Web links related to the Back of the Book program of August 7, 2000

It's Monday 8/14/00 20:40:49 and I've updated this page. I've found out about this Captain Video claim, I've posted this update and now this page is finally finished. I've also updated the part about the new planet in Epsilon Eridani a little bit. A new computer system can be a mixed blessing. In my case it's a mixed up one. The letter “S” was having a hard time when I originally typed this page before the program, turned out to be a defective keyboard. I got through more of the mail backlog on the air, and I've put that mail up here. This page is done.

You might want to take a look at the Pacifica Theft Menu to see how Pacifica Management is spending listener sponsors' dollars.

As far as I know we did get web cast by porus dot com.


Aficionados of UFO Desk who want to avoid suffering through mind control by space aliens may now throw away their outmoded aluminum foil hats! They can get the more advanced Thought Screen Helmet, which will keep them from getting abducted by space aliens. The inventor, one Michael Menkin, claims that, “As of June, 2000, aliens have not taken any abductees while they were wearing thought screen helmets using Velostat shielding.” I believe him!

He offers excruciating detail on how to construct his helmet, and illustrates the process. There's even a photograph of him wearing one of his creations. Now this could be a spoof site, but I don't think it is. He really seems sincere. One interesting thing is that his father was the creator of the Captain Video TV series in 1949! Calling Doctor Freud! Calling Doctor Freud!

I've researched the claim about the elder Mr. Menkin having created Captain Video because another site claims that it was created by a guy named James L. Caddigan. I've been able to confirm that Larry Menkin was indeed one of the creators of the old TV show Captain Video, along with M.C. Brockhauser and James L. Caddigan. The elder Mr. Menkin was also one of the producers of the program. Roaring Rockets! remember to keep that Thought Screen Helmet on tight!



A new planet has been found orbiting the star Epsilon Eridani, a star that's only about 10½ light years away. This is a Jupiter sized planet that has an orbit that takes it around its star in about 7 years. The announcement was made by Dr. William Cochran, of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory at the 24th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, in Manchester, England. The team he heads came to this discovery after having examined almost 20 years of data about Epsilon Eridani. Dr. Cochran and his colleagues hope to get an actual image of the newly discovered planet, and to perform measurements on it, from the Hubble Space Telescope.

The star Epsilon Eridani is only something like 500 million to one billion years old, as opposed to our Sun which is about 5 billion years old. It's the fifth brightest star in the constellation Eridanus “The River.” Because it's so close, and rather similar to our Sun, astronomer Frank Drake chose to listen to it for signs of extraterrestrial life in 1960. Of course we now know that it's way too young a system to harbor intelligent life.

Only last month a lot of dust was found orbiting Epsilon Eridani and there was speculation then that a planet might be found in that young solar system. Maybe when the Sun goes nova in something like five billion years whatever life forms are inhabiting Earth can migrate to that system, which may be quite ready for habitation by then.

Sky & Telescope magazine's web site has a good graphic that can help you find the star Epsilon Eridani in the sky.

Odd things can happen sometimes, and I'm not claiming any priority of discovery for anyone or anything like that, but the following notes about Epsilon Eridani are from Burnham's Celestial Handbook vol. 2, p. 889, “In an analysis of 860 plates made at Sproul Observatory, P. van de Kamp (1973) finds evidence for an unseen companion to the star, with an orbital period of 25 years, and a semi-major axis of 7.7 AU. The orbital eccentricity is 0.5 and the computed mass of the companion is less than 0.05 Sun, definitely among the smallest stellar masses known.” There's no stellar companion known for Epsilon Eridani. Burnham's Celestial Handbook vol. 2, ISBN 0-486-23568-8 copyright © 1966, 1978 by Robert Burnham, Jr.


I mentioned on the program that scientists from The Institute for Genetic Research (TIGR) have decoded the genome for vibrio cholerae, the germ that causes cholera. Cholera basically fakes the gut into emptying all of the fluids in the human body into the intestines, rapidly dehydrating the victim through tremendous diarrhea and frequently killing the person. For a more technical discussion of cholera see this link. It is hoped that knowledge of the bacterium's genetic structure will reveal weaknesses in it that can be used to stop the epidemics which periodically sweep through many areas of the world, killing millions.

