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From: Judith Dale <judithdale@earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 01:05:08 -0800 Fwd Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 12:25:08 -0500 Subject: Re: Firmage: Statement Regarding Stephens-Hoagland >From: Joe Firmage <jfirmage@uswebcks.com> >To: updates@globalserve.net >Subject: Statement Regarding Stephens-Hoagland >Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 22:46:32 -0800 Joe Firmage wrote: >Hello everyone, >We have been presented in the past few weeks with a spectacle >remarkable even on the scale of the ridiculousness common to >UFOlogy. Robert Stephens emerged some months ago and began to >share some provocative information concerning the subject of >UFOs. He was about to be engaged in a debate on Art Bell's radio >program covering 200 questions concerning claims made by Richard >Hoagland, when his participation was cut from the air. In the >midst of the firestorm of debate that followed, he bowed out in >a "confession" that labelled himself a "Fraud". Many have said, >with some justification, that Stephens' final radio comments >were somewhat disjointed, though others have reported that he >was particularly cogent in his other appearances. In any case, >he has taken his agenda to the written word, and is publishing >the "200 questions" he's been talking about. >Whether you agree with Stephens' tactics or not, his points are >well grounded, and this is a critical issue and must be >addressed for the health of our movement. I thank him for his >diligence and courage to confront our weaknesses. Those of us >who seriously study the UFO issue are convinced that it is the >most important single question facing humanity at this moment in >time. It is far too important to have the entire UFO community >subjected to derision from Hoagland's unchallenged and >unsupportable claims. After reading Joe's comments above, I felt compelled to add my voice to his in support of Robert Stephens. I admit to being quite new myself to the world of Ufology, via the Web. Although, the subject itself is not new to me, my current interest was piqued after listening to the personal experiences of close friends. I am a Psychiatric/Mental Nurse, and as I listened to my friends tell me of their experiences, I was struck by the very long lasting impact these experiences have had on their lives. I found myself hearing of experiences that were intensely traumatic in nature. I realized then, that many of their feelings, behaviors, and thoughts were indicative of people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I became terribly concerned about the nature of their experiences. As my research has led me through the Web, I've noticed how many others are suffering from PTSD following traumatic encounter experiences. This troubles me greatly. I've thought about what seems to be going on, and decided it does not often bode well for us humans. I realize that there are some people who've had experiences that were, perhaps, not traumatic. In fact, it seems that some have found their experiences to be powerfully life changing in many positive ways, but these appear to be the minority. My Web explorations took me to Richard Hoagland's site. As I read the many pages, I was struck by two thoughts. The first was that this man truly believes this stuff, and the second was that the connections he made between events and ideas seemed, perhaps, paranoid and somewhat delusional. Yet, there was his forum, for anyone to happen upon. Further, he was speaking publicly, via the airwaves, about his theories. I found this frightening. I thought, this man is perpetuating more trauma on those who've already been wounded. I didn't like what I heard. Now, I've also come upon sites by many who provide information that seems sound and helpful. I've also heard many speak, and present information via the airwaves that is sound and helpful. When I first heard Robert Stephens speak, I thought, now this guy is saying something important, I've not heard this before. He was certainly coherent, and made great sense. I believe he has much to offer this field of Ufology, and I am particularly interested to see the questions he will present for Richard Hoagland to answer. I've not spoken personally with Robert Stephens, but we have email dialogue. I've found his answers to my questions to be helpful, clear, and thoughtful. I will only comment thus on the fast fury of words that have flown over the wires of the Net, how disturbing at this crucial time, that there has been so much vehemence and attack. Let's not shoot this messenger. Thank you for your attention. Cordially, Judith Dale, RN, C
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