Linda Newton-Perry's Newspaper Column, "A Matter of Time!"

I wish there was some way to tell when a person lies. Life would be so much easier being able to know this. But, for now we just have to muddle through. Anyone that's interested in Bigfoot/Sasquatch knows about the Patterson film. You know, the film where the animal stalks across the open forested space, littered with logs, glancing over his right shoulder. The same film that several TV programs have been made, proving with all manner of highly refined scientific equipment that the animal is real. The last I heard the film just couldn't be proved a hoax. And the 1967 film was considered one of the best films of the animal. But still there were doubts.
     And now, we have a costume maker, Philip Morris, claiming to have shipped a gorilla suit to Roger Patterson, the man that claims to have taken the video. Morris says Patterson wanted the suit for a prank when he asked him what the suit was for, "..., but I thought that was pretty odd because these were expensive suits," said Morris. "Our customers were movie studios and famous magicians, the suits cost $450. back then. That is like over $1,000 today. I thought it was odd to spend so much on a prank, but I sent him the costume."
     Just a couple  months after the costume was sent Patterson created much media excitement with the claim he'd caught on video Bigfoot, while hunting in northern California. "I was watching TV when I saw Patterson and his film on the news," Morris said. "I called my wife from the other room and said, 'Look it's our gorilla costume.' "
    And why didn't he say at the time it was a gorilla suit ordered from his company? His answer: "As a costume and special-effects producer, I have an ethical code I have to uphold. I couldn't go out telling secrets and expect magicians to trust me with their props. That is why I didn't say anything. Plus I thought he would come clean in a few weeks." Most people believe me, but there are people that are very hostile to me when I tell them it is a hoax," Morris said. "It is like telling them Santa Clause doesn't exist. They grew up believing it was true and do not want to admit to themselves it's fake."
     Lies didn't seem to hurt the Santa story. So, I hope, if Morris's claim is a lie, that the Bigfoot/Sasquatch intrigue will keep the scientists interested until the truth is found out. Maybe Morris is telling the truth. I wish there was a way of telling if a person is lying. I like the idea of the nose growing longer and longer with each lie told. We could just keep away from those with long noses, knowing they lie!
     If you have a sighting please email the information. I must have a full name but will only use initials. (Linda Newton-Perry along with her husband, Christopher Perry, is the author of the Viking Age novel, FORCED BLOOD THE NORSEMAN. Order a signed copy here on authorsden.)