Did you get to see Comet LINEAR? If not, don't feel too disappointed. The comet broke apart just before it was to become visible to the naked eye! When you get to this page look at the story above this one as well.

I also read an article about the discovery of the very elusive tau neutrino by scientists at Fermilab. This discovery is part of the long line of research into the sub-atomic constituents of matter that's gone back about four generations now. Next stop: the Higgs boson, if they can overcome the inertia!

And of course we got to some of the mail. First we have something from EZutrax, which is quite complimentary.

Subject: Heard you again, RPM
Date: Wed, 3 May 2000 06:09:14 EDT
From: EZutrax
To: rpm@glib.com

You gave us another (unsolicited) mention this past Sunday/Monday (I never know which, but still sit and listen, your content is great) when you did the mail. If you and your s.o. (significant other) really will be wandering the hi/by-ways now in the better weather, then hop on the PATH train (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) at the World Trade Center & take a walk in Hoboken. It's a little too, too upscale for any old East Villagers, but still has some architecture & so on that recommends it. Especially on a nice, sunny Sat/Sun afternoon. After all, those earthly resouces are still free (don't tell Congress, though, they'll find a way to eff-it all up right under our noses). Anyway, I've been a listener & fairly familiar with your role in the Pacifica quite non-pacific troubles. As I said last time- Never give'em an inch. Simply know that you are well received & appreciated. Where else can you find continuing media concern and data on the horseshoe crab? I remember going to Great Kills Park in Staten Island as a youngster and being simply fascinated by the style of their millions of years old evolutionary design when they emerged on shore. I guess you share that same fascination. Why not? Love the show, long-time listener (Don't know how many times I've heard the anniversary reading of the Kafka story.) Suffice it to say there are a scant few still captivated by your style of radio (& BAI overall). Best Regards, as ever, ED Z at UndergroundTRAX

Long time listener North American Shirley wrote to us about her lucky experience with the “love bug” worm that beat the hell out of those using Microsoft's awful E-mail software. What gets wreaked besides havoc? Why, revenge, of course! Biblically that's also vengeance.

Subject: how I escaped the love bug, and other tales of the North American Shirley
Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 16:45:29 EDT
From: North American Shirley
To: rpm@glib.com

first got the love bug message before I heard the news; from a friend; fortunately about 6 in the morning and I was feeling too grouchy to look at some cutesy thing so I didn't. Thank the evolutionary trend that led to morning grouchiness; it could have wreaked [you know, havoc; what else is ever wreaked?] on our whole offsite newsroom in San Diego ... I went back up to my hotel room, turned on CNN, and the lead story was the message I had just decided not to download ... my lucky star or something ... meanwhile back in New York, I hear that a certain R. Paul Martin read a lot of email from a certain North American Shirley last Sunday; gee thanks! It's a privilege to be associated with you and your one-of-a-kind wondrous quirkiness ... yes, Manhattan and its oddities I have entered in the InterGalactic Contest for top 10 amazing places in the universe; I'm sure it's in the running

Our next correspondent, whose name long time listeners will recognize, has a suggestion of a Web site for you to visit. It aspires to be as silly as the original Hamster Dance site.

Subject: Check out Stick Man Dance
Date: Mon, 8 May 2000 23:52:07 EDT
From: Susan From Long Island
To: rpm@glib.com

Click here: Stick Man Dance

Susan From Long Island. :)


Subject: feeling nebulous
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 23:15:38 EDT
From: North American Shirley
To: rpm@glib.com

someone named a nebula just for me

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000501.html

As I've said, we're trying to catch up on the backlog of mail on the program. So this next E-mail can best be viewed as a historical artifact, I guess.

Subject: THE ELIAN GONZALES DRINKING GAME
Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 16:53:51 -0300
From: jaykay
To: rpm@glib.com

HiYa R. Paul,

I found this little joke on the net and thought you might get a kick out of it...Enjoy!!! :o)

THE ELIAN GONZALES DRINKING GAME

Some are getting tired of this ongoing saga. Since the media won't give it a rest and move on, we recommend playing the following game during any network or local news shows, “special reports,” news magazines (i.e., Dateline, 20/20, etc), talk shows, or any other appropriate TV shows. Guaranteed to make watching this story more entertaining or your money back!

