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From: HoustonSky@aol.com
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 14:32:09 -0500
Fwd Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 14:37:13 -0500
Subject: Re: Ambush Journalism I

> From: jan@cyberzone.net (Jan Aldrich)
>  Subject: Ambush Journalism I

>  Here is a little something that came my way just before sweeps week.  I
>  have included my answers.  As this is America, the names have been
>  changed to protect the guilty.  (Apparently around 1947 they also had
>  trouble with the literal minded.  Many stories ended with, "That's a
>  joke, son!"  As should this little introduction.)

Thanks Jan for posting this. And as usual I would like to add my 2 cents! And
I can since I was one of the folks who this so-called reporter/anchor
contacted.

He wrote to The International Roswell Initiative not once but twice --
becoming increasingly impatient because his first request had not been
answered. Frankly, the story he gave about Plum Island was one that IRI had
not heard before.

Here's his original message (I really hate to remove this guy's name but I
will!) along with the reply we sent him:

Subj:	Re: Re-sent - no reply: Roswell and Plum Island?
Date:	11/04/96
To:	name deleted to protect the guilty....

Dear Mr. x,

In a message dated 96-11-03 10:54:05 EST, you write:

> Some rumors have suggested that Plum Island is used for more than just the
>  study of contagious animal diseases.  One rumor even says that the
>  government -- under the guise of the USDA -- uses the island as a storage
>  area and study center for the five or so alien bodies recovered from
>  Roswell.
>
>  Have you heard anything like this?  Are there any contacts in the
>  Connecticut area that you might suggest talking with?

We have heard nothing about "bodies recovered from Roswell" being kept in
Connecticut. We  doubt that this is anything more than a rumor.

You may wish to contact xxxx, who is published author in the field, who might
 be able to offer some assistance or xxxx who can reached via email at xxxxx.

>  Thanks you very much for your time.

I hope this information is helpful and good luck with your report. If we can
be of any further assistance, please let us know.

[end of reply to this guy]

So what you have been telling us Jan is that this reporter/anchor just made
up the story about the alien bodies being stored at Plum Island and wanted to
get a reaction from some people in the field so he could make them look
silly. All in the name of ratings!

This guy said to you:
> > > While our story has the highest journalistic intentions, we certainly
can
>  > > not ignore the public sentiment in the area around the facility.

and you said:
>  >  Correct me if I wrong, but isn't critical thinking part of "highest
> >  journalitic intentions."

Good answer!

> > >  Our story airs next week, so the sooner you can reply, the
>  > >  better.

>  > From what imput you have given me, my opinion is that you should kill
the
>  > story until you can dig up additional facts on the facility.

<grin>
Bet this guy was mighty disappointed that he did not get what he was looking
for.

>  > >  I received your e-mail address from the --------------.
>
>  I know your source they have helped me in the past.  They are among
>  the more serious minded in the field.

But obviously he didn't like the source! <g> Mainly because he said this in
the next message:

> > > Not knowing much about your writings, I simply considered the source of
> > > your e-mail address ------------ folks.  I found them during an
internet
> > > search.  I incorrectly assumed you were part of that culture, and
> > > therefore
> > > I attempted to show sympathy for any theories you might have suported.

IS THIS THE WAY JOURNALISM IS DONE?

"That Culture" ?????!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing this Jan.

And let it be a caution to others: Especially during the sweeps periods (Feb,
May,  Nov -I know there is one in the summer, but I don't know which month),
local news reporters contact the local UFO people for all kinds of stories --
some do better jobs than others. But some like the illustration here will
make stuff up just for ratings.

The field of UFOlogy has more than enough problems and we certainly don't
need to be ambushed by so-called reporters too!

This guy says it all though in his last message to you:

> > >  I am not an investigative reporter, but a
>  > > storyteller.

BEWARE.

Rebecca