SG1I Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00791R000100030077-1 The Cognitive Sciences Laboratory 330 Cowper Street, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94301 ® Voice: 415.327.2007 — Fax: 415.322.7960 An Employee-Owned Company e-mail: may@hildegard.saicmp.com Memorandum Date: 21 September 1995 To: From: Ed May #72.— Re: Publicity and things. Status of Project Program Review As part of Professor Utts’ responsibility with regard to conducting a review of the research, she has becn in close contact with me by phone. Although I have not yet seen her report, she has given me a general overview of it and of Ray’s report as well. I would like a formal opportunity to provide commentary on their review of our work and hope that it would be included in your written report to Congress. It seem natural that since they have been examining my (and my colleague’s) work during the last 10 years, that a written commentary would bring completeness to the review. Perhaps this would be useful even if the reviews are generally favorable. Hither as part of such a commentary or separately, I would like to have copies of their official reports and, if possible, of AIR’s report to you. Visit I plan to be in Washington on 23-25 October. As you know, we are setting up meetings with members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees during that time. I anticipate that my clearances should be in your shop by then (if not by now). Could we plan to meet for an hour or so in the morning of the 23rd? I could come to ORD to meet with you and whomever else you think is appropriate. The agenda is to discuss the future and to obtain a copy of your report to Congress in preparation for our Congressional meetings. Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00791R000100030077-1 Page 1
Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00791R000100030077-1 Publicity One of my responsibilities as the Director of the Cognitive Sciences Laboratory, is to track and report the publicity with regard to anomalous mental phenomena (e.g., psi, ESP, etc.). For your information, this section includes the relevant portions of my report to my management. Jim Schnable and British TV Channel 4 I have obtained an NTSC VHS copy of an hour program that aired a few weeks ago in England. In essence it is a video representation of Schnable’s written piece in the Independent Sunday paper. The program features Mel Riley and Ed Dames but includes interviews with MG (ret) Ed Thompson (former ARMY ACSI), Adm. Turner, Dr. Puthoff, Lyn Buchanan, and John Alexander. Please find a copy of the tape enclosed. In my opinion, the show is sensational and makes no attempt to separate fact from fiction. By implication it attempts (and perhaps accomplishes) to raise the credibility of Dames, Riley, and Alexander by association with generals, admirals and the Intelligence community. We have developed over a lengthy period of time, protocols to prevent “transformative experiences” as was described on this tape. These protocols have already been successful in our laboratory in that none of our people have such, what I view as, negative “transformations.” While these protocols have been developed within the flexibility of a contractor situation, it may be possible to adapt them to a government one. What is very clear to me is that the setting in which AC was used for intelligence was not, for the most part, a productive contributor of useful data. With the exception of some obvious “successes,” the apparent failure of the operational unit was primarily a methodological problem, and some of the unintended consequences of which are clearly displayed in this tape. It remains to be scen the degree to which AC can provide useful operational data once the methodology is sound. Properly configured, I am optimistic for AC’s positive contribution. As, perhaps a very naive scientist, I thought the papers I signed with regard to classified material were binding regardless of the content and age of the material and could only be released by formal protocol. Many of the individuals in this show appear to make a mockery of those agreements they, too, had to sign. Some of the mentioned individuals are seeking private council with regard to legal action, given that the appropriate DIA authorities are seemingly unwilling to act. Dr. Vorona has sent a carefully worded letter of protest to the editor of the Independent. ABC 20/20 The story behind the ABC 20/20 show is complex. It begins with a well-known author, Jim Marrs, who was initially writing a book about Psi-Tech and Ed Dames. During his research, Marrs encountered Dave Moorehouse, who claimed that the RV-training he received while a member of the Ft. Meade unit “caused” him to suffer extreme mental distress. (I know that Al and Angela had to privide testimony with regard to this case.) Marrs decided to focus his book on Morrehouse, and I understand that Dames obtained a Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00791 R000100030077-1Page 2