A point to remember though T.O, is that just because some scientist with credentials 'X' says he has 'debunked' Sitchin's translations, we can't always rely on accredited mainstream scientists for impartial views on many of things that we may talk about in here.
For instance, I think contemporary archaeologists are very unwilling to take a fresh look at any evidence that would alter their established time-line of history (shpinx, pyramids etc).
The complete unwillingness of scientists to even discuss the subject of UFO's, let alone actually study the subject leads me to believe that when it comes to any of these esoteric topics, having scientific credentials that are peer-accepted is not neccessarily an indication that these subjects will actually be treated fairly by such scientists and academics.
I don't really have a view per-se regarding the voracity of Sitchin's work, simply because I do not know enough about it all to make any kind of intelligent comment. I do know though, that if Sitchin is way off the mark regarding the Annunaki etc, he is probably still a very intelligent and creative writer, in that he has created a whole mythology to fit in with ancient writings and art and architecture! - if it's all bollocks, then it is good-looking bollocks! lol
Regarding Michael S. Heiser, Ph.D himself, a quick search on him tells me he is amongst other things, a biblical and Hebrew scholar, specialising in the Israel region. I could not see if he is a practising Jew himself but he may well be looking at things from the point of view of someone having a particular faith. If that is the case, then I would expect him to interpret pretty much anything from the near east in these terms. I don't know enough about him to make a judgement but I am always uncomfortable (to say the least) with religious scholars. They are often willing to accept many things on 'faith' but dismiss anything else that is relying on shaky evidence!
Many of us on the paracast forums have little faith in mainstream science when it comes to UFOs. I think it was Stanton Friedman who pointed out that science should be unbiased enquiry into the unknown, but when it comes to UFOs, that is exactly the opposite of what happens. UFOs cannot exist, therefore they do not exist, therefore all sightings etc are of something else. Because UFOs (or maybe more exactly, aliens and flying saucers) cannot exist, any data to the contrary is wrong by definition and there is no point in studying the topic.
So what you have above in red is some of the reasons I do not always take the official scientific opinion regarding esoteric topics, especially UFOs!!
Posey - I first had contact with you in the forums regarding these pyramid shapes on google earth over Brooklyn, and I have to say in the last couple of weeks you have been a real eye-opener! I've looked at some stuff related to you elsewhere on the net. You have a lot to tell and thankfully are willing to do so. You do not let anything put you off which is great too.
Many of us on here have strong opinions on these topics, and some of us have had various experiences to varying degrees. From first reading a post of yours I have quickly found out there is more to you than meets the eye and that has led me to wonder now how many other people coming to this forum have equally interesting histories that they are maybe not sharing? There may be a wealth of untapped data/stories in the relatively few people who attend the forums (c/f the wider public I mean)?
Personally I have never seen a UFO and my only paranormal experience was of an apparition/ghost/shadow entity. The good thing about my experience is that there were two of us and blatantly no rational explanation for what we saw -it was also quite a close-up encounter too. Still bewilders me to this day!
Anyone reading this post who has had any paranormal experience but not as yet reported/shared it on this forum, I am now inviting you to share that we may discuss - no matter how bizarre or unlikely and lacking in hard proof, I'd love to hear about it!