Just Cause - 1987 12 - No 14 - New Series

Magazine Overview

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: Number 14, New Series
Date: December 1987
Publisher: Lawrence Fawcett
Editor: Barry Greenwood
Address: P.O. Box 218, Coventry, Conn. 06238
Subscription: 4 issues - $10 ($15 foreign)

This issue of JUST CAUSE features an editorial addressing the controversy surrounding a previous MJ-12 report, an update on the Apollo 15 moon sighting, and several assorted matters including levitation experiments, a Delta Airlines UFO incident, and President Reagan's remarks on alien life.

Editorial: On the MJ-12 Report and Criticism

The editorial section discusses the reaction to a previous MJ-12 report published by JUST CAUSE. The magazine received both supportive and highly critical responses, with some critics questioning the mental stability of the authors. The editorial team acknowledges that such extreme reactions are expected when dealing with controversial topics. They address claims that criticism of MJ-12 by CAUS (presumably the magazine's organization) stemmed from jealousy over a rival's (MSF) acquisition of documentation. JUST CAUSE clarifies that they do not consider MSF rivals and are happy to see legitimate historical documentation unearthed, provided it is well-founded and factual. However, they state they will not uncritically support anything pro-UFO and will voice concerns in detail if they find problems. Specifically, they argue that the documents presented by MSF as strong evidence of MJ-12 are, in their view, severely flawed.

The editorial notes that the only reaction received from 'Moore' was a dismissive comment, as reported in Jim Moseley's SAUCER SMEAR. A more substantive response from Friedman was received too late for this issue and will be addressed later. The magazine points out the lack of a statement from MSF regarding a suspicious CIA/MJ-5 memo and the Project Aquarius report. They question why these papers were released by Moore as evidence of MJ-12 and subsequently vanished from MJ-12 promotions.

Despite promises of new releases by year's end, there have been few new developments on MJ-12.

Editorial: The Demise of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Shifting to another topic, the editorial laments the increasing demise of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It describes FOIA as having started as a tool for public access to government information but has become ineffective due to persistent attacks by the Reagan administration. The administration is accused of rendering FOIA almost useless through high search fees, massive delays, and bureaucratic bungling, preferring a populace ignorant of government activities. The magazine believes this trend will make it more difficult to report on government UFO activities.

The editorial acknowledges that some UFOlogists have attacked FOIA, claiming it was always useless for accessing UFO data. While admitting this may be true to an extent, the magazine emphasizes that without FOIA, they would not have obtained over 7000 pages of documents, and CAUS might never have been formed. They recognize that sensitive files continue to be withheld but maintain that FOIA is still useful for authenticating released information. Readers are encouraged to write to their Congressmen or Senators about the debasement of FOIA, asserting their right to know.

The Apollo 15 Story: An Update

This section revisits the lead story from the March 1987 issue concerning the sighting of an unidentified light over the moon during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. In response to the article, the magazine received two signed letters via science writer and UFO researcher James Oberg. The letters were from Ed Fendell, the Instrumentation and Communications officer at Mission Control during the Apollo 15 flight, and Astronaut Joseph Allen, the CAPCON during the mission's Extravehicular Activities (EVAs).

Ed Fendell stated that he did not remember seeing anything unusual on the TV broadcasts, noting that 100% of the lunar surface TV was shown in real-time. He suggested that anyone suspecting tape deletion could obtain tapes from the TV networks and dismissed claims of being silenced.

Joseph Allen recalled nothing vaguely resembling an artifact in the images from the Rover camera. He acknowledged that the camera could be remotely operated, but emphasized that everything returned from the moon was carefully recorded. Allen's personal opinion is that the chances of something strange happening in front of hundreds of people at Mission Control at the time, and being kept quiet, is zero.

