REALL News - Vol 05 No 07 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 5, Issue 7
Date: July 1997

This issue of The REALL News features a two-part deep dive into the Kenneth Arnold UFO case, titled "Resolving Arnold - Part 2: Guess Again" by Martin Kottmeyer. It also includes a skeptical perspective on the Roswell incident by David Bloomberg, a section on James Randi's legal battles, and a piece on Therapeutic Touch.

Resolving Arnold - Part 2: Guess Again by Martin Kottmeyer

Martin Kottmeyer continues his analysis of the Kenneth Arnold case, focusing on the distinctiveness of the reported object's shape and challenging J. Allen Hynek's arguments regarding visual acuity limits. Kottmeyer notes that the unique shape, resembling a shoe heel rather than a traditional saucer, calls into question whether it should be considered part of the UFO phenomenon. He addresses Hynek's assertion that the eye cannot resolve objects subtending less than 3 minutes of arc, arguing that Hynek's calculation of object size based on Arnold's distance and width-to-length ratio leads to an impossibly large size.

Kottmeyer revisits the original Associated Press report of the sighting, clarifying that Arnold described the objects as flying "erratic, like a saucer if you skip it across the water," and that they were "not circular." The reporter's misinterpretation led to the term "flying saucer."

Further analysis challenges Hynek's resolution limit, suggesting that visual acuity can be much finer, especially in daylight with highly reflective objects. Kottmeyer points out that Arnold's comparison of the object's angular size to the span of a DC-4 engine (15 miles) yields a visual span of 2' 40", which is more plausible. However, the paradox of a single witness observing a large fleet of objects in broad daylight at high speeds remains.

The article explores the possibility of misinterpretation of natural phenomena. Kottmeyer considers that the objects might have been closer than Arnold surmised, and that their disappearance behind mountain peaks could have been an illusory correlation. He then proposes ornithological explanations, comparing the objects' formation and movement to that of geese and swans. Swans, in particular, are suggested as a possibility due to their ability to fly at high altitudes and their reflective surfaces, with their slender necks potentially being difficult to resolve at a distance.

Kottmeyer also discusses the "Flying Flapjack," an aircraft featured in Mechanix Illustrated, which bore a resemblance to Arnold's drawing and could have influenced his depiction. He suggests that Arnold, as an experienced pilot, might have been influenced by his knowledge of aircraft, similar to how people today might interpret ambiguous stimuli through the lens of UFO lore.

The author delves into potential psychological factors, including Arnold's search for a crashed C-46 aircraft and the reward money, suggesting that paranoia and the undercurrent of Cold War tensions might have amplified his perception of the event.

Kottmeyer concludes that while his proposed solution (ornithological misinterpretation) might seem banal, it fits the most facts with the fewest loose ends, making the Arnold case historically significant.

Addendum

Bruce Maccabee's challenge to the single-witness nature of the Arnold case is recounted. Maccabee highlights a report by prospector Fred Johnson, who saw similar objects near Mt. Adams. While Johnson's account corroborates some aspects, such as the number of objects (though fewer) and their trajectory, differences exist, particularly regarding the objects' tails and a reported compass anomaly. Maccabee suggests the compass effect might be due to rhythmic entrainment or psychological factors rather than an extraterrestrial magnetic drive.

A Few Words on Roswell by David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg, Chairman of REALL, expresses his disinterest in the Roswell incident, calling it a "50-year-old military SNAFU" that has been "conclusively shown to be meaningless." He criticizes the media's focus on the 50th anniversary, arguing that it gives undue attention to a non-event and ignores the fact that many witnesses have changed their stories or been caught in falsehoods. Bloomberg believes the Air Force report, while flawed, did little to help clarify the situation. He contrasts the Roswell case with the Arnold case, noting that Arnold's sighting initiated the "flying saucer" frenzy, making it more historically significant despite its unresolved nature.

Therapeutic Touch Tidbits

Compiled by David Bloomberg, this section discusses Therapeutic Touch (TT), a practice claiming to detect and modify human "energy fields" for healing. It notes that TT has gained traction in nursing despite a lack of scientific evidence. The National Therapeutic Touch Study Group has published research, and skeptics like James Randi have proposed tests to challenge TT practitioners, with significant rewards offered for successful demonstrations. The article mentions that some practitioners have withdrawn from these challenges.

From the Chairman

David Bloomberg provides an update on the new Illinois educational standards, mentioning the ongoing debate regarding the inclusion of evolution. He also announces a new initiative to investigate the claims of Therapeutic Touch at St. John's Hospital. An upcoming presentation by Rich Walker on "A Skeptical Look at the Illinois Lottery" is also mentioned. Bloomberg reflects on a recent meeting with Jeff Ignatius of Illinois Times, discussing differing views on media impact and public intelligence.

From the Editor

The editor explains that this issue is longer than usual due to the extended length of Martin Kottmeyer's review of the Arnold case, which was provided as a bonus to readers.

