Tampa Bay Skeptics REPORT ONLINE

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report Online, Volume 26, Number 2, from Fall 2013, is titled "TBS in Transition" and is authored by Terry A. Smiljanich. The magazine is published by Tampa Bay Skeptics, a special interest group of the Center For Inquiry.

TBS in Transition

Terry A. Smiljanich's article details the organizational challenges faced by Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS), which was founded 25 years prior by Gary Posner. The group has experienced a decline in paid membership from an initial peak of 120 to around 40, with sparsely attended quarterly meetings. Smiljanich attributes this to changing times, noting the decline of print media and the rise of social media, which provides information tailored to individual biases. He cites a student spokesman at a University of Florida symposium who stated he gets his news primarily from Twitter.

To adapt, TBS has created a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Smiljanich questions the continued need for membership dues if the hard-copy newsletter is discontinued, suggesting membership might become akin to a subscription. The upcoming meeting on September 28 was scheduled to discuss these changes.

Smiljanich also notes a divergence in focus with Gary Posner, who is becoming weary of the effort involved and is more concerned with political and economic trends than with what he considers "comparatively trivial superstitions." While Smiljanich disagrees with Posner's political views, he acknowledges that TBS cannot continue without Posner's efforts. Smiljanich has volunteered to manage the new social media accounts, while Posner will maintain the website and potentially publish occasional newsletters. The article concludes with a call to examine TBS's future direction.

EDITORIAL: "All Good Things..."

Gary P. Posner's editorial reflects on the founding of TBS in the 1980s, a period he describes as one of economic recovery, soaring entrepreneurial spirit, and a seemingly healthy democracy. He contrasts this with the present, where he sees the "fourth estate" (the press) in "foreclosure," doing little more than taking dictation and cheerleading. He mentions a CBS News journalist feeling pressured to tone down her reporting and experiencing computer hacking. Posner also notes the shift in perceived enemies from the Soviets to radical Islam and expresses a diminished interest in paranormal topics like UFOs, finding political and economic issues more pressing.

Posner criticizes the current concentration of power in the Supreme Court, particularly the influence of individual justices like Anthony Kennedy and John Roberts. He also decries the replacement of the dollar with Federal Reserve Notes, which he believes are created "out of thin air" by a private bank cartel, leading to profligate spending and currency debasement.

He expresses concern about China's growing economic influence and its potential to replace the dollar as the world's reserve currency. Posner points to China's construction of numerous "ghost cities" as evidence of an unsustainable real estate bubble. He also references a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report stating 2012 was among the 10 warmest years on record, lamenting that the scientific community might devolve into polarized camps.

Posner concludes by stating his weariness after 25 years as editor and writer, suggesting that the hard-copy newsletter may cease publication due to a lack of enthusiastic successors. He reiterates that the website and new social media accounts will continue the work of Tampa Bay Skeptics.

Naples "UFO" Evaporates

This section reports on a WBBH-TV 2 story from Fort Myers about a "UFO" sighting captured on condo surveillance footage in Naples. The video showed "smeary, shape-shifting lights" hovering for about 30 minutes. Rick Ritter, the reporter, sent the video to MUFON. James Conrad, a former TBS member, suggested the prosaic explanation of a raindrop on the lens. MUFON's official report, despite some errors, reached the same conclusion, though the condo's security officer, Debralee Thomas, rejected it.

Snippets

A cartoon depicts aliens performing an autopsy, with one saying, "No, this is Area 52. You're looking for the place across the street."

Area 51 Acknowledged

This snippet reports that Area 51, previously associated with studies of extraterrestrial spacecraft and "alien autopsies," has been officially acknowledged by the CIA. Documents reveal it is a site for top-secret military activities, including U-2 spy-plane programs, located on the dry Groom Lake bed in Nevada. Audrey Hewins, who runs a support group for "abductees" in Maine, expresses hope for ET disclosure, but the author expresses doubt.

Ybor City Talismans and Political Victory

This section, based on a Tampa Tribune article by Paul Guzzo, discusses superstitions and their potential substance. It highlights two historic Ybor City talismans: the clock tower of the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory, believed to be a good luck charm that kept the city safe, and a wooden nail keg owned by former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco's father, on which political candidates sat for guaranteed victory. The clock tower's bell was silenced in 1954, and the district was negatively impacted by highway construction, but its restoration in 2002 coincided with the district's revitalization. Greco's political success was linked to the nail keg, and his 2011 election effort was unsuccessful after the keg was lost.

Another Stinky "Skunk Ape" Video

This brief report mentions a grainy video, shot on March 2 in Myakka River State Park, Sarasota County, allegedly capturing an ape-like creature of "undetermined olfactory offensiveness," referred to as the Florida "Skunk Ape." The video was captured by Mike Falconer and his son, who attempted to approach the creature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the challenges of maintaining a special interest group in the digital age, the transition from print to online media, and a shift in focus from paranormal phenomena to political and economic commentary. Gary Posner, the long-time editor, expresses a growing weariness with skeptical investigations into what he deems "trivial superstitions," preferring to focus on broader societal and political issues. Terry Smiljanich, while acknowledging Posner's concerns, is taking on the responsibility of managing the group's new digital presence. The editorial stance leans towards rational inquiry but also reflects a disillusionment with the current political climate and a pragmatic approach to organizational survival.