Great show gene and dave, you really got to some core issues in the field that are usually not elaborated on as directly.
Leslie's opinion on the 'exopolitics scene' was really interesting. Very cool to hear a relative newcomer who is a real mainstream journalist (unlike Paola Harris) point of view on this stuff. She would be a good filter to use for any major PR campaign to get public support on the issue, since she seems to have a good grasp on what type of evidence has the best chance to receive mainstream support, based on her observations.
For the most part I agree with David's opinion that people like Greer and Webre hurt the movement with their crazy talk with no quality evidence to back anything up, although I do try to keep up with their stuff in case they happen to one day stumble across some compelling evidence
I try to look for the tiny consistent potential grains of truth within the non-credible ufo scene as well. I do think there is a place for these expolitic guys in the UFO scene just like Bill O'Reilly has a niche in the right wing fantasy world scene, but these guys should not be included in any serious efforts to get the word out to the mainstream world.
Regarding Steve Bassett? I think Steve is a great guy doing his best. It's easy to be a back seat driver of course, but I don't think you can argue with his passion and intentions. He is overly optimistic about disclosure and he does mix the fringe with the highly credible. I think he has to be optimistic or he would go crazy. Kind of like how a general manager of an NBA team like Isiah Thomas truly believes they have a good team and can really be successful
I once asked Steve via email why he had Greer and company at the x-conference and he wrote that it was because they draw attendence and since he finances this thing on a very limited budget, he needs to fill seats. He actually takes a big hit every year. I forgot what he emailed me but it was something like he lost $10,000 of his own money last year and multiply that times 4 years or whatever. Renting out a hotel conference room for 3 days is expensive!!!!! Kudos to Steve for his effort. I've suggested that Steve do more 'local' promotion in the DC area instead of putting all his efforts into the national UFO scene, but I don't think he has heeded my words. If a conference is down the street from you and you have a passing interest in UFO's, I think your much more likely to attend then if you live in Alaska and listen to Coast to Coast.... but that's just a marketing issue (I think he really needs a marketing consultant, his website is all over the place!!!)
When Steve is on the show I think it is entirely fair to bring the Greer/Webre subject up to him and I think he will be honest about it. I think unlike some people, Steve is open to ideas and suggestions, so I would feel free to email him if you have any strong opinions on how he can improve his efforts.
Steve's emphasis on the ET hypothesis is something that David questioned him on before, but next time I would like to hear David confront him on that a bit more since I think the dimensional/crypto stuff is probably just as likely, and actually I think all of the above are true - et/dimensional/crypto/mental etc.... but that's just my opinion.
IMO Leslie spending any time trying to engage the government in another project blue book is a waste of time. I know this is based on her interviews with foreign generals who said this would help get things going etc... but I think it's a waste given the 60 year history on this in the US. I got the feeling Leslie isn't as schooled in the coverup as she needs to be. She needs to see Rich Dolan give a talk.
I prefer Steve's more aggressive approach and think if UFO's continue to gain credible momentum in the public sphere to the point where 50,000 people march on Washington, then we are more likely to get answers.
Do I think this will happen any time in the next few years, probably not, but I think it's the most effective approach versus regurgitating blue book. I think a majority of public acceptance of this phenomena, not just privately, but to the point where people openly proclaim their belief in this could have a big influence on getting any type of disclosure.
I know how the UFO buffs always spout the fact that 'polls show over 50% of people believe....", well 50% don't openly believe and often the ones that do are more concerned with getting to work on time. So I think a major PR campaign/cultural movement, on par with Christinity, WMD's in Iraq, Michael Jackson's Thriller, etc... would be the thing that potentially really blows open the doors. How do you do this when press conferences, Larry King Live, etc... have no impact? I think you have to continue to plug away and get influential people in the media to take this matter seriously...... This is a simplistic view I know, but just a stream of consciousness...
Certainly if people like Webre and Greer get to promote themselves as a public face on this issue and get a stage like the X Conference which is supposed to be different then the new age events, then nothing's gonna happen!
