REALL News - Vol 04 No 03-4 - 1996

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 4, Issue 3/4, published in March/April 1996, is the official newsletter of The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). REALL is a non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to rational thinking and the application of the scientific method to paranormal and fringe-science claims, primarily serving central Illinois.

"What's Smoo?" by Martin Kottmeyer

This article revisits a UFO case from the summer of 1953 in Medford, Oregon, initially reported in the CUFOS Associate Newsletter in April-May 1984. Three witnesses—a husband, wife, and their 12-year-old daughter—reported seeing three white, smooth, satiny-furred creatures, about 4 feet high with longer necks, shaped like 'Smoos' from the Lil' Abner comic strip. These entities lacked arms, legs, wings, or beaks and glided sideways before disappearing into a wooded area. The wife later contacted CUFOS, expressing her bewilderment. CUFOS classified it as a unique entity sighting, noting the unusual nature despite no UFO being observed. Kottmeyer finds the case intriguing, ruling out ghosts and bigfoots, and considers aliens a plausible guess. He recalls a drawing of the creatures resembling Gloop and Gleep from the Herculoids cartoon. He dismisses common explanations like optically distorted snowmen (not in summer) or polar bears (not likely). He notes that witnesses eliminated geese due to the absence of wings and beaks, and the size and fur made it unlikely. Kottmeyer suggests most skeptics would consider it a hoax. The brevity of the account and the lack of a UFO mention are puzzling.

Kottmeyer then presents his own experience from the previous November, driving home at night when four deer emerged from a cornfield. As he viewed them from the rear, their white haunches and tails, combined with the light brown hide blending into the field, created the illusion of 'white blobby smoos gliding sideways.' The creatures even tilted off the vertical as they ran, mirroring the drawing. He attributes the illusion to the specific viewing angle, field color, lighting conditions, and unbroken viewing. He acknowledges that his encounter was during the day, while the Medford sighting was at night, suggesting darkness might have enhanced the illusion for the original witnesses.

He admits he hesitated to write about this discovery, as the witnesses would likely never see it, and the case was old. However, he found the misidentification of a deer's rear as an alien "funny." He believes this solution, while specific to this case, could be useful in generalizing to other similar entity sightings.

"Real Miracles" by David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg, REALL's Chairman, discusses witnessing a "miracle" in early April, which led to the combination of the March and April issues. He clarifies that his miracle is not one unexplained by nature, but rather an example of the wonder of the natural world. He contrasts this with pseudoscience, citing Professor Charles Schweighauser's presentation that people seek out wondrous claims of pseudoscience while ignoring the wonder of science. Bloomberg argues that science, not pseudoscience, is responsible for achievements like moon landings, advanced technology, and medical breakthroughs. He laments that pseudoscience receives more media exposure than science, which is often portrayed as boring.

Bloomberg reveals his "miracle" was the birth of his newborn son, Andrew Steven Bloomberg, with his wife, Shari. He expresses amazement at this event and the evolutionary process.

From the Editor (Bob Ladendorf)

Bob Ladendorf, the Newsletter Editor, congratulates David and Sharri Bloomberg on the birth of their son. He highlights Martin Kottmeyer's article as a light-hearted feature solving an old creature sighting and David Bloomberg's "REALLity Check" as an extensive piece critiquing the media. Ladendorf also announces upcoming changes to the newsletter, including a revised look with more graphics and in-depth articles on paranormal/pseudoscientific topics.

From the Chairman (David Bloomberg)

David Bloomberg apologizes for the combined March and April issues, attributing the delay to personal reasons (related to his "miracles" article). He explains that subscriptions will be extended by one month. He also appeals for newsletter articles to prevent future delays. Bloomberg then announces two upcoming speakers: Phil Klass, a UFO skeptic, speaking at Gateway Skeptics on May 17th, and Dr. Gerhard Eggert, who will speak at REALL on May 23rd about the "Battery of Baghdad" in the Skeptical Inquirer. The REALL meeting with Dr. Eggert will be held at the Ramada on Dirksen Parkway.

"Borderline Nonsense" by David Bloomberg

In this article, David Bloomberg expresses his disappointment with Jonathan Frakes, host of the UPN show "The Paranormal Borderline." Bloomberg criticizes Frakes for hosting shows about alien autopsies and psychic detectives, stating that any respect he had for Frakes is now gone. Based on Chicago Tribune reviews, Bloomberg describes the show as a "magazine series" featuring stories of paranormal experiences, including alien abductions and psychic detectives. He notes that the producers claim not to be "big believers" but are amazed by "unusual stories that defy what we know about the world." Bloomberg finds this ironic, suggesting they should consult skeptical publications. He quotes a Tribune reviewer who sarcastically describes the show's content and host.

Bloomberg also criticizes NBC's "The Mysterious Origins of Man" and "Ancient Prophecies 3" as "Trash Week" programming that purports to be science but is actually creationist rubbish. He points out that even the Paluxy River tracks, cited as proof of humans coexisting with dinosaurs, have been debunked by creationist organizations themselves, with the tracks being identified as partial dinosaur prints. He also mentions the "Burdick Print" as a known fake. Bloomberg criticizes the show's creators for presenting debunked claims from "new breed of scientific investigators" like Carl Baugh. He notes that NBC's entertainment division defended the show as an "alternative scenario," while the news division (e.g., Dateline NBC) often attacks balderdash. He suggests Dateline should investigate the entertainment division.

"Let's Fire the Politicians Who Voted for This Instead"

This section criticizes a proposed Tennessee law that would allow schools to fire teachers for presenting evolution as fact. The article notes that the state attorney general believed the law would violate the First Amendment. Senator Tommy Burks, the sponsor, claimed the bill aimed to clear up confusion, stating, "Do you believe that you descended from a lower species? I don't." The article sarcastically notes this as "convincing scientific evidence." The bill was eventually killed by the Senate, with senators stating that science curriculum should be determined by scientists, not legislators.

"Freeing Yourself From Science"

This section critiques an article from the Illinois Times' "Home Smart" supplement about "feng shui." The author of the REALL News article finds it ironic that a supplement about home intelligence promotes pseudoscience. Feng shui is described as rearranging furniture to improve one's life, with claims that it enhances the flow of "ch'i" (human spirit or energy). The article mocks the idea that moving a toilet could cure chronic poverty or that pet fish die because they "absorb negativity." It mentions that a feng shui instructor, Carol Bridges, charges $180 for workshops.

Masthead Information

The masthead provides details about REALL, its purpose (promoting rational thinking and the scientific method), its geographic coverage (central Illinois), and its commitment to objective inquiry. It lists the Board of Directors, including Chairman David Bloomberg, Assistant Chairman Prof. Ron Larkin, Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Brown, Newsletter Editor Bob Ladendorf, and At-Large Members Prof. Steve Egger, Wally Hartshorn, and Frank Mazo. The Editorial Board is also listed. Contact information for REALL, David Bloomberg, and Bob Ladendorf is provided. The section also thanks "Patron members" for their financial support.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims and pseudoscience, contrasting them with the rigor and achievements of science. REALL's editorial stance is clearly skeptical and evidence-based, advocating for the scientific method as the primary means of understanding the world. The publication actively debunks claims presented in popular media and challenges pseudoscientific practices like creationism and feng shui. There is a strong emphasis on media criticism, particularly concerning how television and other outlets present paranormal topics, often favoring sensationalism over accuracy. The issue also highlights REALL's commitment to education and its role in fostering critical thinking within its community, as evidenced by its speaker events and patron support.