Hi,
 >>  JS> Of these thousands, I also believe that those with a high degree of
 >>  JS> technology probably are humanoid in appearence.
 >> Why?
 Why not?
 >  JS> It's hard to explain, but it's best chalked up to vanity and my own
 >  JS> religious beliefs.
 > Not really a good basis for rational scientific
 > discussion.
 Why isn't it? Most of our 'scientists' have their vision clouded by their 
beliefs. As to whether they are religious or not doesn't change the effect 
they have on some of the theories they come up with, either now or in the 
past.
 >  JS> If dinosaurs can evolve into birds as some believe, then my
 > speculations
 >  JS> concerning other races is just as viable.
 > One has _nothing_ to do with the other.  In one case,
 > you're talking about the evolution of one group of
 > animals into another (and, I might add, birds can look
 > VERY different from one another, depending on the
 > type).  In the other you're talking about evolution
 > occurring on a different PLANET, possibly starting
 > from a different point than our evolution started, and
 > certainly facing different obstacles to overcome.
 Your arguement here is invalid against what Jack has said above. In fact you 
are agreeing with him in a way.
 >>  JS> I do not believe we have been visited by aliens from outside our
 >>  JS> solar system because of the distances involved. I don't think this
 >>  JS> will ever happen.
 >> Then what do you consider "the UFO phenomenon"?
 Probably exacly what it implies, UFO's!
 >  JS> Nowhere in the UFO phenomenon is it assumed that UFOs are alien 
aft.
 > Not to me, but certainly to some people.
 certainly some people link the two ideas because it is a convenient way to 
explain things that are not understood.
 >> So why do you spend time speculating about things you don't believe to be
 >> true?  Why do you encourage others to do such things rather than 
explaining
 >
 >> to them why the things they are saying are not correct?  Why do you act 
o
 >> non-skeptical while you claim here that you are, essentially, a skeptic 
(no
 > t
 >> that I actually believe it, mind you)?
 Why do millions of people speculate on beliefs they cannot substantiate 
under the guise of religion?
 >  JS> I'm simply not prepared to accept the presence of aliens without
 >  JS> stronger evidence than has yet been provided--same as you. As to
 >  JS> why I "spend my time" speculating, I do it because it's fun.
 > Did it ever occur to you that your "fun" could hurt
 > somebody else?  Think Heaven's Gate, for one example.
 If you are going to blame one or another persons ideas and beliefs for what 
others may or may not do then you are going to have to rewrite history.
 What you have said has as much validity as my publishing my beliefs in a 
newspaper and then you blaming me for WW3
 >  JS> ...To bring the "truth" to us like some fundamentalist knocking on my
 >  JS> door? That is the impression I get from some skeptics.
 > Then, as you often do, you have gotten the wrong
 > impression.  Skeptics don't bring "The Truth."
 > Indeed, we QUESTION claims to The Truth.  We bring
 > rationality, critical thinking, and science -- some
 > things that are sorely lacking in the UFO arena.
 Skeptics bring doubt and alternatives into the debates.
 Often though there is no more rationality, critical thinking or science in 
their arguements.
If it is lacking in this echo then perhaps, as you may well already do, you 
should get into some of the 'scientific echos' and see how much of the above 
applies to them just as much as it does here.
 Scientists are often so wrapped up in their own convoluted ideas they cannot 
even see common sense let alone be rational.
 sig rex
..Say not, I have found the truth, but I have found a truth..
--- FMail/386 1.22
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