TEXAS A&M REFUSES SEMINAR (ON COLD FUSION)
By John Kirsch (staff writer), "Panel Speakers Draw Criticism from Some A&M Faculty Members," Bryan-College Station Eagle, 15 April 1997, pp A2, A7.
SUMMARY
An alternative energy seminar featuring Dr. John O'M. Bockris, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, was denied the use of the Engineering/Physics Building on the night of Friday, April 18, on the grounds that the credentials of its four speakers were questionable. The listed participants were Drs. Bockris (Texas A&M) and Pat Bailey (of the Inst. for New Energy), J.J. Hurtak of the Academy for Future Science, and graduate student Todd Hathaway, who was also an organizer of the seminar. No University funds were being used for the event.
The faculty spokesperson quoted by the newspaper was Frank Cotton, also a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M, who told the reporter that faculty members and administrators had forced the cancellation of seminar plans after learning who the speakers were. "They're all kooks and charlatans," Mr. Cotton was quoted as saying.
[I have the newspaper article. P.B.]
Bockris' research in such controversial areas as cold fusion and low-energy nuclear reactions has drawn criticism from his fellow faculty members for several years. The newspaper mentioned that the Web site for participant J.J. Hurtak provided information on ordering a UFO video [which possibly the University faculty thought was condemning evidence against him].
The seminar, Alternative Energy Resources & Technology, was held instead at St. Mary's Catholic Student Center, which had no problem with the controversial nature of the information. The following are two letters which directly resulted from the Texas A&M faculty decision.
Letter to the Editor of the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Sent April 16, 1997
To: Editor, Bryan-College Station Eagle
For: Letters to the Editor
I read with sad depression a recent article written yesterday, April 15, by John Kirsch, Eagle staff writer, about the Friday evening lecture at Texas A&M University, in which I am a scheduled speaker. Unfortunately, his article is mostly trash and misleading ž as he has published his own version of illusions and negative thoughts about this seminar ž without ever bothering to check out any of the facts, issues or intentions of the speakers. An e-mail with a summary of his article that was sent to me is attached.
As a newspaper editor, you may want to publish the truth about what is happening in the world. This includes presenting both sides of any issue, whether it be what is happening in the areas of advanced energy conversion research, or (dare I say) what really happened in Waco.
If you want to see what is happening in the area of "cold-fusion," where Japan has over 200 active patents and is doing repeatable over-unity (new potential energy) research, you can access that information at the Institute for New Energy Web site: www.padrak.com/ine/.
I include for you to review in your office a copy of a 1994 paper (6 pages) presented by SRI International under EPRI (Electric Power Research Inst.) funding, where they stated that they had also achieved a major "cold fusion" reaction in one of the three experiments that they performed. This is one new area of advanced energy research where things are indeed happening. There are also other areas where other exciting things are happening ž that anyone is able to see ž if they take the time to pull their heads out of the sand!
If you wish to continue to publish slanted and misleading stories for sales-appeal without including the facts on both sides ž stay out of my way!
I will be there Friday evening. You should formally send John Kirsch to write and publish exactly what is said and exactly what happens ž and not what he thinks others should hear, especially to slander others or mislead your readers. I would think that your readers would like to know what is actually happening and not someone's morbid thoughts about it.
I have personally seen several times how the press is able and has slanted and tainted the truth to serve its own egotistical or financial purposes. I do not allow that behavior in my life. I am sure that you would also not want that type of behavior in yours. I will look forward to Friday evening.
Sincerely, /s/ Dr. Patrick G. Bailey, President, Institute for New Energy
Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering, MIT, 1972
Past Technical Program Chairman for the IECEC (1984, 1991)
Past Steering Committee Member, IECEC (12 years)
Past Project Manager, EPRI, Nuclear Power Division, Nuclear Safety and Analysis Dept.
Active researcher
APOLOGIES TO DR. BOCKRIS
The attached letter was received by Dr. John O'M. Bockris on Monday, April 21, 1997; therefore, the matter regarding the seminar's change of venue has been resolved. Out of respect for the individual that submitted the letter, the person's identity will be protected. The following information was forwarded to 1500 faculty, staff, and students on campus and the Board of Regents of Texas A&M.
Dr. John Bockris
Distinguished Professor
Chemistry Department, Texas A&M University
On behalf of faculty, staff and students that were involved with the decision to cancel the "Alternative Energy Resources & Technology" seminar, please accept this humble apology for the poor judgement that resulted in reversing the decision to not hold the seminar on campus. Based upon the material presented at the seminar at St. Mary's Catholic Student Center, you have proven that your work in cold fusion is legitimate and should be taken seriously. 173 patents in the cold fusion field is convincing evidence in and of itself.
It is truly unfortunate that you have unnecessarily [experienced] so much resistance in sharing your ground breaking research with the University community. I sincerely hope that the other people involved with making the mistake of forcing your seminar off campus will be open-minded enough to allow the Fall 1997 Alternative Energy Conference to be held on campus.
Sincerely, /s/ (name deleted)
Mechanical Engineering Dept.
Texas A&M University
[So, apology letters after the fact are very easy. Let's see what happens when Dr. Bockris or any student requests to use Texas A&M facilities for the next "Cold Fusion" lecture, conference, or meeting! PB.]
www.padrak.com/ine/NEN_5_2_6.html
May 25, 1997.