Just Cause - 1989 09 - No 21 - New Series

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'JUST CAUSE' (Number 21, New Series, September 1989) is published by Lawrence Fawcett and edited by Barry Greenwood. It is a publication focused on critically examining UFO-related phenomena and alleged government cover-ups. The issue's main cover headline is 'A MAJESTIC DECEPTION,' indicating a critical stance towards the widely discussed 'Majestic 12' (MJ-12) story.

A Majestic Deception: Critiquing the MJ-12 Narrative

The central theme of this issue is a deep dive into the 'Majestic 12' (MJ-12) story, which purports to be a secret panel of scientists and military leaders tasked with studying crashed flying saucers since the late 1940s, including the famous Roswell Incident of 1947. The publication, CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy), expresses strong criticism of this narrative, which has been heavily promoted by figures like William Moore, Jaime Shandera, and Stanton Friedman (referred to collectively as MSF).

The article details William Moore's speech at the MUFON annual symposium in Las Vegas on July 1, 1989. CAUS characterizes this speech as a 'part-sympathy plea, part-confession, part-assault on critics.' Moore's speech is presented as an attempt to explain his involvement in the MJ-12 story since the early 1980s and to address questions about his activities. However, CAUS argues that while answers were given, the fundamental questions remained unsettled.

CAUS outlines several 'remarkable claims' made by Moore:

1. Recruitment by Government Intelligence: Moore claimed he was recruited by government intelligence to aid in changing official UFO policy and to observe a disinformation campaign against Paul Bennewitz, a key figure in UFO sightings at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. CAUS counters that even if Moore believed he was acting on government instructions, he was acting as an agent, regardless of payment.
2. Supplying Information to Government Agents: Moore allegedly supplied information to the government through Richard Doty, an Air Force OSI agent, regarding the activities of Bennewitz, APRO, and others. Moore reportedly boasted about using this position to gain an advantage. CAUS expresses outrage, noting that Moore, a critic of government secrecy, covertly informed on colleagues and observed Paul Bennewitz's deteriorating mental health without intervening. They accuse Moore of feeding false leads and wasting researchers' time and money.
3. Disinformation Campaign: Moore and his contacts were allegedly responsible for 'dropping subtle hints' that Richard Doty was the mysterious 'Falcon' to divert attention from the real Falcon. CAUS clarifies that their own investigation linked Doty to Falcon based on his connection to past false documents, independent of Moore's 'hints.' Moore later demoted Doty to 'Sparrow' and introduced a new 'Falcon.'
4. MSF's Neutrality Claim: CAUS challenges MSF's claim of neutrality regarding the MJ-12 documents, pointing to past statements from Moore and Friedman that endorsed the documents' authenticity. They argue that MSF selectively accepts information, ignoring flaws and criticisms, and suggest this recent neutrality claim is a way to maintain options as the story unfolds.

The article also discusses specific documents and events:

• The Eisenhower Briefing Paper: CAUS notes contradictory statements from MSF regarding its authenticity, suggesting they wish to keep their options open.
• The Truman 'Executive Order' of September 24, 1947: Moore considers this the weakest case among the MJ-12 related documents.
• Questioned-Document Experts: CAUS questions why the results of expert analyses on MJ-12 papers have not been revealed.
• The 'Radar Jamming Document': This document, similar in style to the Kirtland OSI Complaint Form, is considered highly suspicious and likely produced by Doty.
• Kirtland AFB Sightings Documents: While some documents related to UFO sightings at Kirtland AFB in 1980 are acknowledged as genuine government documents, CAUS suspects distortions of fact in the OSI Complaint Form authored by Doty.
• The Craig Weitzel Letter: Doty is accused of dramatizing a sighting by Weitzel beyond reality.
• The 'Aquarius Document': Claimed to be a re-typed version of a genuine document with false information added, likely sourced from Doty.

Alternative Motives?

Beyond the alleged disinformation, CAUS explores alternative motivations for the MJ-12 narrative, primarily focusing on financial gain. They note that Moore sold his speech as a separate document for $10, and that William L. Moore Publications had issues with late or unfulfilled orders from Arcturus Book Service. Moore also sold a 20-minute video tape featuring Richard Doty explaining his involvement in the Kirtland sightings for $29.95, despite its poor technical quality and claims of 'truth' that CAUS disputes.

Moore's efforts to promote the MJ-12 story are seen as culminating in a fiction novel titled 'MAJESTIC,' co-written with Whitley Strieber, which CAUS finds ironic given the claims of factual evidence.

