Houston Sky - no 06 - Aug-Sept 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: HOUSTON SKY
Issue: No. 6
Volume: 5
Date: August/September 1995

This issue of Houston Sky, a bimonthly newsletter for Houston-Area MUFON members and others, features a cover story titled "A Conversation With Philip J. Klass," conducted by Gayle Nesom. Philip J. Klass, a prominent UFO debunker, discusses his views on ufology, his investigative methods, and his skepticism towards many UFO claims. The newsletter also includes a correction regarding NASA moon photos, a "Worth Repeating" section with various UFO-related news items and quotes, and updates on MUFON-Houston activities.

A Conversation With Philip J. Klass

The main feature is an extensive interview with Philip J. Klass, who is described as the "leading skeptical authority" and "head UFO debunker." Klass, who has been researching UFOs for nearly three decades, is known for his persistent and often sarcastic debunking of UFO claims. However, the interviewer, Gayle Nesom, notes that Klass also has a cordial and playful side.

Klass explains his continued interest in the Roswell incident, citing new books and the GAO investigation as reasons for its newsworthiness. He states that his newsletter, "Skeptics UFO Newsletter" (SUN), focuses on new and newsworthy topics, and he was the first to report on a new alleged impact site near Roswell and on Dr. John Mack's investigation by a Harvard committee.

Regarding the Santilli autopsy film, Klass suspects it is a recent hoax, estimating it to be about a year and a half to two years old. When asked about the Roswell Declaration, Klass expresses reservations about its wording, suggesting it implies guilt rather than innocence. He believes there has been a cover-up to some extent, but argues that blacked-out NSA documents often relate to intercepting and decoding communications from Communist-bloc countries, not necessarily extraterrestrial life.

Klass proposes a test for readers to determine if the government is secretly interested in UFO reports: call a government agency and report a UFO landing, noting the expected response would be dismissive.

He discusses his background in electrical engineering and avionics, working for General Electric and writing for Aviation Week & Space Technology for over 40 years. He has authored several books on UFOs and is a founding member of CSICOP.

When asked about credible UFO researchers, Klass commends Dan Wright for his analysis of abductee transcripts, Karl Pflock for his work, and Tom Deuley for his rational approach. He describes his relationship with Stanton Friedman as "reasonably friendly," noting that many leaks and scoops come from people who don't accept Roswell or Ed Walters.

Klass expresses a desire to find a successor as "chief debunker" but finds it difficult to locate someone willing to put in the time and endure the verbal abuse. He states that UFOs are his third priority after condominium board duties and consulting work.

Regarding UFO propulsion, Klass declines to speculate, comparing it to irrelevant questions like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. He dismisses the existence of the "Aurora" aircraft as a "rumor" and states that the most advanced experimental aircraft he knows of is the unmanned aerial vehicle called the "Tier-3 Minus."

On the Cash Landrum incident, Klass states he asked for medical records of the witnesses before the incident, which were not provided, leading him to question the case. He also questions the credibility of witnesses who report seeing religious figures, suggesting that if the witnesses were irradiated, they should have died.

Klass believes that if extraterrestrial nuclear weapons existed and the government knew, there would have been an effort to develop defenses against them, which he has not seen evidence of.

He defines himself as a skeptic about "extreme claims" and a debunker when there are "bunko claims" to debunk. He suggests that most scientists are not impressed with UFO evidence for the same reasons he isn't.

Klass argues that while advanced civilizations might have technology beyond our understanding, the fundamental problem is the lack of credible scientific artifacts. He uses the example of the Hills' abduction case, noting the absence of any physical evidence like a quartz watch.

He predicts that knowledge about UFOs will not increase over time, comparing it to the persistent mystery of ghosts and leprechauns, which he labels as a characteristic of pseudoscience.

Klass emphasizes that science requires testable hypotheses and peer review, contrasting it with unsubstantiated claims. He believes that the pursuit of a "Final Theory" in physics is unlikely, as learning more only leads to more questions.

He states that he has more friends among the pro-UFO community than among skeptics, as many provide him with information. Klass is working on a book about the Roswell crashed saucer incident but has been delayed by new developments and his busy schedule.

Klass explains that his background in technical fields and journalism has enabled him to critically evaluate information, noting that in physical science, fraud is rare, but as a journalist, he learned not to believe everything he's told.

