SUN 23 (Sept 1993)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: #23
Date: September 1993
Publisher: Philip J. Klass

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter delves into several controversial topics within the UFO community, primarily focusing on alleged connections between UFOlogists and government agencies, and exploring unusual abduction phenomena. The publication maintains a skeptical stance, critically examining claims and presenting counterarguments.

FAMOUS UFOLOGIST ADMITS GIVING UFO LECTURES TO CIA:

The lead article reports that Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee, a prominent UFOlogist who believes in a government UFO cover-up, has confirmed giving lectures on UFOs to CIA employees. His first lecture was in early 1979, with recent ones arranged by Dr. Roland (Ron) Pandolfi, a physicist at the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology. Maccabee's ties to the CIA were revealed in a report by the 'Associated Investigators Group' (AIG), a group whose members were not identified but included W. Todd Zechel. Zechel, who previously claimed NSA and other intelligence agency experience and founded 'Citizens Against UFO Secrecy' (CAUS), had his background questioned by the newsletter's editor, who found his 'intelligence agency' activities to be less than credible. The AIG report is described as an attempt to discredit Maccabee and the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR) by suggesting their actions aided a CIA UFO cover-up, a claim the newsletter deems 'ridiculously false.'

Maccabee stated his first invitation to lecture came after consulting with a radar specialist at Mitre Corp. Dr. Christopher C. Green, then at the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology, was interested and invited Maccabee back for further discussions. This followed a CIA release of approximately 900 pages of UFO material in response to a FOIA request. Green speculated that many more UFO papers might exist in other CIA directorates.

The newsletter provides historical context on the CIA's involvement with UFOs, referencing the Robertson Panel's 1953 conclusions, which led the agency to abandon its own investigation. Memos from the CIA's Physics and Electronics Division chief, Todos M. Odarenko, indicate a minimal project focused on maintaining awareness of other agencies' activities and managing files, with a later recommendation to terminate the project due to a lack of significant intelligence.

Teletype messages from 1976 also suggested a lack of formal government programs for UFO identification, though some CIA analysts had personal interest. When Maccabee shared information from his 'CIA source' (Green) with Gersten and Zechel, they asked if Green would testify that the CIA had more documents, but Green declined, citing speculation. This reportedly chilled Maccabee's relationship with Green.

Maccabee Meets CIA's Pandolfi -- More UFO Lectures:

Further details emerge about Maccabee's interactions with Dr. Pandolfi. Their initial meeting in 1984 was related to Soviet scientific papers on lasers for anti-submarine warfare, a field Maccabee worked in as a Navy physicist. A friendship developed, leading to discussions about UFOs. Pandolfi invited Maccabee to lecture on the MJ-12 papers in 1987, which Maccabee believed were authentic, while the newsletter's editor characterized them as counterfeit. Maccabee's lecture reportedly led to increased interest within the CIA regarding MJ-12 documents. In 1990, Pandolfi invited Maccabee to speak on the Ed Walters/Gulf Breeze UFO-photo case, which Maccabee had investigated and endorsed. Another lecture was given on May 28, 1993, concerning an alleged magnetic anomaly in Gulf Breeze. Pandolfi also invited 'far-out' pro-UFOlogist Bob Oechsler to lecture on Crop Circles. A source suggested Pandolfi's speaker choices aimed to help the CIA's Directorate of Science & Technology develop a paradigm to distinguish important phenomena from pseudoscience, though the newsletter implies skeptical investigators might be more helpful.

Zechel's Revenge:

The newsletter suggests Zechel's attack on Maccabee stems from vindictiveness and a desire to re-enter the UFO business. Zechel's 1986 application for a FUFOR grant for FOIA litigation was denied due to doubts about his financial responsibility. Zechel's AIG report implies Maccabee influenced this decision to please the CIA. The newsletter agrees with Zechel that the Gulf Breeze case is a hoax but strongly challenges his claim that Maccabee's support for the case was encouraged by intelligence contacts to serve the CIA's interest in suppressing UFO investigation. The newsletter defends Maccabee's dealings with Pandolfi, noting the initial contact involved sensitive anti-submarine warfare technology and that Pandolfi might have advised discretion to avoid embarrassing the Agency.

PHOTOS SHOW ETs CAN MAKE PEOPLE, THINGS AND THEMSELVES INVISIBLE, ACCORDING TO BUDD HOPKINS:

This section details Budd Hopkins' 'ET Invisibility Theory' (ETIT), presented at a MUFON conference. Hopkins claims four photos taken by an Australian couple in 1978 prove ETs can make things invisible. The theory is applied to the Linda Napolitano abduction case, where she claimed to be 'beamed' from her 12th-floor apartment into a hovering UFO. Hopkins noted that while Linda reported numerous abductions, none were witnessed by independent observers, suggesting a 'wish (by ETs) to be seen.'

Hopkins recounts an encounter with a couple, Sam and Jenny Washburn, who showed him four old color photos with a reddish tint, where they claimed to be invisible. They reported that while they were supposed to be in the photos, they were not visible, despite being present with water behind them. The children also behaved unusually, wanting to go home shortly after the photos were taken. Sam felt agitated, and Jenny appeared tense.

