When one speaks of what we call the UFO phenomenon, emotions become highly charged on both sides of the debate. Amongst those considered "pro", there is a wide spectrum of belief and conviction. 

There are those who have experienced UFOs first hand, be it a distant sighting, or "in your face" abduction. Many have characterized the "pro" faction as practicing a near religion concerning UFOs. Although there ARE some who seem to have a religious bent toward UFOs, and their erstwhile occupants, the vast majority are quite reasoned. Their acceptance stems from a preponderance of the evidence, personal experience, or both. These view the individuals who bring a religious aspect to the phenomenon as rather unbalanced, or eccentric at best. 

One thing that truly grates on those who take UFOs seriously is being labeled "buffs", or "promoters". The term "UFO buff" serves to trivialize them, and cast them as silly. When the term "promoter" is applied, the situation becomes even worse. It implies fraud, scam, and dishonesty. There are very few in the UFO field that fit this mold. There are after all, some who could be called "promoters" of UFOs, seeking financial gain by faking, and tampering with, evidence. But these are like parasites on the back of a large animal. They are certainly not in the majority, and anyone who has been in the field for any length of time can tell you there is NO money in it. There are "buffs" as well, who wear foil hats, or dress up as "greys". Again, they are far in the minority. Most of those who accept that UFOs are here are serious people. They examine the evidence presented with a hard eye, and try diligently to pick out the fakes, and phonies. They are seeking answers. They want the truth. It is NOT a game, light entertainment, or a hobby to them. 

To lump all into the same category seems to this writer to be a tactic. The purpose of this tactic would be to intimidate those in the middle ground, who haven’t yet decided where they stand. The message here would be; "If you fall in with this lot, you too will become a laughing stock". 

Another less than complimentary term for those who accept the fact of UFOs is "gullible". This implies a lack of intelligence, and the inability to think for oneself. It suggests that anyone who believes that UFOs are real is less than astute, and easy prey for the "promoters". This is another debunker myth. There are stupid and gullible people in all walks of life, but to claim that all people who are looking for the truth about UFOs are gullible is simply an insult. This sort of insult would be designed to once again intimidate, and discourage enquiry. 

The "anti" side of the fence are by no means homogenous either. 

The majority simply don’t accept the evidence, and get on with their daily lives, ignoring the entire phenomenon. But, there is a small group in the "anti" camp who work very hard to discredit, and ridicule. They devote large amounts of their time, and energy to attacking the veracity of evidence, and those who bring it forth. These are the group known as "debunkers". One wonders why these individuals care. If there really is nothing of reality to the UFO phenomenon, what drives these people to be so aggressive, and tenacious. If ALL of those who find merit in the evidence for UFOs are kooks, crackpots, and fools, why are the debunkers so worried? 

Surely, the logical course would be to simply laugh the idiots off, and be done with it. But debunkers just will not leave things alone. One can perhaps infer that the tactics of debunkers are part of a larger programme of cover-up, and obfuscation. In any case, the truth will never be found through ridicule, intimidation, stamping of feet, and diversion of attention. Since these are the time-honored methods of debunkers, one can surmise that truth is not their goal.

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© 2002 Jeff Challender