Not only has Stanton Friedman been accused of being a CIA operative, he has also made somewhat of a second career out of attacking other researchers for their opinions and credentials. Some examples would be Michael Wolf, along with William Spaulding, who Friedman discredited in a letter that was even published in Travis Walton's book, "Fire in the Sky,"( page 138 ). Although Friedman's defense of Walton's experience is a noble one, it can easily be construed as an opportunity for Friedman to discredit the credentials of another researcher. Ironically, after establishing the fact that Spaulding has been lying about his credentials, Friedman goes on to say, "I have no present plans to make my findings public." Then proceeds to send copies of the letter to no less than eight people!

While it is in the phenomena's best interest to openly expose hoaxes and disinformation, it is just as vital that the person doing the exposing be every bit as concerned with the consistency of sounding the alarm on those who lie and spread disinformation. There should be no exceptions to this if one is sincere in their efforts - here in lies the hypocrisy of Stanton Friedman.

For the last few years Friedman has been enjoying the status of being arguably the worlds foremost authority on the worlds foremost questionable phenomena. All the while embracing a friendship with the phenomena's foremost hoaxer, Dennis Bossack. Friedman's defense of this relationship is along the lines of, "I appear on the same lecture stage as people like Richard Boylan, whose opinions I disagree with." Or perhaps even more puzzling considering Bossack's claims of Friedman, "I think they're ( the Bossack's ) nice people, but I don't endorse any of their claims." Unfortunately, Friedman fails to give defense to or concern over the issue of Bossack's claim that Friedman has had contact with his imaginary agency OMEGA, ( Bossack's self-sponsored community radio show, The UFO Lab Report, September 17, 2000 ). Friedman's feeble defense of his friendship with Bossack lacks logic. Not only does he expect us to believe that a blatant liar, ( who is also telling lies about him ), attempting to gain undue attention at literally any cost, is a nice person. He further expects one not to discriminate between a fellow researcher he disagrees with and that blatant liar he embraces as a friend. A friend who not only drops his name at every opportunity in an attempt to gain credibility but also publicly makes an accomplice to his fantasy of being the leader of the agency that will eventually save the Earth, indeed the whole universe, from we simple-minded Earthlings.

To unfold this enigma, we need only know a little about Dennis Bossack and his wife Ann. Mainly, that they own a small store that sells Friedman's videos, books and manuscripts. A store that has hosted Friedman for book signings, along with no less than three radio interviews on the public disinformation program that is the Bossack's self-sponsored community radio show. This all leaves a person to wonder what would Friedman's public opinion of Michael Wolf, Richard Boylan, Bob Lazar, and others be if they all owned stores that sold his merchandise? Indeed it would appear ownership of a store is the vital piece to solving the enigma that is the relationship between the UFO Phenomena's leading researcher and it's leading liar.

What some may find even more unsettling about this bizarre association, is the issue of Friedman's backhanded defense of Bossack to the people who are blowing the whistle about his insane claims. In an interview that was published in the March 29, 2001 issue of The Boston Phoenix, Friedman referred to Bossack's critics as "zealots." He further went on to insult their thinking by suggesting, "They don't have faith in their thinking ability. Get a life!"

How sad it is to see a once fine researcher like Stanton Friedman more concerned with selling a few books and videos to a pair of clowns like the Bossack's, than exposing them as the perpetrators of a blatant hoax. But then again, perhaps it is the very fact Bossack's claims are so absurd that makes Friedman comfortable with the relationship. That is to say, if Friedman sees Bossack as a threat to his status as a researcher, lecturer, author etc., perhaps he would be the first to criticize him. In actuality, the only concern a person like Bossack has on the phenomena, ( other than the few weak-minded fools who would believe him ), is getting the word out on just how crazy his claims really are. Could this be the key to the hypocrisy of Friedman's association with Bossack? I suppose the question is really moot. Because according to Stanton Friedman, I have no faith in my thinking ability - I'm a zealot who needs to get a life!

Perhaps another consideration is in order - perhaps it is you Mr. Friedman who needs to take a look at just how poorly you have handled this whole Bossack fantasy. And for what gain? For a financial one? For the friendship of a person who uses your name in weak attempts to gain respect? The friendship of someone who tells the world via radio that you not only know of his agency, but are part of it's scheme? How is it you attack other people in the ufology field for their credentials, but don't do the same over Bossack's false claim of being a "lawyer"? Never mind the issue of him claiming to be "The director of an above top secret agency with ties to aliens from 752 different planets." That one needs no addressing or criticizing, not only does it fall flat from lack of logic, ( as does your rational for being friends with the Bossacks ). It is also obvious to anyone who takes the time to talk or listen to Bossack, that the man is incapable of directing traffic. Just as it is very obvious to me that you are a hypocrite!

•Tim can be contacted via e-mail at: grog@drpcs.com

His web site is: www.information-disinformation.org/