Just Cause - 1997 03 - No 50 - New Series

Magazine Overview

This issue of JUST CAUSE, number 50, published in March 1997, marks the 50th anniversary of the modern UFO era. The magazine, published by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) and edited by Barry Greenwood, reflects on the history and challenges of UFO research. The cover price is $15 US and $20 Foreign.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Barry Greenwood, welcomes readers to the fiftieth issue, coinciding with the 50th year of the modern UFO era. Greenwood acknowledges that while some mysteries have been solved, many remain. He stresses the importance of maintaining a clear head and thick skin for serious UFO research, distinguishing it from sensationalized media portrayals. The editorial highlights that the fifty-year history of UFOs is filled with "false prophets" and "make-believe," urging researchers to rely on reality rather than fantasy. Greenwood expresses a desire for the next fifty years of UFO research to be more serious than the first, honoring the work of pioneers like Hynek, Ruppelt, and Keyhoe, and avoiding the extremes of "second generation blunderers."

New Document Fake Surfaces

This section discusses the revelation of another false UFO document, referencing an article by Robert Todd. It reiterates CAUS's policy, established in December 1987, that government documents must be from certifiable sources with official endorsement or from reliable public archives to be considered genuine. The policy aims to protect researchers from "disinformation" or fraud, especially given the proliferation of "unpedigreed government papers" since the MJ-12 debacle. The author warns that believing in fantastic-looking official papers without knowing their origin can lead to being deceived by con artists.

U.S. Has Stopped Tracking U.F.O.'s

This news brief from the Associated Press (AP) dated April 1, 1997, reports that the U.S. military stopped tracking UFOs in 1969. A Pentagon spokesman, Kenneth Bacon, stated that investigations from 1947 to 1969 yielded no evidence of extraterrestrials or threats, with most reports being explainable as aircraft or weather phenomena. This statement was prompted by questions following the suicide of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult.

The Heaven's Gate Cult

This article reflects on the Heaven's Gate cult incident, noting its impact on UFOlogy. It criticizes the "wheeling and dealing of junk UFOlogy" demonstrated by the cult's beliefs, including a yarn about a spaceship companion to Comet Hale-Bopp. The author points out that this belief spread rapidly online and contributed to the public perception of UFO researchers as potential "nuts" or "kooks," urging readers to investigate reports with common sense.

Letter to the Editor: Jerome Clark to Barry Greenwood

Jerome Clark writes to Barry Greenwood on January 17, 1997, responding to the obituary of Carl Sagan in a previous issue of Just Cause. Clark criticizes the "hyperbole" in the obituary, suggesting Sagan "saved a great many people from feeling the need to do any real thinking." He references an essay by Richard Lewontin that exposes Sagan as not being the critical thinker he appeared to be, and that Sagan's criticisms of "pseudoscience" could also apply to "respectable" science. Clark advocates for the work of David Hufford or Marcello Truzzi over Sagan's. He questions why Sagan made authoritative pronouncements on UFOs despite knowing little about the subject, suggesting it might be due to ufologists making it difficult for scientists to engage with the phenomenon. Clark argues that while there is no evidence for intelligent life visiting Earth, there is "an abundance of intriguingly suggestive evidence" for it, and that Sagan's elimination of the UFO phenomenon from discussion revealed him as a "religious fanatic."

Response to the Letter to the Editor on Sagan Obit

This article is a response to Jerome Clark's letter. The author acknowledges Clark's comments and expresses that Sagan was critical of alien visitation but did not deny that UFO reports should be investigated. The author cites Sagan's 1972 essay arguing for judgment to be withheld due to insufficient data. The response defends Sagan's critical thinking, questioning if Lewontin's criticisms apply to Sagan's UFO statements. It clarifies that Sagan was not as involved in UFO investigation as some would have liked, but argues that his background as an astronomer and exobiologist qualified him to comment on UFO evidence. The author defends Sagan's advocacy for declassification of UFO information and his role in the 1969 AAAS UFO debate. The response also criticizes the UFO community for presenting information that is "half-baked, erroneous, poorly-investigated or produced in a sensational context," which makes it difficult for science to accept. It mentions CAUS's experience with government UFO document fakes and criticizes organizations like CUFOS for having investigators who were "habitual liars." The author concludes by stating that while Sagan pointed out flaws in ufology, his position as a science popularizer allowed him to reach a large audience.

The Edwards AFB Non-Event of 9-1-67

This section details an investigation into a reported UFO incident at Edwards Air Force Base on September 1, 1967. Rumors of six UFOs sighted during an X-15 flight reached Condon Committee investigator Dr. Roy Craig. However, official inquiries to the base UFO officer and other personnel yielded denials or evasive answers. Despite initial confirmations from some sources, including a security officer named "S," the Air Force's responses were contradictory and ultimately denied any incident occurred. The investigation faced significant obstacles, including a lack of cooperation and potential security concerns, leading Colorado Project officials to believe the Air Force was evading direct questioning. The article suggests this is one of many "lost incidents" in the UFO investigative world.

New USAF Files on Microfilm

Authored by Jan Aldrich, this article discusses a search of Air Force Historical Research Agency records, specifically microfilm roll 33764, which contained UFO files from 1947-1949 for the 4th Air Force. These files, containing about 300 pages of reports and investigations, shed new light on known incidents, such as the explanation of a "disc found in Houston" as a hoax. The files also include material on Kenneth Arnold and the Maury Island sighting. Further investigation of related microfilm rolls (33763 and 33765) revealed additional 4th Air Force UFO files from 1950-1952 and the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Information file on UFOs. The article notes that these files contain information on Sidney Shallet's debunking articles and the Air Force's efforts to manage press interest in UFOs, including directives not to show Sidney Shallet "Top Secret" material.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of JUST CAUSE revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the methodology of UFO research, and the challenges posed by misinformation and government secrecy. The editorial stance, as articulated by Barry Greenwood, emphasizes the need for rigorous, evidence-based research, a clear distinction between fact and fantasy, and a more serious approach to the study of UFOs. The magazine appears to advocate for a skeptical yet open-minded approach, critical of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the potential for genuine discoveries. The issue highlights the importance of official documentation and verifiable sources, as demonstrated by CAUS's policy on government documents and the investigation into the Edwards AFB incident. The debate surrounding Carl Sagan's views underscores the tension between scientific skepticism and the evidence presented by ufologists.