Just Cause - 1989 06 - No 20 - New Series

Magazine Overview

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: Number 20, New Series
Date: June 1989
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, dated June 1989, covers a range of topics including government transparency, public knowledge, UFOlogy, and specific controversies within the field. The magazine adopts a critical and skeptical stance, emphasizing the need for hard questions and a balance between uncritical belief and unyielding skepticism.

Some Observations

The editorial section begins by addressing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), noting a continued decline in agency compliance and a concerning attempt by the State Department to classify book authors as 'commercial users,' potentially increasing their fees. The editor expresses frustration with the perceived ineptitude and secrecy surrounding FOIA offices, arguing that it hinders the flow of information to the public and favors those with financial means. This leads to a discussion about the alarming lack of basic scientific knowledge among the American public, citing studies showing a significant percentage of adults unaware of fundamental astronomical facts. The editor uses a personal anecdote of a presentation on UFOs where basic questions about stars and planets were posed, highlighting a broader societal issue of intellectual laziness and a lack of emphasis on knowledge and understanding by leadership.

A Disturbing Concept?

The magazine then introduces a controversial idea: that the UFO phenomenon, which has been active for over forty years, may have concluded its purpose and departed. The authors note a significant drop in traditional sightings (CE 1,2,3; photos; daylight discs) and a lack of concrete evidence, such as humanoid reports without abductions or quality film footage, despite the proliferation of video cameras. They suggest that the public's perception of UFOlogy has become less convincing, partly due to the dominance of abduction reports and a general decline in public sophistication. The editorial posits that if the extraterrestrial hypothesis was a stimulus for UFO activity, their work might be finished, leading to their departure. The magazine explicitly states it sides with science on the issue of abductions, requiring concrete evidence before accepting such claims as proof of physical abduction.

ET PROTOCOL

A section on extraterrestrial intelligence discusses NASA's approach to potential contact. A letter from Patricia M. Riep, Freedom of Information Act Officer at NASA, dated April 10, 1989, addressed to Peter A. Gersten, clarifies that while there is no official written record, protocols for handling information about the discovery of extraterrestrial life have been discussed internationally for 20 years. The emerging consensus emphasizes that such a discovery is a property of all humankind, aligning with the National Space Act of 1958 and the 1968 Treaty on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Space Agency Provides UFO Referrals

Individuals writing to the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California, about UFOs will receive a form letter directing them to the Center for UFO Studies and the UFO Reporting Center's 24-hour hotline. The magazine commends this service for including UFOs alongside other scientific categories and encourages the reporting of unknown aerial objects.

MJ-12 UPDATE

The MJ-12 issue continues to be a subject of intense debate. The magazine notes that a sizable volume of correspondence exists, arguing the pros and cons. It mentions that former OSI agent Richard Doty has been responding to questions about his previous statements and promises a book detailing his side of the story. A significant event highlighted is Stanton Friedman winning a $1000 bet with Philip Klass over the typewriter type used at the White House in the 1950s. Klass claimed 'Elite' type, while Friedman proved 'Pica' type was used, the same type found in the Cutler/Twining memo. Despite Friedman's win, the memo's origin remains suspicious, and no other legitimate MJ-12 documents have surfaced. The issue also references an anonymous paper titled "Squire and the Knave," which debunks MJ-12 criticisms but resorts to name-calling, with the CAUS publisher and editor being mockingly referred to as "Sir Larry 'the Drip'" and "Sir Barry 'the Unripe'."

A letter from Edward J. Reese of the National Archives, dated May 26, 1989, is presented. Reese, in charge of the records group containing the Cutler/Twining memo, states he has no recollection of seeing the memo in 1985. He finds it unusual to find documents filed between folders and notes that the Cutler/Twining memo lacked a TS register number, which he found after a researcher cited it. He also does not recall Moore or Shandera bringing any unusual findings to his attention regarding the files they were examining. This letter is contrasted with Stanton Friedman's account of discovering the memo in March 1985 during a review of USAF Records Group 341 at the National Archives. The magazine raises three points questioning Reese's recollection: how he could not recall seeing the memo if it was presented for clearance in 1985; the implication that the memo was a random discovery rather than being led to it by mysterious sources; and the continued absence of a copy of the memo cleared in 1985.

Mail Tampering

This section addresses scattered charges of mail tampering or loss experienced by UFOlogists, suggesting a government effort to seize UFO materials. Larry Fawcett, a police lieutenant with investigative experience, and Barry Greenwood, who has worked with the U.S. Postal Service, offer their expertise. They invite individuals who have experienced alleged mail tampering to contact them with evidence, advising them to save all materials and explain their suspicions. They also recommend using Certified Mail or Registered Mail for sensitive evidence. The article stresses that opening first-class mail without a court order is illegal and aims to document such claims, potentially allaying fears with mundane explanations.

Justice for Military Personnel (JMP)

The magazine reiterates its lack of connection to the JMP group, which had recently gained attention in Australia due to a reprint in the magazine "Simply Living." CAUS states they have received only one communication from JMP and do not trust anonymous sources, emphasizing their focus on hard questions and avoiding games.

Foot-Dragging on FOIA?

This article, by Bill McAllister, details the "shoddy performance" of the State Department's FOIA office, as reported by Katherine Ellison in her book "Imelda. Steel Butterfly of the Philippines." Ellison's requests for information were largely useless, with delays of over a year. A new General Accounting Office (GAO) report confirms that the State Department's FOIA office is ill-managed, taking over six months to handle most requests despite having a light caseload. The report notes a backlog of over 3,700 requests at the start of 1988. Congressman Robert E. Wise Jr. expresses concern and has requested the Secretary of State to outline steps for improvement. Officials at the National Security Archives criticize the State Department's reputation for compliance, citing an obsession with secrecy and an unwillingness to declassify papers. The article also mentions that the State Department has sought to redefine book authors and organizations as "commercial" users, making them more likely to pay for search and processing fees. In contrast, the Department of Health and Human Services is noted for having one of the best FOIA response records.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Just Cause revolve around government transparency and accountability, particularly concerning the Freedom of Information Act and the handling of sensitive information. The magazine expresses a strong skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims within the UFO community, advocating for rigorous investigation and evidence-based conclusions. There is a consistent emphasis on the importance of public knowledge and critical thinking, lamenting the perceived decline in scientific literacy. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, challenging both government secrecy and what it views as uncritical acceptance of phenomena within the UFO field. The magazine positions itself as a source for "hard questions" and a balanced perspective, aiming to avoid both uncritical belief and excessive skepticism.