Pegasus - Vol 05 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 5, #4
Date: December 28, 1995 (as excerpted from CNI News)
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena
Price: £2

This issue of PEGASUS, published by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, focuses on the complex relationship between politicians, governments, and UFO phenomena. It features articles that explore government secrecy, disinformation campaigns, and the alleged existence of a powerful, hidden organization within the US national security apparatus.

Politicians and UFOs

The lead article, "POLITICIANS AND UFOS," begins by recounting an anecdote from the 1950s where the British Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, admitted knowing a UFO was not a balloon but stated it must be called balloons to avoid government collapse. The article draws a parallel to the US government's handling of the Roswell incident in 1947, suggesting a continued pattern of deception. It criticizes "naive ufologists" for seeking leaks and instead finding disinformation, referencing Daniel Ellsberg's 1973 testimony to the US Senate. Ellsberg's testimony highlighted how government security demands that those with high clearances lie to protect the exercise of power and public confidence. The article speculates that governments might keep knowledge of alien powers secret, or even make deals with them, to maintain control.

The Hidden Hand

Authored by Ed Komarek, "THE HIDDEN HAND" posits the existence of a massive, chameleon UFO organization, dubbed MAJIC, operating within the US National Security apparatus. This organization is believed to be responsible for resisting declassification of information and maintaining its own records independently. Komarek suggests MAJIC has operated under various names and is the "mother of all security agencies," potentially overseen by the National Security Council. He cites Whitley Strieber's novel "Majestic" as providing insights into MAJIC's structure and function, describing a 12-member organization. The article proposes a dual approach to exposing MAJIC: tracing its propaganda and disinformation networks within the UFO community and the press, and investigating its information-gathering functions, such as Project Blue Fly and Project Moon Dust.

Komarek details MAJIC's alleged creation following the 1947 Roswell crash and its role in the "shadow government." He suggests MAJIC employs individuals trained in psychology and conjuring to manipulate public perception and discredit evidence of extraterrestrial life. The article identifies the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) as currently involved in a propaganda operation to discredit the Roswell case. Key players identified in this operation include Col. Weaver, Karl Pflock, Sheridan Cavitt, and Phil Klass. The article also points to SETI scientists Carl Sagan and Frank Drake as potentially being members of MAJIC, with Sagan allegedly continuing propaganda operations initiated by Donald Menzel.

The second approach to attacking MAJIC involves investigating its information-gathering arm. The article mentions Project Blue Fly and Project Moon Dust as examples. Thomas Deuley, described as an influential individual with an NSA background, is highlighted for handling funds channeled into the UFO community from the Bigelows, and is noted for his involvement with MUFON and FUFOR. The article suggests investigating Dr. Frank Drake (MJ-12B) for scientific investigations into alien life and Edward Teller (MJ-12A) for the exploitation of alien materials recovered from crash retrieval operations.

Jacques Vallée Issues Warning to UFO Researchers

This section reports on a speech given by Dr. Jacques Vallée at the Omega UFO Conference. Vallée identified two primary dangers for UFO researchers: government abuse of information and manipulation of public beliefs, and the regression of UFO research into "infancy." He suggested that governments might use UFO phenomena to manipulate public opinion or disguise weapons tests and mind control experiments. Vallée was critical of abduction accounts, particularly those reported under hypnosis, suggesting some might be government-sponsored experimentation rather than literal alien contact. He also commented on the state of UFO research, lamenting the lack of critical examination and the prevalence of "absurdities." He contrasted this with the potential for serious scientific inquiry, expressing hope that future scientists could make sense of the phenomenon.

NASA Official Speaks Out

This section presents an email exchange between Nick Gleeson and "Woody Smith" from NASA HQ. Gleeson posed as someone interested in debunking UFOs to elicit NASA's views. Woody Smith, stating his opinions are personal and not necessarily NASA's, expressed strong skepticism about extraterrestrial visitation. He argued that while life is likely abundant in the universe, the vast distances and inflexible laws of physics make interstellar travel highly improbable. Smith suggested that the desire to believe in extraterrestrials stems from a human imperative for "someplace better," comparing it to religious beliefs. He concluded that the X-Files, while entertaining, is no more realistic than "Beauty and the Beast."

United States Government Security

This section features excerpts from Daniel Ellsberg's 1973 testimony to the US Senate, focusing on government secrecy. Ellsberg described how the classification system and "privileged information" affect those with access, leading to a culture of secrecy. He stated that executive secrecy "spells the subversion of our form of government," arguing that the US Constitution was written with cynicism and distrust of those in power. Ellsberg recounted his own experience working within the executive branch for 12 years, feeling he was "beyond the law." He described the "Pentagon Papers" as revealing a "conspiratorial style" in executive decision-making. Ellsberg advised Henry Kissinger that the transformation into a secretive operative was inevitable. He emphasized that the system of security clearances requires individuals to lie, stating that a contract to observe clearances is "A CONTRACT TO LIE." He explained that lying is necessary to keep secrets and that this process fools people, including former academic colleagues. Ellsberg concluded that the security system fosters contempt for the law and the democratic process, which is detrimental to democracy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, disinformation, and the alleged manipulation of public perception regarding UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a critical stance towards official narratives and suggests that powerful, hidden forces within government agencies actively work to control information and maintain public ignorance. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism and the need for researchers to trace disinformation back to its source. The issue also touches upon the philosophical and scientific arguments surrounding the possibility of extraterrestrial life and visitation, contrasting the skepticism of some scientists with the fervent belief of many UFO enthusiasts.

