UFO Studies
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In his commentary (“A Marriage Made in Heaven’s Gate,” May 19), Prof. Paul Kurtz blames “the media conglomerate” for the public’s fascination with the paranormal. He is correct. He then implies that those who study UFOs are ignorant and gullible. He is incorrect.
Kurtz has a stake in the promotion of skepticism because the organization he founded (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) publishes and sells a magazine--and UFOs are the main target.
I had to laugh when the professor referred to Kenneth Arnold’s “alleged” sighting of the first flying saucers 50 years ago. CSICOP produces an explanation for every UFO sighting, no matter how absurd, but to describe Arnold’s well-documented and well-supported sighting near Mt. Rainier as “alleged” is truly silly. On the same day (June 24, 1947) according to Jerome Clark’s respected “UFO Encyclopedia” there were 18 other UFO sightings in the Pacific Northwest.
Serious and dedicated UFO researchers abound. But their search for answers is ridiculed by the very scientific community that should be on the cutting edge of the investigation.
JOHN ROMERO
Westlake Village
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