Data Net - No 24 - 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET CONTROL
Issue: 24
Volume/Identifier: WB6RPL
Date: January 1969
Publisher: Data-Net
Country: USA
Language: English

The Legality of Flying Saucers

The lead article, "THE LEGALITY OF FLYING SAUCERS," expresses DATA-NET's critical view of the "Colorado project," which they label a "wet farce." They claim to have acquired advance information from members of this project, which they believe proves its lack of credibility. The article notes that two individuals, Saunders and Levine, were fired, and a third was dismissed for narcotics violations. DATA-NET's position is that "Flying saucers do not appear to come from outer space AND do not pose a threat to the security of the United States." They emphasize that their membership is small (less than 50) and their research is for their own benefit, relying on "exclusive informers." They contrast their small group with larger UFO organizations that have inflated membership claims. The article mentions alleged communist activities of Dr. Condon, a purchased doctorate for "Dr." Daniel Fry, and claims that Prof. Adamski never lectured for "Understanding, Inc." due to demanding a thousand-dollar guarantee. They state the Colorado project is still active and mention a government contract research center that has partially succeeded in nullifying gravity, resulting in a fatality. A case is cited of an American aircraft returning from a reconnaissance mission with a full fuel tank and an incoherent pilot. The article also claims the U.S. Government possesses gun camera film of a flying saucer being chased and hit by cannon fire. DATA-NET concludes that UFOs are crossing our skies, but their origin and purpose remain unknown, maintaining an open mind.

Analysis of UFO Phenomena and Skepticism

The newsletter argues that UFOs might not originate from outer space, but could come from "Transylvania" or "some other area in space." It poses hypothetical scenarios of alien intentions: to help, to be indifferent, to enslave, or to blame humanity for problems elsewhere. It also considers the possibility that aliens are helping humanity covertly, like a farmer caring for chickens, and that some are aware but powerless. DATA-NET members are described as technically inclined, employing rigorous scientific inquiry. They dismiss the majority of reports from South America as "worthlessly generated trash" and criticize magazine articles claiming to be "true" but are works of fiction. They note that letters to "witnesses" mentioned in publications like SAGA were returned as "unknown," and that some uncovered information involved non-existent towns and police officers. Authors like Adamski, Menger, Steiger, Writenour, Fuller, Keel, and Wilkins are mentioned, along with a critique of Malcolm Kent's self-aggrandizing introduction.

Photographs and Physical Evidence

DATA-NET has studied thousands of photographs of UFOs but found none of value, dismissing blurry images, spots, and creases as inconclusive. They could not find photos showing details like portholes, insignia, or rivets. Some photos previously accepted as valid, such as one from Japan showing a cloud formation with a hand-drawn circle, are deemed crude. However, they acknowledge numerous reports of physical evidence from UFO proximity, including "saucer nests," "broken trees," "sliced trees," "damaged billboards, houses and cars," and "dead horses." While admitting some UFOs could be lightning or balls, they reject the publicized verdict on the "Snippy" case and two other horses.

The "Snippy" Case and Photographic Analysis

Regarding the "Snippy" case, DATA-NET acquired color close-ups on temporary loan from Eastman Kodak. Paul Cerny of NICAP was invited to analyze them but could not attend. DATA-NET suggests that entities other than lightning were responsible for the demise of the animals. The article then delves into a detailed analysis of the "Lucci photos," questioning the hoax hypothesis. They argue that if the photos were hoaxes, the boys would have taken more shots to ensure good results, rather than having 10 blank frames and only two with UFOs. They also analyze the lighting and focus in the photos, suggesting that the apparent "Y-shaped lines" in photo #2 are not consistent with a human hand illuminated from the front, especially if the camera was focused at infinity and the lens wide open. They propose that the illumination might have come from a flashlight, but question how the hand and forearm would be illuminated without also showing the hand/arm to the sides if the object moved horizontally. They also consider the possibility of a reflection from white siding and moonlight illuminating a tree.

