JOURNAL — TAPE #748
Q: Mark Russell Bell
G: George Noory, host of “Coast to Coast AM”
J: Jerry, caller from Omaha
N: Randall Eaton, guest
R: Ross Mitchell, taped announcements for “Coast to Coast AM”
E: Ellen Russell
A: Art Bell, host of “Coast to Coast AM”
(X): unattributed sounds
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: THIS TAPE AND THE FOLLOWING ONE DOCUMENT REPORTS CONCERNING THE BEACHING OF A GROUP OF PILOT WHALES IN MASSACHUSETTS AS A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW NEWS AND INFORMATION IS CONTROLLED BY THE MEDIA TO SERVE GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY AGENDAS EXONERATING OFFICIALS’ CULPABILITY IN IGNORING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES NOT IN THEIR IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL SELF-INTEREST NOR THE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF THE WORLD’S GREEDY ARISTOCRACY. THIS TAPE SIDE BEGINS WITH TWO INTERNET ARTICLES TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND INFORMATION.)
Science News > Environment News
Decision Nears on Navy Sonar
Eighteen months ago, the Navy deployed a powerful mid-range sonar during a submarine detection exercise in the deep water canyons of the Bahamas.
Published on September 07 2001 // Discuss it! // Comments to the editor
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) – Within hours, at least 16 whales and two dolphins beached themselves on the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahama and North Eleuthera. Scientists found hemorrhaging around the brain and ear bones – injuries consistent with exposure to extremely loud sounds. Eight whales died.
Now, the March 2000 strandings are being used as a battle cry for opponents of an even stronger low-frequency sonar the Navy wants to use to detect a new generation of quiet submarines.
A growing number of environmentalists and lawmakers want to stop deployment of the system because they fear it will harm whales, dolphins and loggerhead turtles. The state of Maine is particularly concerned about the impact on endangered northern right whales.
“I appreciate the nation’s needs for national security, but I also believe that the evidence shows (this new) sonar is harmful to the marine environment,” said Rep. John Baldacci, D-Maine.
The Navy, which has spent $300 million developing the system, is awaiting a review of its plan for a five-year deployment. A final decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service is expected this fall.
The Navy contends the sonar is imperative to national security because other nations, including Russia, Germany and China, are already developing super-quiet submarines that can avoid traditional detection.
It says it will protect whales with a 1,100-yard buffer zone backed up with traditional sonar and lookouts to determine the presence of whales.
Still, critics say the risk to whales and other marine life under those guidelines far outweighs any advances in submarine detection.
“Sonar is a very important defense, but it’s like practicing dropping nuclear bombs – it will have a very important environmental impact,” said Ken Balcomb, a marine biologist who witnessed the Bahama stranding in front of his house.
Whales are more susceptible to sonar interference than many mammals because they rely on sound for communication, feeding, mating and migration.
The proposed sonar is a type of low-frequency active sonar called the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System, or Surtass LFA. The Navy wants to use it on four warships capable of sweeping 80 percent of the world’s oceans.
According to the Navy’s proposal, the sonar would transmit signals as loud as 215 decibels – the underwater equivalent of standing next to a twin-engine F-15 fighter jet at takeoff.
But the Navy contends the loudest noise a whale would encounter is 180 decibels because of the safety zone, said Joe Johnson, the Navy official in charge of managing the environmental tests.
The Navy’s tests on four species were able to attain only an estimated level of 150 decibels. At that level, the sonar affected the length of humpback whale songs but didn’t lead to other extreme behaviors, said Roger Gentry, an acoustics expert from the National Marine Fisheries Service.
But some biologists believe whales are irritated by sounds louder than 110 decibels. At 180 decibels, they contend, a whale’s ear drums could explode – similar to how an opera singer shatters glass.
The Navy admits the Bahamas stranding was likely caused by mid-range sonar but contends the low-frequency active sonar wouldn’t harm whales.
Mid-range sonar, used in the Bahamas can be heard over shorter distances by many marine animals. Low-frequency sonar can travel several hundred miles but is audible to fewer animals; the downside is the transmissions are on the same frequency used for communication by many large whales, including humpbacks.
Critics believe there have been other strandings linked to sonar, but the whales in the Bahamas were the only ones to be fully examined.
In 1996, 12 Cuvier beaked whales beached themselves in Greece during NATO exercises involving the same low-frequency sonar the Navy wants to use. But those whales decomposed before scientists could conduct an investigation.
Marsha Green, an animal behaviorist with the Ocean Mammal Institute in Reading, Pa., fears the worst if the sonar is deployed.
“Can you imagine a world without whales?” she said. “It would be like a world without songbirds. We would all regret it.”
* * * * * * * * *
Natural Resources Defense Council
Wildlife & Fish: Whales & Marine Animals: In Brief: News
Navy Sonar System Threatens Marine Mammals
The U.S. government may allow use of a powerful new system despite evidence that military sonar kills marine animals.
NEWS BULLETIN: On July 16, 2002, the U.S. Navy was given a permit to deploy Low-Frequency Active sonar, a submarine-detection system, across as much as 80 percent of the world’s oceans. The permit exempts the Navy from the Marine Mammal Protection Act, allowing it to harm whales, dolphins, and other species while flooding the oceans with intense sound. The permit is too broad to afford any meaningful protection for marine life.
NRDC — leading a coalition of environmental groups — has sued the U.S. Navy and the National Marine Fisheries Service to block deployment of the system. (Press release.)
Don’t let them blast whales and other marine mammals with dangerous sonar — take action now.
For the last several years the U.S. Navy has been moving ahead with plans to deploy Low Frequency Active Sonar, or LFA — a new extended-range submarine-detection system that will introduce into the world’s oceans noise billions of times more intense than that known to disturb large whales. Now the National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed issuing a permit that would allow the Navy to proceed with LFA deployment and, in the process, to harass, injure, or even kill marine mammals while flooding the ocean with intense noise.
Undeniable evidence that high-power “active” sonar systems can and do kill marine animals emerged in March 2000, when beach strandings of four different species of whales and dolphins in the Bahamas coincided with a Navy battle group’s use of extremely loud active sonar there. Despite efforts to save the whales, seven of them died; A National Marine Fisheries Service and Navy investigation established with virtual certainty a connection between the strandings and the sonar — and that active-sonar system put out mid-frequency sound, which generally does not travel as far as LFA.
Although active sonar has been suspected in previous strandings, analysis of the heads of several dead whales enabled scientists to confirm, for the first time, the dangerous role of active sonar to a level of certainty that even the Navy could not ignore. All but one of the whales suffered hemorrhages in and around the ear, almost certainly the result of acoustic trauma. And in February 2001, a marine scientist observed that at least one of the whale species that stranded in the Bahamas had virtually disappeared from the area, raising questions about impacts well beyond the initial strandings and deaths.
According to the Navy, LFA functions much like a floodlight, scanning the ocean at vast distances with intense sound. Each transmitter in the system’s long array can generate 215 decibels of sound, a level millions of times more intense than is considered safe for human divers. Worse yet, not far from the array of transmitters the signals begin to combine, and the result as the signals travel is sound as forceful as if as much as 240 decibels had been transmitted at the source. (To understand just how powerful these sounds are, keep in mind that the decibel scale used for measuring noise is like the Richter scale used for measuring earthquakes — both use small differences to express increasing orders of magnitude. )
Thanks to the combined power of all these sound waves, LFA can illuminate hundreds of thousands of square miles of ocean at one time. In 1991, scientists produced a loud, low-frequency signal off the coast of Heard Island in the southern Indian Ocean, and found that it was still detectable off the West Coast of the United States. That signal was effectively 100 times less powerful than LFA’s.
For years the Navy had been testing the LFA system in complete secrecy and in violation of environmental laws. In 1995, NRDC brought the sonar tests to light and demanded that the Navy comply with federal and state statutes and disclose how the sonar would affect marine mammals, sea turtles and other ocean species. As a result, the Pentagon agreed to conduct a full-scale study of environmental impacts before putting the LFA system into use across an estimated 80 percent of the world’s oceans.
In late January 2001, the Navy released its Environmental Impact Statement, which according to law should be a “rigorous and objective evaluation” of environmental risks. Yet the Navy’s study fails to answer the most basic questions about its controversial system: How will LFA affect the long-term health and behavior of whales, dolphins and hundreds of other species? Taking place as it does over an enormous geographic area, what effect might it have on marine populations?
According to the Navy’s study, scientists briefly exposed a 32-year-old Navy diver to LFA sonar at a level of 160 decibels — a fraction of the intensity at which the LFA system is designed to operate. After 12 minutes, the diver experienced severe symptoms, including dizziness and drowsiness. After being hospitalized, he relapsed, suffering memory dysfunction and seizure. Two years later he was being treated with anti-depressant and anti-seizure medications.
Whales use their exquisitely sensitive hearing to follow migratory routes, locate one another over great distances, find food and care for their young. Noise that undermines their ability to hear can threaten their ability to function and survive. As one scientist succinctly put it: “A deaf whale is a dead whale.” But what concerns marine scientists even more than short-term effects on individual animals is the potential long-term impact that the Navy’s LFA system might have on the behavior and viability of entire populations of marine mammals.
Sound has been shown to divert bowhead and gray whales and other whales from their migration paths, to cause sperm and humpback whales to cease vocalizing, and to induce a range of other effects, from distressed behavior to panic. A mass stranding of beaked whales off the west coast of Greece in 1996 has been associated with an LFA-type system being tested by NATO. And last year’s whale deaths in the Bahamas add further evidence of the risks of intense active sonar.
Leading marine experts say the Navy’s limited assessment cannot tell us how long-term exposure to LFA sonar will affect the breeding, feeding, and migration of whales and other marine species. It is exactly such long-term effects on vital activities, say the experts, that pose the greatest risk of pushing endangered species over the brink into extinction.
The National Marine Fisheries Service announced its proposal to permit LFA even as its own investigations into the Bahamas strandings continue. In the wake of the recent dramatic confirmation of the dangers of active sonar, NRDC is calling on the Fisheries Service to withdraw its proposed permit and deny the Navy’s application to deploy LFA.
Decision Nears on Navy Sonar
Eighteen months ago, the Navy deployed a powerful mid-range sonar during a submarine detection exercise in the deep water canyons of the Bahamas.
Published on September 07 2001 // Discuss it! // Comments to the editor
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) – Within hours, at least 16 whales and two dolphins beached themselves on the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahama and North Eleuthera. Scientists found hemorrhaging around the brain and ear bones – injuries consistent with exposure to extremely loud sounds. Eight whales died.
Now, the March 2000 strandings are being used as a battle cry for opponents of an even stronger low-frequency sonar the Navy wants to use to detect a new generation of quiet submarines.
A growing number of environmentalists and lawmakers want to stop deployment of the system because they fear it will harm whales, dolphins and loggerhead turtles. The state of Maine is particularly concerned about the impact on endangered northern right whales.
“I appreciate the nation’s needs for national security, but I also believe that the evidence shows (this new) sonar is harmful to the marine environment,” said Rep. John Baldacci, D-Maine.
The Navy, which has spent $300 million developing the system, is awaiting a review of its plan for a five-year deployment. A final decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service is expected this fall.
The Navy contends the sonar is imperative to national security because other nations, including Russia, Germany and China, are already developing super-quiet submarines that can avoid traditional detection.
It says it will protect whales with a 1,100-yard buffer zone backed up with traditional sonar and lookouts to determine the presence of whales.
Still, critics say the risk to whales and other marine life under those guidelines far outweighs any advances in submarine detection.
“Sonar is a very important defense, but it’s like practicing dropping nuclear bombs – it will have a very important environmental impact,” said Ken Balcomb, a marine biologist who witnessed the Bahama stranding in front of his house.
Whales are more susceptible to sonar interference than many mammals because they rely on sound for communication, feeding, mating and migration.
The proposed sonar is a type of low-frequency active sonar called the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System, or Surtass LFA. The Navy wants to use it on four warships capable of sweeping 80 percent of the world’s oceans.
According to the Navy’s proposal, the sonar would transmit signals as loud as 215 decibels – the underwater equivalent of standing next to a twin-engine F-15 fighter jet at takeoff.
But the Navy contends the loudest noise a whale would encounter is 180 decibels because of the safety zone, said Joe Johnson, the Navy official in charge of managing the environmental tests.
The Navy’s tests on four species were able to attain only an estimated level of 150 decibels. At that level, the sonar affected the length of humpback whale songs but didn’t lead to other extreme behaviors, said Roger Gentry, an acoustics expert from the National Marine Fisheries Service.
But some biologists believe whales are irritated by sounds louder than 110 decibels. At 180 decibels, they contend, a whale’s ear drums could explode – similar to how an opera singer shatters glass.
The Navy admits the Bahamas stranding was likely caused by mid-range sonar but contends the low-frequency active sonar wouldn’t harm whales.
Mid-range sonar, used in the Bahamas can be heard over shorter distances by many marine animals. Low-frequency sonar can travel several hundred miles but is audible to fewer animals; the downside is the transmissions are on the same frequency used for communication by many large whales, including humpbacks.
Critics believe there have been other strandings linked to sonar, but the whales in the Bahamas were the only ones to be fully examined.
In 1996, 12 Cuvier beaked whales beached themselves in Greece during NATO exercises involving the same low-frequency sonar the Navy wants to use. But those whales decomposed before scientists could conduct an investigation.
Marsha Green, an animal behaviorist with the Ocean Mammal Institute in Reading, Pa., fears the worst if the sonar is deployed.
“Can you imagine a world without whales?” she said. “It would be like a world without songbirds. We would all regret it.”
* * * * * * * * *
Natural Resources Defense Council
Wildlife & Fish: Whales & Marine Animals: In Brief: News
Navy Sonar System Threatens Marine Mammals
The U.S. government may allow use of a powerful new system despite evidence that military sonar kills marine animals.
NEWS BULLETIN: On July 16, 2002, the U.S. Navy was given a permit to deploy Low-Frequency Active sonar, a submarine-detection system, across as much as 80 percent of the world’s oceans. The permit exempts the Navy from the Marine Mammal Protection Act, allowing it to harm whales, dolphins, and other species while flooding the oceans with intense sound. The permit is too broad to afford any meaningful protection for marine life.
NRDC — leading a coalition of environmental groups — has sued the U.S. Navy and the National Marine Fisheries Service to block deployment of the system. (Press release.)
Don’t let them blast whales and other marine mammals with dangerous sonar — take action now.
For the last several years the U.S. Navy has been moving ahead with plans to deploy Low Frequency Active Sonar, or LFA — a new extended-range submarine-detection system that will introduce into the world’s oceans noise billions of times more intense than that known to disturb large whales. Now the National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed issuing a permit that would allow the Navy to proceed with LFA deployment and, in the process, to harass, injure, or even kill marine mammals while flooding the ocean with intense noise.
Undeniable evidence that high-power “active” sonar systems can and do kill marine animals emerged in March 2000, when beach strandings of four different species of whales and dolphins in the Bahamas coincided with a Navy battle group’s use of extremely loud active sonar there. Despite efforts to save the whales, seven of them died; A National Marine Fisheries Service and Navy investigation established with virtual certainty a connection between the strandings and the sonar — and that active-sonar system put out mid-frequency sound, which generally does not travel as far as LFA.
Although active sonar has been suspected in previous strandings, analysis of the heads of several dead whales enabled scientists to confirm, for the first time, the dangerous role of active sonar to a level of certainty that even the Navy could not ignore. All but one of the whales suffered hemorrhages in and around the ear, almost certainly the result of acoustic trauma. And in February 2001, a marine scientist observed that at least one of the whale species that stranded in the Bahamas had virtually disappeared from the area, raising questions about impacts well beyond the initial strandings and deaths.
According to the Navy, LFA functions much like a floodlight, scanning the ocean at vast distances with intense sound. Each transmitter in the system’s long array can generate 215 decibels of sound, a level millions of times more intense than is considered safe for human divers. Worse yet, not far from the array of transmitters the signals begin to combine, and the result as the signals travel is sound as forceful as if as much as 240 decibels had been transmitted at the source. (To understand just how powerful these sounds are, keep in mind that the decibel scale used for measuring noise is like the Richter scale used for measuring earthquakes — both use small differences to express increasing orders of magnitude. )
Thanks to the combined power of all these sound waves, LFA can illuminate hundreds of thousands of square miles of ocean at one time. In 1991, scientists produced a loud, low-frequency signal off the coast of Heard Island in the southern Indian Ocean, and found that it was still detectable off the West Coast of the United States. That signal was effectively 100 times less powerful than LFA’s.
