Hi!
Maybe I'm naive, but there's a thing I don't understand. AE is not just a lost pilot. AE is an
AMERCAN HERO and an icon of feminism. In the USA many rich people are living. (Not ALL are rich, of course!) Why cannot some really wealthy people be found, who say: "Yes, we want to know where the Hero was lost and we've got enough money to donate?" Such people should know their names will be published and praised if Amelia is "found" and the mystery is solved.
USD 20.000.- isn't very much for many, many people (or organisations), and TIGHAR has to find only ca. 100 of them. (Or find 1000 to donate 2000.-, but this won't work!)
If you tell them: "We want to find the WHITE BIRD", I would say: No, nobody interested. But AMELIA EARHART is another case. And IF the mystery ist solved, a lot of money will be made (books, movies, games etc.), and maybe the investors can get their money back. Is there nobody out there who wants to be a shareholder?
OK, Mr. Melone is such a man, who donated a lot of money, and it his really cool what he did. It's a pity he feels cheated now.
Oskar Haberlandt
(maybe a dreamer...)