REALL News - Vol 05 No 06 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 5 Issue 6
Date: June 1997

This issue of The REALL News, published in June 1997, delves into the 50th anniversary of the Kenneth Arnold flying saucer sighting, a pivotal event in UFO history. The magazine adopts a skeptical perspective, presenting various analyses and alternative explanations for the phenomenon, alongside reports on skeptical activities and concerns about the promotion of science education.

Resolving Arnold: Part 1

This lead article by Martin Kottmeyer revisits the Kenneth Arnold sighting of June 24, 1947, where he reported observing nine objects speeding by Mount Rainier at an estimated 1,200 miles per hour. Kottmeyer highlights that the media's initial report of 'saucer-like' objects was a misinterpretation; Arnold described their erratic movement as being 'like a saucer if you skip it across the water,' and clarified they were not circular. The article notes that while the Arnold case is culturally significant, it is a single-witness case with limited corroboration, unlike many other UFO reports involving multiple witnesses or physical evidence.

Kottmeyer discusses various skeptical interpretations of the sighting. One prominent theory, supported by ATIC, Project Blue Book, William K. Hartmann, and Ian Ridpath, suggests Arnold saw conventional aircraft that were closer than he perceived, possibly distorted by a mirage layer. However, this theory faces challenges, including the fact that a DC-4 pilot nearby reported nothing unusual, and the lack of visible aircraft tails. Donald Menzel proposed the objects were billowing snow from mountain ridges, but Captain Ruppelt of Blue Book dismissed this as unlikely for June at that altitude. Martin Gardner suggested balloons, but this conflicts with Arnold's description of a flat side profile and smooth air conditions. Richard J. Reed proposed orographic clouds, but this doesn't account for the objects' rapid angular movement.

Further explanations explored include Paul Devereux's idea of 'earth lights,' which is inconsistent with Arnold's description of the objects as dark silhouettes. Stuart Campbell's theory involving mirages of distant mountains is also presented, though it requires Arnold to misidentify major landmarks. Gerald Heard suggested a super-bee evolved on Mars, a notion that explores insect physiology as a potential explanation for erratic flight patterns. The article also touches upon the psychology of Kenneth Arnold, with some ufologists questioning his sincerity due to his later speculations about UFOs being space animals and his beliefs about government cover-ups, possibly stemming from a past knee injury.

Praise the Lord and Pass the Skepticism!

This section, authored by Bob Ladendorf, reports on a two-day workshop titled "Secrets of the Supernatural" organized by the Center for Inquiry-International in Amherst, New York. The workshop brought together approximately 80 skeptics and interested individuals. Key speakers included Joe Nickell, who discussed his investigations into paranormal claims, such as the "Two Will Wests" case and the Shroud of Turin. Other presentations covered spontaneous human combustion, the Peruvian Nazca lines, and the media's responsibility in reporting on "alternative" viewpoints. The report notes the presence of a Baptist women's group singing and chanting, which occasionally disrupted the sessions.

Nickell's investigations highlighted explanations for phenomena such as mysterious sounds in the MacKenzie House (attributed to a creaky staircase in a nearby building) and debunked famous "ghost" photos as hoaxes. The workshop also touched upon mystical medical claims and medical fraud. The overall aim of the workshop was to encourage critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims.

From the Chairman

This section, written by the Chairman, addresses a critical issue regarding the proposed new science standards in the State of Illinois. The chairman expresses alarm that the word "evolution" has been removed from the standards, despite public comments advocating for its inclusion. He criticizes the vague language used in the revised standards, which makes it difficult for teachers to adequately cover evolutionary concepts. The article urges readers to submit comments to the Illinois State Board of Education to advocate for the inclusion of evolution in the science curriculum.

Meeting News

This brief announcement details an upcoming speaker event featuring Jeff Ignatius, a staff writer for the Illinois Times, who will discuss "The Right to Be Wrong: The Media's Responsibility to the Marketplace of Ideas." The event aims to explore the media's role in reporting on diverse viewpoints, even those that may be controversial or incorrect.

From the Editor

The editor reflects on the current paranormal news landscape, noting the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident and the Heaven's Gate suicide as dominating headlines. The editor introduces the lead article on the Kenneth Arnold sighting by Martin Kottmeyer and also mentions his own report on the Center for Inquiry workshop, encouraging readers to attend such events for insights into analyzing paranormal claims.

In Case You Missed It ...

This section provides brief summaries and ratings (1=Pro-skeptical to 5=Pro-paranormal) of recent news articles and sources of interest. Topics covered include:

• "The New Creationism: Biology Under Attack" (Rating: 2)
• "More are seeking treatment for sexual addiction" (Rating: 5)
• "To bee or not to bee? : Many doctors warn against apitherapy, but some pain victims swear by it." (Rating: 3)

Masthead Information

This section provides details about The REALL News, its purpose, and its editorial board. REALL is described as a non-profit organization dedicated to rational thinking and the scientific method. The newsletter's primary geographic region is central Illinois. The masthead lists the Board of Directors and Editorial Board members, including Chairman David Bloomberg and Newsletter Editor Bob Ladendorf.

REALL Contacts and Patrons

Contact information for REALL's Chairman and Editor is provided. The section also expresses gratitude to patron members who financially support the organization, listing several individuals and their locations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFOs, skepticism, and the critical examination of paranormal claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and the scientific method, as evidenced by the content of the articles, the report on the Center for Inquiry workshop, and the chairman's alert concerning science education standards. The magazine actively promotes skepticism and challenges unsubstantiated claims, while also advocating for robust science education.