For years the Navy had been testing the LFA system in complete secrecy and in violation of environmental laws. In 1995, NRDC brought the sonar tests to light and demanded that the Navy comply with federal and state statutes and disclose how the sonar would affect marine mammals, sea turtles and other ocean species. As a result, the Pentagon agreed to conduct a full-scale study of environmental impacts before putting the LFA system into use across an estimated 80 percent of the world’s oceans.
In late January 2001, the Navy released its Environmental Impact Statement, which according to law should be a “rigorous and objective evaluation” of environmental risks. Yet the Navy’s study fails to answer the most basic questions about its controversial system: How will LFA affect the long-term health and behavior of whales, dolphins and hundreds of other species? Taking place as it does over an enormous geographic area, what effect might it have on marine populations?
According to the Navy’s study, scientists briefly exposed a 32-year-old Navy diver to LFA sonar at a level of 160 decibels — a fraction of the intensity at which the LFA system is designed to operate. After 12 minutes, the diver experienced severe symptoms, including dizziness and drowsiness. After being hospitalized, he relapsed, suffering memory dysfunction and seizure. Two years later he was being treated with anti-depressant and anti-seizure medications.
Whales use their exquisitely sensitive hearing to follow migratory routes, locate one another over great distances, find food and care for their young. Noise that undermines their ability to hear can threaten their ability to function and survive. As one scientist succinctly put it: “A deaf whale is a dead whale.” But what concerns marine scientists even more than short-term effects on individual animals is the potential long-term impact that the Navy’s LFA system might have on the behavior and viability of entire populations of marine mammals.
Sound has been shown to divert bowhead and gray whales and other whales from their migration paths, to cause sperm and humpback whales to cease vocalizing, and to induce a range of other effects, from distressed behavior to panic. A mass stranding of beaked whales off the west coast of Greece in 1996 has been associated with an LFA-type system being tested by NATO. And last year’s whale deaths in the Bahamas add further evidence of the risks of intense active sonar.
Leading marine experts say the Navy’s limited assessment cannot tell us how long-term exposure to LFA sonar will affect the breeding, feeding, and migration of whales and other marine species. It is exactly such long-term effects on vital activities, say the experts, that pose the greatest risk of pushing endangered species over the brink into extinction.
The National Marine Fisheries Service announced its proposal to permit LFA even as its own investigations into the Bahamas strandings continue. In the wake of the recent dramatic confirmation of the dangers of active sonar, NRDC is calling on the Fisheries Service to withdraw its proposed permit and deny the Navy’s application to deploy LFA.
Q: (speaking into tape recorder) So this I think illustrates the state (X) of the controlled media in the United States. On July 29th, George Noory mentioned the beaching of the whales that had occurred and he thought that it might have something to do with (X) sonar and the navy’s use of sound to communicate — well that’s what they say — with their submarines. Other people have said that this might be a weapon. Anyway, he said that there had been testing — I didn’t tape the show during the news headlines because they aren’t always on the sub(X)ject. In fact, I think that (X) in many ways some of those stories get away from the supposed ‘unexplained’ (X) theme of the show to a great extent; others seem to be trivial on any level. The beaching was one of the relevant stories. A caller wanted to discuss this and this was what was said.
G: Next up, let’s go to wild card — darn, I wanted that evidence. Jerry in Omaha, you’re on “Coast to Coast.”
J: Yeah, this is Jerry in Omaha. I’m with (X) Stratcom and we wanted to deny any (X) association with beached whales or communication problems. The communications are done with submarines. They’re done with blue-green (X) lasers now. (X) So there wouldn’t be any interference with a whale.
G: I don’t know. I just (X) heard today that the navy was testing new sonar and new sound. (X)
J: Well they’re always very careful about that because they have to operate within whale areas (X) and they try not to bother the whales at all because they like to use them for cover.
G: Well why do you think they’re beaching themselves so much now?
J: I don’t have — we don’t have the foggiest idea. It could be anything. (X) But I don’t think it’s — they — they’re not doing any high energy sonars right now out there. (X)
G: Well I’ll tell you what and thanks for your call. Something is (X) wrong (X) for them to be (X) beaching (X) so rapidly and in the numbers (X) that are out there. First-time caller in . . .
( . . . )
Q: So the following night, this is what George had to say.
( . . . )
G: And good morning, good evening, wherever you may be across the country, around the world. I’m George Noory and this is Art Bell’s “Coast to Coast AM” Crossing our fingers — as we expect Art Bell’s return tomorrow night. Next hour, he’s a mystic and a metaphysical researcher. Australian Robert Bruce (X) will be my guest as we (X) explore astral projection and how you can survive unseen (X) influences. A sad end to the whale strandings on Cape Cod. Fifty-six of the pilot whales have died, including 31 that officials say had to be euthanized. Fifty-six. (X) You saw some of the (X) pictures. Just unbelievable. More than 40 of the whales stranded themselves today for the second time in two days. Now volun(X)teers were able to push most of the whales back to the sea yesterday but most of the marine animals were just too tired or shocked for another rescue today. Chris Bailey of the International Fund for Animal Welfare calls today’s scene “just heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking.” Some of the creatures were thrashing in the shallow water and waling (X) to each other. In a moment, Dr. Randall Eaton, who has studied whales, in a discussion about why these mammals are beaching themselves — just what’s really happening. So don’t touch your dial. I’m George Noory and this is “Coast to Coast AM” (commercials) Now for (X) 20 years, from 1976 to 1996, Dr. Randy Eaton studied orca whales in the Pacific Northwest. He and his research volunteers actually befriended wild orcas. His video “Orca: The Sacred Whale” and his book The Orca Project: A Meeting of Nations examine the unique behavior of orcas and their exceptional relationship with humans (X) across time and space. (X) Dr. Eaton’s communications (X) have appeared everywhere, from Science and Evolution to Sports Illustrated and Magical Blend. He has been interviewed in Sports Illustrated, The Saturday Review, Omni, the Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post. He gave a speech on eco(X)logical problems in the United States that was broadcast by “CBS Television National News” (X) and PBS “Nova” interviewed him about the endangered species. Dr. Eaton has held (X) faculty physicians in zoology, psychol(X)ogy, humanities at the University of Washington, the University of Georgia, Florida Atlantic University, and is the winner of two national book awards as well as numerous writing and film awards. He is my guest this hour as we talk about this very sad and strange situation that oc(X)curred in Massachusetts. Welcome to the program, Doctor, and thank you (X) for getting on with us tonight.
N: Thank you, George.
G: This has got to be for you, someone who has literally made (X) his life project whales — it’s got to be pretty heartbreaking for you as well, isn’t it? (X)
N: Well it’s a very sad event. (X) All those pilot whales beaching themselves and (X) dying. It’s unfortunately a (X) fairly common event for (X) pilot whales particularly in that part of the world. (X) Some people have surmised or speculated that it’s the strange (X) electromagnetic (X) forces in that region that are responsible for (X) the relatively (X) high frequency of stranding of (X) pilot whales in that area. I suspect that’s not all there is to it. (X)
G: There could be much more. Tell us, if you can (X) — you know, a lot of us understand what a whale is, well we know what orcas are, but what is a (X) pilot (X) whale?
N: Well a pilot whale is a toothed whale. It’s a close relative of the orca and of the (X) dolphins. (X X) Unlike the baleen whales, the great whales—(X)such as blue wha(les) — (X) whales, gray whales—(X) are the ones that (X) tend to filter their feed. This is a predatory species (X) as are all the dolphins and porpoises.
G: Now what I could see on (X) television, it’s also a pretty good sized whale . . .
N: Yes . . .
G: General(ly) — how big do they get?
N: Oh gosh. (X) Twenty feet. (X X)
G: Are they friendly?
N: They can be (X) quite friendly (X) to humans. And it’s easy to befriend them. (X) It — it’s (X) happened a lot throughout (X) history. (X)
G: Now when we talk about 56 of the pilot whales have died — (“DIE”) I mean to me that seems like an astronomically high number. Is it?
N: No, I don’t think (X) so. There are a lot of strandings (X) that maybe don’t often get to (X) that level but (X) certainly there are many (X) pilot whales in the oceans of the world (X) today. (X)
G: Now they say these whales are pretty social. Now what ex(X)actly does that mean?
N: They are highly social. They — they have very (X) tightknit societies. What happens (X) a lot of times when pilot whales strand is that (X) all the members of the group (X) basically die to(X)gether. That’s what’s (X) happened (X) here. It’s not the first time that (X) people have attempted to save (X) stranded whales by (X) dragging them off the beach and pulling them out (X) to deep water and imagining that somehow that’s going to make a (X) difference. What we don’t recognize is that these creatures know exactly what they’re (X) doing. They are not simple robotic automatisms who are (X) simply drawn off (X) course by changes in the electrical fields of the electromagnetic fields of this (X) crust of the Earth. (X) I’m afraid it isn’t that simple. When you get into these creatures’ be(X)havior, you very (X) quickly come to ap(X)preciate that they’re (X) remarkably intel(X)ligent, very aware beings. When they want to strand themselves, there’s a reason for it. (X) And this is where the science (X) has pretty much missed the mark. They haven’t asked the question, “Why would any whale ever strand it(X)self?” And (X) I looked into that and basically (X) came up with the idea that really (X) to (X) a pilot whale or a gray whale or a sperm whale, going on shore is really e(X)quivalent (X) to what we do when we bury our dead. In other words, what I’m (X) telling you is that (X) something’s (X) already wrong or they wouldn’t be stranding themselves. It’s not as though they don’t know where they’re going, okay?
G: Is it almost, Dr., like (X) committing suicide?
N: Yes. That’s exactly what it is. (X) It’s rather like this. You can imagine and this is certainly — this scenario certainly has happened. Or scenarios very much like it have certainly happened among humans. If you knew you were con(X)taminated with a (X) terrible path(X)ogen, some (X) kind of (X) contaminate or pollutant that would (X) harm, (X) kill or destroy others, what would you do to yourself? Would you go out and expose — (X) expose others to it? (X) Or would you eliminate yourself? You wouldn’t go running to your wife and give her a hug and a (X) kiss. And you wouldn’t ask your son to come and sit in your lap and (X) say good-bye.
G: No, you would do the right thing.
N: That’s right.
G: And the right thing is to somehow how stay away from people, whatever way that is.
N: That’s absolutely correct. And so here’s the way I look at it. First I ask the question, “Why do we bury (X) people?” And really there has (X) been no good explanation for that. And I think that we’ve been doing it for a very long (X) time. Certainly, indic(X)ations of Neanderthals burying themselves and the Cro-Magnon people and so on would say that we’ve been (X) practicing this for a long (X) time. Why? What are the advantages to it? Well if a person dies because they’re sick, (X) it’s a good thing to do (X) something with that body (X) and to get it out of the way. And also once that person dies for whatever reason they die, you really don’t want (X) to be feasting — (X) to — (X) to be giving it (X) to the predators (X) who live in your area to feed upon. Because when they do that, they’re more likely to at(X)tack the living. So what do we do? We end up (X) putting a lot of dead (X) people in one (X) small space. (X) We call it a graveyard.
G: That’s right.
N: We bury them six feet down. Why six feet down? Because then predators can’t dig them up easily and eat them. You follow me? If a bear goes (X) around feeding on dead (X) people, (it’s) going to be far more likely to (X) catch a live one. And (X) so on. (X) So what I’m suggesting (X) to you is that from the point of view of a (X) cetacean—a whale or a dolphin—the thing to do if (X) something’s wrong with you (X) and you want to get away from your (X) kin and other members of your species (X) and you don’t want to spread a disease to them, the best (X) thing you can possibly do is go onto shore — and because there at least you won’t be (X) feeding sharks with your dead body (X) who would then might be more likely (X) to (X) attack your grandson or your niece or your cousin or whatever. And by the same (X) token, you won’t be spreading disease. I mean these creatures do communicate disease (X) to one another. Parasites (X) commonly move from (X) one dolphin or a whale to another.
G: They’re almost like martyrs.
N: Well they are. They are. That’s (X) exactly what’s going on here. So in a nutshell, George, what I see happening is that one or more of these individuals (X) — there’s been many (X) pilot whale strandings when one individual went farther up on shore than others. And the others were not (X) quite as — did not go up as far and that indicated (X) that perhaps something wasn’t wrong with (X) them. (X) There have been some cases where individual (X) pilot whales stranded themselves, (X) others ac(X)company them of their group and (X) stay very (X) close by until (X) that individual died and then they left. (X) But in this case, where you get the whole social group stranding itself, it indicates (X) that (X) it’s not simply a matter of, you know, an old member — an elder, if you will, of the (X) clan (X) dying of old age (X) or whatever and everybody’s (X) coming basically to go through what might — you might in(X)terpret in human ways as some kind of funeral ceremony (X) for that individual’s death. (X) And once it dies, then they leave. In this (X) case, they’re determined (X) to keep themselves (X) on that shore —
G: Yeah. (or “YEAH”)
N: — no matter how many times we pull (X) them off.
G: And they’re all packed in there together.
N: They are. Very (X) tightly. And that indicates to me that there’s some (X) kind of communicable disease (X) that is (X) going — that is being (X) passed among individuals in that group and the only (X) way they can guaran(X)tee safety to any other survivors or (X) kin left in the sea (X) is to remove (X) everyone of themselves from the sea and put themselves on the shore.
G: Is there a message, Dr. Eaton, for us? For humans? And let me tell you what bothers me about what I’ve seen over the last (X) couple days. I’m an animal lover. I love animals. I hate to see humans hurt and I hate to see animals hurt. And in this particular case, as you say, and so rightfully so, there’s something wrong. There’s something going on that these (X) pilot whales (X) feel — that they somehow understand. (X) And, as you say, by beaching themselves, they’re trying to get away — that they don’t want to maybe infect the other members (X) of their group. Unfortunately, most of the group probably followed them on. (“BUT”) Is there a message there (X) for humans that we need to find out what it is?
N: Well I think there is. I think it’s (X) that these organisms have shown (X) time and time again in the behav(X)ior with their own (X) kind as well as with us, really, that they’re in(X)credibly altru(X)istic. They’re even altruistic (X) towards us. (X) There’s a number of reasons why we should be surprised. (X) For example, I’m going to get off here but I’ll (X) come back (X) to the (X) topic. (X)
G: Alright.
N: It’s really very sur(X)prising that orca whales (X) don’t attack (X) humans frequently. (X) I mean they’re the most awesome (X) predators — at least, (X) the ones that (X) feed on marine mammals are the most (X) awesome (X) predators of (X) the sea. They (X) can with relative im(X)punity (X) kill creatures as great as blue whales, the biggest species (X) ever to live on Earth. They can (X) catch ducks in flight. (X X) They can (X) catch walruses on ice flows. They can (X) break through the ice and grab dogs (X) from sled (X) teams. I mean these are awesome predators. (X) Why they don’t go around munching us up is a question we (X) need to ask and we (X) don’t. (X) But it even goes further then that because why during (X) captures, for example, when they’re doing their best to evade us, when they’re doing their best (X) to get their offspring out of our way and out of our nets, why then can a man jump right in the middle of a net (X) teeming with full-grown wild orcas, (X) awesome predators weighing (X) six-(X)seven (X) tons with fifty conical (X) teeth, very intel(X)ligent creatures — and why is it that man can (X) dive in that water with those creatures (X) and not be (X) harmed (X) one bit. (X)
G: They could snap him in two if they wanted.
N: In (X) two. And most organisms under those circumstances certainly would. That’s why we should be (X) surprised. What I’m suggesting to you is that the same principle — the same (X) question — we need to (X) keep coming back to this question. Why do they in(X)hibit themselves (X) in such a way? Well the dolphins (X) of the Iki Islands off Ja(X)pan, which Green(X)peace made famous by sending out photos of the Japanese fishermen stabbing them with (X) spears — you see, the Japanese fishermen felt that those dolphins (X) were competing with (X) them, that they were (X) taking their fish, (X) that they weren’t (X) entitled to those fish, and so they gathered them up in nets and they went around stabbing them. But (X) here’s really the remarkable thing. We never stop to ask ourselves (X) how is it (X) possible that these (X) full-grown (X) dolphins don’t resist (X) their (X) captors? Why don’t they at(X)tack those men who were (X) stabbing their offspring, their husbands, wives, friends and aunts (X) and uncles and grandfathers and (X) so on. Why did they (X) turn the cheek? (X)
G: (X) You’re right.
