REALL News - Vol 04 No 05-6 - 1996

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 4 Issue 5/6, published in May/June 1996, is a newsletter from The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). It focuses on paranormal and pseudoscientific topics with an emphasis on rational thinking and the scientific method. This issue features articles on tornado chasing and UFO skepticism.

On the Art and Science of Tornado Chasing by Bob Ladendorf

Bob Ladendorf recounts his first experience witnessing a tornado on May 9, 1995, near Springfield, Illinois. He describes the intense sensory experience of standing beneath a severe storm, the formation of a wall cloud, and the eventual appearance of a tornado. Ladendorf's interest in storm chasing was sparked by research he conducted in 1981 at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, Oklahoma, which focused on correlating field observations with Doppler radar data. This research led to the development of Doppler radar's ability to detect tornadoes 20 minutes before touchdown, significantly improving public warning systems. He mentions interviews with NSSL scientists like Robert Davies-Jones and Erik Rasmussen, and Professor Howard Bluestein, who was a basis for the character in the movie "Twister." Ladendorf notes that while he couldn't ride with the NSSL chasers, he was impressed by their dedication. He also touches on the recent surge in popularity of storm chasing due to movies like "Twister" and documentaries, cautioning against amateur chasing due to its dangers.

Ladendorf details his personal tornado sighting, including the timeline of events: a tornado watch issued at mid-afternoon, seeing an anvil top of a thunderstorm, leaving work, and heading home. He describes the tornado siren sounding, seeing a funnel cloud, and then pursuing it. He recounts stopping on a country road, observing the wall cloud form, and the intense wind. He describes the decision to outrun the tornado in his car and his regret at not bringing a video camera. He also notes the destruction caused by the tornado, including overturned semitrailers on Interstate 55 near Elkhart, but thankfully few injuries.

He expresses admiration for professional storm chasers and their efforts to gather data in chaotic conditions. He sent his photos to NWS and NSSL, hoping they would contribute to scientific knowledge. He concludes that science is not a dull subject and that observing natural events can be both terrifying and beautiful. The article includes a bibliography of sources for further reading on tornadoes.

Close Encounters with Phil Klass by Bob Ladendorf

This section reports on a talk given by Philip J. Klass, a UFO expert and co-founder of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), at a Gateway Skeptics meeting in St. Louis. Klass, also the editor of Aviation Week and Space Technology, presented his findings from 30 years of investigating UFO claims, stating that he has found "no credible evidence ever" for extraterrestrial visitors. He illustrated his talk with examples of apparent UFO hoaxes and misperceptions, such as the Gulf Breeze sightings and an astronomer mistaking a Titan missile launch for a UFO.

Klass offered to refund the purchase price of his books if anyone could provide evidence of a single extraterrestrial visit. He mentioned that he has intensely investigated over 50 "tough cases." He also criticized TV coverage of UFOs, citing a Larry King Show where proponents outnumbered skeptics, and he and Carl Sagan were interviewed on tape, unable to respond to claims.

Klass explained that he became involved in debunking in the 1970s, finding the UFO subject a prime area for investigation, though he admitted he hadn't anticipated how much time it would consume. The article acknowledges his diligent work and the debt owed to him by the skeptic community. It also lists sources for further reading on UFOs.

Skeptics' Congress Report, Elections to Highlight REALL Meeting July 2

This section announces an upcoming REALL meeting on July 2nd, which will include elections for officers and board members. Following the elections, REALL News editor Bob Ladendorf will report on the First World Skeptics Congress, sponsored by CSICOP. The theme of the Congress was "Science in the Age of (Mis-)Information." Keynote speakers included Leon Lederman and Stephen Jay Gould. The report also lists other notable figures who participated in panel discussions and sessions, including Phil Klass, James Randi, Eugenie C. Scott, Steve Allen, John Paulos, and Chris Carter.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, and the public was invited.

10 Important Criteria for Determining What is Science

This section provides a list of ten criteria to distinguish science from other forms of inquiry:

1. Science is logical and rational.
2. Science makes well-defined claims.
3. Scientific hypotheses are falsifiable.
4. Scientific experiments are repeatable.
5. Science requires that claims be examined by peers.
6. Science views unexplained gaps in theories with suspicion.
7. Science requires caution in examining evidence.
8. Science requires objectivity.
9. Science does not accept coincidence as proof.
10. Science does not accept anecdotal evidence as proof.

From the Editor

Bob Ladendorf, the Newsletter Editor, welcomes readers to the new look of The REALL News, noting its modernized graphic design and increased use of photos and graphics while maintaining in-depth coverage. He encourages reader comments. He highlights the issue's features: a report on Phil Klass's talk and a personal story on tornado chasing, suggesting that both thrill-seekers and scientists share an intensity in their quests. He also mentions a forthcoming article on tornado lore and notes that REALL Chairman David Bloomberg was too busy to contribute to this issue.

Letter to the Editor

A letter to the editor addresses a perceived inaccuracy in a Nova documentary about the Hill Abduction case. The writer, presumably Bob Ladendorf, criticizes the documentary for misrepresenting the telepathic abilities of the aliens described by Barney and Betty Hill, and for incorrectly linking the aliens to "The Outer Limits" entity. The letter points out that Betty Hill's alien was not telepathic, and that Barney Hill's description of his alien differed from Betty's. The writer also notes that the depiction of aliens in "The UFO Incident" movie was inaccurate compared to Barney Hill's drawings and Betty's description. The writer expresses concern that such inaccuracies could be used by ufologists to argue that skeptics distort the truth.

Blurbs - Short Takes on Fringe Topics

This section introduces a project by the Cincinnati area skeptics group (The Association for Rational Thought) to write "skeptical blurbs" on fringe topics. An example blurb on "Biorhythms" by Andrew Lutes is provided. The blurb explains the concept of biorhythms (23-day physical, 28-day emotional, 33-day intellectual cycles) and argues that there is no evidence to support their influence on human behavior. It states that tests show people perform equally well with fake biorhythm charts, and that graphs of athletes' birth dates show no correlation with performance. The blurb concludes that biorhythms resemble numerology and astrology and includes a bibliography.

Masthead Information

This section provides contact information for REALL, including its P.O. Box in Springfield, Illinois. It states that permission is granted to other skeptic organizations to reprint articles from The REALL News with proper credit. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and not necessarily REALL. Contact details for David Bloomberg (Chairman) and Bob Ladendorf (Editor) are provided, along with a list of patron members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The REALL News consistently promotes rational thinking and the scientific method, critically examining claims of the paranormal and fringe science. The publication aims to provide objective, though critical, inquiry into these subjects. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, as evidenced by the focus on debunking UFO claims, analyzing scientific criteria, and critiquing media portrayals of pseudoscientific topics. The newsletter serves as a platform for disseminating information and fostering critical discussion within its primary geographic region of central Illinois.