SUN 24 (Nov 1993)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, published by Philip J. Klass in November 1993, focuses on the intersection of government agencies, UFO research, and alleged extraterrestrial encounters. The cover story details how the CIA, when tasked by the White House Science Advisor John Gibbons to prepare a background paper on UFOs, enlisted the help of pro-UFOlogist Bruce S. Maccabee. This occurred in preparation for a meeting with C.B. Scott Jones and Laurence Rockefeller.

CIA's Use of Pro-UFOlogist for White House Briefing

The newsletter reveals that Dr. John Gibbons, Director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, requested a background paper on UFOs from the CIA. The CIA's Roland (Ron) Pandolfi, a physicist, passed this request to his friend, Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee, a leading pro-UFOlogist. Maccabee was given only 24 hours to summarize the 'UFO Situation' for Gibbons' meeting with C.B. Scott Jones and Laurence Rockefeller. Jones, a former aide to Senator Claiborne Pell, had a background in 'psychic phenomena' and UFOs. The report delivered to Gibbons was titled "Briefing On The U.S. Government Approach to the UFO Problem as Determined by Civilian Researchers During The Last Twenty Years." The author notes the irony of asking a 'fox' (pro-UFOlogist) to report on the 'chicken coop' (UFOs).

Maccabee's Report and Omissions

The newsletter contrasts sections of Maccabee's report with information intentionally omitted from it. Maccabee's report cited former Air Force officers and a 1947 letter from Lt. Gen. Nathan Twining suggesting the Roswell phenomenon was real and that the Air Force had retrieved debris from a non-man-made device. However, the omitted portion of Twining's letter noted the lack of physical evidence to prove the existence of these objects. Maccabee's report also mentioned a compartmented study of debris and bodies from an alien craft, based on numerous documents and 'leaked information.' In contrast, an omitted 'Secret' CIA briefing paper from 1952 dismissed the 'man-from-Mars' theory as lacking evidence. Maccabee's report also referenced a 1952 Battelle Memorial Institute study, under Air Force contract, which found that about 20% of sightings were unexplained, with over 30% of the best sightings remaining so. The omitted portion of the Battelle report summary emphasized that unidentified aerial objects could likely be explained with more data and stated there was a complete lack of ANY valid evidence of physical matter.

New Roswell Book and Controversy

A new hard-cover book, tentatively titled "The Truth About The UFO Crash at Roswell," by Kevin D. Randle and Donald R. Schmitt is discussed. This book is expected to challenge claims made by Gerald F. Anderson and Barney Barnett regarding the discovery of a crashed saucer. The new book will propose a different crash date (July 4 instead of July 2) and a different crash location, roughly halfway between Roswell and the Brazel ranch. It also suggests the craft was a 'lifting body' configuration rather than saucer-shaped. The newsletter notes that one pro-UFOlogist who interviewed some of Randle and Schmitt's witnesses was not impressed with their credibility.

Richard Boylan and UFO Abductions

Psychotherapist Richard J. Boylan is presented as a colorful figure in the UFO-abduction field. Unlike cult leaders Budd Hopkins and David Jacobs, Boylan suggests that about two-thirds of his subjects view their "abductions" as having had a "positive stimulation on their lives." He also claims that some abduction claims might be "plants from 'military intelligence'" intended to discredit research. Boylan estimates that 3,000 extraterrestrial contacts occur daily in the U.S. and describes a wide variety of ET types, including different heights, finger structures, and eye shapes, some resembling praying mantis or reptilian forms.

Boylan's Personal UFO Experience

Richard Boylan also reported a personal UFO experience on U.S. #93 in Nevada. He described seeing a large, bright, shimmering light descend and then transform into a conventional car. He stated that another passenger witnessed this event and that William Hamilton, Director of Investigations for MUFON, Los Angeles, had a similar experience.

UFO Abductions and Sex Lives

An article titled "Do UFO Abductions Enhance Sex?" explores claims by Lisa Reynolds, who alleges ETs encouraged her to have sexual intercourse with two abductees. Reynolds described an 'explosive' orgasm. In contrast, Bill Woodward reported a less pleasant experience involving operations on his genitals and head, and being shown disturbing images, which he interpreted as a 'crash course in neo-Darwinism.'

Travis Walton's ETs and Media Portrayals

The newsletter compares Travis Walton's description of ET faces in his book "The Walton Experience" to those depicted in the 1975 NBC-TV movie "The UFO Incident." Similarities are noted in the ETs' large eyelids, rounded noses with small oval nostrils, and thin-lipped mouths, contrasting with the typical 'new-look' ETs described by Budd Hopkins, which often lack discernible ear lobes or mouths.

Editor's Dream and Government Cover-up

The editor, Philip J. Klass, recounts a nightmare where President Clinton announces the end of a government UFO cover-up, revealing the existence of MJ-12 and the recovery of crashed saucers and ET bodies in New Mexico. In the dream, Clinton outlines plans to deploy high-energy lasers to combat UFOs and establish a new office called 'Project Red Book.' The dream concludes with Stanton Friedman demanding $10,000 from Klass.

Short Shrift and Upcoming Events

Several brief items are included: Sun International Pictures is planning a two-hour CBS-TV special on the Roswell UFO crash. Jim Schnabel's book "Dark White: Aliens, Abductions, and the UFO Obsession" is set to be published. Curtis Peebles' "Watch The Skies," a history of UFOlogy by a skeptic, is also forthcoming. A UFO briefing for Laurence Rockefeller in Wyoming included five pro-UFOlogists but no skeptics. Martin S. Kottmeyer found evidence suggesting ET presence in ancient Egypt, depicted in tomb paintings. The Outa Limits UFO Enigma Museum in Roswell is closing. Tracy Torme denies rumors of a new UFO movie. A UFO conference in San Mateo will feature a 'mystery guest' who claims to expose Billy Meier's UFO photos as hoaxes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards UFO claims, often highlighting inconsistencies, lack of evidence, and potential hoaxes. The editor, Philip J. Klass, frequently interjects his own commentary and analysis, often debunking or questioning the assertions made by pro-UFO researchers and alleged abductees. The publication seems dedicated to scrutinizing UFOlogy and questioning the narratives presented by its proponents, particularly concerning government involvement and the nature of alleged ET encounters. The recurring theme is the critical examination of UFO phenomena and the individuals involved in its study, often contrasting their claims with scientific skepticism and logical analysis.