JS> What does your moderator believe about UFOs and aliens?
 JS> I believe there are other races in the universe that are of various
 JS> degrees of advancement, and just as intelligent as we are. I believe
 JS> there are thousands of other intelligent races, because there are
 JS> that many stars in the heavens to allow for those kinds of numbers.
 Sure...
 JS> Of these thousands, I also believe that those with a high degree
 JS> of technology probably are humanoid in appearence. I believe that
 JS> these other races are just as isolated from each other as we are
 JS> from them. I believe their physics are the same as ours, and have
 JS> the same restrictions involving how fast they can move between
 JS> places.
 Ok, so we had ETs which can exceed out technological abilities.  Naturally, 
the laws are the same everywhere. 
 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.
 This line completely stunned me.   What problem do you see with the 
'distances involved'?   Some ship voyages used to take a year or so using the 
wind and there are about 1000 stars within 50 ly of earth.  Nothing 
impossible about it.  I only feel that it is not a good arguement to hold. 
 JS> I do believe there is a possibility that we will establish contact
 JS> via radio some day with at least one other race within the next
 JS> thousand years.
 Exactly the same problem as above, even worst in some respect. Communicating 
with a star 100 ly away would take 200 years per message. Where as, a trip 
using relativitic velocities could get real occupants to the other planet in 
a far shorter time (and not with exceedingly large energies).
 JS> I believe our very own technology is responsible for 99 percent
 JS> of all valid UFO sightings. ...In the form of aircraft our
 JS> government is keeping secret from us.
Not from what I read.  The government was just as confused as any civilian 
back in 1952 (I have over 50 doc from the Central Intelligence Agency from 
the year, and this agencies is lost to explain the phenomena) 
 JS> I say these things to you with the same regret a parent feels when
 JS> they disclose the truth about Santa Claus to their children.
Pity, there are obvious impossibilities about Santa Claus doing his work 
every Christmas. 
 JS> ...Now back to my normal speculation  about Martians and other
 JS> aliens. Have fun and enjoy your fantasies about aliens, but come up
 JS> for a breath of fresh air occasionally.
What is the purpose of moderating an echo, when you do not believe the 
general contents of what is discussed.  This for me is merely an interesting 
hobby amongst hobbies, justified by the shear potential of the information 
available, if the hypothesis is true (ie. greatest discovery in history, no 
doubt).
However, the Extraterrestrial/ufo connection is so extraordinary, that I had 
on many occasions felt the urge to dismiss the possibility out of hand. 
However, I feel its too important to let go, unchecked.
 JS> No, Virginia, [...]!
 JS> Jack
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