James Oberg's skeptical opinion, along with the letters, was passed to the witness, Bill Davis. Davis reiterated his conviction that the incident happened and was witnessed by others. However, his companion is now deceased, and other potential witnesses have rejected the claim. Davis provided a sketch of his and others' positions at the time of the sighting, which will be forwarded to Oberg for comment. The editor notes that a video record would be needed to confirm a round, undetailed bright light moving across the lunar sky. The magazine is trying to encourage Davis to resolve the conflicting stories directly with Oberg and others, stating they are taking no position until a video record is located.

Assorted Matters

Levitation Experiments

Thanks are given to Lucius Farish and Vincent White for information regarding 'levitation' experiments. A reference in Robert Lamphere's book, THE FBI-KGB WAR, mentions 'levitation' experiments as a major secret of the postwar era, classified today. These experiments are speculated to be related to early attempts to duplicate flying discs. A request filed with the FBI for their investigation records on this subject yielded no results, which the magazine finds difficult to believe given Lamphere's mention of it.

Delta Airlines Incident

Stan Gordon provided information about an FAA file concerning a UFO sighting by the crew of a Delta 737 en route from Pittsburg to Atlanta on June 25, 1987. The report described a missile-like object approaching head-on and passing approximately 500-600 feet below. The object was described as having a short, squatty, 'Homemade' appearance, approximately 4-6 feet long, with beige to brown fins. The main body was white to yellow, and it appeared to be descending and unpowered. The magazine entertains the possibility of a loose balloon but notes the pilot's reference to it being unpowered supports the UFO interpretation, though it is unlikely to be definitively resolved.

NASA and ETs

In response to a request by CAUS Director Peter Gersten for records on NASA's plan for controlling information about the discovery of or contact with extraterrestrial life, NASA stated in an August 9 letter that they are developing a protocol for information distribution should a discovery be made. NASA emphasized that the detection of extraterrestrial life has profound implications transcending national boundaries. The magazine suggests this statement does not represent a change in NASA's attitude toward UFOs, similar to the Air Force's stance.

FTD UFO Papers

William Sullivan is thanked for a news story about his research into UFO documents from 1975 to date. He located two translations of Chinese UFO articles from the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio:

• "The 'UFO' of July 24, 1981: A Discussion with Comrade Zhang Zhousheng" by Liu Yan.
• "First UFO Incident for Our Country" by Long Ruyi.

Both reports, translated and available in 1983, deal with an incident on July 24, 1981, sighted by millions of people in China. The sighting featured a luminous body with a spiral shape, spinning slowly from east to west. Most articles discuss possible explanations.

Flying Wing Documents

CAUS Director Peter Gersten acquired two early documents discussing experiments with 'flying wing' aircraft design:

• "German Flying Wings Designed by the Horten Brothers" (Air Materiel Command, July 5, 1946).
• "Ten Years Development of the Flying Wing High Speed Fighter" (Chance Vought Aircraft Report No. LGB 164).

The magazine finds these reports particularly interesting given the recent wave of flying wing or boomerang-shaped UFOs, speculating if some early UFO incidents could have been government experiments. However, the editor expresses doubt that flying wing experiments could have progressed to the point of instantaneous right-angle turns and 180s so quickly without leaving evidence in contemporary aircraft.

Reagan's "Alien" Comment

The accompanying text provides the full context of President Reagan's remarks about alien life, given in a speech at Fallston High School in Maryland on December 4, 1985. The remarks generated newspaper interest and led some UFOlogists to believe it was a masked reference to UFOs. Reagan's quote suggests that a threat from an alien species could unite humanity, helping to resolve international differences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of JUST CAUSE demonstrates a consistent editorial stance of critical inquiry, particularly concerning UFO phenomena and government transparency. The magazine emphasizes the importance of factual, well-founded evidence and is unafraid to challenge claims, even those from within the UFO community. There is a strong concern for the public's right to know, as evidenced by the critique of the FOIA's decline. The publication actively seeks out and analyzes historical documents and reports, exploring potential connections between government projects, advanced aircraft designs, and UFO sightings. The editorial team aims to present multiple sides of an issue, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions while maintaining a skeptical yet open-minded approach to the subject matter.