SUN 14 (Mar 1992)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: #14
Date: March 1992
Publisher: Philip J. Klass

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter critically examines claims related to UFO phenomena, focusing on skepticism towards widely publicized accounts and investigations.

Friedman Continues to Endorse "Crashed-Saucer Witness" Anderson Despite His Unwillingness to Allow Independent Check of a Key Claim:

The lead article delves into the controversy surrounding Gerald Anderson's claims, which are set to be a cornerstone of a new book by Stanton T. Friedman and Don Berliner. Anderson has refused an independent examination of hard evidence that could substantiate his claims. His account partially aligns with and partially contradicts the 1980 book "The Roswell Incident" by Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore. The original focus was on a flying saucer crash in July 1947 near Roswell, New Mexico, on the ranch of "Mac" Brazel. A secondary report, from Mr./Mrs. L.W. Malthais, mentioned their friend Grady L. (Barney) Barnett stumbling upon a crashed saucer and ET bodies about 180 miles west of the Brazel ranch, near the Plains of San Agustin, accompanied by an archaeological team from the University of Pennsylvania.

William L. Moore's efforts in 1985 to confirm the Barnett/Plains of San Agustin story were largely unsuccessful, citing an "insurmountable impasse." However, the "Unsolved Mysteries" TV show in 1989 and 1990 brought the tales to a wider audience, including Gerald Anderson. Anderson contacted Friedman and Kevin Randle, who were working on their book "UFO Crash at Roswell." Anderson claims he and four family members (now deceased) discovered the saucer, and that one of four ETs was alive. He alleged a University of Pennsylvania archaeology professor and students attempted to communicate with the live ET. Regressive hypnosis administered by John S. Carpenter enhanced Anderson's recollections, leading him to identify the professor as Dr. Buskirk. Using "Identikit" techniques, Anderson created a sketch of Dr. Buskirk.

Thomas J. Carey, a pro-UFOlogist, assisted Friedman in locating Dr. Buskirk in Albuquerque. However, Dr. Buskirk flatly denied Anderson's tale. Despite this denial, the Identikit sketch prepared by Anderson closely resembles Dr. Buskirk. Carey learned that Dr. Buskirk taught at Albuquerque High School from 1950 to 1969. Coincidentally, Anderson was a student there in the late 1950s. When Kevin Randle sought Anderson's high school records to verify an anthropology course under Buskirk, Anderson cautioned school authorities against releasing the information. Anderson later provided Carpenter with a photocopy of a transcript, purportedly showing he took a sociology course, not anthropology. Carpenter's subsequent attempts to get the Principal of Albuquerque High School to examine the original microfilm transcript and issue a public statement were met with no response.

Carpenter stated that the suggestion to verify the transcript had also been made by Stan Friedman, Mark Rodeghier, and Fred Whiting. Anderson reportedly said he would "think it over," and that "Gerald doesn't care what anybody thinks at the present time." When asked if he would advise Anderson to agree to the proposal to prove his veracity, Carpenter replied, "He did, and I did."

The article questions why Anderson is reluctant to allow an independent authority to examine his transcript and why Friedman continues to endorse Anderson's crashed saucer tale.

Friedman/Berliner Book Reportedly Will Include MJ-12 Papers:

The upcoming Friedman/Berliner book is reported to feature and endorse the MJ-12 "Top Secret/Eyes Only" papers, despite their alleged counterfeit status among many pro-UFOlogists. These papers contradict Anderson's tale, citing the recovery of four decomposed ET bodies near Brazel's ranch, not the Plains of San Agustin, and making no mention of a live ET. Friedman's explanation for this discrepancy is his "First Law": "ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF ABSENCE."

USAF Concludes: MJ-12 "Not U.S. Government Document."

The MJ-12 briefing document, previously marked "TOP SECRET/EYES ONLY," is now marked "NOT A U.S. GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT." Maj. Richard M. Cole of the USAF's Historical Research Center believes the document is a forgery, as inquiries to various government agencies could not establish its authenticity or the existence of MJ-12.

