Art begins the episode discussing various global and cosmic events. He announces the visit of his mother-in-law, Julie, and segues into global news. The episode highlights Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s directives to the army amid escalating violence in the region, emphasizing the unyielding conflict despite changes in Palestinian leadership.
In Iraq, the situation remains tense with U.S. troops conducting raids and insurgents intensifying attacks ahead of national elections. Art mentions the American public’s mixed feelings about the Iraq war, noting President Bush’s popularity contrasted with the public’s skepticism about the war’s outcome.
The episode also touches on the death of Charlie Bell, a former McDonald’s CEO, illustrating his remarkable journey from a part-time worker to the top of the corporate ladder. Furthermore, the show notes the passing of a key Chinese Communist Party leader, associated with China’s economic reforms but ousted after the Tiananmen Square protests.
Art shifts focus to an extraordinary cosmic event – a severe solar storm, explaining its potential to create spectacular auroral displays. He encourages listeners to experience this natural phenomenon, noting its unpredictability and beauty.
Next he delves into the enigmatic topic of extraterrestrial life, referencing a Drudge Report article about scientists’ views on the likelihood of alien civilizations. This discussion is framed around Fermi’s Paradox, a famous contemplation on the absence of evidence for extraterrestrial beings despite the vastness of the universe.
Art reflects on recent astrophysical discoveries, suggesting that Earth might be in the middle of one or more extraterrestrial civilizations. The segment emphasizes the importance of not dismissing UFO reports, as some of these sightings might provide evidence for the theoretically predicted extraterrestrial visitors.
Art also talks about a team of American scientists who argue that recent discoveries, such as the galactic habitable zone and the relative youth of our sun, imply that an average alien civilization would be far more advanced than ours and might have already discovered Earth. This discussion leads to contemplation about the Fermi Paradox and the ongoing debate about the existence of extraterrestrial life.
The show takes an amusing turn with the story of the U.S. military’s investigation into a “gay bomb,” a concept intended to make enemy soldiers irresistibly attracted to each other. This humorous anecdote highlights some of the bizarre and unconventional ideas explored by military research.
Art discusses a curious incident from 1998 when a tin whisker short-circuited the control processor of the Galaxy 4 satellite. This failure caused significant disruptions, including the cessation of 40 million pagers across the U.S., ATM and credit card transaction failures, and the loss of a $250 million satellite. He reflects on how such a minor and little-understood phenomenon can have catastrophic consequences for electronic and electrical systems, including in military equipment, pacemakers, and global positioning systems.
Art then narrates a bizarre accident involving a metal floor buffer and an MRI machine. A housekeeping staff member mistakenly brought the buffer close to the MRI machine, causing extensive damage due to the machine’s powerful magnets. This incident resulted in around $200,000 in damages.
Transitioning from these stories, Art returns to his show format, addressing calls from listeners. One caller, Michael, discusses the impact of suburban sprawl on the environment, particularly in relation to the California mudslides. They talk about the challenges faced by coastal regions, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires, and how these natural disasters are exacerbated by human development. Art expresses sympathy upon learning that someone known to the caller is missing in the La Conchita mudslide.
The conversation shifts to the unusual amount of rain received in the Palm Springs area, highlighting the severity of the situation and the potential for worse disasters. Despite the tragedy, Art notes that there was enough regrowth after the fires to prevent even more catastrophic damage from the rain.
Art opens the floor to international callers, starting with a call from Guam discussing the potential of another tsunami affecting the region. Art acknowledges that any coastal area is at risk, highlighting the vulnerability of places like Guam.
The segment then features Art’s wife, Ramona Bell, who introduces her mother, Julie Nichols, to the audience. Julie, a postal service worker in Southern California, greets listeners and shares a bit about her job.
The conversation shifts back to Art taking calls from listeners on various topics. One caller, Tanya from Phoenix, brings up the topic of the Bible Code and its predictions, including a discussion about Howard Hughes. She also mentions concerns about Antarctica’s ice melting and the implications for global weather patterns. Art explains the difference between the ice melting at the North and South Poles and how the latter could significantly impact sea levels.
A caller from Fairbanks, Alaska, discusses the topic of longevity and the possibility of living forever through advancements in technology, such as nanotechnology. The caller, dealing with arthritis, is intrigued by the prospect of living a prolonged life without the ailment. Art reflects on whether he himself would want to live forever, acknowledging that while technology might prolong life, there comes a point where a person might feel they have had enough.
Art also discusses cultural and generational shifts in music and art, noting how preferences change with age. He suggests that these changes, along with other societal shifts, might make extended lifespans less appealing as older individuals struggle to adapt to a rapidly evolving world.
