5-11-08 Derek Bartholomaus, IIG Interview

[Gareth]

I really dont know about this guy. He presents himself as a sceptic but its pretty obvious the guy is essentially a debunker. I mean, the talk about the psychics just pissed me off. I know that a lot of psychics are charlatans but there has been clear evidence and examples of people with psychic ability.

For example a couple of episodes of the Paracast have discussed people such as Imara, and that radio guy who discovered the psychic(cant remember name).

Like David said, he really only seems to be investigating the low hanging fruit.. and that doesnt prove a damn thing.

Also, any examples he gave of misinterpretation were really obvious, not very impressive things in the first place... like someone saying they were thinking about a friend and a second later this friend called them on the phone. He kept saying that people often misinterpret natural phenomena as supernatural but failed to give any compelling examples. What about in Davids case (or anyone thats had a close sighting of a structured craft in the sky), why couldnt he give an example of how that may have been misinterpreted.

I think this guy is basically a debunker with a sceptical approach, just like many people are believers with a sceptical approach. The difference in this case being he never rally presented a smoking gun analysis of a compelling case that they had solved.

[valiens]

I think the difference between Derek and a guy like Randi is that Derek isn't out to embarrass people to inflate himself or fortify his closed mind. I think if Derek ever saw a spaceship looking craft he'd be floored and blabbing about it everywhere he could. Randi would see it and never tell anyone what he saw because it couldn't possibly be real because he'd look like an asshat if it were.

I can hold a normal conversation with Derek on the phone. I don't know that Randi or Shermer or Mr. Skin--I mean Bill Nye The Science Guy would even pick up the call.

[derekcbart]

Thanks for the nice words Jeremy.

When the IIG was formed it was specifically set up to be "the nice skeptics". As long as someone is being considerate and truthful in describing their experience or abilities (unlike a certain someone we all know) we are very willing to look into their claim as completely and thoroughly as we can so that we can try to come to a conclusion as to what may be the explanation of the event.

Now, it is entirely possible that if I am still having to deal with the same questions and the same cases 20-30 years from now then I could become testy and grumpy like some of the older guard of skeptics can be from time to time.

I've met James Randi a couple of times and have had numerous email conversations with him and he is a real pleasure to talk to and to be around, but he definitely gets tired of dealing with things that he proved to be conclusively false 20 years ago.

[valiens]

Derek:

Do you have an East Coast branch?

[derekcbart]

Originally Posted by valiens

Derek:

Do you have an East Coast branch?

Not really. We know of several other skeptically based paranormal investigation groups around the country (and the world), but no official ties with anyone else at this time. The only one that we have a semi-official relationship with is the JREF because we handle the west coast testing for the JREF Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge.

[derekcbart]

Hello.

Today (2008-09-19) the IIG has distributed a press release concerning Billy Meier's publicist, Michael Horn, publicly admitting to posting false and misleading documents on his website in order to support the various claims made by Billy Meier. We have also reformatted the Billy Meier section of the IIG website and updated it with what will be about 50-60% of the final report on the case. You can go to IIG - The Billy Meier Case to read our findings.

Thank you.

Here is the text of the press release:

Longtime UFO Proponent Admits To Publishing Misleading Articles In Order To Support His Claims
The Various Claims Of Billy Meier Are Now Made Even More Unlikely

Los Angeles, CA - September 19, 2008: The Independent Investigations Group (IIG) is the West Coast’s leading Paranormal Investigations group. One of the more prominent cases that the IIG has looked into is regarding the alleged UFO Contactee, Eduard Albert "Billy" Meier. An individual by the name of Michael Horn is the North American Publicist for Mr. Meier.

On August 27, 2008 in a public email Michael Horn sent to the IIG he revealed that he had posted false and misleading articles on his website. When confronted with this revelation Mr. Horn admitted to posting these false and misleading articles on his website in order to try and support the claims of Billy Meier.

Michael Horn also promotes several other claims made by Billy Meier. These claims include tales that Meier has traveled into the past on a flying saucer and took photographs of dinosaurs. However, his photographs turned out to be photographs of illustrations of dinosaurs taken from a book. Meier also published photographs of who he claimed was his extra-terrestrial contact, but it turned out that these were photographs of a singer performing on The Dean Martin Variety Show. Michael Horn also promotes the "prophecies" of Billy Meier. In January 2007 he claimed that one of these prophecies, which concerned the coming of World War III, had actually come true when four Heads of State died within seven days of each other. The problem with this “prophecy” is that the four Heads of State mentioned in the article did not die within seven days of each other like the “prophecy” claimed that they would.

You can read all about Michael Horn’s admitting to posting false and misleading articles and other claims made by Billy Meier here: IIG - The Billy Meier Case


The Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles is the West Coast home to the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), publisher of Skeptical Inquirer magazine. Visit our website at CFI Los Angeles or call (323) 666-9797

The Independent Investigations Group (IIG) is the West Coast’s leading Paranormal Investigations group and offers a $50,000 Challenge to anyone who can demonstrate paranormal abilities under scientifically controlled conditions. Visit our website at Independent Investigations Group or email us at info@iigwest.org

[derekcbart]

Hello.

I just wanted to let you know that the IIG's examination into the Billy Meier Wedding Cake UFO has been completed and posted online. You can go directly to the Wedding Cake UFO Deconstruction Report here: IIG - Billy Meier - Wedding Cake UFO Deconstruction

You can view the rest of the report here: IIG - The Billy Meier Case

-Derek

[derekcbart]

Hi there.

I just wanted to let those of you in Southern California know that I am going to be doing a last minute lecture about the Meier Case for the CFI-Orange County Skeptics meeting this Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 4:30PM. Here are the details:

CFI-Orange County FEED YOUR BRAIN Lecture Series Presents
"A Swiss UFO Mystery Explained: an Investigation of the Claims of Billy Meier”
by Derek Bartholomaus

Since 2003 IIG Investigator Derek Bartholomaus has researched the many claims of alleged UFO contactee Billy Meier, a Swiss farmer. Meier and his publicist Michael Horn claim that the evidence they have provided proves that Billy Meier has been in contact with extraterrestrials since the 1940s. Derek's research suggests that this may not actually be the case. The talk will be accompanied by several movie clips and photos.

Derek Bartholomaus is a member of the Independent Investigations Group in Hollywood, and also serves on the Steering Committee of the organization. He is the Lead Investigator in the Billy Meier IIG investigation. Professionally, Derek works in the entertainment industry as a Post Production Producer on various television shows.

WHEN: 4:30pm Sunday, November 16th.
COST: $6, or free for Friends of CFI

Costa Mesa Community Center
1845 Park Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1 block west of Newport and Harbor Blvd.