Final Word

Stanton Friedman's comment that CAUS's motivation and methodology are unclear is addressed. CAUS reiterates that their motivation is to save the UFO community time, money, and bad publicity by exposing a flawed story. They argue that their research is not driven by jealousy but by a conviction that the MJ-12 documents originate from suspicious sources. CAUS believes that the controversy surrounding MJ-12 is damaging the credibility of unexplained aerial phenomena research. They pledge to continue presenting their viewpoint, urging readers to 'climb aboard and hang on or get off the tracks' if they wish to be taken for a ride.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'JUST CAUSE' consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards the Majestic 12 (MJ-12) narrative and its primary promoters. The recurring themes are government disinformation, the manipulation of information, the questionable authenticity of key documents, and the potential financial motivations behind the promotion of UFO stories. The editorial stance is one of rigorous investigation and a commitment to exposing what they perceive as flawed or fabricated aspects of the UFO lore, aiming to protect the integrity of UFO research from what they describe as 'immense credibility damage.'

Title: Just Cause
Issue: 20
Volume: 20
Date: June 1989
Publisher: Just Cause
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Just Cause delves into alleged UFO sightings, government investigations, and potential cover-ups, with a particular focus on incidents and activities around Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) in New Mexico.

Incident at Pecos, New Mexico (July 16, 1980)

The issue details an account from Craig R. Weitzel, a Civil Air Patrol Cadet visiting Kirtland AFB. On July 16, 1980, between 10:30 and 10:45 AM, Weitzel and ten other individuals, including USAF active duty airmen, witnessed a dull metallic-colored UFO flying from south to north near Pecos, New Mexico. Pecos is noted as having a secret training site for the 1550th Aircrew Training and Testing Wing. Weitzel took photographs of the object. He then approached the UFO as it landed in a clearing approximately 250 yards northwest of the training area. An individual dressed in a metallic suit emerged from the craft, walked a few feet, and then returned. The individual was outside the craft for only a few minutes before the UFO took off towards the northwest.

Post-Sighting Encounter and Warning (July 17, 1980)

The following day, July 17, 1980, around 2210 hours, while Weitzel was in his temporary billets on Kirtland AFB, an individual dressed in a dark suit visited him. Weitzel described this individual as being 6'3" tall, weighing 170 lbs, slender built, with dark black hair, dark eyes, wearing sunglasses, and having a narrow-shaped face. The visitor identified himself as "Mr. Huck" from Sandia Laboratories, a secret Department of Energy contractor on Kirtland AFB. Mr. Huck stated that Weitzel had seen something near Pecos the previous day that he shouldn't have. He claimed the craft was a secret craft from Los Alamos, New Mexico, and demanded all the photographs. Weitzel explained he didn't have them, as they were with a USAF airman whose name he didn't know. Mr. Huck then warned Weitzel not to mention the sighting to anyone, or he would be in serious trouble. After Mr. Huck left, Weitzel, who hadn't reported the sighting, became scared by the threat. He contacted the Kirtland AFB Security Police, who referred the incident to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). Special Agent Mr. Dody of OSI spoke with Weitzel and took a report, also obtaining the photographs. Dody reportedly told Weitzel he would look into the matter, but that was the last anyone heard of it.

Airman's Account and Suspicions

A USAF Airman, also assigned to the 1550th Aircrew Training and Testing Wing at Kirtland AFB, corroborated Weitzel's account of the sighting but did not see the craft land. This airman spoke with Weitzel after the Mr. Huck visit and noted Weitzel was upset. However, after speaking with OSI, Weitzel's attitude changed, and he became reluctant to discuss the matter. The airman contacted Mr. Dody, who disavowed knowledge of the photographs and stated Weitzel decided not to make a report. The airman expressed strong suspicions of a USAF cover-up, stating, "I have every reason to beleive the USAF is covering up something. I spent a lot of time looking into this matter and I know there is more to it than the USAF will say." He mentioned hearing "serious rumors" at Kirtland AFB about the USAF storing a crashed UFO in the Manzano Storage area, a remote part of Kirtland AFB heavily guarded by USAF Security. He also claimed to have spoken with two Sandia Laboratories employees who store classified objects in Manzano, and they told him Sandia had examined several UFOs over the past 20 years, including one that crashed near Roswell in the late 1950s, which is still stored in Manzano.

AFOSI Investigation and UFO Sightings

The anonymous airman also believes OSI is conducting a secret investigation into UFO sightings, taking over after Project Blue Book closed. His commander, COL Bruce Purvine, reportedly told him the investigation was so secret that most OSI employees were unaware of it. However, COL Purvine allegedly stated that Kirtland AFB's AFOSI District 17 has a special detachment that investigates sightings in the area and has also investigated cattle mutations in New Mexico. The airman chose to remain anonymous due to his career status and fear of reprisal.

