Velum-- Proof of Aquatic Ape Hypothesis... this one's for Elaine

Since Elaine Morgan had a web page, I ventured there and discovered a section http://www.elainemorgan.me.uk/page9.html designated to address a person by the name of Jim Moore, essentially, the page was her defence against him.  So I decided to venture to Jim's web site where I retrieved his email and decided to write him in regards to the "velum":

On Fri, Jul 12, 2013 May-Monique Ocean  wrote:

In 2010, I passed this information on to Elaine Morgan to which she responded with great joy, perhaps it will help you to see where she and many others are coming from

There is a human characteristic that is key in support for the Aquatic Ape hypothesis, and this is the "velum"-- a very small but powerful muscle located at the back of the soft palate.  I have swam all of my life and I have never had a problem with water coming up through my nose  because I could flex this muscle in such a way that it closes off tightly so water can't pass through the nostrils and into the lungs.

So ask yourself why… why would the powerful little velum exist… everything has a reason when it comes to nature, and even the velum has a rhyme and reason.  So what other reason can you possibly conceive of that the velum could have been used for?

Perhaps you'd like to read her response to me :
http://pronoiasecrets.blogspot.ca/2013/07/elaine-morgan-riip-for-aquatic-ape.html

Regards, 
May Ocean

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Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:49:58 -0700
Subject: Re: Velum-- proof of the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis
From: anthrosciguy@gmail.com

To the extent the musculature of the mouth, and the soft palate (velum) is different from other primates it is easily explained as an adaptation for more effective speech.  This is a far better explanation, since we know for a fact this happened, than something we don't have evidence of having happened (Morgan's idea).
Of course, the soft palate isn't all that different from at least some other primates.  For instance, here's a quote from the abstract of a paper comparing the soft palate of vervets with humans: "The soft palate of the vervet monkey is sufficiently similar to that in man to be of practical use in experimental surgery aimed at correcting human soft palate abnormalities."
Psychologist Ray Hyman said something that's important to remember.  He was referring to parapsychology, but it's a very good point in general: “Before we try to explain something, we should be sure it actually happened.”
But thank you for bringing this up; it got me looking at it and that's always good.
Regards,
Jim Moore

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My response to Jim: 

Your argument re: the velum is an adaptation for more effective speech, doesn't hold true.   When the velum is flexed  so the passageway leading to the lungs from the nostrils is blocked, it impedes speech, for instance, try and make the letter "M" and "N" sounds... impossible!   Furthermore, flexing my velum in the "blocked" position and holding it there almost indefinitely is effortless, whereas trying to flex it up and down is very strenuous, the question then is why.  The logical answer is that nature designed the velum to be purposely held in the "blocked position" for a specific reason, and that reason was to enable our ancestors to submerge in water-- gathering and fishing from estuaries.   

This one's for Elaine Morgan may she Rest in Peace.  

Regards,
May Ocean