Today is the "Big Day" in "Posselcola," Florida (which is PENSACOLA, Florida on a U.S. map). It is April 1, 1998, and a debate is scheduled between "Possel" [pronounced "PAW-SUL", like "apostle"] PETER RUCKMAN and myself.

Possel Ruckman is planning to make another VIDEO of this debate to compliment the video he made of my appearance at his "Bible Forum" of April 1, 1992. In '92, my own video-taping efforts were sabotaged, but this time around, he is bypassing the necessity of sabotage, as he has more than once demanded that I bring NO CAMERAS into the building — no, not even a "hidden" micro-camera. This micro-camera "idea" was suggested to me, but I made the "mistake" of mentioning it, and Possel said I would be violating the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:2 ("hidden things") if I brought in "hidden spy cameras" (4/8/97 letter). He even "used" this Scripture to make sure he had the "only video!"  We expect he will also be prepared to do a "shakedown search" on any stranger who looks like he might be a "suspect" with a "hidden camera!"

But while he is concerned about this, what if somehow his own camera's plug was pulled — like when they pulled our plug in 1992? Just a little harmless "April's Fool Day" prank? If such were to happen, all of Possel's big dreams for another "best selling video" production ($$$) would vanish! He would be left to gnash his teeth over the loss of loot!

He had his agent, Herb Evans, in 1996, to send me a Form for a debate, then put out the tale that "Ross challenged Ruckman." I have never had a debate in my life where I was the "challenger," and this debate is no exception. Ruckman has been planning this April 1 debate, no doubt hoping to do something to "redeem" himself in the eyes of his Posselite followers, in addition to making the Video* which he has promoted to readers of his magazine.

* Ruckman entitled it "A PREDESTINATED FAILURE by Bob Ross"      

Well, we are now going to treat Possel to a "Big Surprise" on April Fool's Day....

On April 1, 1992 I appeared at Possel Peter Ruckman's church/school to participate in a 1-Hour "Bible Forum," answering the questions offered by Ruckman's students. We had an agreement that we could set-up cameras and make a videotape of the event, but what developed was video-sabotage on the part of his Posselites.

Near the outset of Ruckman's "closing" harangue, my video-camera's plug was surreptitiously pulled, meaning that we did not get the "complete" events of the "Bible Forum" of that evening; Possel would thus have the "only complete video" of the Forum. We had paid a 2-person camera team to drive from Austin, Texas to do our taping, and had paid all the expenses plus charges for their work. Our efforts were sabotaged — especially when the plug was pulled on our only remaining "running" camera while my camera team was engaged in dismantling the "back" camera so as to depart on their return to Austin as quickly as possible (they had another appointment at a Bible Conference in Austin the next day).

Not only so, but earlier in the day we had been forbidden by Ruckman's agent to set-up our cameras in the afternoon, and thus were not prepared in time to videotape Possel's "opening" harangue that evening. Ruckman's associate pastor, Brian Donovan (who was the agent), confirmed this fact in a letter to my friend Dr. R. L. Hymers (of Los Angeles), a copy of which was sent to me by Dr. Hymers.

Donovan confirmed that we went to the church "earlier in the day," but we were told we could not set-up the cameras, supposedly because "they will be in the way" of the prayer meeting which was held prior to the Forum (yet Ruckman's cameras were already in place). At that time, we began to "smell a rat." Why would our cameras be "in the way" if Ruckman's were NOT "in the way?"

Thus, we were obstructed from taping Possel Ruckman's "opening" speech at the Forum, plus our plug was pulled early during his "closing" speech. I did not realize it at the time, but this was a cunning plan by Possel which would insure his having the "only complete video" of the evening's events to offer the public for purchase. It was the only part of the Forum on which he came out "ahead." I hope he has enjoyed the "filthy lucre."

In due time, all the "pieces" of Possel's scheme began to fall into place; he began hawking his video in his magazine and warned that there would be a "false copy edited in Pasadena, Texas" which would "omit certain portions, including the ending of the Forum" (his Bible Believer's Bulletin, 6/92).