N: When these creatures can (X) turn right around and at(X)tack a shark and (X) kill it if it gets (X) close to one of their young?
G: They merely surrender and that’s a good question. Why?
N: They are surrendering. And they allow us to do it. (X) So what I’m saying to you is we rarely (X) show that (X) kind of compassion (X) towards (X) other (X) humans; (X) certainly not towards other species, (X) (o)kay? (X) So (or “SO” X) the level of altruism that some(X)times is shown by cet(X)aceans (X) is absolutely, really (X) totally incredible. From a (X) scientific (X) point of view, there simply is no explanation for it. From another point of view, which is non-scien(X)tific, you have to begin to propose hy(X)potheses that these creatures (X) know something more about love than we do.
G: Absolutely. And they’re much (X) more intelligent than we let on.
G: Well I happen (X) to agree with that point of view. And it’s not just some wild speculation. I mean I’ve (X) — I’ve taken a hard look at their be(X)havior and their interactions with us and really that’s the only (X) kind of conclusion you can (X) come up with. (X) Whether or not, we have a good scientific (X) explanation (X) for it really doesn’t bother me. The facts are there. And the fact that we (X) tend to ignore those facts when really they (X) tend to (X) tear apart our view of reality (X) — our scientific view of reality means that we need a better science or our science isn’t adequate.
G: When I was a little boy, Dr. Eaton, (X) I’d see a little ant (X) pile. And I was a kid. I’d step on the ant pile and then two hours later, the pile was back again. And I stepped on it and I (X) crushed it. And two hours later, the little ant pile was back (X) again. And all of (X) a sudden I realized — and, by the way, I never (X) stepped on an ant pile again — I realized that these (X) tiny little critters that can’t communicate with me might have some kind of intelligence (X) far beyond what little George Noory once thought was just a bug or an insect. And I then started to have some kind of an appreciation for (X) beings that are on this planet. And as you have, I think, (X) very accurately presented, and I’m looking forward to (X) chatting with you for the rest of this hour, that these animals (X) may have an intelligence that because they can’t directly communicate with us, they may have an intelligence that because they can’t (X) build spaceships and go to (X) the Moon — but they may have an intelligence that might even far surpass us. And that’s all very possible.
N: Yeah, I certainly agree with that point of view.
G: These pilot whales (X) in terms of numbers — because I keep hearing, you know, some species are endangered. (X) Is this a lot in terms of (X) total numbers of (X) pilot whales or do we have (X) hundreds of thousands of these on the planet?
N: We have hundreds of thousands of them on the (X) planet. The long(X)-term prognosis (X) certainly is not promising but then a (X) long-term prognosis at this (X) point in (X) isn’t very promising for us (X) or anything else in the biosphere either. But at least at this point in time, they’re doing relatively well in the oceans of the world. (X)
G: Are they being caught and trapped by people?
N: Not much. And even if they were, it would be relatively minor in (X) terms of their mor(X)tality rate. The (X) biggest long-term problem, of course, is simply pollution of the seas. And it’s accelerating — the PCBs (X) are still out there and probably killing many of the orcas in Puget Sound off Seattle. Mercury (X) poisoning is a very (X) serious thing in the oceans of the world. It’s (X) going on every day. (“A[ND]”) By increasing numbers, we’re putting (X) tons and (X) tons of mercury in the seas. And, over the long haul, that and over-fishing are going to (X) take very serious (X) tolls on the cetaceans of Earth. (X)
G: They may be trying to tell us: ‘Hey humans, you’re next.’ . . .
N: Well that may be, George. And I do happen to believe that there have been (X) certain strandings which, in fact were (X) intended to communi(X)cate just (X) that.
G: Wow.
N: Yeah. Sperm whales happened to strand them themselves exactly at a (X) time off the Oregon (X) coast when a group of mammalogists (X) from around (X) this country and the world (X) were meeting to discuss the fate (X) of the North Pacific sperm whale population in light of the fact that they’d been so over-(X)cropped by the Japanese that they weren’t reproducing.
G: Do you know what you’re saying about their intelligence then?
N: Yes, sir, I do but, you know what? (X) We’ve been worshiping our brains (X) forever. We’ve been (X) talking about who are — we’re the most sophisticated, greatest species on Earth. And it goes on. But let me (X) tell you (X) something. That’s the biggest brain out there. It’s the sperm whale. And second is the orca. (X) Those creatures know something. They’re very in(X)telligent and we need to (X) start paying at(X)tention. (X)
G: Well we’re going to continue this discussion about what happened in Massachusetts and what does it all mean (X) for all of us on this planet. Could it very well be that these pilot whales are literally trying to tell us, ‘Stop doing what you’re doing before it’s too late for all of us.’ I’m George Noory in for Art Bell and this is “Coast to Coast AM.” Back in a moment.
Winding your way down on Baker Street Light in your head and dead on your feet Well another (X) crazy day you’ll drink the night away and forget about everything This city desert makes you feel so (X) cold It’s got so many people but it’s (X) got no soul And it’s taken you so long to find out you were wrong When you (X) thought it held everything . . .
(“Baker Street” performed by Gerry Rafferty)
( . . . )
. . . You seem to want from me what I cannot give I feel so lonesome at times I have a dream that I wish I could live It’s burning holes in My mind It’s been a too long time with no peace of mind And I’m ready for the times to get better . . .
( “Ready for the Times to Get Better” performed by Crystal Gayle)
R: You’re listening to “Coast to Coast AM” with George Noory filling in for Art Bell.
G: Gosh, I’m getting a lot of Emails right now. Lots of Emails about my interview with Dr. Randall (X) Eaton and I’ll ask him some of the questions that you’ve sent me. If you want to continue to Email me, just go to Art Bell’s website at artbell.com, (X) click on “Interact,” “Email Hosts,” and there I am. Fire away if you would. I do want to tell you a little bit about the After Dark Newsletter while I’ve got you . . .
( . . . )
G: Welcome back to “Coast to Coast.” I’m George Noory with a guest, Dr. Randall Eaton, as we’re (X) talking about the (X) pilot whales that beached themselves. Fifty-six of them have died, including 31 that had to be euthanized. Dr., I guess that is the humane way: to euthanize them, as opposed to (X) just letting them die?
N: Well (X) I don’t know the answer to that one, George. I think that an awful lot of (X) times — I’ll (X) tell you I have a (X) particular prejudice against the con(X)cept, (X) to (X) tell you the truth.
G: Okay, tell me why.
N: Well because all my life I’ve heard people say, “Well better put it out of its (X) misery. (X) It’s suffering.” And really (X) I’ve looked at this whole thing. And the question is what if I’m suffering? Do I want somebody to (X) come along and put a bullet in my head? I want to be able (X) to give and (X) to be given a (X) choice. (X) Humans so often believe that they know what’s best (X) for other (X) creatures. I’m not so sure that we (X) do and (X) actually that’s in line with what we’ve been saying.
G: Um-huh.
N: The little old lady (X) who goes around (X) the town and gathers up all the stray (X) cats, delivers them (X) to the Humane Society because they’ll euthanize them in a (X) few days because nobody (X) takes them home as (X) pets—champions herself as a — (X) a person who’s diminishing (X) cruelty and suffering among the wild, (X) among the feral (X) population of her (X) community. I have a problem with that. (X) Cats would like to have a go at it. They’re adapted (X) to live on their own in our (X) cities (X) so I have a problem with the whole (X) concept of euthanizing animals to prevent (X) suffering. The fact is that we all suffer. That’s a fact of life. (X) All of us who have bodies will experience pain and (X) suffering so I have a problem with the whole (X) con(X)cept, George.
G: I’ve got a couple Emails I want to relay to you about sonar and get your views on that but I did get (X) one that (X) I don’t like and you’re not going to like. (X) And it said, “George, (X) they’re only whales. Why are you making a big (X) deal about this for?” And, you know, (“E AA”) sometimes they just don’t understand.
N: Well that’s true, (X) George. They don’t. (X) And (X) that’s one good reason to have (X) this talk. (X) They are just whales but on the other hand we’re just humans. And what are just humans? Humans are (X) creatures who are eating up their (X) planet, destroying the habi(X)tat for hundreds of thousands of other (X) creatures and (X) for our own children and grandchildren. We need (X) to look around this (X) planet and find some (X) creatures on it who might be able to (X) teach us something that we need to know. And some of those creatures certainly in(X)clude the whales and the (X) dolphins. They live in (X) tribes. They live in large societies that show in(X)credible stability over (X) time. They don’t (X) have the (X) kinds of social (X) problems that we’re suffering from and yet they’re obviously very in(X)telligent. They have a (X) very advanced (X) communication system. There’s no doubt that they have what’s (X) comparable (X) to advanced (X) culture. (X) And just because we’re not (X) talking with them (X) doesn’t mean that they’re not (X) talking well with one another. I mean (X) how many creatures on the planet can you (X) point to who are big (X) predators like orca whales and say they don’t (X) kill their own kind? (X) You (X) can’t.
G: Yeah, that’s true.
N: Humans are (X) effectively big (X) predators. (X) That’s (X) how we evolved. That’s how we became the dominant creature (X) of (X) the (X) planet Earth
G: Oh I think humans are the most vicious animals on this planet.
N: Well there’s no doubt about it but they’re not — (X) see here’s the thing, George. Not all humans are always that vicious. It all depends (X) on circumstances and how we raise our young and how we live.
G: Well I mean overall.
N: Overall. Overall, we are the most (X) aggressive, (X) dominant, (X) fearsome creature there is. Yes, (X) I agree with you on that. But you see, (X) tigers kill (X) tigers and lions kill lions and wolves (X) kill wolves. And humans (X) kill humans. These are high ranking (X) predators in their world. But the highest ranking predator to the oceans of the world, orca whales, don’t kill their own (X) kind. Do we have something to learn from them? You bet.
G: (small laugh) (X) What does that tell you? What does that tell you, Dr. Eaton, about (X) our planet where there’s so much (X) killing done?
N: Well life lives on life, (X) okay? That’s not to be unexpected. Joseph (X) Campbell said it and he said it well. And we have to (X) keep that in mind, you know. We (X) can’t really live in a body without something else (X) giving up its (X) life for us. (X) The question then is (X) how we go about this. (X) An(d) — and what I (X) teach is that we all (X) take (X) life, the (X) question is (X) how we go about it. Do we bless it? Do we do so with gratitude? Do we (X) tend to be reciprocal, meaning what we (X) take away from the Earth, what (X) do we give back? (X) These are the fundamental (X) questions. We’re going to be (X) somebody’s dinner someday (X) too. (X) Those are the rules of the game in the three-dimensional realm, in any (X) case. The (X) point is though that the orca whales and the (X) sperm whales (X) and certainly other members of the dolphin family show levels of be(X)havior in relationship (X) to us, in relationship to one another that sur(X)pass our wildest (X) imagination about what it would be like to be a (X) truly (X) peaceful, (X) joyous, (X) playful, intelligent creature (X) enjoying our life (X) on this planet living in (X) harmony with one another and with other creatures. That doesn’t mean we don’t eat (X) other creatures. (X) That’s not what I’m (X) saying.
G: No, I understand.
N: What I’m saying is that we’re not out there de(X)stroying the ability of the (X) planet to produce other living forms? (X) So we’re obviously out of check (X) and if we don’t (X) consciously rise to the oc(X)casion and very soon, we’re going to (X) pay a (X) terrible price for it. And unfortunately so will all those (X) creatures too.
G: Now this is pure speculation on your part but do you think that these pilot whales, albeit one or the whole (X) group, were (X) deathly ill or do you think there’s something wrong and they’re basic(X)ally saying, ‘You know what, things have to change.’
N: I can’t — I’ll tell you in this (X) case, George, that I asked (X) for guidance on it. (X) On the one hand, I am a behavioral scientist; the other (X) hand, (X) I seek spiritual guidance for answers that I (X) can’t come up with or that will be better than my own. And in this (X) case what I got was that there is sickness in that group, a (X) communicable disease of some kind, (X) could be parasites. (X) And the thing is that once (X) the group has been exposed to — (X) to those parasites or whatever they’re suffering from — (X) because they can be (X) pretty (X) terrible: they have brain worms, (X) they have all kinds of things that they can (X) transmit from one to the other — my guess is that’s what’s going on. That’s what my guidance (X) tells me so far. That there is some kind of sickness (X) there and it wasn’t just an individual — one individual who was afflicted and who (X) was sacrificing (X) itself, knowing its (X) headed for (X) death and (X) put (X) itself up on shore (X) as a form of burial — quote “burial.”
G: And the sickness though (X) could’ve been (X) created by man?
N: Oh yes. (X) Oh there’s (X) no doubt about it. I mean for all we know. I mean (X) I’m sure they’ll do some, you know, (X) postmortems on these animals. We don’t know yet but there’s all (X) kinds of (X) possibilities, whether its (X) a heavy metal pollution or radioac(X)tivity. God only knows what they may be (X) suffering from that’s caused by humans.
G: What does this tell you about the fish that we eat on a regular basis?
N: Huh! Well (X) I don’t eat much fish for that reason. (X) At least, I don’t eat ocean-run (X) Salmon any more. I got mercury poisoning years and years (X) ago living off salmon in orcaland if you will. And — (X) and I will buy salmon from farms. (X) And I certainly don’t buy (X) tuna and I hope everybody listening to this considers (X) giving up (X) tuna also because its (X) just riddled with mercury . . .
G: As a matter of fact, there was just a mercury warning for pregnant women (X) who eat tuna.
N: That’s right. The FDA published a warning to pregnant women: don’t eat more than one (X) can a month. Well don’t even eat (X) that because (X) your body doesn’t (X) throw off (X) mercury. Mercury is a horrible, horrible (X) poison. It’s an epi(X)demic in our world and it’s (X) all be(X)cause — it comes back to the same old thing. You know, somebody’s making more money because it’s (X) a little more convenient for us to create (X) plastics instead of using glass and so on and so forth.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: MY BROTHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MERCURY POISONING AROUND 1992 AFTER EATING SWORDFISH AT A WEST HOLLYWOOD HOTEL RESTAURANT, THE SETTING FOR AN ORION PICTURES PRESS JUNKET. HIS BODY BECAME SWOLLEN AND HIS DOCTOR PRESCRIBED ALLERGY MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE SWELLING. THE DOCTOR COMMENTED THAT CASES OF MERCURY POISONING—EVEN THEN—WERE COMMON.)
G: I’ve got to ask you about sonar. (X)
N: Yeah. (or “YEAH”)
G: So many people are saying, “Look, the navy has got a lot of sonar. They’re testing new equipment all the time. Could this affect the bearings of some of these (X) whales?” What do you think?
N: Well it (X) could. I — and I — I suspect it isn’t (X) because these — (X) the pilot whales have (X) shown these (X) kinds of stranding in that region for a long (X) time. But it doesn’t mean that (X) there’s something about that region that makes (X) strandings inevitable. I think what it means is (X) that once the (X) pilot — once there is something wrong with the pilot whales, they’re going to beach themselves and we need to look at that first. The question is why are they putting themselves (X) out of the water? And it has to be one of (X) two things. Either (X) it has to (X) be some kind of (X) sickness or it has to be getting away from a (X) predator. In this case, it doesn’t look like any (X) predators were around so it’s (X) got to be (X) some (X) kind of disease problem, I’m suspecting.
G: Polar shift? What do you think about that?
N: About what?
G: A polar shift. From the poles.
N: Well — yeah. You mean that is coming?
G: Yeah. They — and they are —
N: This is a warning for it?
G: Well yeah and its (X) slowly moving and maybe that’s affecting them or they’re (X) doing something. I don’t know.
N: Well it might but the thing is that they’re not operating, you know, on automatic (X) kinds of (X) cues. They’re not (X) tied-in a very, very (X) tight way like a lock and (X) key (X) to (X) certain (X) kinds of environmental (X) cues. These animals are very (X) intelligent. They know the shore is the shore and it’s not the sea. Okay? It’s not like some organisms are (X) tied-in to very par(X)ticular (X) kinds of environmental stimuli (X) to respond in a very definite way. We have to give them some (X) credit there. (X) We have to give them some respect that they know what they’re doing. And I just can’t believe that it’s (X) something as (X) simple as a (X) polar shift or electromagnetic fields that are — have been altered over (X) time in that area that are responsible for the strandings.
G: I understand that the pilot whales eat (X) squid, (X) eels and (X) small crustaceans. What if (X) those things that they eat are becoming contaminated?