Belgian Pro-Ufologist "Deflates" Belgium's 1989-90 UFO-Flap:

Wim van Utrecht, director of Belgium's Group for the Study of Strange Aerial Phenomena, offers insights into the 1989-90 Belgian UFO flap. Mark Rodeghier of CUFOS highlighted the flap's intensity, mass sightings, repeated observation of a triangular object, numerous videotapes, and the Belgian government's serious investigation in cooperation with SOBEPS.

However, van Utrecht notes that widespread publicity led to many unidentified lights being labeled UFOs. He points out that a similar situation occurred 20 years prior. The SOBEPS report concluded the extraterrestrial hypothesis was the most likely solution. Yet, 10 respected Belgian scientists attacked the credibility of the report, particularly the papers by Auguste Meessen and Jean-Pierre Petit. Van Utrecht criticizes Meessen's work as being based on unverified accounts and states that Petit has lost credibility due to his book claiming his scientific work was dictated by "inhabitants of Ummo."

Van Utrecht also casts doubt on the authenticity of a key photograph from the SOBEPS report, citing the absence of background details and the photographer discarding a second photo. While reports included triangular, rectangular, trapezoid, diamond, and boomerang-shaped UFOs, Van Utrecht concludes that "some kind of flying machine did indeed manifest itself over our country." He speculates it could have been a balloon, glider, or experimental aircraft like the USAF's F-117A stealth fighter-bomber, though the U.S. denied flying the F-117A over Belgium. A U.S. company representative suggests the "triangular shaped UFO" might have been a home-made "Ultra-Light Aircraft" with special lights, and that the dispatch of two F-16 interceptors was due to a radar malfunction.

Dennis Stacy of MUFON UFO Journal may face criticism for publishing van Utrecht's paper, as Petit and Meessen might accuse him of "sour grapes" due to SOBEPS's fame. Petit had previously criticized the French government's UFO investigation effort, GEPAN, calling it a "debunking operation."

The Cloudy Crystal Ball:

This section compiles past predictions from various publications and individuals about imminent government disclosures of UFO information. Predictions range from May/June 1957 suggesting authorities would announce saucers exist and are hostile, to August 1974 quoting James Lorenzen predicting the government would reverse its position and release UFO information within three years. December 1974 National Examiner suggested a "super coverup" making Watergate look like a high school affair. April 1974 predicted government release of proof by 1975. October 1975 predicted documentaries over months, with disclosure by July 4, 1976. September 1976 saw Jeane Dixon predict a UFO landing within a year to help humanity. April 1977 predicted "unsettling disclosures" about UFOs. May 1977 saw Philip J. Klass offer 100:1 odds against such disclosures, stating the government has no "unsettling disclosures" unless President Carter was from Mars. July 1983 predicted a book titled "Clear Intent" would force the Pentagon to reveal its "Cosmic Watergate" or coverup regarding UFOs. The newsletter concludes with its own prediction that such government action "could not, and will not, ever occur."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, edited by Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards UFO claims and investigations. Recurring themes include the questioning of evidence, the exposure of hoaxes, and the debunking of sensationalized accounts. The newsletter highlights the lack of verifiable proof for many UFO phenomena, such as the Anderson crashed-saucer claims and the Belgian UFO flap. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and independent verification, often contrasting these with the reliance on anecdotal evidence, media hype, and unproven theories. The editorial stance is clearly against the extraterrestrial hypothesis for most reported UFO events, favoring prosaic explanations or outright skepticism. The newsletter also critiques the methods and conclusions of pro-UFO organizations and researchers, particularly when their claims lack substantiation or are contradicted by evidence. The "Cloudy Crystal Ball" section serves to underscore the history of failed predictions regarding government UFO disclosures, reinforcing the newsletter's skeptical outlook on such matters.