In Short

This section briefly lists several news items:

• "In Case You Missed It" by Bob Ladendorf, which summarizes recent news with ratings.
• "News from James Randi: Court Denies Geller's 'Petition for Contempt'", detailing legal proceedings involving Uri Geller.
• "Exclusive! Alien Spaceships Attacked First World Skeptics Congress!"

In Case You Missed It by Bob Ladendorf

This section provides summaries and ratings of recent articles:

• "Willing to Believe: American Fascination with UFOs have never been more intense" (New York Times News Service) - Rated 3 (Neutral).
• "Air Force report likely to ‘feed the frenzy' of cultists" (Cox News Service) - Rated 4 (Leaning paranormal).
• "The Outer Limits" (Los Angeles Daily News) - Rated 3 (Neutral).
• "The Roswell Files" (Los Angeles Daily News) - Rated 1 (Pro-skeptical), featuring a satirical quote about aliens creating Disney.

News from James Randi: Court Denies Geller's "Petition for Contempt"

This article details legal actions taken by Uri Geller against James Randi, alleging violation of a protective order. The court denied Geller's petition for contempt, noting that Geller had previously faced substantial sanctions in related litigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical viewpoint, particularly concerning UFO phenomena and pseudoscientific claims. The articles by Martin Kottmeyer, while analyzing the Arnold case in detail, lean towards finding rational explanations. David Bloomberg's editorial stance is explicitly skeptical, dismissing the Roswell incident and questioning the validity of claims like Therapeutic Touch. The publication appears to favor evidence-based analysis and critical thinking, often contrasting it with what it perceives as sensationalism in media coverage and the beliefs of some UFO enthusiasts.

The REALL News is the official newsletter of The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL), a non-profit organization based in central Illinois. REALL is dedicated to promoting rational thinking and applying the scientific method to paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. The organization conducts research, convenes meetings, and disseminates information through its newsletter.

Legal Proceedings and Contempt Petition The issue begins with a detailed account of legal proceedings, specifically a Petition for Contempt filed by Geller. The author recounts Geller's request for fines, jail time, and damages, and Geller's own admitted lack of financial resources during a deposition. The author notes that a protective order signed in 1993 by Judge Harris was drafted by Geller's lawyer and directed at CSICOP, not the author. The same lawyer reportedly filed the Contempt Petition. Judge Harris denied Geller's petition in a one-line order, citing reasons stated in the author's opposition.

Cover Story: Alien Spaceships at Skeptics Congress The main cover story, headlined "Exclusive! Alien Spaceships Attacked First World Skeptics Congress!", reports on an alleged incident at the First World Skeptics Congress in Amherst, New York. According to a Springfield, Illinois skeptics' group newsletter, three alien spaceships abducted 13 attendees. The report suggests a cover-up occurred until a photograph related to the event was released. The source for this information is cited as Winkandanod News Service, and the photo is credited to Bob Ladendorf.

Masthead and Organizational Information The "Masthead Information" section provides details about the publication. It notes that an electronic version is available and encourages subscriptions. The purpose of REALL is further elaborated: to foster rational thinking and scientific inquiry into paranormal claims. REALL's activities include research, meetings, publishing a newsletter, and disseminating information. Its primary geographic focus is central Illinois.

The newsletter states that REALL subscribes to the scientific method as the most reliable system for obtaining knowledge. While not rejecting paranormal claims outright, REALL is committed to objective and critical inquiry. Membership information is available elsewhere in the newsletter.

The Board of Directors is listed, 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 consists of Bob Ladendorf and David Bloomberg, with one vacancy.

REALL's mailing address is P.O. Box 20302, Springfield, IL 62708. Permission is granted to other skeptic organizations to reprint articles from The REALL News, provided proper credit is given. REALL requests copies of newsletters that reprint their articles. The views expressed in the articles are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent REALL's views.

REALL Contacts and Patrons Contact information is provided for David Bloomberg (Chairman) via email at [email protected] and for Bob Ladendorf (Editor) via email at [email protected].

Under the heading "A Nod to Our Patrons," REALL expresses gratitude to its patron members who give $50 or more, enabling the organization to support critical thinking in Central Illinois. A list of patron members is provided, including David Bloomberg (Springfield), David Brown (Danville), Alan Burge, D.D.S. (Morton), David Gehrig (Springfield), Charles Hanson (Springfield), Wally Hartshorn (Springfield), William T. Kabisch (Springfield), Bob Ladendorf (Springfield), John Lockard, Jr. (Urbana), and Edward Staehlin (Park Forest).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism, critical inquiry into paranormal phenomena, and the dissemination of information through REALL's newsletter. The editorial stance, as indicated by REALL's purpose and the content, is to promote a scientific and rational approach to investigating extraordinary claims, while also engaging with legal challenges and reporting on alleged UFO incidents. The publication appears to be a platform for both investigative reporting and advocacy for critical thinking.