N: Well I’m sure that they are. And the (X) thing is that so many of the cetaceans — all the different species (X) around the globe who’ve been examined shown (X) very (X) high, dangerously (X) high — unexplainably (X) dangerous (X) high levels of pollutants, of (X) chemicals, of heavy metals and so on. And it’s very frightening. (X) Many dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico show (X) ten or more (X) times the level that we would consider fatal of some of these substances. So yes, (X) that’s got to be a very real problem and that (X) could be what’s going on here. I mean (X) there’s no doubt that heavy metals ultimately (X) can influence the nervous system, let’s face it. (X) Mercury ends up in the brain of human beings. The University of (X) Calgary medical faculty (X) points to mercury as a (X) causal agent—not simply a (X) correlation—of Alz(X)heimer’s (X) Disease. And (X) possibly Parkinson and a whole raft of (X) neuro-muscular (X) epidemics (X) that have been showing up for the last few years. So yes, this could very much be at work (X) in this situation.
G: If this is indeed a warning from these whales (X) to mankind to stop doing whatever we’re doing, how much time do you think we have to start correcting things?
N: Oh gosh. (X)
G: Because I think the (X) clock has been ticking for a long, long time.
N: It (X) has been, George. (X) I believe that if we don’t (X) turn things (X) around (X) very soon that within the next (X) five to (X) ten years, (X) there will be effectively a (X) cataclysm on this (X) planet. (X) I suspect that there’s a good probability that the vast (X) majority of human beings (X X) could die. I think global warming may be the (X) trigger. (X) I don’t want to see this (X) happen. (X) I’m concerned about it (X) but the way we just keep going down this dead end road without recognizing that it is a dead end road is ab(X)solute (X) insanity. I don’t know how else to interpret it. (X) We sure as hell need to be looking at species (X) like orcas and dolphins who show some (X) sanity; who also are in(X)telligent and conduct (X) them(X)selves in appropriate manner with one another and with us and with the rest of the (X) planet. I mean we are behaving like we’re absolutely (X) nuts (X) on this planet and we’ve got to turn it around.
G: I can see a (X) science fiction movie (X) several hundred years from now, (X) maybe on another planet where they say, “What happened to the humans?”
N: Yeah. (X)
G: And the (X) movie goes on to say, “They never read the signs that were given to them. They could’ve saved themselves.” And that could be what’s going on.
N: Well I agree. I agree. I think the warnings (X) are all there. (X) I think down deep in our hearts we know (X) and yet we’re living under such (X) fear. This is the whole thing, (X) you see. We’re living under (X) such great (X) insecurity. (X) This is what (“WHAT THE” X) philosophy of materialism is really all about. It’s the belief that we don’t have enough and we can never have enough. And (X) so we in(X)sanely go out there with greed and grab more of this and more of that, (X) things we don’t really need. (X) We’re living under a (X) quote (X) “philosophy of the (X) standing (X) economy,” which ultimately, of course, will des(X)troy us, if we con(X)tinue to do it. Both these (X) things are crazy but that’s the (X) way we’re behaving. Fear will not get us (X) where we need (X) to go. We’ve got to find our (X) center within our(X)selves. We’ve got to (X) stabilize within true so(X)cieties. We’ve got to (X) learn to (X) live with less (X) and enjoy it more because the things (X) we’re (X) pursuing aren’t (X) doing us any good (X) any way. They’re not bringing us joy. They’re not bringing us peace. They’re not bringing us (X) harmony. (X) Those are the things ultimately that (X) human beings desire and want all around the world. (X) So we have to recognize, number one, that we’re in(X)sane. There are (X) two kinds of (X) insane (X) people, I always say, those who know they’re in(X)sane and those who don’t.
G: (small laugh)
N: And at least if (X) we know (X) we’re insane, we can begin to (X) take steps to (X) correct it.
G: A couple years ago, I went down to Miami. I like doing that for (X) little vacation jaunts. It’s a great area. And I’m looking at the ocean and I’m saying, “This is so huge. It’s so immense. There’s no way that (X) man could pollute this.” (X) Not true?
N: Not (X) true. Not (X) true. It’s happening at in(X)creasing rates all the (X) time. Whoever thought that we would over-fish (X) the oceans? (X) And yet almost (X) every major food (X) species of (X) fish (X) stocks are seriously over-(X)fished. And it’s getting worse. (X) So we’re (X) polluting on one hand and we’re over-fishing (X) on the other. Those creatures (X) are in trouble, you know. The Native Americans (X) a long (X) time ago (X) held the belief and (X) still do hold the belief (X) that the orcas (X) are the grandfathers of the seas; (X) that we (X) made a bargain with (X) them, an agreement, (X) a con(X)tract that we would over(X)see life on the land and they would do so (X) in the seas. And we’ve let down our (X) side of that (X) responsibility in a very, very (X) serious way. I think it’s (X) time we began to (X) note (X X) of their behavior and to begin to understand why the (X) people who know them best (X) — the native (X) people who’ve been living (X) side by (X) side with them for thousands of years now day in and day out — why they revere them. Why the Ma(X)kah (X) Indians, for example, on the Olympic Peninsula describe the orca whale as “one step above God.” (X) Well I’m not (X) saying they are above God. I’m (X) saying that that’s an (X) incredible accolade never given to (X) any other (“K”) creature on this planet. And (X) so let’s (X) wake up. Let’s begin (X) to appreciate the (X) incredible beauty, (X) the awesome (X) intelligence (X) that permeates (X) the universe (X) and our world. And this beautiful Earth. (X X) This is the (X) place. This is our home. This is where we need to make our (X) stand. And to do it, each (X) one of us individually has a job. We’ve got (X) to find peace within our(X)selves — (X) that’s the (X) starting (X) point. And from that (X) point, we can begin (X) to (X) reconstruct a whole new way of life. But we have to be (X) committed to (X) that (X) principle, I believe.
G: I want to invite everyone (X) who has not had the opportunity (X) to look at the — Dr. Eaton’s website by going to (X) Art Bell’s website. You can link (X) right up with tonight’s guest and get some information on really the fascinating projects that he has been part about. (X) Time is of an essence here, Dr. Eaton. (X) Beaching — is it happening just in this (X) country or all around the world?
N: Around the world. (X) I think that we’ve had (X) a little bit more than our share. And perhaps, (X) that is a (X) measure of (X) some of these instances when (X X) some of the cetaceans (X) have (X) tried to (X) make a (X) signal — give a (X) signal (X) to us. (X) Like the sperm whales off (X) Corvallis, Oregon when the mammalogists (X) were discussing their (X) plight. I think that some(X)times they’re trying to reach us and that is what’s going on. (X) I would like to (X) tell you, George, that I have a new phone number in (X) case some of your (X) people want to reach me.
G: Absolutely.
N: They can go to my website — (“BUT”) my new phone number is — I’m here in Oregon — (gives number)
G: Very good.
N: In case anybody wants to (X) contact me for any reason.
G: (repeats number)
N: Right. (X)
G: Dr. Eaton, I want to thank you for spending the hour with me and really giving us some information that I think is so necessary.
N: Well let’s all (X) say a prayer for the (X) cetaceans and for our (X) planet and for our fellow humans. (X)
G: I’m George Noory. Now next hour out-of-body experience — understanding, surviving some unseen influences. Astral projection. What does that all mean? We’re going live to Australia with mystic Robert Bruce. I’m George Noory in for Art Bell. Don’t touch your dial. This is “Coast to Coast AM.”
Ride on Through the night Ride on Ride on Through the night Ride on There are visions There are memories There are echoes of thundering hooves There are fires . . .
(“Night Ride Across The Caucasus” performed by Loreena McKennitt) (TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: IN SEPTEMBER 2002 MY COMPUTER CRASHED AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF PROBLEMS; AS A RESULT, I LOST SOME OF MY CURRENT WORK AS WELL AS MANY OLD FILES AND ARTICLES DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET THAT I’D WANTED TO SAVE. IN ORDER TO DOWNLOAD A BROWSER, I REJOINED AMERICA ONLINE AND SELECTED A MEMBER IDENTIFICATION OF ‘PANDELREY,’ UTILIZING THE TRADITION OF FORMING A NAME FROM ONE’S CHILDHOOD ADDRESS AND PET’S NAME, WHICH I SHORTENED. THIS WAS THE EMAIL ADDRESS I USED WHEN I CONTACTED RANDALL EATON WITH SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS INTERVIEW.)
G: Next up, let’s go to wild card — darn, I wanted that evidence. Jerry in Omaha, you’re on “Coast to Coast.”
J: Yeah, this is Jerry in Omaha. I’m with (X) Stratcom and we wanted to deny any (X) association with beached whales or communication problems. The communications are done with submarines. They’re done with blue-green (X) lasers now. (X) So there wouldn’t be any interference with a whale.
G: I don’t know. I just (X) heard today that the navy was testing new sonar and new sound. (X)
J: Well they’re always very careful about that because they have to operate within whale areas (X) and they try not to bother the whales at all because they like to use them for cover.
G: Well why do you think they’re beaching themselves so much now?
J: I don’t have — we don’t have the foggiest idea. It could be anything. (X) But I don’t think it’s — they — they’re not doing any high energy sonars right now out there. (X)
G: Well I’ll tell you what and thanks for your call. Something is (X) wrong (X) for them to be (X) beaching (X) so rapidly and in the numbers (X) that are out there. First-time caller in . . .
( . . . )
Q: So the following night, this is what George had to say.
( . . . )
G: And good morning, good evening, wherever you may be across the country, around the world. I’m George Noory and this is Art Bell’s “Coast to Coast AM” Crossing our fingers — as we expect Art Bell’s return tomorrow night. Next hour, he’s a mystic and a metaphysical researcher. Australian Robert Bruce (X) will be my guest as we (X) explore astral projection and how you can survive unseen (X) influences. A sad end to the whale strandings on Cape Cod. Fifty-six of the pilot whales have died, including 31 that officials say had to be euthanized. Fifty-six. (X) You saw some of the (X) pictures. Just unbelievable. More than 40 of the whales stranded themselves today for the second time in two days. Now volun(X)teers were able to push most of the whales back to the sea yesterday but most of the marine animals were just too tired or shocked for another rescue today. Chris Bailey of the International Fund for Animal Welfare calls today’s scene “just heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking.” Some of the creatures were thrashing in the shallow water and waling (X) to each other. In a moment, Dr. Randall Eaton, who has studied whales, in a discussion about why these mammals are beaching themselves — just what’s really happening. So don’t touch your dial. I’m George Noory and this is “Coast to Coast AM” (commercials) Now for (X) 20 years, from 1976 to 1996, Dr. Randy Eaton studied orca whales in the Pacific Northwest. He and his research volunteers actually befriended wild orcas. His video “Orca: The Sacred Whale” and his book The Orca Project: A Meeting of Nations examine the unique behavior of orcas and their exceptional relationship with humans (X) across time and space. (X) Dr. Eaton’s communications (X) have appeared everywhere, from Science and Evolution to Sports Illustrated and Magical Blend. He has been interviewed in Sports Illustrated, The Saturday Review, Omni, the Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post. He gave a speech on eco(X)logical problems in the United States that was broadcast by “CBS Television National News” (X) and PBS “Nova” interviewed him about the endangered species. Dr. Eaton has held (X) faculty physicians in zoology, psychol(X)ogy, humanities at the University of Washington, the University of Georgia, Florida Atlantic University, and is the winner of two national book awards as well as numerous writing and film awards. He is my guest this hour as we talk about this very sad and strange situation that oc(X)curred in Massachusetts. Welcome to the program, Doctor, and thank you (X) for getting on with us tonight.
N: Thank you, George.
G: This has got to be for you, someone who has literally made (X) his life project whales — it’s got to be pretty heartbreaking for you as well, isn’t it? (X)
N: Well it’s a very sad event. (X) All those pilot whales beaching themselves and (X) dying. It’s unfortunately a (X) fairly common event for (X) pilot whales particularly in that part of the world. (X) Some people have surmised or speculated that it’s the strange (X) electromagnetic (X) forces in that region that are responsible for (X) the relatively (X) high frequency of stranding of (X) pilot whales in that area. I suspect that’s not all there is to it. (X)
G: There could be much more. Tell us, if you can (X) — you know, a lot of us understand what a whale is, well we know what orcas are, but what is a (X) pilot (X) whale?
N: Well a pilot whale is a toothed whale. It’s a close relative of the orca and of the (X) dolphins. (X X) Unlike the baleen whales, the great whales—(X)such as blue wha(les) — (X) whales, gray whales—(X) are the ones that (X) tend to filter their feed. This is a predatory species (X) as are all the dolphins and porpoises.
G: Now what I could see on (X) television, it’s also a pretty good sized whale . . .
N: Yes . . .
G: General(ly) — how big do they get?
N: Oh gosh. (X) Twenty feet. (X X)
G: Are they friendly?
N: They can be (X) quite friendly (X) to humans. And it’s easy to befriend them. (X) It — it’s (X) happened a lot throughout (X) history. (X)
G: Now when we talk about 56 of the pilot whales have died — (“DIE”) I mean to me that seems like an astronomically high number. Is it?
N: No, I don’t think (X) so. There are a lot of strandings (X) that maybe don’t often get to (X) that level but (X) certainly there are many (X) pilot whales in the oceans of the world (X) today. (X)
G: Now they say these whales are pretty social. Now what ex(X)actly does that mean?
N: They are highly social. They — they have very (X) tightknit societies. What happens (X) a lot of times when pilot whales strand is that (X) all the members of the group (X) basically die to(X)gether. That’s what’s (X) happened (X) here. It’s not the first time that (X) people have attempted to save (X) stranded whales by (X) dragging them off the beach and pulling them out (X) to deep water and imagining that somehow that’s going to make a (X) difference. What we don’t recognize is that these creatures know exactly what they’re (X) doing. They are not simple robotic automatisms who are (X) simply drawn off (X) course by changes in the electrical fields of the electromagnetic fields of this (X) crust of the Earth. (X) I’m afraid it isn’t that simple. When you get into these creatures’ be(X)havior, you very (X) quickly come to ap(X)preciate that they’re (X) remarkably intel(X)ligent, very aware beings. When they want to strand themselves, there’s a reason for it. (X) And this is where the science (X) has pretty much missed the mark. They haven’t asked the question, “Why would any whale ever strand it(X)self?” And (X) I looked into that and basically (X) came up with the idea that really (X) to (X) a pilot whale or a gray whale or a sperm whale, going on shore is really e(X)quivalent (X) to what we do when we bury our dead. In other words, what I’m (X) telling you is that (X) something’s (X) already wrong or they wouldn’t be stranding themselves. It’s not as though they don’t know where they’re going, okay?
G: Is it almost, Dr., like (X) committing suicide?
N: Yes. That’s exactly what it is. (X) It’s rather like this. You can imagine and this is certainly — this scenario certainly has happened. Or scenarios very much like it have certainly happened among humans. If you knew you were con(X)taminated with a (X) terrible path(X)ogen, some (X) kind of (X) contaminate or pollutant that would (X) harm, (X) kill or destroy others, what would you do to yourself? Would you go out and expose — (X) expose others to it? (X) Or would you eliminate yourself? You wouldn’t go running to your wife and give her a hug and a (X) kiss. And you wouldn’t ask your son to come and sit in your lap and (X) say good-bye.
G: No, you would do the right thing.
N: That’s right.
G: And the right thing is to somehow how stay away from people, whatever way that is.
N: That’s absolutely correct. And so here’s the way I look at it. First I ask the question, “Why do we bury (X) people?” And really there has (X) been no good explanation for that. And I think that we’ve been doing it for a very long (X) time. Certainly, indic(X)ations of Neanderthals burying themselves and the Cro-Magnon people and so on would say that we’ve been (X) practicing this for a long (X) time. Why? What are the advantages to it? Well if a person dies because they’re sick, (X) it’s a good thing to do (X) something with that body (X) and to get it out of the way. And also once that person dies for whatever reason they die, you really don’t want (X) to be feasting — (X) to — (X) to be giving it (X) to the predators (X) who live in your area to feed upon. Because when they do that, they’re more likely to at(X)tack the living. So what do we do? We end up (X) putting a lot of dead (X) people in one (X) small space. (X) We call it a graveyard.
G: That’s right.
