The Troubles of Billie Meier and Gene Steinberg

The recent hubbub about the alleged Billie Meier hoax brings me to question why that fiction is excoriated and Gene Steinberg’s non-fiction troubles are not.

It’s good that Mr. Steinberg has members of the UFO community willing to support his incessant need for survival monies, some by loans (have they ever been paid back?) but most from charitable gifts.

And it’s good that Billie Meier’s fictive UFO tale has supporters willing to underwrite his tale (without a direct plea for funds).

But what is the difference between these two men? Really?

Mr. Steinberg has a history of UFO connectivity. Mr. Meier has a history of creating a fiction that enchants a slew of sycophants.

Both capitalize on their “histories” – as tawdry their efforts are.

Meier should get kudos for a well-wrought tale that is filled with holes but still maintains a hold on gullible UFO buffs.

Steinberg should get kudos for his ongoing solicitation for monies from persons willing to underwrite his perpetual plight.

Both men demean the UFO phenomenon: Meier for his obvious fabrication and Steinberg for his example of what happens to people who get caught up in ufology to the detriment of their loved ones and themselves (by an obsession that takes them away from economic common sense).

Ufology is not only odd, it’s flush with persons who take it even further down the rabbit hole of an intellectually impoverished society.

RR