From: ParaNet.Information.Service@p0.f428.n104.z1.FIDONET.ORG (ParaNet Information Service)
Newsgroups: alt.alien.visitors
Subject: Phoenix Response - Conclusion
Date: 20 Aug 92 20:25:11 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/428.0 - <ParaNet(sm) , Arvada CO


 * Forwarded from "ParaNet UFO Echo"
 * Originally from ParaNet Information Service
 * Originally dated 08-20-92 13:24

<<..Continued from previous message>>

In fact, this whole business was such an embarrassing mess that the
Phoenix Project issued a "correction" document to try to straighten it
out.  But, ironically, the correction is also wrong--just less
obviously so.

We could go on, but I think you get the point.  The "Ultimate Secret"
report is, at best, a rehash of other people's garbage.  At worst, it
is a deliberate effort to confuse and disinform.

PP> We actively encourage other serious investigators to use the
PP> information we have provided as a basis for conducting their own
PP> inquiry and to carry-on our effort.  Can you, Mr. Corbin, or
PP> ParaNet, or Mufon, make the same claim.  Or, is it true that the
PP> results of critical investigations are held sacred by the elite
PP> leadership of these organizations, and are not shared with the
PP> member's of their organizations or the public?

We can't speak for other organizations, but in the case of ParaNet we
have always made our results public as soon as our investigations are
complete.

PP> In your message, you insinuate that because of our past military
PP> and intelligence backgrounds, our area of expertise so-to-speak,
PP> that the motives of the Phoenix Project are suspect.  You further
PP> insinuate that we are possibly government operatives attempting to
PP> send serious researchers off on a variety of wild goose chases.

Given the prior history of government disinformation in ufology, most
of it purveyed by active or former intelligence agents and their
victims, anyone who (1) purports to have a military intelligence
background, (2) refuses to divulge their identity, and (3) propagates
known disinformation as reliable intelligence (whether deliberately or
not) should expect his motives to be considered suspect until proven
otherwise.  It is extremely naive of you to think it would happen any
other way.

PP> If anyone needed assurance that the truth regarding UFO's will
PP> remain a deep, dark, secret -- they can rest secure in the
PP> knowledge that you, are on the job.  There are any number of
PP> government agencies who would welcome you with open arms.
PP> Expect some offers.

Sorry, none so far.  We'll let you know if we get any.

PP> We are sure that the honest and sincere members of ParaNet and
PP> other UFO investigative organizations (and there are many) must be
PP> seriously considering whether your qualifications, fitness and
PP> investigative ability warrant your continuance in a position of
PP> leadership within what used to be a respected research
PP> organization.

Exactly the opposite, actually.  Most of our people are grateful for
the warning, and are coming to the same conclusions as we did.

PP> Instead of making an honest attempt to validate or
PP> disprove our findings regarding the subjects mentioned -- missing
PP> the point completely, you chose to become obsessed with determining
PP> the identity of Phoenix Project personnel. For what reason?  Do you
PP> intend to judge the validity of the information based on the
PP> credentials of those providing it?  Some people would interpret
PP> that as putting the cart before the horse.

And some people would interpret it as a determination not to fall prey
to the same fate as far too many others in this field, who trusted
strangers too easily and ended up wasting years chasing wild geese--or
worse.

PP> Explain to us how or
PP> why the credentials of our investigators, or their identity, have
PP> any bearing on the validity of the information.  Either the
PP> information is true or it isn't.  It's as simple as that, or does
PP> that simple fact escape you.

The credentials of your investigators have a strong bearing on whether
or not it is even worth the trouble to examine your "information".
Anybody can sit down for a few hours at a word processor and cook up
reams of tittilating "information" about almost any subject under the
sun.  But unless there is good reason to think there might be something
to it, it's a fool's errand to try to chase it all down.

It's like this:  If ordinary claims come from an anonymous source, they
may be assigned some measure of trust simply because they accord with
everyday experience.  If extraordinary claims come from a reputable
source, they may be assigned some measure of trust simply because of
the proven track record of the person making the claims.  But when
extraordinary claims originate from an anonymous source, they generally
are given no credence at all, because there is simply no reason to
believe they are true.  Life is too short to chase every wild goose
that comes cackling along.  There must be *some* reason--either in the
plausibility of the claim or the authority of the claimant--to think
it's worth the trouble.  You have provided neither one.

PP> How can we, or others, be assured of your motives. One does
PP> not need a brilliant mind to envision a scenario where the
PP> information the Phoenix Project has released is discredited because
PP> of an act of character assignation.

Please explain what "character assignation" is, and then maybe we can
envision the scenario you have in mind.

PP> Suppose we asked these questions -- would you be prepared to
PP> respond to them?  Who are you?  What are your credentials?  Who are
PP> those holding positions of leadership in ParaNet?  What are their
PP> qualifications and credentials?  How do we know that you or ParaNet
PP> are not controlled by government operatives?  What qualifications
PP> are required to hold a position of leadership within ParaNet?

