REALL News - Vol 02 No 09 - 1994

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 2, Number 9, published in September 1994, is the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). REALL is a non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to promoting rational thinking and the scientific method in examining paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. The newsletter aims to disseminate information to its members and the public, with a primary geographic focus on central Illinois. REALL emphasizes objective inquiry and does not reject paranormal claims outright but subjects them to critical examination.

In This Issue

This issue features several articles and columns. It includes contributions from the editor, Bob Ladendorf, and chairman, David Bloomberg. Martin Kottmeyer provides a review of Jerry Kroth's book "Omens and Oracles: Collective Psychology in the Nuclear Age." David Bloomberg contributes articles titled "The Biggest UFO Conspiracy" and "REALLity Check." The issue also contains a "Letter to the Editor" and other regular sections.

Editorial and Chairman's Columns

From the Editor (Bob Ladendorf): Ladendorf notes that the issue seems to focus on UFOs, highlighting Martin Kottmeyer's article on UFO panics and David Bloomberg's report on the Roswell incident. He also mentions an article about "witches" in South Africa as a startling story demonstrating the consequences of irrationality. Ladendorf expresses hope that REALL's information helps readers understand complex issues and encourages submissions of relevant materials.

From the Chairman (David Bloomberg): Bloomberg expresses satisfaction with a recent REALL meeting, noting good attendance, donations covering video costs, and a generous volunteer for purchasing more videos. He shares positive news about influencing the St. Louis Science Center to stock skeptical UFO books, a result of a previous complaint about the lack of such material. Bloomberg also discusses REALL's community outreach efforts, including speaking engagements. He sadly reports the departure of Don and Liz from the WYMG morning show, who were instrumental in REALL's early development and provided significant media support. Bloomberg recounts his personal interest in forming a local skeptics group, sparked by a hypnotist controversy.

Articles and Reviews

The Panicky Guy (Review of Jerry Kroth's "Omens and Oracles: Collective Psychology in the Nuclear Age" by Martin Kottmeyer): Kottmeyer reviews Kroth's book, which posits that dreams can foretell the future, particularly "oracular dreams" that provide a vague, metaphorical architecture of future events. Kroth also interprets news events as dreams. Kottmeyer focuses on Kroth's analysis of the "War of the Worlds" panic broadcast by Orson Welles, which Kroth interprets as a symbolic premonition of World War II. Kottmeyer critically examines Kroth's symbolic links between the broadcast, ancient myths, and historical events, finding the analysis "unusually airy and reckless." He questions the book's overall value given the "meager outcome" of its analytic effort and points out flaws in Kroth's interpretation of the "War of the Worlds" TV series as an oracle of war.

The Biggest UFO Conspiracy (by David Bloomberg): This article addresses the U.S. Air Force's admission that the 1947 Roswell crash involved a "super-secret different type of balloon" as part of "Project Mogul," a program to monitor Soviet nuclear weapons. This admission came after New Mexico Rep. Steven Schiff requested an investigation by the General Accounting Office (GAO). UFOlogists, such as Don Berliner of FUFOR, view this as a continuing cover-up, with some speculating that alien debris was also present. Philip J. Klass, a UFO skeptic, is noted for previously identifying Project Mogul as the likely explanation. The article highlights the debate between those who accept the official explanation and those who believe in a cover-up, noting that some proponents of the alien theory are perceived to be motivated by financial gain.

REALLity Check (by David Bloomberg): This section covers two distinct topics:

• Witch Burnings: Bloomberg discusses the ongoing issue of witch-hunt related deaths in South Africa, where belief in witchcraft is pervasive, leading to the burning of individuals accused of causing misfortune. He notes the difficulty in convincing people, even the well-educated, and the rise of mass hysteria. A task force has been assigned to address the murders.
• DCFS and Satanic Scares: This part addresses an article in the Illinois Times concerning false memories and satanic cults. It details a lawsuit by a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) worker who accused a man of satanic abuse. However, an investigation found no evidence, and state police revealed that the accuser and others had coerced children. DCFS removed the worker from the case due to insubordination. The article also notes that the "expert" involved in training the therapist in this case was the same one involved in a previous REALL story, raising questions about the methods used to elicit beliefs in satanic abuse.

Letters and Other Sections

Letters, Oh We Sent Letters...: This section highlights REALL's engagement with local media. It mentions a letter from REALL patron Bob Smet to the Illinois Times, correcting flaws in a letter by Polly Poskin regarding an article on alleged family abuse and Satanists. Another letter from Maria Mootry of the Springfield Pure Food Campaign, criticizing the FDA's policy on Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH), is also mentioned, with the editor noting research that found her claims largely bogus and a corrective letter being printed.

Exorcism and the States: This segment reports on two incidents involving exorcisms. One occurred in a New York state mental hospital, resulting in a $12,000 bill for an exorcism performed on a patient who had killed his wife. The other took place in an Illinois correctional facility. An investigation is underway for the latter.

Curran's Coincidence?: This brief item notes that State Rep. Mike Curran, who had previously visited a site in Yugoslavia where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared, has announced he will not seek re-election. The author playfully suggests it might be a coincidence.

Letters to the Editor (from Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., Executive Director, False Memory Syndrome Foundation): This letter, sent to the Illinois Times and reprinted with REALL's permission, discusses two recent developments related to "recovered memories" and "satanic abuse." It cites a British government study finding no evidence of satanic ritual abuse and a Dutch government study with similar conclusions. It also references a report from the American Medical Association stating that recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse are of uncertain authenticity and prone to misapplication. The letter emphasizes the importance of critical examination of beliefs and practices in the effort to prevent child sexual abuse.

A Nod to Our Patrons: This section thanks REALL's patron members for their financial support, listing several individuals who have contributed $50 or more.

Predictions for Future Issues: A list of upcoming topics includes "Looking into the Sun -- and other tabloids," "Cancer Clusters," "Bovine Growth Hormone," "Anti-Oxidants," and "Skeptics Online."

Skeptics Online: This section encourages readers to participate in skeptic message areas on computer BBS networks, mentioning "The Temples of Syrinx" in Springfield, operated by David Bloomberg, which hosts FidoNet SKEPTIC, EVOLUTION, and UFO conferences, as well as ParaNet conferences and various text files.

Membership Form: A form is provided for regular, student, family, and patron memberships, as well as subscriptions only, with associated costs and mailing instructions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The REALL News are skepticism, critical thinking, and the application of the scientific method to extraordinary claims. The newsletter consistently promotes a rational approach to understanding phenomena, whether they are UFO sightings, alleged paranormal events, or controversial psychological claims like recovered memories. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, challenging unsubstantiated beliefs and promoting evidence-based reasoning. The organization actively engages with media and public discourse to counter pseudoscience and irrationality, as evidenced by its letters to the editor and its focus on debunking claims.