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Roger Downey raised important issues in his thoughtful article "People who run with aliens" (9/30). The challenge that scientists have not taken up is this: regardless of whether the phenomenon is "real," thousands—perhaps hundreds of thousands—of people are experiencing something that affects them emotionally. At the least, this should qualify it as worthy territory for serious study. At best, it challenges our perception of reality and may lead to entirely new ways of perceiving human psychology, biology, and the nature of reality.
OSCAR HALPERT
SEATTLE
The real from fantisy
Good work in your September issue on UFOs, alien abduction, and the need to believe ("People who run with aliens," 9/30). Just like John Mack, [Roger Downey] kept his distance of opinion. It is well known by all that to believe without scientific proof is a dillusion. If it can't be repeated under controlled conditions—it's not real. And for our own safety—it should remain that way. . . .
I am an experiencer. I am an x-file. I am dillusional—and I can't spell worth a darn. At a May 1994 Alien Abduction, my Abductor asked, "Have you ever been abducted by a ship like this one?" then he pointed to a classical UFO—like from the movies. In that same dream, I saw another ship like from Star Wars. And several types of beings, greys-angels; but the one I remember the most was the 1st being who guided my about the belief in life after death. And that classical ship was not his.
What I am saying is that if you ever want to write something way beyond the normal—and keeping yourself far from believing it, contact me. . . . And if you wonder—yes, I do know the real from fantisy.
EMMA L. ROGERS
PORT ANGELES
Close Encounters
Re: Winston's two-page ad in the Seattle Weekly (9/23): "If aliens are smart enough to travel through space, why do they keep abducting the dumbest people on earth?" Not only is Winston systematically undermining the physical health of the world's population, but though this campaign of ridicule, they now seek to savage our psychological health as well.
We two psychotherapists have—for the past five years—worked clinically with (and interviewed) people who have experienced Close Encounters. Far from being "the dumbest people on earth," our clients have included a medical doctor, nurse, dentist, psychologist, Navy pilot, molecular biologist, videographer, secretary, computer programmer, stockbroker, consumer electronics distributor, internet corporate executive, realtor, massage therapist, systems analyst, mental health counselor, and social worker. These people come forward with great reluctance because of the considerable public ridicule they face. That ridicule and cultural denial is a major part of what makes such contact traumatic.
So why are these people suddenly the targets of R.J. Reynolds? Apparently such people signal the significant cultural change in store for us that is threatening to the status quo Winston represents. After all, people who "awaken" from the cultural trance are less likely to be snowed by media campaigns, whether the ad promotes ridicule, intolerance—or addictions.
Please reconsider accepting Winston as an advertiser.
JANET COLLI, PhD
THOMAS BECK, PhD
VIA EMAIL
Paracover
This week's cover (9/30): what a cheap shot—bait and switch.
Your cover (?) story had nothing more to do with Robert Anton Wilson than barely a decent paragraph could describe. Even then, most of what was written was paraphrase. Wait—maybe we're onto something here. Parastory? Parafeature?
RODNEY SHELDEN FEHSENFELD
VIA EMAIL
Harsh realities
Thank you for the really good article about Brian Derdowski ("Brian Derdowski: Californicated?" 9/23). It reflects a considerable knowledge of the politics on the Eastside and some of the harsh realities of the politics of growth.
You don't have to be 'Green' to understand the importance of a Brian Derdowski on the King County Council. And those who have fought the growth machine to maintain the quality of life on the Eastside saw the writing on the wall after the campaign for the city of Sammamish City Council. In that race, the 'dark side' used disgusting tactics that were successful in convincing the voters of the new city to abandon the very people who had worked to create the new city and had their best interests in mind.
That campaign of lies, misrepresentations, impersonated newsletters, direct mailings filled with deceptive statements, sign stealing, etc., and its support from local papers like the Seattle Times and the Eastside Journal to get the developers' dream-team elected, was just too overpowering for voters who didn't know the facts or the history of the Plateau. Too many voters were simply too apathetic and lazy to read beyond the Developers' Journal or the deceptive signs on the side of the road.
The defeat of Brian wasn't the real wake-up call. The wake-up call is in recognizing the tactics of the growth machine that is winning elections—victories that could never happen if the press was doing their job to point out the lies and the slime behind these negative campaign tactics.
The Seattle Weekly is a gem of a paper because of its courage to report things the way they are. But unfortunately, the Weekly doesn't reach everyone, and that means that the lies, innuendo, and the rest of it is prevailing.