N: We bury them six feet down. Why six feet down? Because then predators can’t dig them up easily and eat them. You follow me? If a bear goes (X) around feeding on dead (X) people, (it’s) going to be far more likely to (X) catch a live one. And (X) so on. (X) So what I’m suggesting (X) to you is that from the point of view of a (X) cetacean—a whale or a dolphin—the thing to do if (X) something’s wrong with you (X) and you want to get away from your (X) kin and other members of your species (X) and you don’t want to spread a disease to them, the best (X) thing you can possibly do is go onto shore — and because there at least you won’t be (X) feeding sharks with your dead body (X) who would then might be more likely (X) to (X) attack your grandson or your niece or your cousin or whatever. And by the same (X) token, you won’t be spreading disease. I mean these creatures do communicate disease (X) to one another. Parasites (X) commonly move from (X) one dolphin or a whale to another.
G: They’re almost like martyrs.
N: Well they are. They are. That’s (X) exactly what’s going on here. So in a nutshell, George, what I see happening is that one or more of these individuals (X) — there’s been many (X) pilot whale strandings when one individual went farther up on shore than others. And the others were not (X) quite as — did not go up as far and that indicated (X) that perhaps something wasn’t wrong with (X) them. (X) There have been some cases where individual (X) pilot whales stranded themselves, (X) others ac(X)company them of their group and (X) stay very (X) close by until (X) that individual died and then they left. (X) But in this case, where you get the whole social group stranding itself, it indicates (X) that (X) it’s not simply a matter of, you know, an old member — an elder, if you will, of the (X) clan (X) dying of old age (X) or whatever and everybody’s (X) coming basically to go through what might — you might in(X)terpret in human ways as some kind of funeral ceremony (X) for that individual’s death. (X) And once it dies, then they leave. In this (X) case, they’re determined (X) to keep themselves (X) on that shore —
G: Yeah. (or “YEAH”)
N: — no matter how many times we pull (X) them off.
G: And they’re all packed in there together.
N: They are. Very (X) tightly. And that indicates to me that there’s some (X) kind of communicable disease (X) that is (X) going — that is being (X) passed among individuals in that group and the only (X) way they can guaran(X)tee safety to any other survivors or (X) kin left in the sea (X) is to remove (X) everyone of themselves from the sea and put themselves on the shore.
G: Is there a message, Dr. Eaton, for us? For humans? And let me tell you what bothers me about what I’ve seen over the last (X) couple days. I’m an animal lover. I love animals. I hate to see humans hurt and I hate to see animals hurt. And in this particular case, as you say, and so rightfully so, there’s something wrong. There’s something going on that these (X) pilot whales (X) feel — that they somehow understand. (X) And, as you say, by beaching themselves, they’re trying to get away — that they don’t want to maybe infect the other members (X) of their group. Unfortunately, most of the group probably followed them on. (“BUT”) Is there a message there (X) for humans that we need to find out what it is?
N: Well I think there is. I think it’s (X) that these organisms have shown (X) time and time again in the behav(X)ior with their own (X) kind as well as with us, really, that they’re in(X)credibly altru(X)istic. They’re even altruistic (X) towards us. (X) There’s a number of reasons why we should be surprised. (X) For example, I’m going to get off here but I’ll (X) come back (X) to the (X) topic. (X)
G: Alright.
N: It’s really very sur(X)prising that orca whales (X) don’t attack (X) humans frequently. (X) I mean they’re the most awesome (X) predators — at least, (X) the ones that (X) feed on marine mammals are the most (X) awesome (X) predators of (X) the sea. They (X) can with relative im(X)punity (X) kill creatures as great as blue whales, the biggest species (X) ever to live on Earth. They can (X) catch ducks in flight. (X X) They can (X) catch walruses on ice flows. They can (X) break through the ice and grab dogs (X) from sled (X) teams. I mean these are awesome predators. (X) Why they don’t go around munching us up is a question we (X) need to ask and we (X) don’t. (X) But it even goes further then that because why during (X) captures, for example, when they’re doing their best to evade us, when they’re doing their best (X) to get their offspring out of our way and out of our nets, why then can a man jump right in the middle of a net (X) teeming with full-grown wild orcas, (X) awesome predators weighing (X) six-(X)seven (X) tons with fifty conical (X) teeth, very intel(X)ligent creatures — and why is it that man can (X) dive in that water with those creatures (X) and not be (X) harmed (X) one bit. (X)
G: They could snap him in two if they wanted.
N: In (X) two. And most organisms under those circumstances certainly would. That’s why we should be (X) surprised. What I’m suggesting to you is that the same principle — the same (X) question — we need to (X) keep coming back to this question. Why do they in(X)hibit themselves (X) in such a way? Well the dolphins (X) of the Iki Islands off Ja(X)pan, which Green(X)peace made famous by sending out photos of the Japanese fishermen stabbing them with (X) spears — you see, the Japanese fishermen felt that those dolphins (X) were competing with (X) them, that they were (X) taking their fish, (X) that they weren’t (X) entitled to those fish, and so they gathered them up in nets and they went around stabbing them. But (X) here’s really the remarkable thing. We never stop to ask ourselves (X) how is it (X) possible that these (X) full-grown (X) dolphins don’t resist (X) their (X) captors? Why don’t they at(X)tack those men who were (X) stabbing their offspring, their husbands, wives, friends and aunts (X) and uncles and grandfathers and (X) so on. Why did they (X) turn the cheek? (X)
G: (X) You’re right.
N: When these creatures can (X) turn right around and at(X)tack a shark and (X) kill it if it gets (X) close to one of their young?
G: They merely surrender and that’s a good question. Why?
N: They are surrendering. And they allow us to do it. (X) So what I’m saying to you is we rarely (X) show that (X) kind of compassion (X) towards (X) other (X) humans; (X) certainly not towards other species, (X) (o)kay? (X) So (or “SO” X) the level of altruism that some(X)times is shown by cet(X)aceans (X) is absolutely, really (X) totally incredible. From a (X) scientific (X) point of view, there simply is no explanation for it. From another point of view, which is non-scien(X)tific, you have to begin to propose hy(X)potheses that these creatures (X) know something more about love than we do.
G: Absolutely. And they’re much (X) more intelligent than we let on.
G: Well I happen (X) to agree with that point of view. And it’s not just some wild speculation. I mean I’ve (X) — I’ve taken a hard look at their be(X)havior and their interactions with us and really that’s the only (X) kind of conclusion you can (X) come up with. (X) Whether or not, we have a good scientific (X) explanation (X) for it really doesn’t bother me. The facts are there. And the fact that we (X) tend to ignore those facts when really they (X) tend to (X) tear apart our view of reality (X) — our scientific view of reality means that we need a better science or our science isn’t adequate.
G: When I was a little boy, Dr. Eaton, (X) I’d see a little ant (X) pile. And I was a kid. I’d step on the ant pile and then two hours later, the pile was back again. And I stepped on it and I (X) crushed it. And two hours later, the little ant pile was back (X) again. And all of (X) a sudden I realized — and, by the way, I never (X) stepped on an ant pile again — I realized that these (X) tiny little critters that can’t communicate with me might have some kind of intelligence (X) far beyond what little George Noory once thought was just a bug or an insect. And I then started to have some kind of an appreciation for (X) beings that are on this planet. And as you have, I think, (X) very accurately presented, and I’m looking forward to (X) chatting with you for the rest of this hour, that these animals (X) may have an intelligence that because they can’t directly communicate with us, they may have an intelligence that because they can’t (X) build spaceships and go to (X) the Moon — but they may have an intelligence that might even far surpass us. And that’s all very possible.
N: Yeah, I certainly agree with that point of view.
G: These pilot whales (X) in terms of numbers — because I keep hearing, you know, some species are endangered. (X) Is this a lot in terms of (X) total numbers of (X) pilot whales or do we have (X) hundreds of thousands of these on the planet?
N: We have hundreds of thousands of them on the (X) planet. The long(X)-term prognosis (X) certainly is not promising but then a (X) long-term prognosis at this (X) point in (X) isn’t very promising for us (X) or anything else in the biosphere either. But at least at this point in time, they’re doing relatively well in the oceans of the world. (X)
G: Are they being caught and trapped by people?
N: Not much. And even if they were, it would be relatively minor in (X) terms of their mor(X)tality rate. The (X) biggest long-term problem, of course, is simply pollution of the seas. And it’s accelerating — the PCBs (X) are still out there and probably killing many of the orcas in Puget Sound off Seattle. Mercury (X) poisoning is a very (X) serious thing in the oceans of the world. It’s (X) going on every day. (“A[ND]”) By increasing numbers, we’re putting (X) tons and (X) tons of mercury in the seas. And, over the long haul, that and over-fishing are going to (X) take very serious (X) tolls on the cetaceans of Earth. (X)
G: They may be trying to tell us: ‘Hey humans, you’re next.’ . . .
N: Well that may be, George. And I do happen to believe that there have been (X) certain strandings which, in fact were (X) intended to communi(X)cate just (X) that.
G: Wow.
N: Yeah. Sperm whales happened to strand them themselves exactly at a (X) time off the Oregon (X) coast when a group of mammalogists (X) from around (X) this country and the world (X) were meeting to discuss the fate (X) of the North Pacific sperm whale population in light of the fact that they’d been so over-(X)cropped by the Japanese that they weren’t reproducing.
G: Do you know what you’re saying about their intelligence then?
N: Yes, sir, I do but, you know what? (X) We’ve been worshiping our brains (X) forever. We’ve been (X) talking about who are — we’re the most sophisticated, greatest species on Earth. And it goes on. But let me (X) tell you (X) something. That’s the biggest brain out there. It’s the sperm whale. And second is the orca. (X) Those creatures know something. They’re very in(X)telligent and we need to (X) start paying at(X)tention. (X)
G: Well we’re going to continue this discussion about what happened in Massachusetts and what does it all mean (X) for all of us on this planet. Could it very well be that these pilot whales are literally trying to tell us, ‘Stop doing what you’re doing before it’s too late for all of us.’ I’m George Noory in for Art Bell and this is “Coast to Coast AM.” Back in a moment.
Winding your way down on Baker Street Light in your head and dead on your feet Well another (X) crazy day you’ll drink the night away and forget about everything This city desert makes you feel so (X) cold It’s got so many people but it’s (X) got no soul And it’s taken you so long to find out you were wrong When you (X) thought it held everything . . .
(“Baker Street” performed by Gerry Rafferty)
( . . . )
. . . You seem to want from me what I cannot give I feel so lonesome at times I have a dream that I wish I could live It’s burning holes in My mind It’s been a too long time with no peace of mind And I’m ready for the times to get better . . .
( “Ready for the Times to Get Better” performed by Crystal Gayle)
R: You’re listening to “Coast to Coast AM” with George Noory filling in for Art Bell.
G: Gosh, I’m getting a lot of Emails right now. Lots of Emails about my interview with Dr. Randall (X) Eaton and I’ll ask him some of the questions that you’ve sent me. If you want to continue to Email me, just go to Art Bell’s website at artbell.com, (X) click on “Interact,” “Email Hosts,” and there I am. Fire away if you would. I do want to tell you a little bit about the After Dark Newsletter while I’ve got you . . .
( . . . )
G: Welcome back to “Coast to Coast.” I’m George Noory with a guest, Dr. Randall Eaton, as we’re (X) talking about the (X) pilot whales that beached themselves. Fifty-six of them have died, including 31 that had to be euthanized. Dr., I guess that is the humane way: to euthanize them, as opposed to (X) just letting them die?
N: Well (X) I don’t know the answer to that one, George. I think that an awful lot of (X) times — I’ll (X) tell you I have a (X) particular prejudice against the con(X)cept, (X) to (X) tell you the truth.
G: Okay, tell me why.
N: Well because all my life I’ve heard people say, “Well better put it out of its (X) misery. (X) It’s suffering.” And really (X) I’ve looked at this whole thing. And the question is what if I’m suffering? Do I want somebody to (X) come along and put a bullet in my head? I want to be able (X) to give and (X) to be given a (X) choice. (X) Humans so often believe that they know what’s best (X) for other (X) creatures. I’m not so sure that we (X) do and (X) actually that’s in line with what we’ve been saying.
G: Um-huh.
N: The little old lady (X) who goes around (X) the town and gathers up all the stray (X) cats, delivers them (X) to the Humane Society because they’ll euthanize them in a (X) few days because nobody (X) takes them home as (X) pets—champions herself as a — (X) a person who’s diminishing (X) cruelty and suffering among the wild, (X) among the feral (X) population of her (X) community. I have a problem with that. (X) Cats would like to have a go at it. They’re adapted (X) to live on their own in our (X) cities (X) so I have a problem with the whole (X) concept of euthanizing animals to prevent (X) suffering. The fact is that we all suffer. That’s a fact of life. (X) All of us who have bodies will experience pain and (X) suffering so I have a problem with the whole (X) con(X)cept, George.
G: I’ve got a couple Emails I want to relay to you about sonar and get your views on that but I did get (X) one that (X) I don’t like and you’re not going to like. (X) And it said, “George, (X) they’re only whales. Why are you making a big (X) deal about this for?” And, you know, (“E AA”) sometimes they just don’t understand.
N: Well that’s true, (X) George. They don’t. (X) And (X) that’s one good reason to have (X) this talk. (X) They are just whales but on the other hand we’re just humans. And what are just humans? Humans are (X) creatures who are eating up their (X) planet, destroying the habi(X)tat for hundreds of thousands of other (X) creatures and (X) for our own children and grandchildren. We need (X) to look around this (X) planet and find some (X) creatures on it who might be able to (X) teach us something that we need to know. And some of those creatures certainly in(X)clude the whales and the (X) dolphins. They live in (X) tribes. They live in large societies that show in(X)credible stability over (X) time. They don’t (X) have the (X) kinds of social (X) problems that we’re suffering from and yet they’re obviously very in(X)telligent. They have a (X) very advanced (X) communication system. There’s no doubt that they have what’s (X) comparable (X) to advanced (X) culture. (X) And just because we’re not (X) talking with them (X) doesn’t mean that they’re not (X) talking well with one another. I mean (X) how many creatures on the planet can you (X) point to who are big (X) predators like orca whales and say they don’t (X) kill their own kind? (X) You (X) can’t.
G: Yeah, that’s true.
N: Humans are (X) effectively big (X) predators. (X) That’s (X) how we evolved. That’s how we became the dominant creature (X) of (X) the (X) planet Earth
G: Oh I think humans are the most vicious animals on this planet.
N: Well there’s no doubt about it but they’re not — (X) see here’s the thing, George. Not all humans are always that vicious. It all depends (X) on circumstances and how we raise our young and how we live.
G: Well I mean overall.
N: Overall. Overall, we are the most (X) aggressive, (X) dominant, (X) fearsome creature there is. Yes, (X) I agree with you on that. But you see, (X) tigers kill (X) tigers and lions kill lions and wolves (X) kill wolves. And humans (X) kill humans. These are high ranking (X) predators in their world. But the highest ranking predator to the oceans of the world, orca whales, don’t kill their own (X) kind. Do we have something to learn from them? You bet.
G: (small laugh) (X) What does that tell you? What does that tell you, Dr. Eaton, about (X) our planet where there’s so much (X) killing done?
N: Well life lives on life, (X) okay? That’s not to be unexpected. Joseph (X) Campbell said it and he said it well. And we have to (X) keep that in mind, you know. We (X) can’t really live in a body without something else (X) giving up its (X) life for us. (X) The question then is (X) how we go about this. (X) An(d) — and what I (X) teach is that we all (X) take (X) life, the (X) question is (X) how we go about it. Do we bless it? Do we do so with gratitude? Do we (X) tend to be reciprocal, meaning what we (X) take away from the Earth, what (X) do we give back? (X) These are the fundamental (X) questions. We’re going to be (X) somebody’s dinner someday (X) too. (X) Those are the rules of the game in the three-dimensional realm, in any (X) case. The (X) point is though that the orca whales and the (X) sperm whales (X) and certainly other members of the dolphin family show levels of be(X)havior in relationship (X) to us, in relationship to one another that sur(X)pass our wildest (X) imagination about what it would be like to be a (X) truly (X) peaceful, (X) joyous, (X) playful, intelligent creature (X) enjoying our life (X) on this planet living in (X) harmony with one another and with other creatures. That doesn’t mean we don’t eat (X) other creatures. (X) That’s not what I’m (X) saying.
G: No, I understand.
N: What I’m saying is that we’re not out there de(X)stroying the ability of the (X) planet to produce other living forms? (X) So we’re obviously out of check (X) and if we don’t (X) consciously rise to the oc(X)casion and very soon, we’re going to (X) pay a (X) terrible price for it. And unfortunately so will all those (X) creatures too.