This issue of UFO Roundup, Vol. 2, No. 1, dated January 1996, published by the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), focuses on government secrecy, UFO evidence, and the use of psychic abilities for intelligence gathering. The magazine features articles and excerpts that question official narratives and demand greater transparency regarding extraterrestrial phenomena.

The Nature of Secrets and Information Control

Daniel Ellsberg, in a transcribed statement, discusses the pervasive nature of secrets within the government, likening the access to information to a potion that makes people foolish. He describes an apparatus designed to keep secrets even from those closest to the individuals involved, detailing rooms within the Pentagon with safe doors and guarded access. Ellsberg emphasizes that the classification system is not based on statutory law but is a Presidential system, and that abridging freedom of speech and the press is a serious concern for maintaining a republic. He argues that the current classification system lacks monitoring, appeal, and judicial challenge, leading to a 'conspiracy of silence' that he considers undemocratic and unconstitutional.

NASA's STS-73 and a UFO Comment

An article by Don Ratsch highlights an incident during NASA's STS-73 mission on October 21, 1995. A female astronaut, identified as Payload Commander Kathryn Thornton or Mission Specialist Catherine (Cady) Coleman, was heard on NASA TV saying, "We have an Unidentified Flying Object." This comment was followed by nearly 15 minutes of silence. The article questions whether this was a slip of the tongue or a genuine sighting, and whether the UFO was visually or radar-detected.

Parental Disclosure and UFO Beliefs

Mike Duoba's posting, "WISING UP THE KIDS?", recounts conversations where individuals, including the daughter of a former CIA employee and an Air Force Colonel, reveal that their fathers acknowledged the existence of aliens and government knowledge of UFOs. The daughter of the Air Force Colonel expressed betrayal upon learning that her father had kept this information from her, and her mother explained the secrecy by stating, "Well, they can't. There would be mass chaos!" The commentary section notes the sociological interest in these revelations, particularly the fact that UFO information from the internet is not dismissed, and suggests that military and economic considerations are more likely reasons for secrecy than fear of social panic.

The MJ-12 Group and Donald H. Menzel

Stanton T. Friedman, a Nuclear Physicist-Lecturer, presents a memorandum discussing documents released by William L. Moore concerning the MJ-12 Group. Friedman notes that the group comprised prominent Americans from World War II. He expresses surprise at the inclusion of Harvard Astronomer Donald H. Menzel, who had written anti-UFO books. Friedman's research into Menzel's files suggests that Menzel may have been part of MJ-12, despite his public stance. Menzel had extensive classified work experience and a TOP SECRET ULTRA security clearance. The memorandum also references a Canadian memo from 1950 stating that the UFO matter was the most highly classified subject in the US, rated higher than the H-bomb, and that a group headed by Dr. Vannevar Bush was making concentrated efforts.

Government Policy on Alien Information and Operation Stargate

An article titled "WHITE HOUSE POLICY ON ALIEN INFO" discusses Laurance Rockefeller's efforts to obtain government information on UFOs and alien life forms through financial donations. It mentions the release of 900 pages on the Roswell Incident and Rockefeller's hope for an end to government secrecy. The article also touches upon sightings by Gemini and Apollo astronauts. Another piece, "End of aura for CIA mystics," reports on the termination of "Operation Stargate," a Pentagon project that employed psychics for intelligence gathering for nearly 20 years at a cost of over $11 million. Despite some successes, such as identifying a new Soviet submarine, the project was declared unpromising after scientific tests showed only a 15 percent improvement over chance. However, studies by academics like Jessica Utts found "convincing evidence of a real phenomenon," while a later study by the American Institutes for Research concluded that continued support was not justified.

NATO's Cosmic Top Secrets and Mars Observer

"NATO'S COSMIC TOP SECRETS" features revelations from former Command Sergeant Major Robert O. Dean, who claims to have seen a NATO report from 1963 that stated UFOs were extraterrestrial and visiting Earth. The report, classified "Cosmic Top Secret," allegedly detailed contacts with ufonauts, including the crash of a disc at Timmensdorf, Germany, in 1961, with twelve dead "grays" inside. Dean asserts that the public has been deceived and calls it the "biggest scientific political scandal ever."

Another article, "::: SATURN 5C ROCKET ALERT:::", discusses the launch of a SATURN 5C rocket and speculates on its purpose, suggesting it was for resupply missions to the Moon or Mars. It then shifts to the Mars Observer probe, questioning the official explanation of its loss and suggesting that its command and control were taken over by an elite group at Pinegap, Australia, to prevent information about Mars from reaching the public.

CIA Uses Psychic

An article titled "CIA USES PSYCHIC" recounts a story told by former President Jimmy Carter about how the CIA recruited a psychic in California to help find a special US plane that had disappeared in Zaire during his presidency. The psychic successfully provided latitude and longitude figures that led to the plane's recovery, an achievement that US spy satellites had failed to accomplish. Carter also noted that US agencies actively investigate UFO reports but he was unaware of any proven instances of vehicles coming from outer space.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, the classification of information, and the potential cover-up of UFO phenomena. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards official explanations and a call for greater transparency. The editorial stance appears to favor the idea that the public has a right to know about UFOs and extraterrestrial activity, and that governments have been deliberately deceptive. The use of psychics for intelligence, while controversial, is presented as evidence of the government's willingness to explore unconventional means in its pursuit of information, even if the results are not always scientifically validated.