Just Cause - 1995 03 - No 43 - New Series

Magazine Overview

This issue of JUST CAUSE, Number 43, published in March 1995 by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), focuses heavily on the ongoing debate surrounding the Roswell UFO crash and the Air Force's official report. The editorial highlights the difficulty in sustaining the pro-alien narrative for Roswell given the passage of time and the lack of hard evidence, while also noting the editor's limited time has caused publication delays.

Editorial Stance on Roswell

The editorial asserts that the Air Force's report on the Roswell incident, referred to as the Weaver report, does not definitively debunk the alien hypothesis but offers a plausible explanation: the wreckage was from a Project Mogul balloon, Flight 4. The report details that this balloon train, made of unclassified components, was shredded by winds and found by rancher Brazel. The editorial questions the weight of arguments in the Roswell debate, noting that without physical evidence, credibility relies on who one believes. It points out that many witnesses described debris consistent with man-made devices, such as "aluminum foil" or "sticks," and that the concept of extraterrestriality for UFOs was not widely established until the late 1970s. The article challenges whether there is any evidence of Roswell witnesses' statements about the extraterrestrial nature of the object pre-dating 1978. The Weaver report's conclusion that no records of alien bodies or extraterrestrial materials were found is also cited, along with the lack of agreement among pro-UFO groups regarding body recovery details.

The Rise of Crash/Retrieval Interest

The issue traces the increasing interest in crashed UFOs, suggesting it was influenced by NASA's public statements in late 1977 about needing "solid evidence such as a 'little green man'" for a UFO inquiry. This period also saw reports of alleged UFO crashes in Wakefield, New Hampshire, and an object crashing into the ocean near Palm Beach, Florida. The article notes that many sources for Leonard Stringfield's reports on crashed UFOs surfaced in 1977 and early 1978, coinciding with a surge of interest in crash/retrievals, particularly after Stanton Friedman and Don Berliner's book "Crash At Corona." Stringfield's presentation of his findings in Dayton, Ohio, in July 1978, further fueled serious interest in Roswell. The editorial suggests that the government's non-prosecution of individuals like Jesse Marcel, coupled with the Air Force's legal department's stance that no UFO-related case had ever been prosecuted, created an environment where open discussions of perceived crashed-disc cases were not met with government threats.

Murphy's Law in UFology: The Don Schmitt Case

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an article titled "PROOF OF MURPHY'S LAW IN UFOLOGY," which scrutinizes the credibility of Don Schmitt, a prominent figure in the Roswell investigation alongside Kevin Randle. The article, referencing a Milwaukee Magazine piece, details allegations that Schmitt made false statements about his educational background and employment, including his attendance at universities and his degree from Concordia College. It further reveals that Schmitt allegedly misrepresented his role as a police informant rather than a police department employee. Schmitt's characterization of other UFO Network members as "kooks" while positioning himself and Randle as the only "professionals" is also highlighted. The article reveals that Schmitt was actually a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, a fact he allegedly concealed. This revelation, confirmed by Postmaster Ken Eppler, led to a retraction from Eppler regarding a previous statement, and eventually, Schmitt resigned from his position as Director of Special Investigations at the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). The article argues that such deceptions in mundane matters raise serious questions about the reliability of his claims regarding the extraordinary Roswell incident. Kevin Randle is noted to have conceded that Schmitt lied and that he had been deceived.

The Impact of Image and Deception in UFOlogy

The magazine posits that "image is everything" in today's society, influencing perceptions of credibility. It suggests that Schmitt felt compelled to hide his postal worker employment because it did not fit the desired image of a UFO investigator, contrasting it with the "glamour image" of fictional investigators. The article draws parallels between the public's perception of postal workers (stereotypes of laziness or potential violence) and the need for UFOlogists to project a more favorable image. It argues that UFO research has become "littered" with such deceptions, making it difficult to discern truth from fabrication, especially when dealing with subjective accounts and the passage of time. The Schmitt/Randle team's split is presented as a consequence of these issues, leaving the Roswell story in a state of contention.

Recent Notes and GAO Inquiry

This section provides updates on ongoing developments. A clipping from a Jack Anderson column suggests the General Accounting Office (GAO) inquiry into Roswell found the Air Force less than forthcoming, though GAO officials are reportedly skeptical of a UFO cover-up and aim to avoid fueling UFO theories. The article also discusses the controversy surrounding a 91-minute film allegedly shot at the Roswell crash site, showing an alien autopsy. Despite serious reporting in the British press, the UFO community has been critical of the film's details, with questions raised about its professional production quality and the uncooperative nature of its controller, Ray Santilli, who appears more interested in selling it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO evidence, the importance of witness credibility, the potential for deception within the UFO research community, and the role of official reports versus public perception. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensational claims, advocating for rigorous questioning and evidence-based reasoning. The magazine emphasizes that while the Air Force's explanation for Roswell might not be the definitive answer, the pro-alien narrative faces significant challenges due to a lack of verifiable proof and the documented instances of misrepresentation by key figures in the field. The publication aims to provide a platform for critical analysis of UFO phenomena, encouraging readers to question narratives and scrutinize the sources of information.