Cowflop Quarterly - 1996 12 20 - Vol 1 No 6 - Spot Report

Magazine Overview

Title: THE SPOT REPORT
Issue: No. 6
Volume: SPECIAL BLOWHARD EDITION
Date: Friday, December 20, 1996
Price: $25,764.32

This issue marks the return of 'The Cowflop Quarterly' under the new name 'THE SPOT REPORT'. The editor, Robert G. Todd, states the name change was made for personal significance and to appease those who prioritize names over substance, specifically mentioning Jerome Clark of CUFOS.

The Paranormal Internet for Dummies

The lead article critiques Stanton T. Firedman, referred to as 'Mighty Mouth' and 'Dr.' Firedman, for using the internet to spread his theories about the Roswell incident and MJ-12. The author accuses Firedman of being a 'brazen blowhard' whose 'science' comes from comic books. The article highlights a disagreement stemming from Firedman's 'Monthly Report' for November 1996, where Firedman allegedly dismissed the author's previous article on Major Marcel's alleged lies. Firedman is described as having a close relationship with Jesse Marcel, Jr., who claimed his father showed him alien spaceship debris.

The author refutes Firedman's claim of having a 'long history of extremism' regarding MJ-12 and Roswell, calling it a 'contemptible lie.' The article details a past conflict where Firedman allegedly threatened to sue MUFON and the MUFON Journal after the author accused him of misrepresenting classification markings on government documents. Firedman was subsequently appointed 'Director of Special Investigations' by MUFON's Grand Poop, Walt Andrus.

The author contrasts Firedman's 'preposterous fantasy' with his own research, questioning Firedman's master's degree in physics and his expertise. Firedman is accused of using propaganda tactics, specifically 'guilt by association,' by linking the author with 'Colonel Weaver, USAF OSI disinformation specialist,' to discredit the author's findings about Major Marcel.

Firedman's criticism of the author's article on Major Marcel's lies is characterized as a 'flippantly dismissive suggestion' rather than substantive criticism. The author clarifies that Major Marcel's military service was honorable, but his attendance at Louisiana State University (LSU) for non-credit courses could not be verified, a point Firedman allegedly used to imply Marcel shouldn't have been an Intelligence Officer for the 509th Bomb Group.

The author argues that Firedman's claims about Marcel's background are nonsensical and likely an attempt to deceive. The article questions whether the cover-up is by the Air Force or the UFO 'community.'

Part 2: Friedman's Folly

This section continues the critique of Stanton T. Firedman, detailing his 'paranoid ravings' in a letter faxed to a law firm. Firedman is accused of avoiding direct statements and relying on others to infer his conclusions. The author alleges Firedman attempts to portray himself as being in league with the Air Force to hide the 'truth' of Roswell, citing Firedman's mention of the author's contacts with Air Force personnel, including Captain McAndrew, who allegedly visited the author and shared pizza.

Firedman's claims that Captain McAndrew furnished the author with the contents of Marcel's personnel file are dismissed as 'pathetic fantasy.' The author also addresses Firedman's assertion that Colonel Weaver provided 'Todd' with a copy of a 'TOP SECRET MAJIC Majestic 12 Standard Operating Manual.'

The author asserts that he supplied the Air Force with very little information on Project Mogul, and none of it appeared in their report. He states he had no contact with Air Force personnel regarding Project Mogul until after Professor Charles Moore was interviewed. The author provided suggestions to Colonel Weaver on where to find documentation, but claims this was not an unusual level of cooperation and did not imply collusion.

1. Major Marcel's Personnel File

The author explains his process of obtaining Major Marcel's personnel file through a FOIA request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Initially, the NPRC could not locate the file due to a fire in 1973. However, after the author insisted, citing Phil Klass's prior access to parts of the file, the NPRC conducted a second search and found it. The Air Force, as the creating agency, had the authority to release the file's contents. The author amended his request to exclude medical information, and subsequently received nearly 200 pages of records.

The author clarifies that Captain McAndrew had no involvement in the release of the file and was not even aware of the request. He dismisses Firedman's 'pizza connection' theory as baseless.

2. The Sinister "Pizza Connection"

This section addresses Firedman's claim that Captain McAndrew's visit to the author's home was an official visit related to obtaining Marcel's file. The author states that McAndrew visited him in Pennsylvania on personal business, that the visit was not official, and that the author paid for the pizza. He denies discussing Marcel's personnel file or any classified information with McAndrew.

3. My TOP SECRET / MAJIC Security Clearance

The author confirms that Colonel Weaver did provide him with a copy of the TOP SECRET/MAJIC "Standard Operating Manual," but only because the author possessed the necessary clearances and facilities to handle such information.

4. How I "supplied the USAF with much of its Mogul data"

This claim by Firedman is described as a 'Swiss Army Knife' of accusations, suggesting collusion between the Air Force and the author to discredit the Roswell and MJ-12 narratives. The author reiterates that he provided minimal information on Project Mogul to the Air Force, and none of it was used in their report. He also states that his contact with Air Force personnel regarding Project Mogul occurred only after Professor Charles Moore had already been interviewed.

The author notes that the Air Force Roswell report mentioned his FOIA requests, but this was done without his knowledge and does not equate to supplying data. He also points out that the Air Force was able to locate NYU reports that he himself could not find.

Book Review - Bunkum Alert

This section includes a book review of a publication by Stanton 'Sand Man' Firedman, described as 'particularly smelly trash' and 'the single most boring, poorly written piece of crap.' The book is dedicated to Jesse Marcel, Sr., and is characterized as a 'shameless self-promotion' filled with distortions and falsehoods. The reviewer criticizes Firedman's implication that advanced technology might have been derived from crashed alien spaceships rather than scientific discovery.

The reviewer recommends 'UFO Danger Zone' by Bob Pratt, stating that Pratt can be relied upon for accurate reporting, unlike 'fast-buck artists' in the field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the strong criticism of Stanton T. Firedman's claims and methods regarding the Roswell incident and the MJ-12 conspiracy. The author, Robert G. Todd, positions himself as a diligent researcher who relies on verifiable facts and FOIA requests, contrasting this with Firedman's alleged 'paranoid ravings,' 'propaganda,' and 'disinformation tactics.' The editorial stance is one of aggressive skepticism towards Firedman's work and a defense of the author's own research integrity. The issue also touches upon the broader 'ufology community,' suggesting it is susceptible to 'mindless nonsense' and 'fantasies.' The author expresses frustration with the lack of critical thinking within the UFO field and a desire for it to 'grow up.' The publication itself, under its new name, appears to be a platform for debunking popular UFO narratives and challenging prominent figures in the field.