The conversation takes a lighter turn with a call from Mark in Ohio, who shares a humorous anecdote about a psychic prediction involving the Pope and former Senator John Glenn going to space and returning with a full head of hair.
The topic shifts to climate change, with another caller discussing the role of anthropogenic forcings in comparison to natural forcings in contributing to climate change. The caller, citing an article by James Hansen from NASA’s Goddard Space Science Institute, notes the significant impact of human activities, especially CO2 emissions, on the environment.
Art concludes this segment by humorously imagining a distant future where a preserved 20th or 21st-century human is discovered in ice, holding a “quarter pounder with cheese,” illustrating the lasting impact of our current lifestyles on future generations.
Art addresses a controversial conspiracy theory suggesting that President Bush was involved in the 9/11 attacks. He expresses strong disagreement with this theory, labeling it as absurd and insulting to both the intelligence of the audience and the honor of the presidency. Art emphasizes that he’s open to considering various conspiracy theories but categorically rejects this particular one, finding it offensive and baseless.
Following this, a caller from New York City shares an observation about unusual helicopter activity and the appearance of contrails, which the caller suspects might be related to the controversial topic of chemtrails. Art discusses the chemtrail conspiracy theory, which posits that the government or other organizations are engaging in clandestine aerial spraying for unknown purposes. He mentions speculations that such activities could be benign, like secret vaccinations against potential threats, or more sinister, like weather manipulation or atmospheric experiments involving the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP).
The conversation then shifts to the ionosphere’s behavior, with Art noting recent unusual conditions affecting radio communications. He speculates whether this could be linked to HAARP or other atmospheric experiments, acknowledging the speculative nature of these theories but not dismissing them outright.
Art discusses the work of Michael Drosnin, a former reporter for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, and author of “The Bible Code” and “The Bible Code II: The Countdown.” Art emphasizes the significant impact of Drosnin’s work on his show, noting the ongoing discussions and controversies it sparked among guests and callers.
Drosnin’s book “Citizen Hughes,” which delves into the secretive life of Howard Hughes, is also highlighted. Art remarks on Hughes’ profound influence on the Las Vegas area, sharing anecdotes about Hughes’ eccentric behavior, such as purchasing a TV station to broadcast his favorite movies late at night.
In an interview with Drosnin, they discuss his discovery of the Bible Code. Drosnin recounts an encounter with an aide of the chief of intelligence in Israel, who introduced him to a mathematician who had predicted the exact day of the Gulf War’s start using a code in the Bible. Despite his initial skepticism, Drosnin’s curiosity as a journalist led him to investigate further.
Drosnin shares his continued skepticism about religion despite his findings, stating that while he is not religious, he is convinced of the Bible Code’s authenticity. He notes that the code’s predictions have been consistently accurate, attracting the attention of intelligence agencies and world leaders.
The conversation touches upon the relationship between the literal text of the Bible and the underlying codes. Drosnin mentions that the scientist who discovered the code, a mathematical genius and deeply religious man, believes the code must also come from God since it is inherent in the Bible’s text. However, Drosnin himself does not share this certainty.
Art continues his discussion with Michael Drosnin, author of “The Bible Code.” Drosnin, who identifies as a non-religious person and does not believe in God, explains his belief in the Bible Code purely based on its repeated accuracy, without any leap of faith. He remains a skeptic about who authored the Bible, maintaining his stance as a reporter who relies on evidence.
Drosnin shares his journey from skepticism to belief in the Bible Code, emphasizing that it was not the mathematicians or code breakers who convinced him, but his own experience. He mentions how he found a prediction in the code about the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, which he reported to Rabin a year before it happened. The assassination’s occurrence as predicted by the code was a turning point for Drosnin, moving his belief from an intellectual level to a deeper conviction.
Drosnin discusses his relationship with Professor Eliyahu Rips, the discoverer of the Bible Code. Despite their differences in background and perspective, they agree on the code’s existence and its ability to predict future events. Drosnin believes the code serves as an early warning system and shares information with world leaders and intelligence agencies, which he often does not publish due to the sensitive nature of the content.
The conversation then shifts to the topic of time travel, with Drosnin considering it a possibility but without firm evidence. He discusses the theoretical aspects of time travel in the context of Einstein’s theories and the absence of time travelers in our present time. Drosnin finds the subject fascinating but remains focused on the tangible implications of the Bible Code and its potential to inform and protect humanity.