G: Now this is pure speculation on your part but do you think that these pilot whales, albeit one or the whole (X) group, were (X) deathly ill or do you think there’s something wrong and they’re basic(X)ally saying, ‘You know what, things have to change.’
N: I can’t — I’ll tell you in this (X) case, George, that I asked (X) for guidance on it. (X) On the one hand, I am a behavioral scientist; the other (X) hand, (X) I seek spiritual guidance for answers that I (X) can’t come up with or that will be better than my own. And in this (X) case what I got was that there is sickness in that group, a (X) communicable disease of some kind, (X) could be parasites. (X) And the thing is that once (X) the group has been exposed to — (X) to those parasites or whatever they’re suffering from — (X) because they can be (X) pretty (X) terrible: they have brain worms, (X) they have all kinds of things that they can (X) transmit from one to the other — my guess is that’s what’s going on. That’s what my guidance (X) tells me so far. That there is some kind of sickness (X) there and it wasn’t just an individual — one individual who was afflicted and who (X) was sacrificing (X) itself, knowing its (X) headed for (X) death and (X) put (X) itself up on shore (X) as a form of burial — quote “burial.”
G: And the sickness though (X) could’ve been (X) created by man?
N: Oh yes. (X) Oh there’s (X) no doubt about it. I mean for all we know. I mean (X) I’m sure they’ll do some, you know, (X) postmortems on these animals. We don’t know yet but there’s all (X) kinds of (X) possibilities, whether its (X) a heavy metal pollution or radioac(X)tivity. God only knows what they may be (X) suffering from that’s caused by humans.
G: What does this tell you about the fish that we eat on a regular basis?
N: Huh! Well (X) I don’t eat much fish for that reason. (X) At least, I don’t eat ocean-run (X) Salmon any more. I got mercury poisoning years and years (X) ago living off salmon in orcaland if you will. And — (X) and I will buy salmon from farms. (X) And I certainly don’t buy (X) tuna and I hope everybody listening to this considers (X) giving up (X) tuna also because its (X) just riddled with mercury . . .
G: As a matter of fact, there was just a mercury warning for pregnant women (X) who eat tuna.
N: That’s right. The FDA published a warning to pregnant women: don’t eat more than one (X) can a month. Well don’t even eat (X) that because (X) your body doesn’t (X) throw off (X) mercury. Mercury is a horrible, horrible (X) poison. It’s an epi(X)demic in our world and it’s (X) all be(X)cause — it comes back to the same old thing. You know, somebody’s making more money because it’s (X) a little more convenient for us to create (X) plastics instead of using glass and so on and so forth.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: MY BROTHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MERCURY POISONING AROUND 1992 AFTER EATING SWORDFISH AT A WEST HOLLYWOOD HOTEL RESTAURANT, THE SETTING FOR AN ORION PICTURES PRESS JUNKET. HIS BODY BECAME SWOLLEN AND HIS DOCTOR PRESCRIBED ALLERGY MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE SWELLING. THE DOCTOR COMMENTED THAT CASES OF MERCURY POISONING—EVEN THEN—WERE COMMON.)
G: I’ve got to ask you about sonar. (X)
N: Yeah. (or “YEAH”)
G: So many people are saying, “Look, the navy has got a lot of sonar. They’re testing new equipment all the time. Could this affect the bearings of some of these (X) whales?” What do you think?
N: Well it (X) could. I — and I — I suspect it isn’t (X) because these — (X) the pilot whales have (X) shown these (X) kinds of stranding in that region for a long (X) time. But it doesn’t mean that (X) there’s something about that region that makes (X) strandings inevitable. I think what it means is (X) that once the (X) pilot — once there is something wrong with the pilot whales, they’re going to beach themselves and we need to look at that first. The question is why are they putting themselves (X) out of the water? And it has to be one of (X) two things. Either (X) it has to (X) be some kind of (X) sickness or it has to be getting away from a (X) predator. In this case, it doesn’t look like any (X) predators were around so it’s (X) got to be (X) some (X) kind of disease problem, I’m suspecting.
G: Polar shift? What do you think about that?
N: About what?
G: A polar shift. From the poles.
N: Well — yeah. You mean that is coming?
G: Yeah. They — and they are —
N: This is a warning for it?
G: Well yeah and its (X) slowly moving and maybe that’s affecting them or they’re (X) doing something. I don’t know.
N: Well it might but the thing is that they’re not operating, you know, on automatic (X) kinds of (X) cues. They’re not (X) tied-in a very, very (X) tight way like a lock and (X) key (X) to (X) certain (X) kinds of environmental (X) cues. These animals are very (X) intelligent. They know the shore is the shore and it’s not the sea. Okay? It’s not like some organisms are (X) tied-in to very par(X)ticular (X) kinds of environmental stimuli (X) to respond in a very definite way. We have to give them some (X) credit there. (X) We have to give them some respect that they know what they’re doing. And I just can’t believe that it’s (X) something as (X) simple as a (X) polar shift or electromagnetic fields that are — have been altered over (X) time in that area that are responsible for the strandings.
G: I understand that the pilot whales eat (X) squid, (X) eels and (X) small crustaceans. What if (X) those things that they eat are becoming contaminated?
N: Well I’m sure that they are. And the (X) thing is that so many of the cetaceans — all the different species (X) around the globe who’ve been examined shown (X) very (X) high, dangerously (X) high — unexplainably (X) dangerous (X) high levels of pollutants, of (X) chemicals, of heavy metals and so on. And it’s very frightening. (X) Many dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico show (X) ten or more (X) times the level that we would consider fatal of some of these substances. So yes, (X) that’s got to be a very real problem and that (X) could be what’s going on here. I mean (X) there’s no doubt that heavy metals ultimately (X) can influence the nervous system, let’s face it. (X) Mercury ends up in the brain of human beings. The University of (X) Calgary medical faculty (X) points to mercury as a (X) causal agent—not simply a (X) correlation—of Alz(X)heimer’s (X) Disease. And (X) possibly Parkinson and a whole raft of (X) neuro-muscular (X) epidemics (X) that have been showing up for the last few years. So yes, this could very much be at work (X) in this situation.
G: If this is indeed a warning from these whales (X) to mankind to stop doing whatever we’re doing, how much time do you think we have to start correcting things?
N: Oh gosh. (X)
G: Because I think the (X) clock has been ticking for a long, long time.
N: It (X) has been, George. (X) I believe that if we don’t (X) turn things (X) around (X) very soon that within the next (X) five to (X) ten years, (X) there will be effectively a (X) cataclysm on this (X) planet. (X) I suspect that there’s a good probability that the vast (X) majority of human beings (X X) could die. I think global warming may be the (X) trigger. (X) I don’t want to see this (X) happen. (X) I’m concerned about it (X) but the way we just keep going down this dead end road without recognizing that it is a dead end road is ab(X)solute (X) insanity. I don’t know how else to interpret it. (X) We sure as hell need to be looking at species (X) like orcas and dolphins who show some (X) sanity; who also are in(X)telligent and conduct (X) them(X)selves in appropriate manner with one another and with us and with the rest of the (X) planet. I mean we are behaving like we’re absolutely (X) nuts (X) on this planet and we’ve got to turn it around.
G: I can see a (X) science fiction movie (X) several hundred years from now, (X) maybe on another planet where they say, “What happened to the humans?”
N: Yeah. (X)
G: And the (X) movie goes on to say, “They never read the signs that were given to them. They could’ve saved themselves.” And that could be what’s going on.
N: Well I agree. I agree. I think the warnings (X) are all there. (X) I think down deep in our hearts we know (X) and yet we’re living under such (X) fear. This is the whole thing, (X) you see. We’re living under (X) such great (X) insecurity. (X) This is what (“WHAT THE” X) philosophy of materialism is really all about. It’s the belief that we don’t have enough and we can never have enough. And (X) so we in(X)sanely go out there with greed and grab more of this and more of that, (X) things we don’t really need. (X) We’re living under a (X) quote (X) “philosophy of the (X) standing (X) economy,” which ultimately, of course, will des(X)troy us, if we con(X)tinue to do it. Both these (X) things are crazy but that’s the (X) way we’re behaving. Fear will not get us (X) where we need (X) to go. We’ve got to find our (X) center within our(X)selves. We’ve got to (X) stabilize within true so(X)cieties. We’ve got to (X) learn to (X) live with less (X) and enjoy it more because the things (X) we’re (X) pursuing aren’t (X) doing us any good (X) any way. They’re not bringing us joy. They’re not bringing us peace. They’re not bringing us (X) harmony. (X) Those are the things ultimately that (X) human beings desire and want all around the world. (X) So we have to recognize, number one, that we’re in(X)sane. There are (X) two kinds of (X) insane (X) people, I always say, those who know they’re in(X)sane and those who don’t.
G: (small laugh)
N: And at least if (X) we know (X) we’re insane, we can begin to (X) take steps to (X) correct it.
G: A couple years ago, I went down to Miami. I like doing that for (X) little vacation jaunts. It’s a great area. And I’m looking at the ocean and I’m saying, “This is so huge. It’s so immense. There’s no way that (X) man could pollute this.” (X) Not true?
N: Not (X) true. Not (X) true. It’s happening at in(X)creasing rates all the (X) time. Whoever thought that we would over-fish (X) the oceans? (X) And yet almost (X) every major food (X) species of (X) fish (X) stocks are seriously over-(X)fished. And it’s getting worse. (X) So we’re (X) polluting on one hand and we’re over-fishing (X) on the other. Those creatures (X) are in trouble, you know. The Native Americans (X) a long (X) time ago (X) held the belief and (X) still do hold the belief (X) that the orcas (X) are the grandfathers of the seas; (X) that we (X) made a bargain with (X) them, an agreement, (X) a con(X)tract that we would over(X)see life on the land and they would do so (X) in the seas. And we’ve let down our (X) side of that (X) responsibility in a very, very (X) serious way. I think it’s (X) time we began to (X) note (X X) of their behavior and to begin to understand why the (X) people who know them best (X) — the native (X) people who’ve been living (X) side by (X) side with them for thousands of years now day in and day out — why they revere them. Why the Ma(X)kah (X) Indians, for example, on the Olympic Peninsula describe the orca whale as “one step above God.” (X) Well I’m not (X) saying they are above God. I’m (X) saying that that’s an (X) incredible accolade never given to (X) any other (“K”) creature on this planet. And (X) so let’s (X) wake up. Let’s begin (X) to appreciate the (X) incredible beauty, (X) the awesome (X) intelligence (X) that permeates (X) the universe (X) and our world. And this beautiful Earth. (X X) This is the (X) place. This is our home. This is where we need to make our (X) stand. And to do it, each (X) one of us individually has a job. We’ve got (X) to find peace within our(X)selves — (X) that’s the (X) starting (X) point. And from that (X) point, we can begin (X) to (X) reconstruct a whole new way of life. But we have to be (X) committed to (X) that (X) principle, I believe.
G: I want to invite everyone (X) who has not had the opportunity (X) to look at the — Dr. Eaton’s website by going to (X) Art Bell’s website. You can link (X) right up with tonight’s guest and get some information on really the fascinating projects that he has been part about. (X) Time is of an essence here, Dr. Eaton. (X) Beaching — is it happening just in this (X) country or all around the world?
N: Around the world. (X) I think that we’ve had (X) a little bit more than our share. And perhaps, (X) that is a (X) measure of (X) some of these instances when (X X) some of the cetaceans (X) have (X) tried to (X) make a (X) signal — give a (X) signal (X) to us. (X) Like the sperm whales off (X) Corvallis, Oregon when the mammalogists (X) were discussing their (X) plight. I think that some(X)times they’re trying to reach us and that is what’s going on. (X) I would like to (X) tell you, George, that I have a new phone number in (X) case some of your (X) people want to reach me.
G: Absolutely.
N: They can go to my website — (“BUT”) my new phone number is — I’m here in Oregon — (gives number)
G: Very good.
N: In case anybody wants to (X) contact me for any reason.
G: (repeats number)
N: Right. (X)
G: Dr. Eaton, I want to thank you for spending the hour with me and really giving us some information that I think is so necessary.
N: Well let’s all (X) say a prayer for the (X) cetaceans and for our (X) planet and for our fellow humans. (X)
G: I’m George Noory. Now next hour out-of-body experience — understanding, surviving some unseen influences. Astral projection. What does that all mean? We’re going live to Australia with mystic Robert Bruce. I’m George Noory in for Art Bell. Don’t touch your dial. This is “Coast to Coast AM.”
Ride on Through the night Ride on Ride on Through the night Ride on There are visions There are memories There are echoes of thundering hooves There are fires . . .
(“Night Ride Across The Caucasus” performed by Loreena McKennitt) (TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: IN SEPTEMBER 2002 MY COMPUTER CRASHED AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF PROBLEMS; AS A RESULT, I LOST SOME OF MY CURRENT WORK AS WELL AS MANY OLD FILES AND ARTICLES DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET THAT I’D WANTED TO SAVE. IN ORDER TO DOWNLOAD A BROWSER, I REJOINED AMERICA ONLINE AND SELECTED A MEMBER IDENTIFICATION OF ‘PANDELREY,’ UTILIZING THE TRADITION OF FORMING A NAME FROM ONE’S CHILDHOOD ADDRESS AND PET’S NAME, WHICH I SHORTENED. THIS WAS THE EMAIL ADDRESS I USED WHEN I CONTACTED RANDALL EATON WITH SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS INTERVIEW.)
Subject: Re: “Coast to Coast A.M.” InterviewDate: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 09:01:50 -0700From: Randy Eaton <reaton@eoni.com>To: <Pandelrey@aol.com>
on 9/23/02 9:35 PM, Pandelrey@aol.com at Pandelrey@aol.com wrote:
> Dear Randall Eaton,>> This is to let you know that I plan to add a transcript of your recent> interview on “Coast to Coast A.M.” to my website in the near future to help> inform others and I had some questions regarding your comments. If you would> rather provide this information via telephone, let me know a good time to> call.>> 1) Could you tell me the correct spelling of the islands off Japan that> Greenpeace> made famous by sending out photos of the Japanese fishermen stabbing> dolphins with spears?>> 2) Is there any follow-up regarding the beaching of the pilot whales?>> 3) Was in fact a postmortem done on the whales?>> 4) Are there any good websites that are a good source for reports on> beachings?>> 5) You mentioned having spiritual guidance and I would be interested to> learn> more about this.>> 6) I think I recall that you had been a guest on the show a previous time> so is this> how they knew to contact you and book you for the interview?>> 7) What other media outlets contacted you for information regarding this> particular beaching? I understand that some news shows quoted a whale> expert but I do not know if they were referring to you or not.>> Thank You,>> MGR>They are the Iki Islands.
No answers to # 2,3, and 4, though surely someone did postmortems.
I don’t know of a website for strandings.
Guidance is there for any of us, and in fact almost everyone taps into itsometime or another. Stillness of the conscious mind/ego helps a lot, ofcourse, so relaxation or meditation can enhance it much. I receive much ofmy own Guidance in dreams, and I use the following prayer to facilitate it:
“Master Power, please show me images with words I can understand in dreamstate to resolve/answer_____________________________for the highest good ofall.”
That was the sixth time I’ve been on the program since September of 98. Noother media contacted me. I would not be considered an expert in the eyes ofthe standard media because I think outside the conventional box of the vastmajority of scientists who for sake of professional acceptance conform theirthoughts and communication more or less to the doctrines held by theircolleagues, i.e., professionalism has dampened the creativity of science andother paths of human life.
Please know that we are starting a foundation soon and will be resuming theOrca Project in northern B.C., taking volunteers with us next summer andalso starting a special program for adolescent boys aimed at initiating theminto manhood via rites of passage in the orcaland wilderness.
on 9/23/02 9:35 PM, Pandelrey@aol.com at Pandelrey@aol.com wrote:
> Dear Randall Eaton,>> This is to let you know that I plan to add a transcript of your recent> interview on “Coast to Coast A.M.” to my website in the near future to help> inform others and I had some questions regarding your comments. If you would> rather provide this information via telephone, let me know a good time to> call.>> 1) Could you tell me the correct spelling of the islands off Japan that> Greenpeace> made famous by sending out photos of the Japanese fishermen stabbing> dolphins with spears?>> 2) Is there any follow-up regarding the beaching of the pilot whales?>> 3) Was in fact a postmortem done on the whales?>> 4) Are there any good websites that are a good source for reports on> beachings?>> 5) You mentioned having spiritual guidance and I would be interested to> learn> more about this.>> 6) I think I recall that you had been a guest on the show a previous time> so is this> how they knew to contact you and book you for the interview?>> 7) What other media outlets contacted you for information regarding this> particular beaching? I understand that some news shows quoted a whale> expert but I do not know if they were referring to you or not.>> Thank You,>> MGR>They are the Iki Islands.
