1994 06 00 OMNI - Stacy - Cosmic Conspiracy - Article 3 of 6

Magazine Overview

This document is the third part of a six-part series titled "COSMIC CONSPIRACY: SIX DECADES OF GOVERNMENT UFO COVER-UPS," written by Dennis Stacy and published by OMNI magazine. It focuses on the 1960s and the alleged government suppression of UFO-related material.

The 1960s: A Decade of Upheaval and UFOs

The article posits that the 1960s, a period marked by social and political unrest including street riots, anti-war demonstrations, and the rise of 'free love' and psychedelic drugs, also saw the government extend its reach into the realm of UFOs through suppression.

The Michigan 'Saucergate' Incident

A key event highlighted is the 'Saucergate' incident on March 20, 1966, when a glowing, football-shaped UFO was observed hovering over a swampy area near a women's dormitory at a small college in Hillsdale, Michigan. This sighting was witnessed by 87 female students and the local civil-defense director. The following night, another UFO was spotted in Dexter, Michigan, by five people, including two police officers.

Public Outcry and Congressional Hearings

These Michigan sightings provoked a significant national outcry, with the public demanding an explanation. In response, then-Michigan Congressman Gerald R. Ford called for congressional hearings on the subject, arguing that the American public deserved a better explanation than that provided by the Air Force. A subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on April 5, 1966, but only three individuals with Air Force connections testified: J. Allen Hynek, Hector Quintanilla (chief of Project Blue Book), and Harold D. Brown (Secretary of the Air Force). Brown stated that there was no evidence of extraterrestrial origin for UFOs and that they did not pose a threat to national security.

The Condon Committee and Report

As a result of the scrutiny, the Air Force agreed to an outside review of Project Blue Book's files, awarding $500,000 to the University of Colorado at Boulder for the study. Physicist Edward U. Condon led this extensive review, with Robert Low, assistant dean of the graduate school, serving as his second in command. Initially, critics welcomed the move away from Air Force control, but faith in the Condon effort soon waned. Donald E. Keyhoe of NICAP criticized the Condon Commission as being worse than the Air Force's alleged cover-ups.

Robert Low's initial stance was perceived as biased. In a memo to university administrators, he suggested the project should appear objective to the public while internally presenting the image of nonbelievers trying to be objective but expecting no findings. Condon himself stated upon his appointment that he saw 'no evidence' for advanced extraterrestrial life and that the study would help the public understand ordinary phenomena, thereby reducing UFO reports.

Low later resigned, and the Condon Report, officially titled 'Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects,' was published in August 1968. Of the 91 cases analyzed, 30 remained unidentified. The report's analysis of the famous McMinnville, Oregon, UFO photos suggested they were consistent with an extraordinary, silvery, metallic, disc-shaped object. However, the report's overall conclusion, published prematurely rather than at the end, stated that 'further extensive study of UFOs probably cannot be justified in the expectation that science will be advanced thereby.'

Closure of Project Blue Book

The Air Force seized upon the Condon Report's conclusions to withdraw from UFO investigations. On December 17, 1969, acting Secretary of the Air Force Robert C. Seamans, Jr., announced the closure of Project Blue Book, stating that its continuation was no longer justified on national security or scientific grounds.

Critiques and Hynek's Perspective

Critics, including J. Allen Hynek, contended that Project Blue Book had never conducted a thorough scientific investigation and had functioned more as a public-relations program. In his final interview, Hynek stated that the Air Force, while claiming to be interested in UFO study, actively worked to keep cases from the media and that the closure was a way to avoid the embarrassment of admitting helplessness in the face of the phenomenon. He suggested the Air Force's actions were a 'very human action of protecting their own interests.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this installment is government secrecy and the alleged suppression of information regarding UFOs. The article implies a pattern of obfuscation and dismissal of credible sightings by official bodies, particularly the Air Force. The editorial stance appears critical of these government actions, highlighting the public's right to information and questioning the scientific rigor and motives behind official investigations and their conclusions. The narrative suggests that the Condon Report, despite acknowledging some unidentified cases, was ultimately used as a tool to end public and governmental engagement with the UFO phenomenon.