Complaint Form: Frequency Jamming Incident (August 13, 1980)

A "COMPLAINT FORM" details a "Possible Hostile Intelligence Intercept Incident, Frequency Jamming" at Kirtland AFB, NM, on August 13, 1980. The 1960th Communication Squadron Maintenance Officer reported that Radar Approach Control equipment and scanner radar were inoperative due to high-frequency jamming. This resulted in a total blackout of the entire radar approach system, including Albuquerque Airport, between 1630 and 2215 hours. Backup systems were also inoperative. Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) Radio Frequency Monitors determined, via vector analysis, that the interference was being sent from an area west of the Coyote Canyon Test area. Initial suspicion fell on Sandia Laboratory, but they confirmed no tests were being conducted. The Department of Energy, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, and DNA were contacted and denied responsibility. Base Security Police conducted a physical check of the area but could not complete a thorough search due to mountainous terrain. A later foot search yielded no results. At 2210 hours, all radar equipment returned to normal operation. The conclusion stated that hostile intelligence jamming could not be ruled out, and communication maintenance specialists could not explain how the interference could cause total inoperability or its type and range. DNA monitors reported the interference beam was wide-spread and of a type unknown to their equipment. Further checks were being conducted by AFOSI Technical Services. This was noted as a "High command interest item."

Complaint Form: Unidentified Aerial Lights (August 8 - September 2, 1980)

Another "COMPLAINT FORM" titled "KIRTLAND AFB, NM, 8 Aug 3 Sep 80, Alleged Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Lights in Restricted Test Range" details multiple observations. On September 2, 1980, a source related an event from August 8, 1980, where three Security Policemen assigned to the 1608 SPS, Kirtland AFB, NM, on duty inside the Manzano Weapons Storage Area, sighted an unidentified light. The light traveled from north to south over the Coyote Canyon area of the DoD Restricted Test Range. The three policemen, SSGT Stephen Fepenz, AIC Martin W. Rist, and AMN Anthony D. Frazier, were interviewed separately and provided a consistent account: at approximately 2350 hours, they observed a very bright light in the sky about 3 miles north-northeast of their position. The light traveled at great speed, stopped suddenly, and they initially thought it was a helicopter. However, its "stop and go" maneuvers led them to believe a helicopter couldn't perform such actions. The light landed in the Coyote Canyon area. Later, they witnessed it take off and disappear straight up at high speed. Central Security Control inside Manzano contacted Sandia Security, who advised a patrol was already investigating. On August 11, 1980, Russ Curtis of Sandia Security reported that on August 9, a Sandia Security Guard (who wished to remain anonymous) observed a bright light near the ground behind an alarmed structure. He initially thought it was a helicopter but then saw a round disk-shaped object. His radio failed to work when he tried to call for backup. Approaching the object with a shotgun, the object took off vertically at high speed. The guard, a former helicopter mechanic, stated it was not a helicopter. The source also advised that on August 22, 1980, three other security policemen observed the same phenomenon.

Letter from Stanton T. Friedman (July 19, 1989)

Physicist and lecturer Stanton T. Friedman writes to the editor of Just Cause regarding "Just Cause, Number 20, June 1989 re Majestic 12." Friedman addresses what he considers non-factual information presented in the issue concerning him and the MJ-12 documents. He specifically refutes claims made by Philip Klass regarding typefaces used in alleged MJ-12 memos. Friedman states he supplied over a dozen memos in the correct PICA typeface, sourced from the Eisenhower Library, not the National Archives, and challenges Klass's assertion based on a small sample. He notes that Klass offered $100 for each authentic letter matching the alleged memo's typeface, a bet Friedman claims he won, receiving $1000. Friedman asserts that despite suspicions about the origin, there is no indication the memo itself is not genuine.

Friedman also responds to comments and questions raised by Ed Reese. He questions why Reese would remember casually handling a paper if he handles many documents daily. Friedman explains that copies of documents from Record Group 341 (USAF HQ, Intelligence) were made because the box had already been cleared, and often individual sheets are not stamped. He mentions other Cutler memos found in the Library of Congress Manuscript Division that were initially TOP SECRET and only declassified later. Friedman states he has made so many copies of the MJ-12 memo that finding a specific one to meet strange needs would be difficult. He suggests that those interested in the legitimacy of the MJ-12 documents should read his published papers, which are derived from extensive archival research and address criticisms. He also notes that his research for the Fund for UFO Research grant is ongoing.

Friedman advocates for standard journalistic practice of contacting both sides on controversial issues. He finds the insistence on concrete evidence for abductions strange, comparing it to needing to produce a hydrogen bomb to claim its existence. He argues that the form of evidence must fit the question, and just because science cannot predict or reproduce massive solar flares or earthquakes does not mean they don't occur.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly suggests a pattern of government secrecy and potential cover-ups related to UFO phenomena. The accounts from Kirtland AFB, the frequency jamming incident, and the detailed UFO sightings all point towards unexplained events that authorities may be attempting to suppress or downplay. Stanton T. Friedman's letter, while defending his research and the MJ-12 documents, also highlights the contentious nature of UFO research and the challenges of obtaining and verifying information, implicitly supporting the idea that official narratives may not always be complete or transparent. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry into official explanations and a willingness to explore alternative possibilities regarding UFOs and related government activities.