- In April 1998, Art Bell asked me on the
air to do a reversal analysis of Major Ed Dames for presentation on his
show. I proceeded into this analysis with the same caution and professionalism
as I do for every other tape.
-
- Before too long, I knew that we were
headed for some very serious trouble. For a start, Ed Dames' reversals
contained an extremely high proportion of metaphoric statements, far more
than I would normally expect for this type of interview. They hinted at
delusion in his prophecies, lack of belief in the process, and with some
possible ties still in existence with governmental agencies.
-
- I was in an immediate dilemma. I knew
Art Bell's caution over metaphors, I knew of his friendship with Ed Dames,
and I knew that no matter which way I proceeded on this I would end up
in trouble. I stalled Art for several days over the Dames transcript, telling
him I had not yet finished...but the truth was, I simply did not know how
to proceed. If I did not play the metaphors, I would have been presenting
an untrue story. If I did, I would have been in trouble with Art, not to
mention all the Ed Dames fans out there who would have been unhappy with
my analysis. Thus, I found myself in the most significant dilemma of my
career.
-
- I prepared an amended, edited transcript
deleting the most forbidding metaphors, and the more controversial negative
reversals on Major Dames. I then called Art Bell prior to the show and
told him of my dilemma. Art told me to not tell him the negative aspects
of Dames he wanted to hear it live on the air and he also gave me permission
to play a few very simple metaphors. I was pleased. I thought I had a
good compromised situation here that would preserve the integrity of my
analysis, yet not damage Ed Dames in a major way.
-
- When show time came, I proceeded cautiously
and actually deleted even more reversals as we went live. I immediately
perceived that Art was uncomfortable with a couple of the reversals that
were in direct conflict with Ed Dames' forward spoken statements, but I
perceived no conflict with the few metaphoric references that I played.
Towards the end of the show, Art spoke to me off air during a commercial
and was quite upset with me about the metaphors I had played. I was surprised
by this because, in my mind, I had received permission beforehand to play
them. He asked me to play no more metaphors for the balance of the show,
and to the best of my recollection, I did not.
-
- The following day I received an email
from Art expressing dissatisfaction with the way the show went. I replied
accordingly, apologized, and said I would not play metaphors again on his
show. However, the tensions had begun, my guest appearances on the Art
Bell show ceased at that point, and I was left confused and feeling a little
'set-up' over all of this, wondering what I had done that was so bad.
-
- A couple of months later, there was an
email fight on one of my bulletin boards, and a large string of posts began
appearing questioning and criticizing Art Bell. People were beginning to
ask questions about why I was not on Art's program anymore. I posted to
the string, expressing my dissatisfaction and confusion. I felt that I
had been clearly censored over the Ed Dames' reversals, and was angered
over the lack of resolution between Art and myself.
-
- Art saw my post and called me, extremely
upset. I immediately deleted the post and issued both a retraction and
apology. The following week, he called me again, even most upset that I
had played the full Ed Dames reversals on Jeff Rense's show. Art claimed
that is was 'copyright infringement.' I was more than puzzled over this
as well because I had been playing reversals of Art's show on Art's program
and scores of others for two years at that stage. I would present reversals
on Art's show and the following week present them on Jeff's program. I
presumed the material was in the public domain and I had not had a single
complaint from Art before. I was so intimidated, I may have even told him
I would not do it again, but I do not have accurate recall of that conversation
probably because I was so shocked at what I was hearing.
-
- The next significant event to occur was
a few weeks later when I was on Jeff Rense;s show again. By that time
rumors were running rampant about why I was not on Art's show anymore.
Jeff asked me a point blank question about it, stating that he had heard
that I had been banned. I initially replied in the affirmative...I certainly
felt banned...but then qualified my statement and ended by saying that
I hoped tensions would subside and I would be invited back on Art's show
soon.
-
- Art called me that week furious over
my remarks on Jeff's show, demanding an apology and retraction. I issued
a retraction the next time I was on Jeff's show. However, by this time
I was running out of patience and feeling somewhat that I was being pushed
and bullied into a corner. I felt that I had done my best to act with integrity
in this situation; I felt that I had compromised as much as I could but
did not feel that the sentiments were being returned by Art.
-
- This entire situation began with a miscommunication
between Art and me. I think it could have been easily resolved with open
discussions between the two of us. From my perspective, this never occurred.
Keith Rowland and Richard Hoagland both tried to broker a peace between
Art and me. I sent Art yet another letter of apology but I received no
response. Keith and Richard both told me to play very low key, keep a low
profile, and in time things between us would resolve themselves.