Drosnin, still emphasizing his non-religious stance, believes in the code because of its consistent accuracy. He ponders the nature of time, citing Einstein’s perspective that past, present, and future are indistinguishable, despite our perception of them as separate.
Drosnin speculates on the purpose of the Bible Code, suggesting it was designed to be deciphered at a specific technological era — the advent of modern computers. He hypothesizes that the code was time-locked, meant to be discovered when the information it contains became necessary, such as warnings of a potential nuclear world war.
The discussion turns to Drosnin’s upcoming book, “The Bible Code III,” which he indicates will be the final installment of the trilogy. He mentions that he shares some findings with world leaders and intelligence agencies, implying the gravity and sensitivity of the information. However, he also acknowledges that there are some things he never publishes.
Drosnin elaborates on the methodology of the Bible Code, focusing on the importance of statistical significance and mathematical calculations. He explains that the code is not about finding long messages, but rather statistically significant ones where words appear together against incredible odds. He emphasizes the use of a special computer program created by the mathematician who discovered the code, which he utilizes for his analysis.
The conversation concludes with Drosnin addressing skeptics and those who misuse the Bible Code, noting that without adhering to strict mathematical rules, one could find anything they want, which only amounts to playing a game. He stresses the importance of following the established rules to uncover genuinely significant findings in the code.
Michael Drosnin elaborates on the scientific validation of the Bible Code. He mentions an experiment conducted by the mathematician who discovered the code, which was published in a peer-reviewed journal. This experiment involved applying the same code-searching technique to the Bible and other Hebrew texts, including “War and Peace,” to see if similar patterns emerged. The results showed that meaningful information about future events appeared in the Bible with significantly higher odds than in the control texts, reinforcing the uniqueness of the Bible Code.
Drosnin addresses criticisms and misconceptions about the Bible Code, particularly those suggesting similar codes could be found in other texts like “Moby Dick.” He emphasizes the importance of following mathematical rules and principles in the analysis, which critics often overlook. He believes that the critics’ failure to adhere to these rules leads to misleading conclusions.
Drosnin also discusses his interactions with high-level officials, including the chief of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. He states that these officials take the Bible Code seriously, not because of religious beliefs, but due to the code’s consistent accuracy in predicting events.
The conversation shifts to the content of Drosnin’s upcoming book, “The Bible Code III.” While he is reluctant to reveal specifics, he indicates that the book will address significant future predictions. When asked about apocalyptic predictions, Drosnin clarifies that he is neither secularly nor religiously apocalyptic. He expresses faith in humanity’s ability to avert disaster, suggesting that the purpose of the Bible Code is to give us a chance to change our future.
Drosnin discusses the concept of free will in relation to the Bible Code, citing the Talmud’s perspective that everything is foreseen, but freedom of action is granted. He suggests that the Bible Code is meant to inform and guide, rather than to dictate an unchangeable future.
The discussion with Michael Drosnin continues, focusing on the paradox of free will and predetermined future as suggested by the Bible Code. Drosnin reiterates his belief that while every possible future may be known, human actions using free will ultimately determine what happens. He suggests that the key lies not in prayer but in proactive efforts to shape our future.
Drosnin mentions his upcoming book, “The Bible Code III,” but refrains from discussing its contents, stating that some information he uncovers is shared only with world leaders and intelligence agencies. Despite not being religious, Drosnin expresses faith in humanity’s ability to overcome challenges and avert disaster.
The conversation then shifts to studies on prayer and human consciousness. Art Bell brings up ongoing research at Princeton University on the power of prayer and the impact of human consciousness on physical events. Drosnin acknowledges the importance of positive thinking and the power of belief, including religious faith, in affecting outcomes. However, he cautions against using religion as a justification for division and conflict.
Drosnin’s perspective on the Bible Code is rooted in a reporter’s curiosity and a scientific approach to evidence. He maintains that his conclusions are based on statistical analysis and mathematical significance, not religious belief.
In this segment the discussion shifts to Michael Drosnin’s book “Citizen Hughes,” which delves into the secretive life of Howard Hughes. Art Bell begins by describing the captivating allure of Las Vegas, a city closely associated with Hughes, and introduces the book to the audience by reading its back cover. The book is based on nearly 10,000 never-before-published documents, including over 3,000 in Hughes’ own handwriting, offering a detailed account of his life and the theft of his confidential files in 1974.
Drosnin reveals the true story behind the great Hughes heist, including the involvement of various power centers like the CIA, the Pentagon, the Mafia, and the White House. Hughes, described as exerting enormous control from hiding, had connections with presidents and other influential figures.
