SUN 08 (Mar 1991)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated March 1991 and identified as SUN #8, is authored by Philip J. Klass. The primary focus of this issue is a critical examination of the "Top Secret/Eyes Only" MJ-12 documents, particularly the memorandum purportedly signed by President Harry Truman. The newsletter also delves into various aspects of UFOlogy, including abduction research, alleged crashed saucer incidents, and the motivations of UFO proponents.

Analysis of the MJ-12 Documents

The lead article, "MOORE/SHANDERA MJ-12 REPORT DEMONSTRATES PHOTOCOPY 'HANKY PANKY'," scrutinizes the analysis of the MJ-12 documents by William L. Moore and Jaime H. Shandera. Klass presents evidence suggesting that the Harry Truman signature on the MJ-12 memorandum is a forgery. He compares it to an authentic letter signed by Truman on October 1, 1947, to Dr. Vannevar Bush. Klass cites the opinion of a document examiner, referred to as P.T., who concluded that the MJ-12 signature is a "photocopy forgery." The examiner identified specific areas where white-out correction fluid was used to alter the signature, particularly around the 'T' in Truman's signature, to match the genuine document. The article includes figures illustrating the genuine and MJ-12 signatures, pointing out the alleged thinning of the 'T' in the MJ-12 version due to the forgery process.

Further analysis is provided by Dr. Bruce Maccabee, who, despite initially endorsing the authenticity of the documents, attempted to explain away discrepancies. Maccabee's measurements of signature feature ratios are presented, showing variations in horizontal and vertical magnifications. However, Klass highlights that Maccabee's own data leads him to conclude that the signatures are not identical, which is presented as evidence against authenticity.

Dr. Willy Smith, another pro-UFOlogist, challenges Maccabee's methodology, suggesting that slanted lines are affected by magnifications. Smith proposes an alternative approach, calculating ratios of features within the same signature, and concludes that the MJ-12 Truman signature and the genuine Truman letter to Bush share "a common ancestry," implying the MJ-12 memo is a hoax.

Despite these criticisms, Moore and Shandera, in their report, admit a "better than 50% probability that the MJ-12 Truman memo is a fraud." They suggest it might be "official disinformation" rather than a genuine document. Klass notes that the possibility of the documents being created to promote belief in crashed saucers is not considered by Moore and Shandera.

The issue also touches upon another MJ-12 document, a briefing paper by Rear Adm. R.H. Hillenkoetter, which Moore and Shandera now admit may be a counterfeit. They propose that if the Truman memo is a counterfeit, it was likely substituted as part of a government disinformation effort. The article contrasts their current low probability assessments with earlier high probability claims of authenticity.

Reactions and Internal Conflicts in UFOlogy

The newsletter reports on the reaction to the Moore/Shandera report by Jerry Clark, editor of International UFO Reporter, who initially suggested the report had "obliterated every skeptical argument." However, Klass questions if Clark had read page 70 of the report, which contains the admission of potential fraud.

Internal conflicts within the UFO community are highlighted, particularly concerning the "Roswell crashed-saucer business." Jerry Clark's relationship with Moore is mentioned, along with a reported "open warfare" between Moore/Shandera and Don Schmitt/Kevin Randle over their upcoming book. Schmitt, a director of special investigations for CUFOS, is also noted for his criticism of the Ed Walters/Gulf Breeze photos, which Clark had previously supported.

Stanton Friedman, a long-time partner of Moore, has also reportedly broken with Moore/Shandera over their criticism of Schmitt/Randle and is planning his own Roswell book with Don Berliner.

UFO Abduction Research and Theories

The newsletter features a section on Budd Hopkins's research into UFO abductions. Hopkins claims to have made a "remarkable discovery" that ETs are solely interested in the genital organs of abductees, showing no interest in the heart. He argues this obsessive focus "effectively demolishes the skeptics' mundane 'fantasy explanation' for the UFO abduction phenomenon." Hopkins lashes out at skeptics, accusing them of "doing violence not only to the truth itself but also to the psychological well-being of those who have suffered from these traumatic experiences."

Edward Bullard, a folklore Ph.D., is cited for his view that UFO abduction tales are not folklore, citing their "stubborn consistency" as characteristic of actual experience. However, Klass contrasts this with an atypical abduction account described by Hopkins, which features "white beings, with glowing blue eyes" and "cloaks" rather than the typical gray aliens with black eyes and spacesuits. Klass questions why Hopkins accepts such an atypical story.

Conferences and Events

The University of Kansas is sponsoring a "UFO-Abduction" conference, TREAT-III, in Kansas City. The conference includes a pre-conference workshop on "Experienced Anomalous Trauma." The article notes that the conference arranger, Dr. Rima E. Laibow, had a close association with Budd Hopkins until their split in late 1989 over how abduction victims should be treated.

Hopkins and David Jacobs also scheduled their own "National Conference on Anomalous Experience," a private, invitation-only event, featuring various UFO researchers and psychologists. During this conference, Hopkins advised parents not to tell children that UFO abduction incidents were "only a dream."

Whitley Strieber's Disillusionment

Whitley Strieber has expressed a desire to withdraw from ufology, stating that "A UFO symposium is a complete waste of time. All you will do is aid the spread of lies and misinformation." Strieber feels he has become a "public laughingstock" and is "still facing the visitors alone in the middle of the night." He believes that "nobody knows the origin of the visitor perception" and that few "experts" possess the necessary intelligence and imagination.

Other UFO-Related News

Howard Blum's book "Out There," which claims the CIA and Pentagon used psychics for military purposes, is categorized as "Non-Fiction2" by Bookrak. The article questions why psychics were not used to locate Iraq's Scud launchers.

Don Ware, a MUFON investigator, proposes a theory of reincarnation to explain UFO abductions, suggesting that ETs may be providing suitable bodies for souls in future incarnations. He also states that "two different government agents have told us that 6,000,000 Americans have been on board [a UFO] whether they realize it or not."

Stanton Friedman has identified Gerald Anderson as a potentially important witness to a crashed saucer incident in 1947 near Albuquerque. Anderson's account is compared to the Barney Barnett account of a crashed saucer discovery. A discrepancy is noted regarding who discovered the saucer first.

In a "UFO Potpourri" section, it is reported that Ed Walters has abandoned his plan to publish a UFO newsletter due to insufficient subscribers. Whitley Strieber's newsletter, "The Communion Letter," is mentioned as forecasting articles about mysterious airships in the 1890s.

Dr. David Gotlib, a Toronto M.D. who works with "UFO-abductees," publishes a newsletter titled "Bulletin of Anomalous Experience." Klass notes a comment from Gotlib suggesting that Klass is disliked because of his integrity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards extraordinary claims in ufology, particularly the MJ-12 documents and abduction narratives. Philip J. Klass, through his "Skeptics UFO Newsletter," consistently applies critical analysis and scrutiny to UFO phenomena and the research presented by proponents. The editorial stance is clearly one of questioning and debunking, aiming to expose alleged hoaxes, misinterpretations, and the sometimes-conflicting agendas within the UFO research community. The newsletter highlights internal disputes and differing methodologies among UFOlogists, underscoring Klass's position as a critical observer.