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From: "Edward G. Stewart" <egs@NETCOM.COM>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 08:21:06 -0700
Fwd Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 03:50:31 -0400
Subject: Project 1947 - Re: Robert Dean

Anastasia,

First, you waltzed into this list a couple of days ago pretending not to
know the first thing about the "stargate" project and now you are campaigning
for people to accept Robert Dean at his "word" and castigating folks on
this list for not accepting Robert Dean at all.

> .... As you know, Dean and many others in the
> military and in government (whom you may deem more "worthy") are wrestling
> with these same issues at this very moment...I'm reminded of that quote, "All
> that remains for Evil to win, is for GOOD PEOPLE to do NOTHING.

Or to allow bullshit artists like Robert Dean a platform without being
challenged.

> While you rightly enough point out that Dean's story is not readily
> proveable, BUT, unless there is proof of  intended duplicity, it is
> appropriate to take a person at their word. (Just as you deserve to be
> taken).

That, in a nut shell, is what is wrong with Ufology and most ufologists
today. No one has the right to be taken at their word if they are unable
to substantiate their position or claims. And when people are willing to
accept unsubstantiated claims at their word, they are contributing to the
darkeness of ufology and keeping real progress from being made. It is up
to whoever is making the claims to provide the evidence, substantiation and
ultimately the proof for their position. It is up to no one to accept
them at their word until they do so. Ready acceptance for people with stories
like Robert Dean is the major reason (in my opinion) why ufology is unable
to get any respect outside of ufology.

> Consider, that to make his rank, he must have been fairly well
> thought of by his superiors.

That, in a nut shell, also points out what is also wrong with ufology
today - a total lack of understanding of logic and critical analysis.
Appeal to authority is one of the most abused fallacies employed by
ufologists when they don't have FACTS to substantiate their claims. Also,
it is a fallacy that seems to impress those in the audience that do not
have any critical thinking skills in their tool chest.

> Yes, I think very delicate assessments are in order, don't you?

I think very critical standards of evidence need to be put in place by
ufologists and those standards should have nothing to do with whether or
not someone's "story" happens to "support" a specific belief system or not.
But, only if ufology ever has the hope of elevating itself above the
state of a belief system boardering on a religion and offering ready
platforms for every charismatic wannabe story teller preying on audiences
that don't understand critical analysis and logic.

Ed Stewart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ed Stewart - egs@netcom.com - | So Man, who here seems principal alone,
"There is                     | Perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown.
 Something Going On!" ,>'?'<, | Touches some wheel, or verges to some goal,
 -Salvador Freixedo-  ( O O ) | 'Tis but a part we see, and not a whole.
------------------ooOO-(_)-OOoo------- Alexander Pope, Essay on Man -------