Interestingly, Drosnin explains how the FBI and CIA pretended to investigate the theft of Hughes’ secrets but actually chose not to delve deeply due to the sensitive and potentially damaging information the files contained. This information included evidence of President Nixon receiving secret cash from Hughes and other compromising details about high-ranking officials and agencies.
Drosnin obtained this information through diligent investigation, something he claims the government agencies avoided. He made initial inquiries that any investigative reporter would make, leading him to discover that these key contacts had never been approached by the authorities.
The segment ends with a discussion about why government agencies, despite their vast power, did not pursue the burglars who stole Hughes’ secrets. Drosnin suggests a lack of real intent to find the burglars due to the fear of uncovering uncomfortable truths about themselves.
Art Bell delves deeper into Michael Drosnin’s book “Citizen Hughes,” focusing on the enigmatic life of Howard Hughes. Drosnin describes how he tracked down the burglars who stole Hughes’ confidential files and negotiated with them for the documents, emphasizing the significance of his previous experience as a journalist who went to jail for protecting a source.
Drosnin shares intriguing details about Hughes’ later years. Despite being one of the richest men in the world, Hughes lived a reclusive and paranoid life. He spent his final 20 years in seclusion in blacked-out hotel rooms, never wearing clothes, living in filth, and addicted to codeine. Hughes’ paradoxical nature is highlighted: he was simultaneously mad and lucid, and his iron will, combined with his wealth, allowed him to exert significant influence, including on U.S. presidents.
Drosnin explains that Hughes’ primary goal was not to advance his business interests or evade taxes (though he paid no taxes for 17 consecutive years) but to protect himself from the outside world. His greatest fear later focused on nuclear tests conducted near Las Vegas, where he was hiding. This fear is ironic given his choice to live in one of the most public places, the Las Vegas Strip. Drosnin suggests that Hughes’ connection to Las Vegas stemmed from his earlier life when he enjoyed the city, despite never leaving his room during his reclusive years. Art recounts his own experiences in Las Vegas, mentioning public announcements of nuclear tests during Hughes’ time there.
Hughes’ paranoia intensified when he felt the tremors of nuclear tests conducted in the Nevada desert. Despite his reclusive nature, Hughes used his immense wealth and influence to try to change U.S. government policies, especially regarding nuclear testing. Drosnin notes that Hughes was deeply disturbed by the danger of these tests, a fear that was well-founded even though it was not widely recognized at the time.
Drosnin reveals that Hughes attempted to bribe President Lyndon Johnson to stop the bomb tests, offering a million dollars. When Johnson refused, Hughes turned to Richard Nixon, whom he saw as more amenable to his offers. Drosnin quotes Hughes’ blunt and transactional approach to politics, highlighting his belief in using money to exert influence.
Intriguingly, Drosnin also mentions that Nixon moved the bomb tests to Alaska following Hughes’ intervention. This claim adds another layer to the complex and often controversial relationship between Hughes and the U.S. government.
Drosnin describes how Hughes, in his quest for safety and control, ended up purchasing not just the Desert Inn Hotel where he resided but also surrounding hotels in Las Vegas, as well as local political figures and institutions.
Drosnin reveals that Hughes’ reclusive nature was driven by an intense paranoia, which was exacerbated when he felt the tremors of nuclear tests from the Nevada desert. He details Hughes’ attempts to bribe U.S. Presidents to stop these tests, highlighting Hughes’ blunt approach to using wealth for influence.
A fascinating aspect of Hughes’ life was his obsession with controlling his environment, particularly his viewing habits. Drosnin describes how Hughes bought a local TV station simply to control its late-night movie programming. Hughes’ madness is further illustrated by his reaction to a particular episode of “The Dating Game” on ABC, which led him to cancel a bid to take over the entire network.
Hughes’ mental state is characterized as a mix of madness and lucidity, with Drosnin pointing out that despite his irrational fears and behaviors, Hughes was meticulous and precise in his actions. This blend of madness and method was evident in how Hughes managed to use his immense wealth to exert control and influence.
Drosnin also touches upon Hughes’ wealth, noting that he was declared the first American billionaire by Fortune magazine in 1968, with an estimated wealth of $1.3 billion. However, the true extent of his wealth remains somewhat elusive due to the changing value of money over time.
Hughes’ reclusiveness and bizarre behaviors are further emphasized. He employed only Mormons as his personal staff because he believed they were the only ones pure enough to be in his presence. Despite his wealth, Hughes lived in increasing terror and isolation, never experiencing happiness in his last years.
