Abduction Watch - No 14 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: Abduction Watch
Issue: 14
Date: October 1998
Publisher: Abduction Watch
Country: UK
Theme: Skepticism towards UFO abduction claims and related phenomena.

Carve-up

This section critiques the 'Derrel Sims Roadshow' and its team, particularly focusing on an article by 'Dr Roger K Leir' in the MUFON UFO Journal and UK UFO Magazine. Leir, identified as a podiatrist, presented an 'analysis' of alleged alien implants removed from abduction believers. The author, a General Practitioner (GP) and member of ASKE, finds Leir's language obscure and his conclusions unjustified. The GP argues that the described 'foreign matter' is likely a natural biological response to retained foreign objects, citing haemosiderin suggesting rust and the formation of a 'dark gray shiny membrane' as a normal encapsulation process. The presence of 'nerve proprioceptors' is questioned, as they are not typically found in deep tissues next to bone. The 'solar elastosis' mentioned is attributed to UV exposure, a common and not necessarily localized phenomenon. The GP concludes that the scientific writing is poor and the claims are unconvincing, suggesting the lesions are better explained as natural phenomena.

The author also questions why Sims cannot attract a real doctor to work with him, despite claims of scientific validity.

Montauk, LAPIS, and the propagation of Nazi myths

This article delves into the Montauk Project, publicised by Al Bielek, Preston Nichols, Duncan Cameron, and Peter Moon. The author describes the claims as the 'worst-evidenced, most unbelievable' in the field, linking them to the non-existent Philadelphia Experiment and suggesting time travel through wormholes. While acknowledging the difficulty in debunking without local research, the author notes that much of the material seems sourced from other unreal accounts. The 'Montauk Four' are criticized for accepting these as true.

The focus then shifts to 'The Black Sun - Montauk's Nazi-Tibetan Connection', a book co-authored by the Montauk team, which includes claims about Vril and Haunebu Nazi flying saucers. The author asserts that this material is a recent fake, concocted within the last 20 years, and that Moon and other believers' acceptance of it highlights their gullibility and incompetence as researchers. The article also criticizes the Polish researchers featured in UFO Magazine.

More seriously, the book is described as 'pro-Nazi, anti-Semitic and Holocaust Revisionist'. It allegedly downplays the Holocaust and expresses admiration for Nazism. The article quotes a passage suggesting that the Third Reich opened a 'window to other worlds' and that Hitler and Himmler discussed a 'Vril Project' for a spaceship. It also touches upon Josef Mengele's work, suggesting his actions were driven by a search for specific genetic traits rather than pure evil, and posits a larger scheme behind the Holocaust. The text mentions 'The Protocols of Zion' as a forgery used by groups like the Illuminati to control world politics, and claims that Jewish factions currently run Germany, with reparations to Israel being a manipulation by 'Zionist Jews' to fund Israel.

The author expresses concern that Al Bielek is a featured speaker at the LAPIS 'Saucers, Secrets and Superpowers' Conference in Blackpool, where 'The Black Sun' will be sold. He notes that conference organizers were largely unaware of the book's content and seemed more interested in attracting attendees.

A Bunch of Fifes

This section discusses the author's involvement in responding to an article by Malcolm Robinson about the 'Fife Incident'. The author expresses skepticism about the value of studying reports from 'biased and incompetent investigators' and 'confused witnesses'. He recalls contacting Gloria to explain that the Fife family did not want their case publicised by Robinson.

Having read multiple accounts and private letters, the author suspects that the witnesses' discomfort stems from disillusionment with their initial beliefs. He suggests they do not wish to retract their story but are unhappy with Robinson's repeated emphasis on their earlier claims. This raises a problem, as perpetuating Robinson's account without witness confirmation could mean spreading falsehoods. The author proposes that accounts should be checked with witnesses for accuracy and permission to publish.

He argues that in serious or complex cases involving 'exotic or mental' elements (CE1 or beyond), it is crucial to check with witnesses. He believes that revisiting such cases objectively would reveal that many witnesses, while not denying their experiences, would have drawn different conclusions over time. The author suggests that the encounter with UFO investigators themselves may have been more significant in shaping their perception than the initial anomalous event.

Malcolm Robinson's Approach to Witnesses

The author criticizes Malcolm Robinson's approach to witnesses, deeming it lacking in quiet contemplation and characterized by 'investigator incompetence and investigator effect'. He cites Robinson's investigation of the 'Fife' case, which involved Billy Devlin and 'abductee' Garry Wood, briefed by Linda Moulton Howe. The investigation included 'ludicrous, leading and wholly inappropriate questions' to a ten-year-old boy. Channeller Graham Wylie's involvement is also mentioned. Robinson's extensive publicity for the case, describing it as 'amazing', 'impressive', and 'important', is questioned.

