SUN 20 (Mar 1993)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: SUN #20
Date: March 1993
Publisher: Philip J. Klass

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter critically examines several prominent UFO cases and claims, focusing on debunking or casting doubt on widely publicized incidents and testimonies. The editor, Philip J. Klass, uses a skeptical approach to analyze new developments in UFOlogy.

Randle/Schmitt's Revised Roswell Scenario

The lead article discusses the upcoming book by Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt, authors of "Crash At Roswell." Their new scenario revises the original Roswell crash narrative, claiming it occurred a couple of days after July 2, 1947, and that the UFO crash-landed 40-50 miles south of the Brazel ranch. They propose that the UFO had an outer shell that was destroyed by lightning, with the debris falling on the Brazel ranch, while the inner craft flew further south. The article questions how a lightning strike could demolish a super-strength outer shell, referencing the claims about the foil-like debris being difficult to bend with a sledgehammer. Randle claims to have examined a small piece of alleged crash debris provided by a witness who refuses to allow laboratory analysis, but Randle expresses confidence due to corroboration from other sources, despite the witness's inconsistent behavior.

Friedman, Berliner Disavow Key Witness

This section reports that UFOlogists Stan Friedman and Don Berliner have publicly admitted they "no longer have confidence" in the testimony of Gerald Anderson, their key witness for the Plains of San Agustin crash site. Anderson admitted to falsifying a document, specifically a telephone bill, which undermined his credibility. The article notes that while Friedman and Berliner don't dismiss the possibility of a crash at San Agustin, Anderson's testimony is now considered unreliable. It details how Randle initially interviewed Anderson and was skeptical, but Friedman proceeded despite warnings. Anderson's fabricated telephone bill was an attempt to corroborate his story. Earlier, Anderson had provided Friedman with a diary purportedly from his uncle, but forensic analysis showed the ink was not available in 1947, a fact Friedman allegedly ignored.

Curious Canadian UFO Capers at Carp

The newsletter investigates UFO incidents reported near Carp, Canada. A video tape allegedly showing a UFO landing on August 18, 1991, was featured on TV shows. The video was provided by an anonymous source named "Guardian." Bob Oechsler, a UFOlogist, investigated the incident. The article also mentions an earlier alleged landing in November 1989, reported via an anonymous letter. Leonard Stringfield included the 1989 incident in his report, with an assessment calling it a "very poor hoax." The anonymous letter claimed a conspiracy by security agencies to hide an alien vessel and that implanted aliens were "ZOMBIES" planning to overthrow mankind. While some witnesses reported strange lights and helicopter activity, none reported a UFO landing or military recovery. The article suggests "Guardian" may have staged the 1991 event, possibly with assistance, to create the video. Oechsler's investigation found that the document provided by "Guardian" was counterfeit, a fact he eventually acknowledged. Despite this, he continued his investigation, focusing on establishing dialogue with "Guardian." Jeff Sainio, a photo analysis specialist, described the Carp video as "underwhelming."

"Insider Report" on Linda UFO-Abduction Case

This section critically examines the UFO abduction case of Linda Napolitano, as detailed in a report by Joseph J. Stefula, Richard D. Butler, and George P. Hansen. The report raises suspicions of a hoax and criticizes the inaction of CUFOS and MUFON officials. Revelations include an alleged profit-sharing agreement between Napolitano and Budd Hopkins for his book on the case, which Napolitano later claimed was "deliberately planted disinformation." The report also notes that an investigation of Napolitano's apartment complex found no reports of UFOs or unusual activity on the night of her alleged abduction. Stefula, Butler, and Hansen express concern over the aggressive attempts by Walter Andrus and Jerome Clark to dissuade them from their investigation and their failure to publish critical material on the case.

Travis Walton Case Re-examined

The newsletter revisits the Travis Walton abduction case, noting that Paramount Pictures is releasing a film titled "Fire in the Sky" based on his claims. MUFON is cooperating with Paramount in promoting the film. Travis Walton is also rewriting his book. Philip J. Klass, the editor, reiterates his long-held view that the Walton case is a hoax, citing details from his own book, "UFOs: The Public Deceived." He challenges Walton to a wager regarding his prediction that Klass would retract his claims. Klass highlights specific statements from his book, including Walton's alleged comments to his mother and her calm reaction, and the results of a polygraph test administered to Travis Walton which reportedly showed "Gross Deception." The article also mentions that the film "Fire in the Sky" fictionalizes some aspects, such as reducing the number of woodsmen and creating composite characters, and that the abduction sequences were altered to include elements from other abduction cases, potentially incorporating themes of genetic experimentation not present in Walton's original account.

Short Shrift

This section provides brief updates and notes:

• An "Alien Invasion Survival Card" is available, featuring a Lost Time Detector and Range Finder.
• Ed Walters of Gulf Breeze and his wife Frances have divorced. The marriage reportedly ended due to an incident on February 7, 1988, where Ed prioritized photographing a UFO over helping his wife, Frances, who was being targeted by its blue beam.
• A publication titled "Demons, Doctors and Aliens" by James Pontolillo is recommended, which explores the connection between alien abductions and ancient religious-mythic beliefs, attributing abduction accounts to hypnotic recall and causative traumas.
• A FLASH note mentions that Budd Hopkins and Linda Napolitano briefed the U.S. Secret Service regarding claims of abduction by "security officers" guarding UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptics UFO Newsletter consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena and claims. The recurring themes in this issue include the debunking of prominent UFO cases like Roswell and the Travis Walton abduction, the questioning of witness testimony and evidence in the Carp incidents, and the exposure of alleged inconsistencies and potential hoaxes in abduction narratives like Linda Napolitano's. The newsletter's editorial stance is to apply scientific scrutiny and critical thinking to UFO claims, often highlighting flaws in evidence, contradictions in testimony, and the role of psychological factors or deliberate deception in UFO reports. The publication aims to counter what it perceives as uncritical acceptance of UFO stories within the ufology community.