Fake Experts

There's been a hilarious outburst of delusion over at the history hunters' website. The poseurs are loudly touting projects "all over the world," but, as usual, only two are listed in any kind of detail, and even that is as thin as Bartram's Rocky Top noggin. To be fair, one seems a fairly legitimate exercise with somewhat interesting results; the other is a spurious claim of a mysterious Spanish shipwreck that some have alleged is an old, well-known (i.e. picked over and useless) shipwreck that Doc stole credit for finding.

[Note to HHI: We're not sure using the pathetic efforts of a bankrupt-filing libeling loser goes far in promoting your organizational legitimacy; but hey: whoever said you guys were bright or had good judgment?]

Believe it or not, the poseurs also actually try to take credit for the entering into force of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. And without one measly shred of evidence, or a specific example to back it up, the losers actually haughtily proclaim: "We continue to advise and assist governments and their institutions in these endeavours. We also advise the media, providing background briefings on the various issues."

Um, we seriously doubt it.

Co-founder John Bartram likes to tell people he's an archaeologist and historian by training (he's neither), and Doc and the "Satdiver" idiot ("smithvi2003" over on Yahoo) claim they're accomplished underwater shipwreck explorers. In fact, no credentials, no specific projects, no accomplishments, have ever been provided. They just want you to take their word for it. And, as we've documented before, they're also peddling services that are in direct competition to the people they vociferously (and disingenuously) attack.

But, to paraphrase the great Lily Tomlin, delusions of grandeur are necessary for some people: it helps them feel better about themselves.

One other note: Doc's bankruptcy hearing is now November 21st. We've received numerous reports from readers of possibly hidden assets -- a Federal crime -- and we know for a fact that his creditors have been directly contacted about certain details. We hope if you have information that might help "clarify" McManus's moral failure, you'll contact the appropriate authorities.

Finally, if any of our readers in the Virgin Islands would like to attend the hearing and report back, we'd love to file to file your report.

And now, a public service announcement...

It's obvious from our comments section, and from emails we've received, that some out there appear to possess compelling information related to Doc's recent bankruptcy filing. A new filing now lists a major creditor involved in the filing, American Express (whom he owes close to $60,000). We don't know what you have, but if your information is truly contradictory to his filing, we're certain these folks would be interested in learning of it. Hey, consider it your civic duty to the rest of us responsible taxpayers who get punished by deadbeats like Doc!

The information:

Cynthia L. Groff, Esquire
Michelle L. McGowan, Esquire
Crystal J. Oswald, Esquire
Becket and Lee LLP, Attorneys/Agent
P.O. Box 3001
Malvern, PA 19355-0701

Phone: 610.644.7800
Contact via the Internet

Knock yourself out, gang. We think the chickens are coming home to roost for a certain subterranean sewer dweller.

Source Document

He's smarter than he looks...

We see that a certain Spanish reporter -- the Geraldo Rivera of Europe (and that's deeply insulting to Rivera, actually) -- has returned to his goofy conspiracy mongering over on Yahoo. Interestingly, he also decided to layout his wild, completely speculative "theories" about Odyssey activities on the HHI website as well. Of course, like the little yappy lap dog that he is, Doc immediately jumped into the fray, dropping not so subtle hints about other supposed nefarious activities of Odyssey Marine, including the company "looting" shipwreck sites during their search for the HMS Sussex, and storing Black Swan artifacts in Tangier.

(We know, you can't make this stuff up.)

Of interest, though, Solomon immediately deleted Doc's likely libelous response and warned this reporter not to make "criminal allegations" against Odyssey because HHI abides by English law (where libel and defamation judgements are far easier to receive than the U.S.). Smart move, sure. But we find it interesting that he failed to take down the reporter's piece, the very thing that accuses Odyssey of committing crimes in Europe.

We won't bother with a detailed explanation of this reporter's outlandish theories, but suffice to say they involve Odyssey operating in coordination with the UK's Ministry of Defense to use submarines for illegal activities. James Bond stuff, for sure, except their offered up by a drooling madman who wouldn't recognize good reporting if Walter Conkrite personally stuck his foot in his ass.

Poor Doc, he just can't catch a break. Already shunned and laughed at by his HHI brethren, he also just pathetically posted an update on his supposed Spanish shipwreck project (which has been mocked by some in our comments section as a worthless site that Doc stole credit for from someone else) has been delayed because the Virgin Island's territorial archaeologist had to return to the States for personal business. Oh, we bet. Translation: Doc can no longer fund his junkets with credit cards. Remember, according to his filing, he only has $200 in the bank.

We are in the process of attempting to track down this archaeologist, by the way. We're interested in finding out if he's even heard of one Doc McManus, let alone a Spanish shipwreck. We'll keep you posted.

There's gold in them thar cards!

Ever notice Doc's ID tagline on HHI, Treasure is in books? We suggest an amended version that more accurately reflects his new "public standing":

Screw history & archaeology, treasure's in credit cards baby!

Yeah, we have some more.

Satdiver (aka "Smitty")

Current: In the face of stupidity, even the gods themselves are helpless....
Amended: When you're the face of stupidity, helplessly bleat on about buckets and portable generators....

Scribe

Current: We possess only the past
Amended: We poseurs possess nothing, really

Jesus of Lubby

Current: Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian
Amended: Better not let a drunken Doc near your change jar, or a sober Doc either

Solomon

Current: Errare Humanum est perseverare diabolicum
Amended: EGO lenio itchy scrotums per meus fidus equus verbero (or: I mitigate itchy scrotums with my trusty horse whip to lash)

(Diabolical, that last one.)

Perhaps this is why the HHI brass suddenly wants to take their Odyssey "conversations" private? For fear of well-deserved ridicule?

You're welcome.