The Skeptic

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 6, Number 6
Date: June 1992
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics

This issue of The Skeptic, the newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, offers a critical and skeptical examination of various phenomena, including a popular TV movie about alien abductions, a speculative conspiracy theory about a presidential candidate, and the marketing of New Age products.

The third eye

This column, written by Pat Reeder, expresses a strong skepticism towards the CBS made-for-TV movie "Intruders." Reeder admits he did not watch the entire four-hour movie, having only seen stretches of it, but found it to be a sensationalized and poorly documented production. He criticizes the portrayal of Richard Crenna's character, a psychiatrist and hypnotherapist, as a "composite" of individuals like Bud Hopkins (described as an artist with no relevant credentials) and other UFO proponents. Reeder finds it implausible that "shady, all-powerful forces" would attempt to intimidate the character into halting his investigation, yet these forces apparently did not prevent the book's publication or its sale to a major television network. The underlying motivation, according to Reeder, is financial, with CBS seeking ratings by capitalizing on the public's interest in alien abduction stories, which Entertainment Weekly magazine noted appeals to a coveted advertising audience.

Reeder contrasts the sensationalism of "Intruders" with the more balanced reporting of "Inside Edition," which included interviews with Bud Hopkins and Philip Klass, and presented psychological explanations alongside extraterrestrial theories. He also notes local news coverage by Channel 4 (KDFW), which used its newscast to promote "Intruders" but also ran a story on UFOs that, despite some questionable elements, was considered well-done. Reporter Becky Oliver's investigation into the Gulf Breeze "UFO" photos and their creator, Ed Walters, revealed that the UFO model was found hidden in his attic, exposing the hoax. Reeder observes that ABC and NBC responded to the trend by incorporating aliens into sitcoms, citing examples from "Roseanne" and "Night Court."

Reeder also comments on discussions he encountered on the Prodigy computer service regarding "Intruders." He humorously lists perceived beliefs of UFO proponents: that the prevalence of stories makes them true, that skeptics are "close-minded" for demanding evidence, and that aliens might have invented AIDS. He concludes this section with a sardonic theory that aliens are visiting Earth for "fishing vacations" and throw back the "stupid ones."

Other News and Commentary

The newsletter briefly mentions Rev. Bob Tilton, who was awaiting a hearing regarding lawsuits. It also reports on the China UFO Research Society (CURO) meeting in Beijing, where they claimed nearly 5,000 UFO sightings since the late 1970s, with 200 remaining unexplained. The article notes the candidacy of Iowa physicist John Hagelin for president under the Natural Law Party, an offshoot of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's organization, who claims to have levitated and plans to use Transcendental Meditation for world harmony. Hagelin also called on presidential candidates to undergo a "brain map" to show the effects of TM.

Is Ross Perot an Alien?

This section, an "Exclusive to The Skeptic" by Vincent Lofft and based on information from The Skeptic's Pat Reeder, presents a speculative conspiracy theory that presidential candidate Ross Perot is an alien. The article begins by referencing Oliver Stone's movie "JFK" and the extensive conspiracy it proposed, suggesting that the Perot theory is even more outlandish. Lofft alleges that Perot is an alien infiltrator planted on Earth as an embryo to take control of the world for an alien race. The article lists "Indisputable Facts" to support this theory: the alien race is short, and Perot is short, similar to historical figures like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and Hitler. It also notes that aliens are hairless, and Perot keeps his hair very short, suggesting a connection to his "GRAY roots."

The article links Perot to Ollie North and the Iran-Contra affair, suggesting Perot may have influenced North to stay in the Marines to discredit him. It questions how Perot gained national attention and wealth, attributing it to his use of high-tech computer fields, which allegedly "blindsided" the "old money" rich. The theory posits that an alien "mother ship" has been supplying Perot with technological advantages and programming know-how to secure government contracts. Furthermore, it suggests Perot may have already "cinched" the election by manipulating computer programs that tally votes, questioning the opaque nature of companies controlling computerized election systems.

Lofft questions whether the public has been "polled" and suggests polls are fake, designed to give predetermined results, and that Perot's minions are controlling these programs. He also speculates about Perot's interest in the Ft. Worth Alliance Airport, suggesting it might be a landing site for extraterrestrials. The article concludes by asking if aliens have been infiltrating Earth for generations and if Perot's supporters are "Perobots" genetically wired to support him. A final, abrupt message suggests a possible alien influence on Ronald Reagan and ends with a nonsensical string of characters.

Magic by Mail

By Mike Sullivan, this article critically reviews a catalog from Pyramid Books and New-Age Collection, based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Sullivan expresses his disinterest in purchasing items like "Miraculous Boji Stones," "Magical Quartz Crystal Point Pendants," and a "Witches Cauldron," which he describes as looking like a cheap cast-iron pot. He notes that Pyramid offers hundreds of other items and provides a 24-hour customer service number. The catalog, a 68-page full-color publication, is described as offering a vast collection of goods for mail-order to the "uncritical and unquestioning." Sullivan compares Pyramid to a "HyperMart USA" for those who "believe in pixies."

The article highlights specific items and their purported benefits: "The Tao of Meow" by Waldo Japussy, Boji Stones claimed to close "holes in the human energy field," onyx and obsidian earrings that "ground spiritual energy," and a "Love Amulet" that "penetrates your chakras." Sullivan questions the idea of his chakras being penetrated. The catalog also features extensive sections on Tarot decks, including a budget-priced "Gypsy Witch" set and a Salvador Dali set. For children, there's a "Color-Your-Own Tarot Set" that claims to impress patterns onto brain cells. Other offerings include a "Tell a Fortune" board game and "Karma Cards," which require no prior knowledge of astrology.

Sullivan points out the availability of subliminal tapes, with titles like "Self-Healing" and "Develop Your Psychic Abilities." He discusses "Astral Projection" tapes, which allegedly prepare users for out-of-body travel. The article also mentions the extensive library of Dick Sutphen's subliminal tapes, covering topics like "No-Effort Weight Loss," "Viewing Past Lives," and "Ultra Monetary Success."

Further items include books on Mary, the mother of Jesus, with predictions of earth changes, and books about Jesus's life, including claims of his survival of the crucifixion and life in India. Fringe medicine practices like aromatherapy, crystal healing, and reflexology are also available. The catalog lists UFO-related books under "New-Age Bestsellers," such as "New World Order: Prophecies from Space Channeled by Ashtar Command" and "Underground Alien Bases." Sullivan concludes that Pyramid caters to the demand for the outlandish and expresses surprise at receiving their catalog.

Up a tree: a skeptical cartoon

This section features a single-panel cartoon by Laura Ainsworth. The cartoon depicts three characters. The first, a book titled "DEAD DUC," states, "SYDNEY, THAT BOOK ON EXTINCT SPECIES DOESN'T SCARE ME!". The second character says, "I BELIEVE WE CREATE OUR OWN REALITY...". The third character, holding a book, states, "AND I CHOOSE NOT TO BECOME EXTINCT!". A caption below reads, "A SURPRISINGLY UNPOPULAR CHOICE...". The cartoon satirizes the denial of environmental issues and the belief in self-created reality over scientific evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards sensationalized media, conspiracy theories, and New Age beliefs. The editorial stance of The Skeptic is consistently critical and analytical, aiming to debunk pseudoscience and unfounded claims. The magazine challenges the credibility of UFO reports, the validity of conspiracy theories surrounding public figures, and the marketing of dubious paranormal and self-help products. The overall tone is one of reasoned inquiry and a commitment to evidence-based understanding, often employing humor and satire to highlight the absurdity of unsubstantiated beliefs.