No answers to # 2,3, and 4, though surely someone did postmortems.
I don’t know of a website for strandings.
Guidance is there for any of us, and in fact almost everyone taps into itsometime or another. Stillness of the conscious mind/ego helps a lot, ofcourse, so relaxation or meditation can enhance it much. I receive much ofmy own Guidance in dreams, and I use the following prayer to facilitate it:
“Master Power, please show me images with words I can understand in dreamstate to resolve/answer_____________________________for the highest good ofall.”
That was the sixth time I’ve been on the program since September of 98. Noother media contacted me. I would not be considered an expert in the eyes ofthe standard media because I think outside the conventional box of the vastmajority of scientists who for sake of professional acceptance conform theirthoughts and communication more or less to the doctrines held by theircolleagues, i.e., professionalism has dampened the creativity of science andother paths of human life.
Please know that we are starting a foundation soon and will be resuming theOrca Project in northern B.C., taking volunteers with us next summer andalso starting a special program for adolescent boys aimed at initiating theminto manhood via rites of passage in the orcaland wilderness.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: TO LEARN ABOUT TELEVISION COVERAGE OF THE BEACHING, I ASKED MY MOTHER IF SHE’D SEEN A REPORT ON TELEVISION AND SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD SO I ASKED HER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.)
Q: (“WE”) So what — what did they say last — I mean this morning about it?
E: They just said they were . . .
Q: Wait, what show did you watch though?
E: Well I watched channel seven and then “Good (X) Morning America” as I usually do. (“WHAT” “OKAY”)
Q: And did they both say the same thing?
E: I don’t remember . . .
Q: Well what did you see?
E: Well no, I just heard (“ONE”) one per(son) — one — they said they don’t know why they did it and then some people had said well they thought it was because there were some that were sick. And the other ones . . .
Q: Who said that?
E: I don’t know. They just said they were . . .
Q: Was that someone they were interviewing or was that the newscaster?
E: No no (X) no (X) no, it’s just the newscaster said that some expert on whales said that maybe they had all beached themselves out of sympathy for the others and I thought that’s stupid. (“WELL HE”) Whales are smarter than that. And then they said (X) —
Q: Did they say the source of the news? (“WHO”) Who said this? (“YES”)
E: No, they just said that some whale guy. They don’t listen to all that stuff. Anyway, and then they said that they thought maybe they had fed too close to the shore.
Q: Did they mention that it could be military-based?
E: No. Not one word about that.
( . . . )
Q: (speaking into tape recorder) So on the Internet at the Las Vegas Sun website, they have Associated (X) Press releases and (X) there’s one here entitled “Beached (X) Whales Euthanized In Mass.” That’s short for Massachusetts. It was (X) posted at 8:35 this morning (July 31, 2002) and it’s dateline Eastham, Massachusetts.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: THE LAS VEGAS SUN DELETES ARTICLES AFTER A SHORT TIME SO THE FOLLOWING WAS CLIPPED FROM YAHOO.COM)
Q: (“WE”) So what — what did they say last — I mean this morning about it?
E: They just said they were . . .
Q: Wait, what show did you watch though?
E: Well I watched channel seven and then “Good (X) Morning America” as I usually do. (“WHAT” “OKAY”)
Q: And did they both say the same thing?
E: I don’t remember . . .
Q: Well what did you see?
E: Well no, I just heard (“ONE”) one per(son) — one — they said they don’t know why they did it and then some people had said well they thought it was because there were some that were sick. And the other ones . . .
Q: Who said that?
E: I don’t know. They just said they were . . .
Q: Was that someone they were interviewing or was that the newscaster?
E: No no (X) no (X) no, it’s just the newscaster said that some expert on whales said that maybe they had all beached themselves out of sympathy for the others and I thought that’s stupid. (“WELL HE”) Whales are smarter than that. And then they said (X) —
Q: Did they say the source of the news? (“WHO”) Who said this? (“YES”)
E: No, they just said that some whale guy. They don’t listen to all that stuff. Anyway, and then they said that they thought maybe they had fed too close to the shore.
Q: Did they mention that it could be military-based?
E: No. Not one word about that.
( . . . )
Q: (speaking into tape recorder) So on the Internet at the Las Vegas Sun website, they have Associated (X) Press releases and (X) there’s one here entitled “Beached (X) Whales Euthanized In Mass.” That’s short for Massachusetts. It was (X) posted at 8:35 this morning (July 31, 2002) and it’s dateline Eastham, Massachusetts.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: THE LAS VEGAS SUN DELETES ARTICLES AFTER A SHORT TIME SO THE FOLLOWING WAS CLIPPED FROM YAHOO.COM)
EASTHAM, Mass. (AP) _ Marine experts, exhausted and heartbroken after failing to free dozens of pilot whales stranded on Cape Cod, euthanized the surviving animals when they swam ashore for a third time in two days.
Volunteers and vacationers had pitched in to free the mammals, covering them with wet blankets and bedsheets to regulate their body temperature and herding them out to sea.
But when the disoriented pod re-stranded near Sunken Meadow Beach late Tuesday, in a marshy, hard-to-access location with dark approaching, marine scientists were forced to make the decision none wanted to make, said New England Aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse.
“After two days of trying to give these animals any opportunity we could, a decision was made by the veterinarians on site to euthanize those animals that weren’t already dead,” LaCasse said Tuesday. “It’s probably one of the harder decisions that anyone can make.”
Since the strandings began Monday about 25 miles away at Chapin Beach in Dennis, about 60 pilot whales have died or been euthanized.
In the initial landing Monday, about 56 whales beached themselves, and 11 died. Early Tuesday, the approximate 45 surviving whales beached again at Lieutenant Island. About 300 people came to the area to try to help, including schoolchildren who filled buckets of water to pour on the whales to keep them comfortable.
Some died after the second beaching, and rescuers placed the surviving blistered and sunburned whales on their stomachs so they wouldn’t suffocate while awaiting high tide.
By Tuesday afternoon, however, the estimated 30-35 surviving whales swam ashore again. Marine experts euthanized the last surviving group Tuesday night, bringing the two-day total of dead whales to about 60, according to Teri Frady, spokeswoman for the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Mass strandings of pilot whales are not unusual since they are highly sociable animals that travel and feed in groups and frequent areas near the coastline. They range from 12 to 16 feet in length as adults and weigh about 1,800 pounds.
In July 2000, 10 pilot whales died after stranding in shallow water off Nantucket, and on Christmas Eve of 1991, 31 stranded pilot whales died off Cape Cod.
Volunteers and vacationers had pitched in to free the mammals, covering them with wet blankets and bedsheets to regulate their body temperature and herding them out to sea.
But when the disoriented pod re-stranded near Sunken Meadow Beach late Tuesday, in a marshy, hard-to-access location with dark approaching, marine scientists were forced to make the decision none wanted to make, said New England Aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse.
“After two days of trying to give these animals any opportunity we could, a decision was made by the veterinarians on site to euthanize those animals that weren’t already dead,” LaCasse said Tuesday. “It’s probably one of the harder decisions that anyone can make.”
Since the strandings began Monday about 25 miles away at Chapin Beach in Dennis, about 60 pilot whales have died or been euthanized.
In the initial landing Monday, about 56 whales beached themselves, and 11 died. Early Tuesday, the approximate 45 surviving whales beached again at Lieutenant Island. About 300 people came to the area to try to help, including schoolchildren who filled buckets of water to pour on the whales to keep them comfortable.
Some died after the second beaching, and rescuers placed the surviving blistered and sunburned whales on their stomachs so they wouldn’t suffocate while awaiting high tide.
By Tuesday afternoon, however, the estimated 30-35 surviving whales swam ashore again. Marine experts euthanized the last surviving group Tuesday night, bringing the two-day total of dead whales to about 60, according to Teri Frady, spokeswoman for the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Mass strandings of pilot whales are not unusual since they are highly sociable animals that travel and feed in groups and frequent areas near the coastline. They range from 12 to 16 feet in length as adults and weigh about 1,800 pounds.
In July 2000, 10 pilot whales died after stranding in shallow water off Nantucket, and on Christmas Eve of 1991, 31 stranded pilot whales died off Cape Cod.
Q: So here’s (X) the July six(X)teenth article at the upi.com website entitled “Navy Given (X) Green (X) Light to Test LFA Sonar” (X) by Hil Anderson from the National Desk 4:07 p.m.
LOS ANGELES, July 16 (UPI) — The Navy has been given approval to launch further tests of a controversial sonar system, although the blessing by federal regulators comes with some limits aimed at protecting whales and other marine life that might be sensitive to the booming sounds produced by the system.
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued its approval late Monday for a 5-year testing program for the SURTASS LFA sonar, which the Navy is developing to help defeat the latest advances in stealth technology that could make enemy submarines virtually invisible to current sonar systems.
“Fisheries determined — based on research, stringent monitoring requirements and strong mitigation measures outlined by the agency for the Navy — that marine mammals are unlikely to be injured by the sonar activities and that the sonar will have no more than a negligible impact on marine mammal species and stocks,” the agency said in its announcement.
The planned tests of Hawaii and California have yet to be scheduled, but they will (be) restricted to 12 miles offshore and will be halted whenever a whale, sea turtle or member of any other potentially vulnerable species happens to swim within 1.1 nautical miles of the sonar array.
“The Navy will conduct visual monitoring and…sonar monitoring to ensure that marine mammals and sea turtles are detected before they enter the area where LFA sonar would be used,” the Fisheries Service said. “The Navy will shut down the LFA sonar whenever marine mammals or sea turtles are detected.”
The SURTASS LFA (Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar) system is supposed to be a major leap forward in the United States’ defenses against prowling nuclear subs as it can scan large areas of the undersea world with sound waves measuring around 300 hertz (Hz), compared to current sonar system outputs of 3,500 Hz that don’t travel as far underwater as the low-frequency sound waves.
The low-frequency sound waves, however, are said by some environmentalists to have been powerful enough during earlier developmental tests to actually damage the ears of whales, which rely on their own natural sonar to navigate.
“Imagine being told to drive down to the soccer field and pick up your kid, and to stop at the grocery store on your way back, all the while being blinded by a brilliant strobe light,” Chris Clark of the International Marine Mammal Project said recently. “This is more or less the scenario that activists fear. The deafeningly loud sound pulse generated by SURTASS LFA will prevent marine mammals from feeding, navigating to calving grounds, and from finding members of their families.”
The General Accounting Office issued a report last month at the request of Rep. Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii, which concluded that while the $375 billion SURTASS LFA system would likely work well in the open sea, its effectiveness in shallower coastal waters that are not so acoustically friendly remained a question mark. The agency called on the Navy to develop a plan for coastal waters before attempting to carry out such tests, but it nevertheless saw the entire program as something necessary to keep up with advances in sub design that make shipboard passive sonar — which acts like a microphone that picks up engine noises — virtually useless.
“Even though recent improvements to passive systems have extended their range, submarine quieting measures have lowered submarine noise levels to nearly the level of the ambient noise of natural sounds in the ocean,” the GAO said. “As a result, the Navy is concerned that an enemy submarine could get within effective weapons’ range of U.S. forces before passive systems could make contact with an enemy submarine.”
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued its approval late Monday for a 5-year testing program for the SURTASS LFA sonar, which the Navy is developing to help defeat the latest advances in stealth technology that could make enemy submarines virtually invisible to current sonar systems.
“Fisheries determined — based on research, stringent monitoring requirements and strong mitigation measures outlined by the agency for the Navy — that marine mammals are unlikely to be injured by the sonar activities and that the sonar will have no more than a negligible impact on marine mammal species and stocks,” the agency said in its announcement.
The planned tests of Hawaii and California have yet to be scheduled, but they will (be) restricted to 12 miles offshore and will be halted whenever a whale, sea turtle or member of any other potentially vulnerable species happens to swim within 1.1 nautical miles of the sonar array.
“The Navy will conduct visual monitoring and…sonar monitoring to ensure that marine mammals and sea turtles are detected before they enter the area where LFA sonar would be used,” the Fisheries Service said. “The Navy will shut down the LFA sonar whenever marine mammals or sea turtles are detected.”
The SURTASS LFA (Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar) system is supposed to be a major leap forward in the United States’ defenses against prowling nuclear subs as it can scan large areas of the undersea world with sound waves measuring around 300 hertz (Hz), compared to current sonar system outputs of 3,500 Hz that don’t travel as far underwater as the low-frequency sound waves.
The low-frequency sound waves, however, are said by some environmentalists to have been powerful enough during earlier developmental tests to actually damage the ears of whales, which rely on their own natural sonar to navigate.
“Imagine being told to drive down to the soccer field and pick up your kid, and to stop at the grocery store on your way back, all the while being blinded by a brilliant strobe light,” Chris Clark of the International Marine Mammal Project said recently. “This is more or less the scenario that activists fear. The deafeningly loud sound pulse generated by SURTASS LFA will prevent marine mammals from feeding, navigating to calving grounds, and from finding members of their families.”
The General Accounting Office issued a report last month at the request of Rep. Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii, which concluded that while the $375 billion SURTASS LFA system would likely work well in the open sea, its effectiveness in shallower coastal waters that are not so acoustically friendly remained a question mark. The agency called on the Navy to develop a plan for coastal waters before attempting to carry out such tests, but it nevertheless saw the entire program as something necessary to keep up with advances in sub design that make shipboard passive sonar — which acts like a microphone that picks up engine noises — virtually useless.
“Even though recent improvements to passive systems have extended their range, submarine quieting measures have lowered submarine noise levels to nearly the level of the ambient noise of natural sounds in the ocean,” the GAO said. “As a result, the Navy is concerned that an enemy submarine could get within effective weapons’ range of U.S. forces before passive systems could make contact with an enemy submarine.”
Q: So that’s the entire article. (X) Notice that spokesmen (X) no longer have individual names. There’s not one single name other than Chris Clark’s, giving the alternative view, in the story. Talk about evil principalities. What is this? (X) Do we live on a war world? I mean the basic — you can see all the basic (X) problems. Any threat is minimalized and given whatever verbiage might sound the least controversial. I mean it’s really quite disgusting. There’s no thought even given (X) by the — see, the military are running things. Needless to say, the people with the (X) guns (X) over the years have used being part of a military group to get away with whatever they wanted to get away with. With (X) the (X) political system the way it is, in which candidates can easily be — what’s the right word? Well let’s just say (X) anyone that they want to get out of the picture, they can get out of the picture in many different ways, be it (X) political or a murderous one. (X) So this is where we are. There’s no thought given to how we can im(X)prove world relations. (X) It’s all (X) looking at the military to achieve objectives and, of course, what’s really in play here is that those in (X) charge of the various military forces want to increase their prestige and power and budgets and all their misconceptions (X) of their own self-interest.
( . . . )
Q: I see there was another arti(X)cle dated (X) July 25th entitled “Of Human Interest: (X) News Lite” by Ellen Beck. This is still at upi.com and it says: “Some of the world’s leading marine mammal scientists are forming a global rapid response team to reduce inadvertent deaths of whales, dolphins and purposes that get tangled up in fishing gear. Such deaths total (X) nearly sixty-(X)thousand (X) per year.”
( . . . )
Q: (X) Well here’s something else. This is in UPI’s “Capital Comment” for July (X) 24th, 2002. There’s a story (X) called “Something’s Fishy,” which concerns the information I (X) just got through (X) saying and some more information.
( . . . )
Q: I see there was another arti(X)cle dated (X) July 25th entitled “Of Human Interest: (X) News Lite” by Ellen Beck. This is still at upi.com and it says: “Some of the world’s leading marine mammal scientists are forming a global rapid response team to reduce inadvertent deaths of whales, dolphins and purposes that get tangled up in fishing gear. Such deaths total (X) nearly sixty-(X)thousand (X) per year.”
( . . . )
Q: (X) Well here’s something else. This is in UPI’s “Capital Comment” for July (X) 24th, 2002. There’s a story (X) called “Something’s Fishy,” which concerns the information I (X) just got through (X) saying and some more information.
Something’s fishy — Twenty-five of the world’s leading whale and dolphin scientists have joined with the World Wildlife Fund, an environmental group, in urging greater attention be paid to what the WWF calls “the leading threat to dolphins and whales” — entanglement in fishing gear. Research released Tuesday says nearly 60,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises “are killed each year worldwide by entanglement. That compares with an average killing of 21,000 whales a year by whalers during the 20th century, a practice that caused severe declines in nearly all large whale species.”