The Men in Black

Al K. Bender, an early UFO researcher, is discussed. His book, "FLYING SAUCERS AND THE THREE MEN," is described as an autobiography where he explains quitting research due to being "shut up by 3 men....dressed in black." DATA-NET dismisses this explanation as "hogwash, trash and garbage," attributing the "men in black" theme to others who have kept it alive. They acknowledge that UFO researchers may be monitored by government agencies like the CIA, FBI, and IRS, but state that DATA-NET investigators have not experienced harassment from such figures. They admit to sometimes adding "bait" to their reports to invite contact, but nothing occurred.

International UFO Reports

DATA-NET reports cooperation with UFOIC, Australia, and encourages membership. Several international UFO sightings are detailed:

• USSR (December 1968): Soviet astronomers observed UFOs, including a crescent-shaped object estimated at 1,000-1,200 feet in diameter traveling at 10,000 mph at an altitude of 30-65 miles. Another sighting involved a disc about 300 feet in diameter with three star-like objects.
• Mexico (February 1968): A Guatemalan airliner piloted by Col. Alfredo Castaneta narrowly avoided a collision with a "F-S" over Oaxaca. The pilot and co-pilot described the object as silvery, about 33 feet in diameter, and moving at a "terrific pace."

Other Sightings and Events

• USA (February 1969): In Nogales, Arizona, residents reported seeing a "great big light bulb" UFO. The object was visible for about 10 minutes before disappearing.
• Mexico/USA (February 1969): A blinding blue-white fireball, possibly a meteor, was sighted across northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It was described as extremely bright, brighter than Halley's Comet and the full moon, and caused tremors upon impact.

Critique of the Condon Report and Scientific Bias

Dr. James E. McDonald, a senior physicist at the University of Arizona, criticizes the Condon Committee report, calling it "the largest piece of bad advice on UFOs the Air Force has received to date." He argues that Dr. Edward U. Condon, the report's head, misconceived the UFO problem by equating it with "nutty people with nutty theories." McDonald points out that the report focuses on "obvious straw men" (insignificant cases) while ignoring "startlingly significant ones" that remained unexplained. He criticizes Condon's focus on hypothetical extraterrestrial intelligence stories rather than credible cases. McDonald believes the Air Force, which spent $500,000 on the study, has led scientists to believe that the finest USAF talent found nothing on UFOs, and that the best men have not studied the problem. He plans to urge the scientific community not to dismiss UFO investigation.

The Christian Science Monitor article "UFOS ARE STILL AROUND" by Rosece Drurrond notes that the Condon report is "inconclusive at significant points." While it dismisses UFOs as "spacecraft visiting the earth from another civilization," it fails to explain many unidentified objects. The article argues that skepticism towards UFOs is warranted, but outright dismissal by skeptics is not. It concludes that a substantial percentage of UFO sightings in the Condon report remain unexplained, a percentage significantly higher than the Air Force's own figures. The article emphasizes that UFOs are simply "unidentified flying objects."

Another report from the Houston Chronicle (AP) states that a secret Air Force-financed investigation found "no scientific evidence to indicate that unidentified flying objects are spaceships from another world." However, the report does not claim that UFOs are not manned surveillance craft from outer space, acknowledging "You can't prove a negative." The study, led by Dr. Edward U. Condon, cost $500,000 and involved a team of scientists. The report has been submitted to a special appraisal committee of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Condon himself has refused to comment on whether the study made him a believer or disbeliever.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

DATA-NET maintains a skeptical but open-minded stance towards UFO phenomena. They are critical of official government reports like the Condon study, believing them to be biased or incomplete. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of independent research and exclusive information sources. They are particularly interested in debunking hoaxes while also acknowledging the possibility of genuine, unexplained aerial phenomena. The "men in black" narrative is dismissed as a fabrication. The publication encourages membership and data sharing, offering a reward for authentic UFO photos. The editorial stance is one of persistent investigation, aiming to uncover the truth regardless of its implications, and to challenge prevailing skepticism when evidence warrants it. They believe that what man can conceive, he can do, suggesting a future where space travel and exploration are commonplace.