-
- I heard nothing further from Art and
things remained calm for a couple of months...and then came the night Art
Bell 'resigned' from the radio. Two days later, both Richard Hoagland and
myself were approached by the Talk Radio Network (TRN), Art's former network.
We were both offered shows opposite Art during his nightly time slot.
We both accepted. However, almost immediately we both were told that Art
would be back on the air within two weeks. Richard withdrew from the show
as a result of this information and I decided to continue. I decided to
do so because I was not confident that tensions between Art and myself
would or could be easily resolved.
-
- A few days before my show was due to
air, I was asked by Keith Rowland to move my website due to a conflict
of interests between Art and myself. Because of the rushed nature of this
and without adequate or due notice, my emails were down for several weeks,
and portions of my site were damaged and lost. At the same time, all references
to me were completely removed from Art's web site.
-
- However, three days before my new show
was due to air, after much discussion with Keith Rowland and Richard Hoagland,
I was finally convinced to cancel my pending TRN show, lay low for a while,
and hope things between Art and myself would resolve in time.
-
- I faxed TRN and cancelled my contract
with them. TRN was upset and reminded me of my contractual obligations,
explaining to me that I had no choice but to proceed. I therefore went
on the air on that next Monday night and did the first program as called
for in the contract. Incredibly, the very next morning, Tuesday, TRN rang
and cancelled the show for reasons that I am still uncertain about.
-
- Almost immediately thereafter, I was
offered my own show every Saturday night by Jeff Rense, host of Sightings,
on his syndication network. I accepted his kind and supportive offer and
my program in now running every Saturday night, coast to coast and live
on the internet, and is a great success.
-
- Also, about this time, a series of hoaxes
began to hit the airwaves and the internet. Reversal analysis of these
alleged 'events' were not good. I used my new radio platform to play the
reversals of the principals involved and exposed these hoaxes. At no time
did I trash Art Bell on these shows, but I did trash the hoaxes and the
hoaxers. The only other time that I can recall mentioning Art Bell on the
air was last week, in Denver, when I was asked a direct question on the
air about our "feud" by Peter Bowles. I replied by stating the
story as detailed above.
-
- On another point, I have also been publically
outspoken about a misinterpretation that I felt Richard Hoagland had placed
on one my reversals. At no time was it my intention to trash Richard over
this misinterpretation. I still value my friendship with Richard highly.
I am saddened that the before mentioned events have now caused tensions
with two people who I like, respect and have considered good friends, namely
Keith Rowland and Richard Hoagland. I am also deeply saddened for the listening
public...the real losers in all of this.
-
- I have NEVER waged an email campaign
about Art Bell. I have certainly never made any posts on any newsgroups
using Art's name as was charged by Art Bell on the air during his program
last night, 12-10-98.
-
- Yes, I am angry and feel unjustly treated
in all of this and I have stated that on several occasions. BUT, I would
NEVER make false posts and wage an email war. That is simply not my style
and it is certainly not the way I operate, nor do I have the time to engage
in such stupid behavior in between raising my three kids as a single Dad,
running a business, a school, a radio show as well as a busy therapeutic
practice. I emphatically and without equivoation absolutely deny Art Bell's
allegations.
-
- Additionally, I have never fueled rumors
that Art had signed a new contract with Jacor. I knew Art was coming back
on the air, and I heard had rumors, myself, that a new contract had been
signed. I checked these rumors with Keith Rowland, Art's webmaster, who
stated he knew nothing about it. I subsequently received a newsletter from
Peter Gerston (whom I do not know and have never spoken to) who stated
that Art's new contract was a fact. On that basis, I made a posting on
my BBS about it which I removed almost immediately upon being informed
that the information was bogus.
-
- And this is where it all now stands.
I have left nothing out to the best of my recollection. I have made this
statement in hopes of quelling the many rumors floating around on the internet
and elsewhere.
-
- I am DEEPLY saddenned and dismayed by
all of this. I want nothing more than for it all to resolve itself and
for everyone to shake hands. I have said that to Keith and Richard on numerous
occasions. I have said that ever since this whole business first began.
-
- I am still extending the olive branch
to Art, and now Keith as well as Richard. We must work together in these
troubled days. If we are divided, we all fall. If we stand firm and united
we can make a major impact.
-
- Let there be PEACE
-
- David John Oates
- Founder and Developer of Reverse Speech
Technologies
- <http://www.reversespeech.comwww.reversespeech.com
- <http://www.davidoates.comwww.davidoates.com
- (760) 732-3097 Voice
- (760) 732-0229 Fax
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