He describes his relationship with Stanton Friedman as "reasonably friendly" and acknowledges that many people in the UFO field are dedicated investigators who fund their own work.

Klass expresses a hypothetical scenario where an extraterrestrial craft lands on his patio, stating his journalistic instinct would be to get the photos and break the story, expecting to win a Pulitzer Prize.

The NASA Moon Photos: A Correction

By Vito Saccheri

This section addresses a misquote in a previous article by Vito Saccheri concerning Marvin Czarnik's statements about NASA moon photos. Saccheri apologizes for misquoting Czarnik regarding "alpha" and "bravo" voice communication links, clarifying that Czarnik referred to missile bases in the northwest, not Langley, Virginia. Saccheri explains that the confusion was compounded by editing limitations of Houston Sky and the short, interrupted nature of their meeting.

Worth Repeating

This section compiles various snippets and quotes related to UFOs and related topics:

• For the Record: A quote from Karl Pflock regarding Len Stringfield's efforts to develop leads for Roswell crash/retrieval sources.
• Methods Questioned, Academic Freedom Reaffirmed: A quote from the Washington Post about Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz defending Dr. John Mack's right to research controversial topics.
• Deep-Throat: Rumors about the Santilli autopsy film, including speculation about Truman's presence and the possibility of alien autopsies or human mutilation. It also mentions a claim by a U.S. Air Force archivist about government contractors creating dummies to explain Roswell "bodies" and rumors about the discovery of "Blue Book Report #13."
• Astronaut Gordon Cooper on Record After 14 Years: A quote from Gordon Cooper describing his 1951 observations of unidentified flying objects during military training.
• Cost of False Memories: An excerpt from an AP story about a woman who believed she was a victim of satanic rituals, but it was later determined to be false memories implanted by her psychiatrist, leading to a large lawsuit.
• UFO Sighted in Argentina: A report of a flight crew and aviation officials observing a luminous object near Bariloche Airport.
• Another Air Force Cover-up?: A report about a senior Air Force safety officer alleging that the military hushed up facts and investigations of accidents.

UFO Notebook

By Bill Eatwell

This column reviews "A Scientific Analysis of Unconventional Flying Objects" by the late Paul R. Hill. Hill's hypothesis suggests that UFOs use a force field emission for flight, which can leave various impressions on the ground, such as "saucer rings." These rings are theorized to be caused by ionizing radiation that chemically alters the soil. The column also mentions Hill's theories on the phosphorescence of these rings and the potential for measuring the weight of UFOs based on the compressed soil.

MUFON-Houston Update

This section announces a planned trip for MUFON-Houston members to view the Marfa Lights in West Texas from September 22-24. It also reports on a MUFON-Houston meeting held on June 17, which included a Marfa Lights video, a discussion of the Walt Disney UFO film, and a survey of attendees' beliefs about UFOs. The survey indicated that most attendees were interested in UFOs and held diverse opinions, with a minority believing in "nuts-and-bolts, only extraterrestrial" craft.

When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer

This is a poem by Walt Whitman, reflecting on a lecture by an astronomer and the subsequent feeling of weariness and detachment from the stars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards extraordinary claims, the methodology of UFO research, and the role of debunkers in the field. Philip J. Klass's extensive interview dominates the issue, presenting a strong skeptical viewpoint that challenges many popular UFO narratives. The editorial stance appears to favor critical examination of evidence and a preference for prosaic explanations, while still acknowledging the ongoing interest in the UFO phenomenon. The inclusion of various news snippets and corrections suggests an effort to provide a balanced, albeit skeptical, perspective on UFO-related topics.

Title: Houston Sky
Issue: No. 6
Date: August/September 1995
Publisher: Houston Sky
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Houston Sky, a publication serving as a forum for the Houston-area MUFON community, delves into member surveys, the official investigation into the Roswell incident, and upcoming local UFO-related events.

MUFON-Houston Survey Results

The magazine presents findings from a mailed-out membership survey, indicating a strong belief in the UFO phenomenon among attendees. Of those present at a meeting, two-thirds accepted the interdimensional origin of UFOs, while another third saw them as both extraterrestrial and interdimensional. A smaller group considered them an unknown form or combination of forms, and a few had no idea. Crucially, 100% of those surveyed believed that UFOs definitely exist, with some also marking them as 'probably real.' Regarding the phenomenon's nature, no one described it as 'evil and dangerous'; instead, responses ranged from 'combination of evil and good' to 'mysterious but probably for our good,' with a significant portion admitting they 'didn't know enough yet to say.'