In response to the author's suggestion to put articles to the Fife witnesses, Robinson allegedly sent out a circular titled 'The Fife Incident - Malcolm Robinson now believes that it may be a hoax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'. The author notes Robinson's sudden suspicion, pointing out that Mary Morrison, a subscriber to UFO publications, had a UFO sighting during a trip. Robinson's suggestion that the sighting might not have occurred and was concocted to test researchers' gullibility is seen as a potential way to avoid a problem when challenged to have his story checked by the witnesses.

The author states his personal view that such actions are wrong. He believes investigators should not approach witnesses with preconceived notions, especially when briefed by journalists, and press children for details. He emphasizes the importance of checking publications with witnesses and not accusing them of hoaxing without strong evidence, calling it a 'breach of trust'.

Robert Moore's attempt to provide a balanced assessment of the Fife case is praised. However, the author believes that the nature of ufology in the UK and USA, characterized by 'amateur, unscientific, over-eager believers', makes it difficult to find or preserve worthwhile data, leading to a focus on 'noise' rather than the 'signal'. He contrasts this with the FBI's approach, exemplified by Mulder and Scully, who are described as calm, competent, and effective.

PARANORMAL AND SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS: A Free Conference

This section announces a free conference on 'Paranormal and Superstitious Beliefs' to be held on Friday, November 13th, 1998, at Manchester Metropolitan University. The conference is organized by The Association for Skeptical Enquiry (ASKE) and Manchester Humanists. The timings and speakers are listed, including Dr. Richard Wiseman on 'The Psychology of Luck', Kevin McClure on 'Alien Abductions', Dr. David Stretch on 'Critical Thinking and Alternative Medicine', Dr. Tim Taylor on 'Pyramids Ahoy! Pseudo-archaeology', Dr. Michael Heap on 'Non-conscious Movements and the Paranormal', and Dr. Christopher French on 'The Psychology of Superstition'. A demonstration of 'Pseudo-psychic Trickery' by conjurer Tony Youens is also scheduled. Information on travel and access is available on a website.

The 'Alien Symposium' idea one step forward, two steps back

The author reflects on the 15 months since the first 'Abduction Watch', noting progress in dealing with the 'pernicious myth' of alien abduction. He highlights the failures of newsstand magazines like 'Alien Encounters' and 'Sightings', and the retirement of Tony Dodd, which he believes has reduced the interest of 'UFO Magazine' in abduction material. He expresses doubt about his own role in these failures but suggests a corner may have been turned.

He explains his decision not to be involved in organizing a UK 'Alien Symposium' (AS), despite initial admiration for the idea, because he increasingly views the belief in abductions as a problem to be solved rather than a phenomenon to be investigated. He likens it to an 'unpleasant and dangerous belief' or 'mass hysteria'. He argues that such events, regardless of skeptical input, tend to be dominated by proponents and experiencers in the media. He questions the influence of skeptical input at the 1992 MIT symposium. The author believes that the AS, like its predecessors, will likely spread the belief in abduction. He notes the increasing prevalence of the defense, 'if you aren't an experiencer you can't understand'.

Given these concerns and the difficulty in arguing against abduction beliefs, the author has scrapped a book idea that would have provided another platform for believers. He concludes that the AS idea will not help potential abduction believers and respectfully withdraws from the planning.

His current stance is not to ignore abduction but to acknowledge that, for reasons he doesn't fully understand, abduction accounts are attractive to some people who become convinced of their experiences. Therefore, he believes less favorable and attractive publicity for alien abduction is better for everyone.

Subscription Information

Details are provided for subscribing to Abduction Watch, including costs for UK and international subscribers, and information on back issues. Payments should be made out to Kevin McClure.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards UFO abduction claims, the critique of sensationalist reporting and investigation methods in ufology, and the debunking of specific phenomena like the Montauk Project and alleged alien implants. The editorial stance is clearly critical and analytical, prioritizing scientific reasoning and ethical treatment of witnesses over uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims. The author advocates for rigorous investigation, evidence-based conclusions, and a cautious approach to publicising witness accounts, contrasting the perceived amateurism in ufology with more professional investigative standards. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between genuine anomalous experiences and the cultural narratives and psychological factors that shape belief in phenomena like alien abduction.