The scientists have agreed to create what they are calling a global rapid response team — the Cetacean Bycatch Action Network — to provide expert assistance to regions where species are in crisis. “Working on the ground, they will join with fishermen, governments and other stakeholders to find solutions that work for individual fisheries,” the WWF said in a news release.
The scientists have agreed to create what they are calling a global rapid response team — the Cetacean Bycatch Action Network — to provide expert assistance to regions where species are in crisis. “Working on the ground, they will join with fishermen, governments and other stakeholders to find solutions that work for individual fisheries,” the WWF said in a news release.
Q: Above it I see something for my oligarchy file. (X) It’s (X) the (X) first (X) paragraph (X) in this section. It says:
If a picture’s worth a thousand words — Microsoft lobbyist Kerry Knott and public affairs powerhouse Ed Gillespie were for many years the political brain trust behind Rep. Dick Armey, R-Texas. They are credited with developing the strategy that took Armey from obscure back-bencher best known for sleeping in his congressional office to the chairmanship of the House Republican Conference and, ultimately, to the No. 2 position in the House of Representatives. Now that Armey is retiring, Knott and Gillespie are performing one last service for their former boss: They are leading the effort to raise the funds for Armey’s official portrait. The cost of the portrait, which will hang in the U.S. Capitol, is rumored to be close to $100,000. If all the former members of Armey’s staff now in prominent positions in the administration and in the K Street lobbying corridor contribute the maximum $2,000 donation, it should take no time at all to raise the necessary funds
Q: So it’s Friday, August 2. And last night (X X) Art returned for the (X) umpteenth time (X) and I listened for the umpteenth time after wavering on that issue as well. But it was very interesting. My horoscope even had said something about my luck getting better as of Thursday even though (X) I don’t really put a lot of (X) emphasis on horoscope (X) charts; however, well let me (X) play — (X) I had to wait until 2 a.m. until they repeated the first hour because I wasn’t taping the second half hour of the show when I first heard it. And I soon after wished I had. And then something happened in the fourth hour that was also (X) quite compelling.
A: From the high desert and the great American Southwest, I bid you all good evening, good morning, good afternoon wherever you may be across this great world of ours in all the time zones out there. I’m Art Bell and this is “Coast to Coast AM.” Here I am, Art Bell filling in for George Noory. Thank you, George. Here I am once again. Now how and why am I here and what’s been going on, everybody’s asking me. Well, as you know I have a bad back. One of these days, I think I’m going to just post the results of my MRI — my latest MRI for you to see and then those of you who are so medically inclined can take a look. It’s L4 and L5 and they’re both reaching out and abutting the main nerves which are, you know, like S1 — technically S1, which is your sciatic. And when it comes out — when the (“WW”) disc material comes out and touches S1, I have — I enter a (X) different dimension actually. I have these back spasms that (X) curl me up like a dried (X) prune that I am. And they don’t let me walk (X) and they don’t let me do much of anything actually (X) except sit there in (X) pain. That’s about it. (X) And I (X) over the last (X) couple of weeks I’ve had re(X)curring (X) times when that has — you know, it’s happened again and again. (X) And (X) I was getting better. (X) For example, on Tuesday. This is (X) kind of an interesting (X) story. (X) And you see L5 (X) i(s at) the bottom of your back just above your butt sup(X)ports all the weight of the human body, whether you’re sitting or whether you’re standing, it (X) supports all your weight. Or not. (small laugh) So, anyway, I was feeling better. (X) And I went back to my doctor for an (X) appointment on Tuesday and (X) I thought I’d be cute, sign in a little early — about 30 minutes early. You know, because you go by doctor’s time, right? Not (X) patient (X) time. Doctor’s time. (X) And so I thought I’d be cute and sign in a little early. Well I sat there and thought I’d sneak in early and, anyway, I ended up sitting (X) for two hours waiting (X) for the doctor. Now bear in mind I was feeling (X) better. (X) After sitting there for (X) two hours, my back went in(X)to spasms again. (small laugh) By the time I saw the doctor, I was all locked (X) up again. (X X) So (X) there went another day. Now (X) here I am. I can’t guaran(X)tee when I will be here and when I will not be here. That’s guaranteed by my back. (X) You know, I have several really super-unattractive options (X) that have been given to me with regard to my back. (X X) I can get these shots into the spine, (X) I’m told. (X X) But I’m told they will only last a short while: a week, (X) a month, (X X) even a few months but, you know, it’ll — certain dangers (X) in that. You get out and do things you shouldn’t do and besides (X) that, this (X) stuff that they shoot into your back (X) will always be there. When you’re buried, if they were to dig you up, that stuff would still be there. And you’ve got to keep getting these shots. And — (X) so that’s one option. The other option, of (X) course, is surgery and (X X) I am warned by my doctor that I’d be out of mind if I did that; that most of his patients that he sent off for that kind of — to neurosurgeons with (X) my specific condition (X) — bear that in mind — (X) will come back about two weeks later and said everything’s wonderful and then a year later they’re worse than they were in the (X) first place or crippled. (X) So — and the odds of success are, you know, maybe 50/50. And the odds of — (X) you know, the odds of failure are 50/50 and so it’s like throwing (X) dice a little bit. And so trying to decide when to alter your life and (X) do this kind of surgery is not an easy thing to do. And (X) pretty much you don’t (X) do it until life has be(X)come so unbearable that (X) you can’t do anything else. Or you just can’t walk. (X) So that’s kind of what’s been going on with me. Now let’s (X) get (X) to the (X) matter at (X) hand, (X) tonight’s program. A lot of stuff (X) to catch up on that I want to (X) catch up on with you. (X) Headline tonight — the FBI in (X) close — this is really interesting — the headline is “Anthrax (X) Clues Sought At Maryland (X) Apartment”: FBI and postal service agents wearing (X) protective gloves conducted a second search today of the apartment of a former army researcher considered (X) a quote (X) “person of interest” end quote in the investigation of last year’s deadly anthrax mailings. The FBI gained (X) a search warrant to look inside Steven J. Hatfill’s residence (X) ac(X)cording to two U.S. government officials. FBI Director Robert Mueller said quote: “We’re making progress in the case (X) but I (X) can’t (X) comment on ongoing aspects of the investigation.” Hatfill, he said, is not a suspect and no physical evidence links (X) him to any of the letters. (X) Well you’ve got to wonder about a story like this. (X) Why (X) I wonder would the FBI re(X)lease a (X) story that becomes the number one story for the hour (X) with this man’s name in connection with this if there’s no physical evidence or anything else that (X) connects him (X) to the case? So when you look behind the story, you’ve got to wonder why are they releasing this (X) now? Why? He’s not a suspect. (X) But they released his name. (X) That’s a hell of a thing to do, huh? (X) You know, if he’s not a suspect and they’re deny(ing) — no evidence, boy oh boy oh boy. (X) So there’s more to the story than meets the eye as there is with (X) so (X) many (X) stories like this. They release this (X) for a specific reason. (X) Israeli troops led by 150 armored vehicles rolled in to Nablus and entered the narrow alleyways of the old city early Friday (X) all in retaliation, apparently, to a bombing in (X) Jerusalem that killed seven (X) people — a couple days ago. Yesterday, was it? (X) Two teenage girl(s) — boy, there’s been a lot of this going on — two teenage girls abducted at gun(X)point early (X) today from a lover’s lane were rescued (X) — here’s a good ending for you for a change (X) about a hundred miles away from their — (X) the point where they were kidnapped. (X) The kidnapper (X) crashed his getaway car; was shot to death by sheriff’s deputies. Kern County Sheriff Carl Sparks said that he was certain the kidnapper was minutes away from killing the girls (X) and had chosen a remote location in the (X) high desert. (X) So too damn much of that going on lately for sure. Iraq — (small laugh) (X) Iraq is asking the U.N. for an arms meeting. Now, gee, why would they? In a surprise move, Iraq on Thursday invited the chief U.N. weapons inspector to Baghdad for talks it said could lead to the return of inspectors after nearly four years. (X) Now let’s think about that. Why would Iraq (X) invite the inspectors back or even invite the chief inspector — talk about inviting the inspectors back? Well (X) ’cause we’d been rattling our swords about Iraq. (X) In fact, here’s (X) an interesting story: “Iraqi Buildup Near Border (X) Puts Kuwait on Heightened (X) Alert.” Kuwait has drafted (X) an emergency (X) plan in coordination with the U.S. as officials reported an Iraqi buildup (X) near the Kuwaiti Border. That sounds familiar. On Monday the Kuwaiti (X) Daily reported that authorities (X) have (X) canceled (X) all (continued on next tape)
If a picture’s worth a thousand words — Microsoft lobbyist Kerry Knott and public affairs powerhouse Ed Gillespie were for many years the political brain trust behind Rep. Dick Armey, R-Texas. They are credited with developing the strategy that took Armey from obscure back-bencher best known for sleeping in his congressional office to the chairmanship of the House Republican Conference and, ultimately, to the No. 2 position in the House of Representatives. Now that Armey is retiring, Knott and Gillespie are performing one last service for their former boss: They are leading the effort to raise the funds for Armey’s official portrait. The cost of the portrait, which will hang in the U.S. Capitol, is rumored to be close to $100,000. If all the former members of Armey’s staff now in prominent positions in the administration and in the K Street lobbying corridor contribute the maximum $2,000 donation, it should take no time at all to raise the necessary funds
Q: So it’s Friday, August 2. And last night (X X) Art returned for the (X) umpteenth time (X) and I listened for the umpteenth time after wavering on that issue as well. But it was very interesting. My horoscope even had said something about my luck getting better as of Thursday even though (X) I don’t really put a lot of (X) emphasis on horoscope (X) charts; however, well let me (X) play — (X) I had to wait until 2 a.m. until they repeated the first hour because I wasn’t taping the second half hour of the show when I first heard it. And I soon after wished I had. And then something happened in the fourth hour that was also (X) quite compelling.
A: From the high desert and the great American Southwest, I bid you all good evening, good morning, good afternoon wherever you may be across this great world of ours in all the time zones out there. I’m Art Bell and this is “Coast to Coast AM.” Here I am, Art Bell filling in for George Noory. Thank you, George. Here I am once again. Now how and why am I here and what’s been going on, everybody’s asking me. Well, as you know I have a bad back. One of these days, I think I’m going to just post the results of my MRI — my latest MRI for you to see and then those of you who are so medically inclined can take a look. It’s L4 and L5 and they’re both reaching out and abutting the main nerves which are, you know, like S1 — technically S1, which is your sciatic. And when it comes out — when the (“WW”) disc material comes out and touches S1, I have — I enter a (X) different dimension actually. I have these back spasms that (X) curl me up like a dried (X) prune that I am. And they don’t let me walk (X) and they don’t let me do much of anything actually (X) except sit there in (X) pain. That’s about it. (X) And I (X) over the last (X) couple of weeks I’ve had re(X)curring (X) times when that has — you know, it’s happened again and again. (X) And (X) I was getting better. (X) For example, on Tuesday. This is (X) kind of an interesting (X) story. (X) And you see L5 (X) i(s at) the bottom of your back just above your butt sup(X)ports all the weight of the human body, whether you’re sitting or whether you’re standing, it (X) supports all your weight. Or not. (small laugh) So, anyway, I was feeling better. (X) And I went back to my doctor for an (X) appointment on Tuesday and (X) I thought I’d be cute, sign in a little early — about 30 minutes early. You know, because you go by doctor’s time, right? Not (X) patient (X) time. Doctor’s time. (X) And so I thought I’d be cute and sign in a little early. Well I sat there and thought I’d sneak in early and, anyway, I ended up sitting (X) for two hours waiting (X) for the doctor. Now bear in mind I was feeling (X) better. (X) After sitting there for (X) two hours, my back went in(X)to spasms again. (small laugh) By the time I saw the doctor, I was all locked (X) up again. (X X) So (X) there went another day. Now (X) here I am. I can’t guaran(X)tee when I will be here and when I will not be here. That’s guaranteed by my back. (X) You know, I have several really super-unattractive options (X) that have been given to me with regard to my back. (X X) I can get these shots into the spine, (X) I’m told. (X X) But I’m told they will only last a short while: a week, (X) a month, (X X) even a few months but, you know, it’ll — certain dangers (X) in that. You get out and do things you shouldn’t do and besides (X) that, this (X) stuff that they shoot into your back (X) will always be there. When you’re buried, if they were to dig you up, that stuff would still be there. And you’ve got to keep getting these shots. And — (X) so that’s one option. The other option, of (X) course, is surgery and (X X) I am warned by my doctor that I’d be out of mind if I did that; that most of his patients that he sent off for that kind of — to neurosurgeons with (X) my specific condition (X) — bear that in mind — (X) will come back about two weeks later and said everything’s wonderful and then a year later they’re worse than they were in the (X) first place or crippled. (X) So — and the odds of success are, you know, maybe 50/50. And the odds of — (X) you know, the odds of failure are 50/50 and so it’s like throwing (X) dice a little bit. And so trying to decide when to alter your life and (X) do this kind of surgery is not an easy thing to do. And (X) pretty much you don’t (X) do it until life has be(X)come so unbearable that (X) you can’t do anything else. Or you just can’t walk. (X) So that’s kind of what’s been going on with me. Now let’s (X) get (X) to the (X) matter at (X) hand, (X) tonight’s program. A lot of stuff (X) to catch up on that I want to (X) catch up on with you. (X) Headline tonight — the FBI in (X) close — this is really interesting — the headline is “Anthrax (X) Clues Sought At Maryland (X) Apartment”: FBI and postal service agents wearing (X) protective gloves conducted a second search today of the apartment of a former army researcher considered (X) a quote (X) “person of interest” end quote in the investigation of last year’s deadly anthrax mailings. The FBI gained (X) a search warrant to look inside Steven J. Hatfill’s residence (X) ac(X)cording to two U.S. government officials. FBI Director Robert Mueller said quote: “We’re making progress in the case (X) but I (X) can’t (X) comment on ongoing aspects of the investigation.” Hatfill, he said, is not a suspect and no physical evidence links (X) him to any of the letters. (X) Well you’ve got to wonder about a story like this. (X) Why (X) I wonder would the FBI re(X)lease a (X) story that becomes the number one story for the hour (X) with this man’s name in connection with this if there’s no physical evidence or anything else that (X) connects him (X) to the case? So when you look behind the story, you’ve got to wonder why are they releasing this (X) now? Why? He’s not a suspect. (X) But they released his name. (X) That’s a hell of a thing to do, huh? (X) You know, if he’s not a suspect and they’re deny(ing) — no evidence, boy oh boy oh boy. (X) So there’s more to the story than meets the eye as there is with (X) so (X) many (X) stories like this. They release this (X) for a specific reason. (X) Israeli troops led by 150 armored vehicles rolled in to Nablus and entered the narrow alleyways of the old city early Friday (X) all in retaliation, apparently, to a bombing in (X) Jerusalem that killed seven (X) people — a couple days ago. Yesterday, was it? (X) Two teenage girl(s) — boy, there’s been a lot of this going on — two teenage girls abducted at gun(X)point early (X) today from a lover’s lane were rescued (X) — here’s a good ending for you for a change (X) about a hundred miles away from their — (X) the point where they were kidnapped. (X) The kidnapper (X) crashed his getaway car; was shot to death by sheriff’s deputies. Kern County Sheriff Carl Sparks said that he was certain the kidnapper was minutes away from killing the girls (X) and had chosen a remote location in the (X) high desert. (X) So too damn much of that going on lately for sure. Iraq — (small laugh) (X) Iraq is asking the U.N. for an arms meeting. Now, gee, why would they? In a surprise move, Iraq on Thursday invited the chief U.N. weapons inspector to Baghdad for talks it said could lead to the return of inspectors after nearly four years. (X) Now let’s think about that. Why would Iraq (X) invite the inspectors back or even invite the chief inspector — talk about inviting the inspectors back? Well (X) ’cause we’d been rattling our swords about Iraq. (X) In fact, here’s (X) an interesting story: “Iraqi Buildup Near Border (X) Puts Kuwait on Heightened (X) Alert.” Kuwait has drafted (X) an emergency (X) plan in coordination with the U.S. as officials reported an Iraqi buildup (X) near the Kuwaiti Border. That sounds familiar. On Monday the Kuwaiti (X) Daily reported that authorities (X) have (X) canceled (X) all (continued on next tape)
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