Following discussions, Hopkins conducted regressive hypnosis sessions with Sam and Jenny. Jenny described being 'beamed-up' to a hovering UFO, similar to the Linda Napolitano case. Sam's account also described a UFO as a 'ball.' Hopkins concluded that Sam, Jenny, Andy, and John (their sons) had become invisible, along with their camera, to other visitors at the playground. He posits that the UFO and floating balls were also invisible to most observers. Hopkins believes these photos provide the 'first photographic evidence' for his ET Invisibility Theory.

Hopkins' New ET Invisibility Theory [ETIT] Explains How A Broad Daylight Abduction Can Be Hidden From Many Potential Witnesses:

This section elaborates on Hopkins' conclusions based on the Washburn case and photos. He suggests that the family and their camera became invisible during a warm Saturday morning at a playground. Two small floating balls were visible only to Sam. Jenny's photos, taken before the balls arrived, and Sam's photo of Jenny and the boys, are interpreted as indirect evidence of invisibility. Hopkins argues that if Sam had been visible, his stillness would have attracted attention. He concludes that the Washburns, the UFO, and the floating balls were literally invisible to everyone nearby. The concept of a temporarily invisible camera recording invisibility against a visible landscape is presented.

Dr. John Mack Reports Important Discovery: Some "UFO-Abductees" Also (Seemingly) Have Experienced "Past Lives" (Reincarnation):

Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John E. Mack discusses how his work with UFO-abductees has profoundly changed his life and worldview. He describes using 'Holotropic Breathwork Method' developed by Stanislav Grof, which allows subjects to have experiences and perceive entities outside of consensus reality. Mack has worked with about 70 individuals meeting his criteria for abduction cases, using hypnosis with over 40. He identifies three categories of information from subjects: familiar 'nuts-and-bolts' UFO phenomena, technological phenomena, and a third class involving past-lives, dual identity (human/ET), and experiences outside of space-time.

Mack explains that subjects sometimes report 'come back again' or 'return' during hypnosis, leading to descriptions of past lives as painters in Egyptian courts or martyred poets. He recounts a case of a 39-year-old man who felt liberated by understanding his past-life dimension, which explained his reluctance to grow past teen-age life.

Dual-Identity: Are Abductees Also ETs?

Dr. Mack briefly discusses the 'dual-identity business,' suggesting that ETs represent our disclaimed souls, leading to a joining of human and alien identities. This integration, he believes, opens consciousness and brings harmony. The ETs, in turn, seem to hunger for human physical, emotional, and sexual existence. Mack expresses disappointment with the reaction of his Harvard colleagues, who he feels struggle to fit these phenomena into existing paradigms.

Hopkins comments on Mack's findings, noting that past-life issues don't emerge spontaneously in his cases. He suggests focusing on the current life experience unless past-lives arise naturally. Hopkins does not see UFO abductors in a clear-cut moral framework.

Linda Moulton Howe is mentioned for her work on cattle mutilations and her observation that Dr. Leo Sprinkle, who pioneered hypnosis for abduction claims, now focuses on past-lives emerging during hypnosis.

The newsletter poses questions: Why do reincarnated abductees choose Mack or Sprinkle, while others choose Hopkins or Jacobs? Do reincarnated abductees report ET abductions in their previous lives?

SHORT SHRIFT:

This section contains brief news items:

• Cults vs. UFO Movement: Budd Hopkins distinguishes between cults (belief without miracles) and the UFO movement (miracles without belief).
• Alabama Folks Not Worth Abducting?: Linda Moulton Howe reported UFO sightings and cattle mutilations in Alabama but no abductions, humorously speculating that ETs might not find Alabama citizens' ova and sperm up to their standards.
• Dr. Mack "Most Impressive": Dr. John Mack was frequently cited as impressive by attendees at a MUFON conference.
• UFO-Abduction Research is No Fun for David Jacobs: Jacobs states that dealing with abductees is difficult and has taken the fun out of UFO research for him.
• David Jacobs, Meet Dr. Richard Boylan: Dr. Richard Boylan, a psychotherapist treating 'abductees,' is accused of using 'extraterrestrial phenomena' to engage patients in 'naked hot tub sessions.' Lawsuits have been filed against him.
• Syringes In Pepsi Cans and UFO-Abductions: The newsletter questions whether the desire for 'celebrity status' prompts wild tales, referencing the Pepsi can syringe hoax and comparing it to false abduction reports, noting that reporting to the media can lead to instant celebrity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the alleged involvement of government agencies like the CIA in UFO phenomena, the nature and evidence of UFO abductions, and the potential for psychological or even fabricated explanations for these experiences. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publication's title and the author's critical analysis of claims made by UFOlogists like Maccabee, Zechel, and Hopkins, is one of skepticism. The newsletter actively questions the credibility of sources, scrutinizes evidence, and highlights inconsistencies or potential biases, particularly when claims seem extraordinary or lack robust, verifiable support. The publication aims to debunk sensational claims and promote a more rational, evidence-based approach to the study of UFOs.