There has never been any secret about what ParaNet is or who it
consists of.  Lists of ParaNet nodes and their sysops have been posted
to the net on several occasions.  Anyone who wants to follow the
ParaNet BBS echoes can log in to a local ParaNet node, receive the echo
digests over the net, or download them from our FTP archives.  All
postings are signed with the user name and node ID of the originator.
All articles in Continuum, ParaNet's quarterly magazine, are signed by
the authors.  I'm sorry to disappoint you, but neither our personnel
nor our purposes are in any way secret or mysterious.

PP> We were unaware that anyone had ever attempted to create a
PP> corporation in Nevada calling itself the Phoenix Project.  Due to
PP> the nature of our work, and to protect the identity of our
PP> personnel it would be a foolish endeavor. We never made an attempt
PP> to incorporate our organization in any State.

The incorporation issue originally came up because we were trying to
track down your trademark registration.  We have been unable to find
any such registration, yet at the beginning of each of your reports you
explicitly state that "all publications of the "Phoenix Project" bear
the Project's Logo (a registered trade-mark)."  Is that a lie?  It
certainly seems that a trademark registration of the project logo would
be almost as much of a threat to "the identity of your personnel" as
incorporation would be.

PP> You suggest a possible link between our organization and America
PP> West.  Sorry about that, but you're dead wrong.  It has come to us
PP> from several sources that we're not on their list of favorite
PP> people.  We will take this opportunity to categorically deny that
PP> we have any affiliation with America West, their publication the
PP> "Phoenix Liberator," or any other publication they provide.
PP>
PP> Do not expect us to respond to the other coincidences,
PP> suppositions, insinuations or innuendoes contained in your message.

Why?  Perhaps because there are other "insinuations" that cannot be
truthfully denied?  As a matter of fact, we now have solid confirmation
of another one of our "insinuations"--i.e., the fact that the Richard
Miller who owns Advent Publishing is indeed the same Richard Miller who
used to channel "Hatonn".  That confirmation came from none other than
Mr. Miller himself.  So I guess we're not doing too badly.

In consideration of your explicit denials of any ties to America West,
and in view of the additional information provided privately by Mr.
Miller, we withdraw our previous suggestion of possible connections
between the Phoenix Project and the America West/Phoenix Liberator
operation.  As we stated before, those suggestions were tentative
pending further investigation, and further investigation has not
uncovered any additional evidence to support them.  Unfortunately, this
is the kind of burden that the Phoenix Project inevitably took on when
it chose to publicly portray itself as a clandestine organization.

PP> Since you brought up America West and The "Phoenix Liberator," why
PP> not turn your investigative abilities loose on their organization.
PP> Just suppose that Milton Cooper is, quietly, linked to their
PP> organization. That should intrigue you.

It does, if true.  We also find it intriguing that you are, apparently,
using Cooper's material without attributing it to him--thereby lending
it credibility when there is every indication that it is completely
bogus.

PP> Equally intriguing, is
PP> where their funding comes from - not the obvious subscription
PP> income - the covert funding.  Or, how about the busy and numerous,
PP> off premise, writers that prepare the volumes of "Hatonn" material,
PP> and their use of high-speed modems to provide the copy for each
PP> weekly issue of the "Phoenix Liberator" and the dozens of books
PP> they produce. In our supposition, we're talking about a big-time
PP> operation. You might also check out their printing facilities,
PP> distribution centers, and world-wide circulation.  Equally
PP> fascinating is their sudden rise, in a few short years, to the top
PP> of the New Age Movement.  You might even think to ask yourself, why
PP> the New Age Movement?  What possible connection is there with
PP> covert government UFO activities, or a New World Order, with the
PP> New Age Movement?  The answer to that might be revealed, if you dig
PP> deep enough, and discover high-speed modem links between their
PP> headquarters and certain organizations located at Langley and Ft.
PP> Meade.  Yes, if you really dig, you might uncover all kinds of
PP> interesting things about America West.

Thanks for the tip.

PP> As to your effort in trying to identify staff personnel of the
PP> Phoenix Project -- good luck.  However, we do have to admit that
PP> you may get lucky and hit on a couple of them.  However, since
PP> there are many, it is doubtful you will ever get beyond that point.

Our only interest in the personnel of the Phoenix Project is to
determine whether the Project has a hidden agenda, and whether it is
covertly linked to other organizations whose agendas are known.  That
interest was made necessary by the Project's clandestine nature and
consequent lack of public accountability.  You brought it on
yourselves, and your continuing hostility and evasiveness suggest that
we were not entirely mistaken in our suspicions.

Our investigation continues.  We'll let you know what we find out.

Michael Corbin
Director
ParaNet Information Service

END

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