Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 03 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Tampa Bay Skeptics Report
Issue: Volume 3, No. 2
Date: Fall 1990
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English

Main Articles

Study of Gulf Breeze UFO Model Further Discredits Walters' Claims

This article details findings by Gulf Breeze city officials that appear to further discredit the claims of Ed Walters, author of "The Gulf Breeze Sightings." Walters, who has charged that "debunkers" are part of a conspiracy to discredit UFOs, claimed a fabricated UFO model found in his former home was made from drafting paper and four plastic/foam plates, planted to incriminate him. He explained that the drafting paper was taken from his garbage and that the model was fabricated two years after his alleged sightings. However, according to aerospace journalist Philip J. Klass, writing in the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, an investigation by Gulf Breeze city officials, including Mayor Ed Gray and Police Chief Jerry Brown, revealed that Walters made the house plan in the spring of 1987, six months before his first UFO photos, contradicting his timeline.

Klass also discusses Tom Smith Jr.'s claim that he participated with Walters in creating hoax UFO photographs. Smith alleged that Walters asked him to take photos and claim them as his own. Walters, in turn, challenged Smith's story, claiming Smith had photographed a genuine UFO and concocted the hoax story due to family religious convictions. MUFON held a press conference to reopen its investigation into the Ed Walters/Gulf Breeze case, though Klass reports MUFON's continued endorsement of the photographs.

Merrell vs. Renier Update: Judge Allows Merrell's Suit to Proceed

This section covers the legal battle involving "psychic homocide detective" Noreen Renier and John Merrell. Renier gained media attention following appearances on The Joan Rivers Show, where she claimed to have merged minds with the "Zodiac" killer. Rivers announced Renier was working with the New York Police Department on the "Zodiac" case. However, the NYPD Public Information Office stated Renier is not working with them. Meanwhile, on August 23, Judge Pfeiffer denied Renier's motion to dismiss Merrell's lawsuit, which accuses Renier of improper activities following Merrell's failure in bankruptcy court to have a $25,000 libel judgment against him dismissed. Count I alleges Renier delivered a press release to Merrell's employer to destroy confidence in him. Count II alleges Renier's press releases were misleading and intended to achieve publicity and enhance her earnings. Count III states Renier resorted to false and misleading statements to embarrass and humiliate Merrell and intimidate him into satisfying her claims outside the legal process.

Renier's attorney, Carey N. Bos, stated that "None of that is true" and that Renier intends to file a counterclaim. Bos refused to comment on Renier's media appearances or the NYPD connection.

Other News and Snippets

Tampa Bay Skeptics Report: Statement of Purpose and "$1,000 Challenge"

The Tampa Bay Skeptics, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the critical examination of paranormal claims. They do not reject claims a priori but are committed to objective inquiry, sharing the philosophy of CSICOP. They are sponsoring a "$1,000 Challenge" for verifiable evidence of paranormal phenomena.

Chairman's Corner: Occam's Razor

Chairman Terry A. Smiljanich discusses "Occam's Razor," the principle of applying the simplest explanation with the fewest hypotheticals. He contrasts this with the tendency of paranormal believers to construct elaborate scenarios. He uses the Gulf Breeze case as an example, presenting two contrasting hypotheses: one involving aliens and another involving a hoax. He argues that the hoax explanation requires fewer assumptions.

Mutual UFO Network Holds Annual Meeting in Pensacola

The article notes MUFON's 1990 convention in Pensacola, attended by an estimated 600 members and others. It highlights new accusations that the Gulf Breeze case is a hoax and counter-claims by Ed Walters. MUFON's director, Walter Andrus, stated that the organization considers the Gulf Breeze case authentic until proven otherwise. A letter to the editor by Gary P. Posner criticizes MUFON's unscientific approach.

Local "Psychic" Offered TBS "$1,000 Challenge"

Clearwater "psychic" Frankie Avery was invited by TBS to undergo a controlled test of her paranormal abilities, but has not responded. Avery appeared on a local TV program and was challenged by skeptic John Anderson. An audience member suggested she be tested by James Randi. TBS proposed testing her, with Gary Posner matching the $1,000 challenge.

Richard Hoagland's 'Monuments of Mars' and Pioneer 10 Plaque Claims

Richard Hoagland announced on a radio program that he would address a NASA event and that a NASA interview was being prepared. He reiterated claims about "official NASA interest" in Viking photographs of Mars. He also repeated his claim that he and Eric Burgess, not Carl Sagan, conceived the Pioneer 10 plaque, and that Sagan suffered from "amnesia" on this point. The report notes that inquiries have been sent to Sagan and NASA officials.

Snippets

• George Thommen: Author of "Is This Your Day?" died at 94.
• Operation Blackbird: A field study of crop circles in Great Britain, initially believed to be a phenomenon, was confirmed as a human hoax.
• Book Bans: Several books are being banned from Florida public schools due to complaints from conservative religious groups.
• Christian Science Deaths: A couple was convicted of manslaughter for their child's death due to their adherence to Christian Science beliefs.
• Loch Ness Monster: The legend of "Nessie" generates an estimated $42 million annually in tourism revenue for the Scottish Highlands.
• Army Deserters: Six U.S. Army deserters from West Germany, who believed in UFOs and an impending apocalypse, were found in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Kodak No Longer Selling UFO Videotape

Eastman Kodak is no longer distributing the independently produced videotape "UFO The Unsolved Mystery." It can now be obtained from Wood & Knapp Distributors.

Upcoming CSICOP Events

CSICOP announced upcoming events: a UFO workshop in Tucson (Nov. 16-18) featuring Robert Sheaffer and Robert Baker; a CSICOP Executive Council meeting in Cincinnati (Dec. 2); and an "Investigative Techniques" workshop at the University of Kentucky (April 19-21).

Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Morality

This section previews Steve Allen's new book, which Martin Gardner describes as a scholarly analysis of Scripture. Gardner anticipates resentment but hopes the book will encourage critical study.

Readers' Forum

• Joyce Jillson: An astrologer writes a cautionary letter to Don Addis, offering a "Personal Forecast" for $17.95/month.
• C.J. Wenger: Praises the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report for its rational thinking and laments the lack of "The Skeptical Inquirer" at the Manatee Public Central Library.
• D.M.: Claims to have had 42 UFO sightings and six close encounters, stating he is half-human and half-alien. He offers two predictions: Prince Andrew becoming King of Europe and Russia invading Israel in 1992.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics Report consistently promotes a skeptical and critical examination of paranormal phenomena, UFO claims, and fringe science. The editorial stance emphasizes logic, scientific inquiry, and the application of principles like Occam's Razor. The publication actively debunks alleged hoaxes, challenges unsubstantiated claims, and provides a platform for skeptical viewpoints, while also offering a $1,000 challenge for verifiable proof of paranormal events. The report also engages with legal disputes and media coverage related to these topics, often highlighting perceived biases or sensationalism in mainstream reporting.