The survey also gauged belief in the stories of prominent UFO figures. Ed Walters led with 52% belief, followed by Whitley Strieber (44%), Linda Cortille (41%), Bob Lazar (22%), and Billy Meier (20%). Personal sightings were reported by a minority, with nine individuals having had multiple sightings and four having had one. A remarkable half of respondents reported personal experiences, either as 'experiencers' (six people) or 'possible experiencers' (10).

Financial contributions were also discussed. To expand MUFON-Houston's activities, members were asked about paying dues or admission fees. A significant majority (63%) agreed to pay 'dues and fees,' while others preferred 'dues only' or 'admission fees only.' Only one person stated they 'wouldn't pay.' The survey also inquired about paying for the Houston Sky publication itself, with 81% responding 'yes' to its continuation.

Suggestions for improving Houston Sky included more local interest stories, book reports, crop circle coverage (if relevant to the area), and reviews of UFO conferences and radio programs. The editor, Gayle Nesom, expressed thanks for the positive feedback.

The GAO Report: International Roswell Initiative Bulletin #3

This section reviews the Government Accounting Office (GAO) report released on July 28, 1995, concerning the 1947 Roswell incident. The report, consisting of an eight-page letter and nine pages of appendices, states that an extensive search for records yielded nothing of consequence. Notably, the GAO report briefly mentions the 1994 Air Force report but offers no evidence to support its Project Mogul hypothesis. The GAO report is described as objective and straightforward, unlike the Air Force report, which is characterized as a selective and biased presentation.

A significant admission in the GAO report is that the search was complicated by missing records, with no explanation provided. Most critically, outgoing messages from Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) for the period of October 1946 through December 1949 were destroyed without authorization, potentially containing key information about the event. The report also notes the inability to locate documentation for the 1395th Military Police Company, presumably responsible for guarding the debris.

The GAO investigators queried agencies like the FBI, CIA, and NSC but received only brief written responses without direct access to files. The review highlights that the Roswell event, regardless of its cause, was a major public relations fiasco. The absence of any official military file or record to document the event strains credibility. While the GAO report offers no definitive answers, it underscores the absence of critical evidence and the need for further investigation.

Kent Jeffrey, coordinator of the International Roswell Initiative, assures readers that efforts will be intensified to investigate the Roswell case and advocate for a more open U.S. government policy on the UFO phenomenon.

MUFON-Houston Reminders and Updates

Houston Sky will transition to a subscription-only model starting with the next issue. Plans are underway for a three-day bus trip to view the Marfa Lights, including a star party at the University of Texas McDonald Observatory on September 22-24. Details were provided in an insert. A second investigator's training class is anticipated for the fall. A group of 10 local volunteers met in July to plan MUFON-Houston's second year, with further meetings scheduled. The group is actively developing its investigation network and resources.

Of Interest

This section lists various upcoming UFO-related events and resources:

• MUFON-Houston: Marfa Lights and UT McDonald Observatory Charter Bus Trip (Sept. 22-24).
• VISIT (Vehicle Internal Systems Investigative Team): Meeting at Freeman Memorial Library (16602 Diana Lane, Clear Lake City).
• HUFON (Houston UFO Network): Meetings on the first Friday of the month at the Innova Building (20 Greenway Plaza).
• 4th Annual Midwest Conference on UFO Research: Sept. 9-10 in Springfield, Missouri.
• The UFO Experience: Oct. 7-8 in North Haven, Connecticut.
• 3rd Annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conf.: Oct. 20-22 in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
• The Science and Politics of UFO Research: Oct. 28-29 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The MUFON UFO Hotline is (800) UFO-2166.

A quote attributed to James Watt states, "A lie can run around the world before the truth can get its boots on."

UFO LINGO

• phenomenon (singular): The "classic" UFO phenomenon is ever changing.
• phenomena (plural): The many and varied phenomena are perplexing.

A quote attributed to Mark Twain reads, '...here and there a touch of good grammar for picturesqueness.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the active engagement of MUFON members in understanding and investigating the UFO phenomenon, the critical examination of official reports (like the GAO's on Roswell), and the promotion of community events and resources. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging open inquiry, critical analysis of government actions, and active participation within the UFO research community. The magazine aims to facilitate the exchange of diverse viewpoints and provide practical information for its readers.