Shadow of a Doubt - 1997 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: April 1997
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the NCAS newsletter, 'Shadow of a Doubt', dated April 1997, focuses on upcoming events and a review of the 1996 Pigasus Awards. The publication aims to provide a skeptical perspective on paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.

Events and Appearances

Roswell: Fact versus Fiction Talk

Richard Weaver, a retired Colonel from the U.S. Air Force, is scheduled to give a talk on Saturday, April 19, 1997, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethesda Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. The talk will cover the methodology of the Air Force's research into the Roswell Incident, including an overview of its findings and related anecdotes. The event is open to both members and non-members with no admission charge. For more information, individuals can call the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

James "The Amazing" Randi Appearance

Magician, pseudoscience investigator, and NCAS friend, James Randi, will be in town on April 19. He is attending to accept an award from the American Physics Society on behalf of Martin Gardiner, who is unable to travel. Randi will be at the Denman's home in Silver Spring from 7 PM to 10 PM for light snacks and informal discussions. Attendees are encouraged to bring Randi's books for signing. To get directions, individuals need to call the Skeptics Line at 301-587-3827 and leave their name.

"UFOs Grounded on May 17"

Phil Klass, described as the world's leading demystifier of UFO claims and a co-founder of NCAS, will participate in an informal question and answer session on May 17th. This event celebrates NCAS's 10th anniversary. Attendees are invited to bring their questions, queries, and even "crashed saucer debris."

1996 Pigasus Awards

On April 1, 1997, the James Randi Educational Foundation announced the recipients of the 1996 Pigasus Awards. These awards honor the most outrageous claims related to the supernatural, paranormal, or occult. The awards were presented in four categories:

1. Most Outrageous Scientific Claim: Awarded to Ed May, who headed the CIA's "remote viewing" project. This project reportedly consumed $20 million of taxpayer money to develop a technique that claimed to bypass time and space to obtain secret information using "gifted psychics" on the CIA payroll.
2. Most Useless Study Funding: Awarded to Robert Bigelow, of the Bigelow Tea family. He provided substantial funding to Harvard University's Professor John Mack and author Bud Hopkins for their "alien abduction" beliefs. Additionally, Bigelow reportedly purchased a "haunted ranch" in Utah for $230,000, where UFO attacks and "interdimensional portals" had allegedly occurred.
3. Most Outrageous Media Claim: This award was divided among various newspapers, magazines, TV programs, and radio shows that have perpetuated the "Roswell Incident" myth, despite considerable contrary evidence. The article references the April talk topic, implying a connection.
4. Most Deceptive Psychic Performer: Awarded to Sheldon Nidle of Walnut Creek, California. Nidle had predicted the end of the world for December 17th, 1996. When the predicted events did not occur, Nidle explained that the fulfillment was not evident because people were naturally unaware, as they were living in a special holographic projection created by angels.

NCAS Elections and Volunteers

Paid-up members of NCAS are reminded to fill out and return their election ballots. The newsletter also encourages members to volunteer their time to help the organization, emphasizing that volunteers are always needed. Contact information for the Skeptics Line (301-587-3827) is provided for both ballot return and volunteer inquiries. The last change date for this information was April 4, 1997.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, critical examination of UFO phenomena, and the promotion of rational inquiry. The NCAS, through its newsletter and events, actively debunks unsubstantiated claims and highlights individuals and organizations that promote critical thinking. The Pigasus Awards, in particular, serve to ridicule and expose what the organization deems as fraudulent or baseless assertions in the fields of the supernatural and paranormal. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting scientific skepticism and debunking what it views as sensationalism and misinformation.