Beverages required to play the game: Each player must have a beer handy, a liquor appropriate for pouring shots is also required (tequila or rum is preferred).

Rules of Play

If a TV announcer says “Castro” everyone in the room must salute with their left hand. The last person to do so must take a shot. If anyone salutes with their right hand accidentally, they also have to take a shot.

If the photo of the SWAT “gunman” is shown, everyone must act scared. The last person to do so must take a shot and then go into a closet until he/she is “rescued” by another player.

If the TV announcer says “fisherman” everyone must press their palms together and make a swimming move with their hands. The last person to do so must chug whatever beer remains in their glass.

If a child psychologist is interviewed everyone must stroke his/her chin and say “I see.” The first person to do so becomes the “psychologist” and gets to administer shots to any players he/she deems in need of mood improvement.

During any interview of a Member of Congress, everyone must shout, “bullshit!” The last person to do so drinks.

If the TV announcer says “Miami relatives” everyone must shout out either “Lazaro” or “Marisleysis.” A count is made of how many players said each name. Everyone who called out the more popular name has to take a drink of beer.

Whenever the station goes “live to Little Havana” everyone must stand up and dance. The last person on their feet has to do a shot.

If Marisleysis is shown crying everyone must yell “knock it off” and then take a drink of beer.

If Juan Miguel Gonzales is shown carrying his “other son” everyone must yell “wahhhhh” like a baby for as long as they can on one breath. The last person to stop gets to pick a person to do a shot.

If Elian Gonzales returns to Cuba with his father, everyone shouts “Thank God.” The game is then over.

Procrastinators Unite!... Tomorrow.

Of course not everyone likes everything I do on Back of the Book. Right after Cardinal O'Connor died I went on the air and played the song Ding Dong the Witch is Dead from the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939). I'd been planning it for a long time. This, by the way, is a tradition of mine. Whenever someone I consider to be particularly bad leaves us all alone at last I play this song as a sendoff. Helps with closure, I suppose. In any event, the next correspondent didn't like it.

Subject: MdeD
Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 03:00:28 -0400
From: Vincent
To: rpm@glib.com

How common and typical you are. I don't want to be unkind but your behavior forces my hand. Methinks you rail too loudly against the Church. It emphasizes more poignantly what you don't say.

Your anecdotes tell me that you and I are similar in many ways. I no longer go to Mass, carry Rosary Beads in my pocket or desire to be a priest......well at least I haven't for the last two months.

But......our Rabbi has written His name in my heart.

On the same program that the above writer didn't like the Saddle pals were on with me. This next correspondent liked the program. And the “R” is just there.

Subject: Popes, scientologist, saddle pals and other assorted jetsome
Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 03:28:41 EDT
From: Artie Dekko
To: rpm@glib.com

Hey Paul,

Just finished listening to your show and wanted to let you know I really enjoyed it. Although you didn't get a chance to get into stuff as deeply as you normally do, I did enjoy the show. Sometimes silliness is good.

What does the "R" stand for?

Artie Dekko

P.S. wasn't Fatima one of the little rascals?


Subject: Just a breif note.
Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 07:43:33 +0000
From: “Irene B.”
To: rpm@glib.com

On your last radio show I heard you mention that “scientology” stuff in conjunction with that movie “battlefield earth.” Up to that point I knew absolutely nothing about scientology. From the description that you gave it sounded pretty strange. So I looked it up on the net. I found some sites that critique the Church of Scientology. All I can say is, man... that scientology is some sick stuff. The people who operate scientology are raking in the money and really pulling the wool over peoples eyes. I can't believe that so many people would be willing to pay money to be led around by the nose by a bunch of phonies like that. That scientology is definitely some false, phony, and ultra sick stuff. Who in their right mind can fall for that crap. It makes our friend “Dennis” (can't recall his last name, you know the guy with the magnets and the perpetual motion machines), it makes him look like nothing more than a harmless little prankster. He's little league compared to the scientology. That scientology is real big major league scam rip-off crap. And it has apparently messed up quite a few peoples lives. And just imagine how many more peoples lives will be messed up by that garbage if they don't wise up and get away from that crackpot lunacy fast!

