JUST CAUSE

Magazine Overview

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: Number 24
Date: June 1990
Publisher: Lawrence Fawcett
Editor: Barry Greenwood

This issue of JUST CAUSE delves into several intriguing topics related to unexplained phenomena and government transparency, focusing on unidentified orbiting objects, military tracking systems, and the controversial MJ-12 documents.

Unidentified Orbiting Objects (UOO)

The lead article reveals that the Department of the Navy has released information regarding "unidentified orbiting objects" (UOO). This data was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Dr. Henry Azadehdel of England and was part of the Naval Space Surveillance Center's (NAVSPASUR) routine monitoring of satellites. In a letter dated February 22, 1990, T.E. Edwards of the Naval Space Command stated that NAVSPASUR tracks thousands of objects, many identified only as UOOs.

A computer printout, comprising fifty-two pages, details these unknown tracks for the period between December 16, 1989, and February 13, 1990. A sample page is included, illustrating seven columns of data: Date, Time of Day, Latitude, Longitude, Right Ascension, Height (nautical miles), and Receiver Station. NAVSPASUR, established on June 1, 1959, aims to enhance U.S. satellite detection capabilities. The article notes an early success on January 31, 1960, when an unknown object was detected and later identified as the re-entry capsule of Discovery 5.

The magazine acknowledges that many such tracked unknowns are likely space junk. However, it suggests that some trackings could be related to the UFO phenomenon, and correlating these with surface observations could yield significant new data.

The issue highlights the difficulty in accessing such data due to national security concerns but presents the NAVSPASUR release as a breakthrough, offering compiled records for researchers. Access is currently limited to the last six months of data.

And on a Related Front: NORAD's Unknown Track Reporting System (NUTR)

This section discusses information previously published in the December 1989 issue about NORAD's Unknown Track Reporting System (NUTR), which reportedly contains 7000 trackings of unknown air traffic in North America. Following FOIA requests by colleague Robert Todd, the Air Force initially claimed no records existed. However, after clarification, the Air Force's FOIA Manager affirmed the records' existence but deemed them exempt under national security provisions.

A subsequent letter from W.M. McDonald of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, dated June 1, 1990, led to the release of NUTR tracking records. Despite this, the five examples released to Todd were rendered almost completely unreadable due to heavy redaction, particularly the use of a "magic marker." The records specifically requested "unknowns" not identified as conventional aircraft. A new security classification, "NORAD SECRET," is also noted.

The article views this as a small breakthrough, given that NORAD had previously exempted itself from FOIA requests. It emphasizes the initiative of individuals in pushing against a monolithic system to build a history of government UFO involvement, acknowledging the process can be slow and difficult.

Exhibits

The magazine indicates that pages three and four contain samples from the NAVSPASUR computer printout and the heavily censored NORAD NUTR data listings, respectively.

On Dating Abnormalities by MJ-12 Proponents

This investigative piece examines a peculiar dating style observed in documents presented as evidence for the MJ-12 group. The standard format for government papers in the late 1940s and early 1950s was typically "numerical day, spelled-out month, numerical year." However, some documents, particularly those from Air Force Intelligence files, exhibited an unusual style, including an inserted comma after the month and, notably, a "zero" preceding a single-digit date (e.g., "07 July, 1947").

Philip Klass is cited for pointing out that the Hillenkoetter briefing paper, allegedly authored by MJ-12, breaks the standard style. Curiously, this same dating style appears in the personal writings of William Moore, a leading proponent of MJ-12 claims. The authors question whether Moore might have been involved in the production of the Hillenkoetter briefing.

A communication from Jun-Ichi Takanashi of the Japan UFO Science Society is included, enclosing copies of pages from Bill Moore's book "THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN FIREBALLS." These pages contain letters with the peculiar dating style, described as an "erroneous mixture of civil and military format" with a "zero proceeding a single-digit date," a style that reportedly came into use only in recent years (since 1952) and is characteristic of Moore's letters and MJ-12 documents.

Upon receiving this communication, the magazine undertook a search for original copies of documents reproduced by Moore. While one original paper from February 2, 1949, showed a comma insertion but no preceding zero, four other originals were located on Project Blue Book microfilms. In these four cases, the documents were retyped, and Moore had altered the dates from the proper standard format to his own style, adding an extra comma and, in the case of a February 9, 1949 memo, a preceding zero where none had existed.

The authors suggest that these changes were likely made unconsciously by Moore, reflecting his personal writing style. However, they argue that the addition of the preceding zero to a single-digit date is a significant issue, as it distinctly separates the style from known government dating practices of the era. This dating style is observed in three contexts: Moore's personal writings, the altered dates in his 1983 book, and the key MJ-12 Hillenkoetter briefing paper, all originating from the same source. This consistency fuels suspicions about Moore's involvement in the production of the suspect MJ-12 documents.

Doolittle Comments on "Ghost Rockets"

This section includes a letter from J. H. Doolittle, dated August 29, 1984, addressed to editor Barry Greenwood. Doolittle states he has no firm knowledge of actual rockets or "ghost rockets" in Sweden but was aware that various hypotheses were being discussed by the press.

The article then discusses rumors that in 1946, U.S. Army Intelligence dispatched General James Doolittle to Sweden to investigate a wave of "Ghost Rockets" seen throughout Scandinavia. According to the book "UFOs? YES!" by Saunders and Harkins, a French newspaper reported that Doolittle was to conduct an investigation under the cover of a business trip for the Shell Company. David Jacobs' book "THE UFO CONTROVERSY IN AMERICA" also recounts a similar story, though its reference relies on the Saunders/Harkins version.

This editor contacted General Doolittle in 1984 for clarification, and his response is presented as the first public release of his statement. The article poses the question of whether Doolittle's trip was for a "Ghost Rocket" investigation or if the story was a journalistic blunder, with plans for a follow-up to resolve the contradiction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government transparency (or lack thereof) concerning UFO-related data, the challenges of obtaining information through FOIA, and the critical examination of evidence presented in the UFO community, particularly concerning the MJ-12 documents. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a commitment to rigorous investigation, even when dealing with potentially sensitive or heavily redacted information. The magazine champions the efforts of individuals who persist in seeking truth against bureaucratic obstacles and highlights the importance of scrutinizing the provenance and authenticity of evidence.