in journalism.

And "attribution" is the lifeblood for writing news.

When we lay out the facts -- whether positive or negative -- you'll notice they're always laced with "attribution".

In other words, if it's not our own observation -- we'll let you know whose it is.
There are many reasons for that, not the least of which is.... we don't want to be held responsible (or liable) for what somebody else said or implied.

That's the reason you so often hear, "police say".... "the president says".... "witnesses say".... "according to neighbors".... "experts tell us".... or, (the biggest cop-out of them all) "officials say".

Before my 5-year old grandson Felix left Nashville last week to return to his home in Germany, he and my daughter sat with me watching one of the Jurassic Park movies on cable TV.

When the movie ended, I said something about dinosaurs no longer living on earth.

Felix disagreed.
"Yes there are!", he said emphatically.
"Really", I asked.
"Yes, dinosaurs are still around, and alive", he said.

"How do you know?"

"Because".... he said.... "a friend of mine told me so."

Uh oh.... he had played the attribution card.

There was nothing I could do, unless I wanted to spend time and effort challenging the credibility of Felix's friend.

So for now, I'll be on the lookout for dinosaurs.
According to sources, the big creatures still walk the earth.

________________________________________________