Oh well, I guess I learned something new. Up until recently I knew not a thing about scientology. The only thing I'd ever seen in connection to it were those dumb TV ad's for those Hubbard “dianetics” books with the stupid exploding volcanoes.

Also, speaking about those books, about ten or more years ago, some girl I went to school with gave me one of those “dianetics” books to read. She said it would help me to straighten myself out (you see I was doing lot's of nasty ol' hard drugs back in those days, and I had fun doing it too). Well, I picked up that “dianetics” book, I read about one paragraph out of it and then I gave that book a nice clean slam dunk shot right into the nearest trash bin. And now that I learned about the kind of crackpot religion that that book is/was connected with I am really glad I threw that book into the circular file. Heck, given the choice, I'd rather be a habitual druggie rather than a mindless zombie giving my money to some greedy, sick, rip-off cult operating as some crank religion.

Anyway, thanks for the enlightening information. Who say's one can't learn from listening to late night radio ? And as far as that “Battlefield Earth” film goes, isn't it amazing, that after all these years a picture has come along that will give “Plan 9 From Outer Space” a run for the money. I'll bet ya poor old Eddie Wood is cursing and turning over in his grave. All I can say is, “Don't worry Eddie, no matter what happens we'll always love you!!”


See Ya Later Alligator,

Irene ....


Subject: I don't think ...
Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 20:38:28 EDT
From: North American Shirley
To: rpm@glib.com

.... that was really the Fatima secret; I think he's popomorphizing


Subject: SCIENTOLOGY, ALIENS, AND SIDNEY SMITH
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 11:04:24 EDT
From: “WINSTON SMITH”
To: rpm@glib.com

Dear R.Paul, I just sent an e-mail out to the other Paul over at UFO desk after finally forcing myself to listen to his show, It was ludicrous but entertaining. I also listened to Sidney Smith who sounded like hell. He hasn't gotten sleep in a week (his words) and seens to being under the effects of prescription/over the counter narcotics which don't lend themselves well to broadcasting. He did on the other hand play interesting movie clips, like that from the movie based on my favorite novel “1984” as well as the wicked witch is dead song ( which you played in memory to Dead Cardinal O'Connor last week. He also played a piece of the movie “8 and a half women,” which hasn't even made its way to theaters!! He also mentioned that in Vienam you died and if it wasn't for an auditer you wouldn't be here today (As tol by Ed Menje of "Nuff Said"). Oh well here's a site for you that I found after your wonderful show on the fraud that is Scientology (more like Sciencefictionology if you ask me), the site is called “Operation Clambake” [http://www.xenu.net/]. Thanks for reading this R. Paul.

Sincerely,

SUPERBUDDHA

aka: The Angry Atheist

PS: You're into Astrology, can you tell me what the hell is on the cover of Pearl Jam's new CD “Binaural.”

binaural.gif

Well, I don't read all of every letter on the air. The above was one of those. To clarify though, I did not die in Viet Nam. I died in basic training. And it's too long a story to get into here. Also, I am not into astrology, I'm into astronomy, very different things; the Pearl Jam cover utilizes a photograph of a “planetary nebula,” which is gas and dust that's been ejected from a star that's probably exploded. I don't know which particular planetary nebula this is. The eye is something they added.

There are a lot of issues that we can't talk about on the air at WBAI. But there is an Internet list called “Free Pacifica!” which you can subscribe to, and these issues are discussed there. If you subscribe to it you will receive, via E-mail, all of the messages which are sent to that list. You will also be able to send messages to the list.

If you want to subscribe to the “Free Pacifica!” list just click on this link and follow the instructions, and you'll be subscribed. Could open your eyes a little bit.

The above list has occasionally produced a high volume of E-mail because of the attention that these issues have drawn. If you would prefer to subscribe to a low volume list that only provides announcements of events related to these issues then subscribe to the FreePac mailing list.


My voice mail number at WBAI is 212-209-2996. Leave a message.

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