Chris, I suspect a number of people are whacking their heads repeatedly.
I would like to offer my four cents worth. Two cents to TIGHAR and Ric and two cents to Mr. Mellon. Let me just say a few things first.
Mr. Mellon has the right to sue TIGHAR if he feels there was fraud and negligence. That is his right. He believes he was a victim.
Mr. Gillespie, on behalf of TIGHAR, claims he made no such representations. There are none on this forum so, if he did make those representations, they would have to be in non-forum or private communications. Only the discovery phase of the lawsuit would bring those out. So both parties feel wronged. Thats why there are courts and lawyers.
However let me point out that IF TIGHAR goes to court and loses what do you think the headlines will be? "Earhart Mystery Solved!!!" For the courts would have to side with Mr. Mellon and declare that TIGHAR had found the evidence as shown in the 2010 video. But wait!! The courts cannot do that because the video is only video. No recovered artifacts being held up in the courtroom with serial numbers engraved. No DNA evidence taken from a skull. No toilet paper with AE's intials on each roll. In fact only a video that a court judge is not likely going to see much of anything in.
So could the court declare "Amelia Found" and BTW TIGHAR owes Mr. Mellon a few million. I am no judge or jury so I simply pose the question.
My two cents to Ric and TIGHAR. While Mr. Mellon and his lawsuit are a distraction they are real. Mr. Mellon was a very welcome contributor last year and had new evidence been found then everyone would be whistling a different tune. Take his lawsuit seriously. He is serious. And if the court finds that he is correct and you found the evidence in 2010 then be prepared to bask in the glory and reap the rewards.
My two cents to Mr. Mellon. The court will find you to be an entrepreneur and a sophisticated investor who knows there are no guarantees in adventurous investments. The hype from the State department and the Bevington Object, led a lot of people, including both you and me, to believe TIGHAR was very close to their goal. But you chose to throw in with TIGHAR for opportunistic reasons I will assume. Perhaps I assume wrongly, but why throw in now? You didn't just win a lottery. You knew of TIGHAR's efforts for many years. I submit you got caught up, as did many people, in the hype. Please drop your lawsuit Mr. Mellon. Do you really believe Ric and TIGHAR guaranteed to find evidence? Do you really believe Ric sat on the knowledge that the evidence was in the 2010 video and said nothing? Really? It serves no one in the ultimate goal to solve the mystery. It looks like sour grapes because the glory wasn't there.
There, I had to get that off my chest. My opinion only.