The Cowflop Quarterly

Magazine Overview

Title: The Cowflop Quarterly
Issue: No. 5
Date: Friday, July 5, 1996
Publisher: Robert G. Todd

This issue of The Cowflop Quarterly, subtitled 'Reporting on Ufological Frauds and Fantasies,' focuses heavily on debunking claims surrounding the Roswell incident, particularly those made by UFO researcher Kevin Randle. The publication presents itself as a critical counterpoint to what it perceives as the 'Roswell exploiters' and their 'comically fictionalized versions of history.'

Blunder Alert and Editorial Correction

The issue begins with an "ALERT" correcting a factual error from a previous publication. The 'Bolender Memo' date was incorrectly stated as December 20, 1969, when it was actually October 20, 1969. The editorial staff expresses deep regret for this 'unforgivable error.'

Roswell Record Found: Debunking Kevin Randle's Claims

The central article, 'ROSWELL RECORD FOUND,' directly challenges Kevin Randle's interpretations of events surrounding the Roswell incident. Randle, described as 'Wrong Way' Randle for allegedly misreading documents, claimed that Colonel William Blanchard, commander of the 509th Bomb Group and Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF), did not go on leave on July 9th, 1947, as commonly reported. Instead, Randle suggested Blanchard's leave began on July 8th and was a cover for his activities related to the alleged alien spaceship crash.

The Cowflop Quarterly argues that Randle's interpretation is based on a misreading of General Orders (GO) No. 9, which stated that Lt. Col. Payne Jennings assumed command of RAAF effective July 8th. Randle used this to suggest Blanchard was off base, yet still in charge, a notion the publication deems absurd. The article points out that Blanchard's leave is also documented in the July 28th Morning Report, showing his return to duty on July 26th, indicating a leave period from July 9th to July 26th.

Further evidence presented to counter Randle's claims includes a teletype message from the Commanding Officer, RAAF, to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, dated July 9, 1947. This message, concerning an appointment with Governor Mabry for July 9th to request the proclamation of Air Force Day, is reproduced in full. The publication also cites an Associated Press (AP) item from the Albuquerque Journal (July 10, 1947) and the RAAF base newspaper, 'The Atomic Blast' (July 18, 1947), which mention Blanchard's three-week vacation starting July 9th and a telegram he sent congratulating the 509th on a competition win, sent while he was supposedly 'off the base and out of town.'

An AP story from Santa Fe (July 14, 1947) is also mentioned, detailing Acting Governor Joseph M. Montoya proclaiming August 1st as Air Force Day, with LaFarge and Blanchard present. A photograph from 'The Atomic Blast' (July 25, 1947) shows Montoya signing the proclamation with LaFarge and Blanchard witnessing. The Cowflop Quarterly concludes that Blanchard was in Santa Fe from at least July 9th to July 14th, attending to Air Force Day arrangements, not involved in a Roswell cover-up.

Roswell Records Destroyed?

The article addresses the common claim that Roswell records are 'missing.' It discusses the discovery of 'Records Shipment Lists' detailing 36 boxes of research and development files transferred to the Air Force Records Center in 1960. Among these were files titled 'Flying Discs - "Sign", "Grudge" (1947-1950)' and 'MX-1011 "ROCKFISH", "MOGUL" Projects Acoustical Research (1946 thru 1950).' These files were stored in a 6th Floor vault area that was destroyed in a fire in July 1973. Any remaining classified material was removed and destroyed. The publication dismisses the idea that this was a deliberate cover-up, attributing it to an 'innocent' fire.

It criticizes 'Roswell exploiters' for concocting 'asinine rationalizations' to reject official records that support the weather balloon/radar target explanation. The article sarcastically suggests that these exploiters might even have stolen or destroyed records to maintain their 'expert' status and financial gain.

Changes Come to Cowflop

A section titled 'CHANGES COME TO Cowflop' announces that the publication may appear irregularly but will retain its name. It will be available only to subscribers of 'Just Cause.' Contact information for Barry Greenwood (publisher of 'Just Cause') and Robert G. Todd (publisher of The Cowflop Quarterly) is provided for subscriptions, notifications, comments, and complaints.

Cover Price

The 'COVER PRICE' section explains that the price listed is the 'Roswell Cowflop Index' (RCI), which is presented as a representation of the threat posed to truth by the 'profiteering activities of the Roswell exploiters.' The issue's cover price represents a tenfold increase, attributed to the anticipated release of Stanton Friedman's book on the 'MJ-12' fraud and the upcoming forty-ninth anniversary celebration in Roswell, New Mexico.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Cowflop Quarterly positions itself as a purveyor of critical analysis and a debunking force against what it views as fraudulent or fantastical claims within the UFO community, particularly concerning the Roswell incident. Its editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated UFO narratives and a strong advocacy for verifiable historical records and logical explanations. The publication actively seeks to correct perceived misinformation and expose what it considers to be the self-serving motives of certain UFO researchers and organizations. The recurring theme is the exposure of 'ufological frauds and fantasies' through rigorous examination of evidence and historical documents.