Possel published this chicanery, despite (1) the fact we were forbidden to set-up in time for his opening speech, and our camera's plug had been pulled at the outset of his 30-minute closing speech (causing us to miss recording these parts), and (2) despite the fact we later asked Ruckman for a copy of the two missed segments along with written permission to use his copy. Possel refused our request then, and has refused for the last six years!

Only Possel would have "the complete video" — his video alone would have the two segments which Posselites had successfully blocked us from taping. [My son, Mike, said he was later told by Larry Vance and Bob Neidlinger (2 Posselites from Ruckman's bookstore & school) during the 1993 Christian Booksellers Association convention, that we could use Possel's video, but only if Possel was allowed to "censor" our production!]

Ruckman has therefore had the "only complete" video of the event, and he brags that he has sold "hundreds" of them at a very handsome price ($$$). Evidently, it has sold more than any of his many videos in which he is the "star!" I give him "credit where credit is due" — Possel got away with a "fast one" on me — I naively had a higher opinion of his integrity, but I quickly learned that I had overestimated him.

Evidently, he thought he would try to pull another "fast one" on me in 1998 — and make him another "best-selling video" "starring" Ross. So, in 1996, he contacted HERB "The Shovel" EVANS, his Pennsylvania "connection", and instructed Evans to mail a Form to me to be signed for a "debate." Evans sent me the Form from Pennsylvania, but also inadvertently included Possel's own hand-scribbled note with the Form, exposing the fact that Possel was actually the one "behind" this, and in effect was challenging me to debate. The note said: "Dear Herb: Mail this to Bob Ross" [dated March 30, 1996].

Despite this note, after I signed and returned the Form for a debate, he put out the tale that Ross had "challenged" Ruckman to debate! I could see from this duplicity that Ruckman again had "dirty tricks" on his mind.

So... I decided to give Ruckman a "dose" of his own medicine — I came up with a plan whereby I might be able to PULL HIS PLUG, if I could "pull it off." Ruckman was planning another "big video production," and he wrote about his plans in his magazine, making an advanced "sales pitch" to his naive followers —

In view of his subsequent stipulation that I would not even be allowed to do video-taping of the debate, it was obvious that Possel had a scheme to make another windfall profit from another "only" video of the debate "starring" Ross. He would not have to sabotage my video-taping in 1998, however, for he was not permitting me to bring a camera!

So I wrote to him and said: "The debate will still go on, according to the 'Agreement' which I signed, but there will be no taping 'just like the last one' wherein you 'stole the market' by sabotaging our video-taping efforts." [10/13/96]

The debate would be on, but I "held his feet to the fire" and gave him FIVE CONDITIONS on the audio & video-taping, which would guarantee that I would get a "complete" and useable video of the debate, and asked that it be put into "Contractual Form and duly Notarized." As expected, Ruckman never responded to this, so I proceeded in my plans to "pull the plug" on his big plans for another money making best-seller, "Predestinated Failure — Part 2!" If he persisted in refusing to give me a "fair deal" on the video taping, then I would pull the plug on his video! He would be in for a "Big Surprise!"

Therefore, as the day has finally dawned for Possel's big video production, the man who was to be its "Star" is still in Texas, not in Florida! Possel's plug has been pulled! He will have to do his "videoing" without Ross — not "JUST LIKE WE DID THE LAST ONE." He will not have another best-selling video!

Possel's Plug has been pulled in Posselcola, and he is appropriately "April's Fool."

I want to thank all of you who have been "mum" about this and have helped me keep the "Big Surprise" a secret the past several months. You will no doubt read or hear about how "Ross Backed-Out," but you will know the TRUTH — POSSEL'S PLUG WAS PULLED!

— written by Bob L. Ross << Visit this Link to my Writings

I have faxed him the following "lay-out" for the cover of his "only" video —

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