From: John Velez <johnvelez.aic.nul>
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 15:28:24 -0500
Fwd Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 16:46:22 -0500
Subject: Re: Whittlesea Australia UFO Photograph - Velez


>From: Mary Chapman <alfie107.nul>
>To: ufoupdates.nul
>Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 14:33:37 -0800
>Subject: Re: Whittlesea Australia UFO Photograph

>>From: John Velez <johnvelez.aic.nul>
>>To: ufoupdates.nul
>>Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 15:15:10 -0500
>>Subject: Re: Whittlesea Australia UFO Photograph

><snip>

>>Sadly, no, we will probably never know the truth about the
>>Whittlesea photo. Thanks to *amateurs with an Internet soapbox
>>we can all look forward to having ever more obstacles to
>>overcome.

>>When this List first started it was closed to all save people
>>who had a 'legitimate' connection to the phenomenon. ie;
>>research people, investigators, their witnesses etc. Don't get
>>me wrong, I love the richness that the influx of voices, ideas,
>>and theories that manifested when EBK opened the List to the
>>public. It's just that in order to gain the benefits of an 'open
>>List', the price paid was an increase in static noise from
>>'armchair' amateurs with Internet access, some software, a book
>>to sell, a website to promote and two cents worth of very
>>personal theories and opinions.

>>So far the diversity gained has been worth the price. I just
>>pine for the old days from time to time is all. ;)

Hi Mary,

You wrote:

>John,

>I completely understand your desire to go back to the old days
>when this List was more private. Honestly I do! But speaking
>from an 'outsider's' or 'public' viewpoint, I want to personally
>thank you and your team for opening it up to us.

It's not "my" team, Mary. The List is Errol Bruce-Knapp's brain
child and one he has labored over long and hard for many years.
Actually, it was Errol's idea to open the List to the public. As
I stated in my post, the diversity and the influx of fresh blood
breathed new life into UFO UpDates. The 'public' List is better
in many ways. What I was hinting at is; as with everything else
in life, you have to give some to get some. The price paid for
opening up the List was a dramatic increase in the 'signal to
noise' ratio. Which is ok. We kind of expected it anyway.

>There _are_ a plethora of interested bystanders who are
>benefitted by you and your colleagues' ideas and expertise on
>the subjects presented here. Believe me, I among many (IMHO)
>value the information we glean from this List. You all have
>brought the UFO 'phenom' to a higher standard of possibility,
>probability, and believability... again IMHO!

I am complimented that you have lumped me in with some of the
truly wonderful research people that contribute to this List. In
terms of my being an 'expert' of any kind regarding 'ufos' that
isn't so. Real 'experts' in ufology are very rare. People like
Dick Hall, Stan Friedman, Jerry Clark and a puny handful of
others comprise a short-list of individuals that have spent the
better part of a life-time immersed in a dedicated study of the
subject. I just don't qualify to be a member (or even the
janitor) of that 'League of Extraordinary Ladies and Gentlemen."
:)

But thank you for your very kind words.

>I imagine for those of us who have no expertise, but who _do_
>have experiences with UFOs, whether that be sightings and/or
>visitations, a List like this brings comfort in a way. Comfort
>because you all seem to be intelligent and probing 'warriors'
>who bring us little people up a notch by your honest inquiry
>about the 'Unknown'! You want to know what _we_ want to know,
>and you are not afraid to lead the quest into our future.

>I just wanted to commend you and _thank_you_ for all your
>efforts here on UFO UpDates! Keep on keeping on! You _are_
>appreciated!

Geez Mary, again, I am deeply humbled by your very kind words.
Thanks for the vote of support. It means a lot. It helps to keep
me going just to know 'somebody' is listening. And yes, With EBK
moderating, providing the setting, along with setting the bar
for quality high, I like to think that UFO UpDates and SDI are
head and shoulders above everything else that is available on
the subject. It is the one and only e-mail List I have _ever_ or
_would_ ever participate in. All kudos should go to EBK for all
the thankless and countless hours that he dedicates to this List
and to producing SDI.

Errol, you're da 'Man' bro! Without you... none of this happens.

Thanks for the note, Mary.   ;)


Regards,

John Velez, Just one of the 'peons' at UFO UpDates.  :)