Drosnin reflects on the nature of power in America through the lens of Hughes’ life. He notes Hughes’ blunt way of expressing himself in memos, revealing the raw and transactional nature of power and influence. Drosnin suggests that the current state of American politics is not much different from Hughes’ time, with wealth still playing a significant role in influencing political decisions.
Art and Drosnin discuss the cynical realization that, with enough money, almost anything can be influenced or controlled.
Hughes’ mental state during these tests is vividly described, with Drosnin noting that his handwriting became erratic due to terror. Drosnin also discusses Robert Maheu, Hughes’ right-hand man, who was a former FBI agent and served as a go-between for the CIA and the Mafia in the Castro assassination plot. Maheu was responsible for distributing Hughes’ money to influence political figures, including U.S. Presidents.
A striking moment described by Drosnin is Hughes’ reaction to Bobby Kennedy’s assassination. Hughes saw it as an opportunity to gain political strength, immediately ordering Maheu to hire the Kennedy political machine. Drosnin reveals that Larry O’Brien, who managed John F. Kennedy’s and Bobby Kennedy’s presidential campaigns, was secretly on Hughes’ payroll while serving as chairman of the Democratic Party.
Drosnin connects Hughes’ actions to the Watergate scandal, suggesting that President Nixon’s paranoia about O’Brien discovering the secret cash from Hughes led to the Watergate break-in.
Michael Drosnin reveals that Hughes’ paranoia about nuclear testing led him to leave Las Vegas for the Bahamas, where he became increasingly detached from current events, including the Watergate scandal.
Drosnin describes a remarkable moment when Hughes, upon seeing a picture of an airplane, expressed a desire to fly again, despite having been bedridden for over 15 years. This incident highlights Hughes’ enduring passion for aviation. Drosnin also discusses the challenges and potential controversies involved in telling the true story of Hughes’ life in a film, expressing confidence that it could be done.
The conversation then shifts to Drosnin’s perspective on journalism and truth-telling. He comments on the CBS News controversy regarding the authenticity of documents related to President George W. Bush’s National Guard service. Drosnin criticizes CBS for not adequately verifying the documents but also notes that the underlying substance of the story, regarding Bush’s service record, was true.
Drosnin addresses a listener’s question about whether Hughes ever committed murder, clarifying that Hughes was involved in a fatal car accident when he was young, which was an accident and not intentional. He contrasts Hughes’ nature of fear with Nixon’s nature of hatred, suggesting that while Hughes sought power through money, Nixon sought money through power.
The conversation also delves into Hughes’ reaction to his stolen notes. Drosnin reveals that Hughes was never informed about the theft, as no one in his employ dared to tell him. This detail underscores Hughes’ isolation and the control he exerted over his environment.
A listener asks about the possibility of cloning Hughes using his hair clippings. Drosnin humorously notes that Hughes rarely had haircuts during his reclusive years, further illustrating the bizarre nature of Hughes’ life.
Drosnin also touches on Hughes’ reclusive nature, detailing how he communicated with Maheu and others through handwritten memos, which were not allowed to be kept, reflecting Hughes’ extreme paranoia. Despite Hughes’ eccentricities and his life of seclusion, he managed to wield significant power and influence over major figures and events.
A caller brings up the book “Next to Hughes” by Robert Maheu, leading to a discussion about Maheu’s relationship with Hughes and the authenticity of the events described in the book. Drosnin confirms that the events and documents he refers to in his own book, “Citizen Hughes,” are genuine, having been confirmed by Maheu himself, even under oath to the Senate Watergate Committee.
Drosnin expresses his wish that Hughes had been alive when “Citizen Hughes” was published, imagining the additional intrigue it would have added to the story.
Michael Drosnin concludes his discussion about Howard Hughes. He talks about the burglars who stole Hughes’ papers, mentioning that he promised to protect their identities in exchange for their cooperation. Drosnin emphasizes that while he knows the motives of the burglar who did the job, he does not know the motive of the person who ordered it.
Drosnin then reflects on the significance of uncovering the truth about Hughes. He compares his work to that of Daniel Ellsberg, who released the Pentagon Papers, highlighting the importance of bringing hidden truths to light. Drosnin expresses satisfaction that his work has exposed Hughes’ secrets, contributing to public knowledge.
The conversation shifts to Drosnin’s own life, with him sharing that he has always pursued what he wanted and has led a life full of unintended adventures. He mentions that his journey to writing about Hughes and discovering the Bible Code were both unplanned but significant.
The program concludes with Art Bell thanking Drosnin for his incredible insights and contributions, marking the end of an intriguing and enlightening discussion about one of the most enigmatic figures of the 20th century, Howard Hughes.