SUN 25 (Jan 1994)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated January 1994, is titled SUN #25 and is published by Philip J. Klass. The cover prominently features an announcement about an investigation into the "Roswell Crashed Saucer" claims by the General Accounting Office (GAO), initiated by Congressman Steven H. Schiff. The newsletter adopts a skeptical stance throughout, critically examining various aspects of UFOlogy and abduction research.

Investigation of "Roswell Crashed Saucer" Claims Launched by Respected Congressional Agency:

The lead article details how the General Accounting Office (GAO), a respected investigative agency of Congress, has launched an official investigation into the claims surrounding the 1947 Roswell incident. This investigation was requested by Republican Congressman Steven H. Schiff of Albuquerque, who was responding to constituents alleging harassment by government agents to suppress information. The GAO has assigned a top investigator specializing in "Black programs." Schiff had initially approached Defense Secretary Les Aspin, but was directed to the National Archives. After further attempts, Schiff requested the GAO's involvement. A senior member of Schiff's staff clarified that the Congressman sought an explanation of what actually happened in 1947 and why extraordinary "cover-up" measures might have been taken, rather than specifically focusing on "crashed saucers." The article notes that Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey had announced the crashed object was a meteorological balloon-borne radar corner reflector. The newsletter expresses skepticism, hinting that some "first-hand witnesses" have been exposed as fabricators and predicts Congressman Schiff may regret his involvement.

Jacobs Challenges Traditional UFO Research Approach:

David Jacobs, described as Budd Hopkins' principal deputy, is presented as criticizing traditional UFO research methods. In a talk at the "UFO Expo/NY," Jacobs argued that relying on maps with push-pins to identify patterns in UFO sightings is meaningless and lacks substance. He believes that understanding the UFO phenomenon requires looking "inside" the objects, a perspective he credits to UFO-abduction research pioneered by Hopkins. Jacobs suggests that the abduction phenomenon is not rare, with millions of people having had experiences, and that it likely began around the turn of the century, possibly during the 1896-97 "Mysterious Airship" wave. The newsletter interjects a skeptical comment about the technological advancements implied if UFOs existed in 1896-97, contrasting them with the limited capabilities of experimental airships of that era.

What Jacobs and Hopkins Have Learned About ETs:

Jacobs discusses the evolving understanding of ET beings based on "occupant" reports. Initially, ETs were thought to be diverse, but now four distinct types are recognized. The most common are the "small gray aliens" (90% of reports), characterized by large heads, no hair, and specific facial features. The remaining 10% are divided into insect-like, reptilian-like, and Nordic-like types. Jacobs admits uncertainty about the insect and reptile types, suggesting it might be a matter of perception and confabulation under hypnosis. The article notes that Jacobs and Hopkins widely promote the idea of ET-Earthling cross-breeding as the objective of abductions, leading to reports of hybrid creatures.

Jacobs concludes that in the past six years, more has been learned about the abduction phenomenon and the UFO phenomenon in general than in all previous years combined. The newsletter's editorial comment expresses skepticism about the insights gained, attributing them to the credulity of some researchers and the media's influence.

ETs (Seemingly) Carry Out Mischievous Pranks:

This section reports on Budd Hopkins' discovery of a new method to determine ET visitations: misplaced clothing. Several abductees reported waking up to find their pajama tops on their legs, bottoms on the floor, or wearing someone else's underpants. One woman reportedly woke up wearing a man's green T-shirt instead of her nightgown. Hopkins suggested these might be ETs with an "impish sense of humor" or practical jokes, and failed to clarify if these incidents indicated abductions or simply pranks. The newsletter sarcastically suggests blaming ETs if one's spouse finds someone else's undergarments.

New "Missing Fetus" Case & Other Hopkins Potpourri:

The newsletter discusses Hopkins' cases of "mysterious disappearing pregnancies." It highlights the case of "Donna," who claimed her baby disappeared in her seventh month. While Hopkins suspects ET involvement due to prior "missing time" experiences, Donna herself believes her doctor drugged her and her in-laws stole the baby. The article also scrutinizes Hopkins' work with Debbie Jordan ('Kathie Davis'), whose abduction and pregnancy claims are questioned. An Indianapolis Star article revealed that Hopkins claimed "positive blood and urinalysis tests" confirmed Jordan's pregnancy, but Hopkins admitted he didn't have the documentation and Jordan also lacked it. Furthermore, the soil analysis from the alleged landing site was conducted by a lab run by a relative of Hopkins, and a key finding that the soil sample did hold water was excluded from the published lab report.

"Queen-Bee of Abductees" Delighted With Her Title:

Linda Napolitano, dubbed the "Queen-Bee of Abductees" by SUN, is featured discussing her experiences. She acknowledges that Phil Klass called her this and jokes about pinching his cheeks. Napolitano states her abductions occur less frequently now, suggesting ETs may no longer need her. When asked why advanced ETs need to abduct humans, she relays her son's question: "Mom, why can't God just give them one body to study and that's the end of it?" She also discusses not hearing from "Dan" or "Richard," the alleged witnesses to her abduction, expressing hope that "Dan" is receiving mental health treatment.

New Book Reveals New Info On Linda Napolitano Case:

A new book, "Dark White: Aliens, Abductions and the UFO Obsession," by Jim Schnabel with Budd Hopkins, is expected to reveal "inside information" on the Linda Napolitano case. The book details how "Dan" and "Rich," initially claiming to be New York policemen, later identified themselves as special security officers who witnessed Linda's abduction. Their account prompted Hans-Adam von Liechtenstein, a friend of Javier Perez de Cuellar (former UN Secretary General), to write to de Cuellar to verify the incident. De Cuellar ignored the matter, which Hopkins interpreted as evidence of hiding something. The book's most startling revelation is Hopkins' suspicion that de Cuellar, "Rich," and "Dan" were also abducted that night. The article also notes that Linda was privately referred to as "Queen Bee" by some "abductees" in Hopkins' support group.

New Organization To Offer Abduction Workshops For Psychotherapists:

Richard J. Boylan, a clinical psychologist, plans to establish the "Academy of Certified Close Encounter Therapists" (ACCET) to train psychotherapists in UFO-abduction work. Boylan contrasts his approach with Budd Hopkins', emphasizing "positive stimulation" over "rape-like experiences" and preferring the term "experiencer." Unlike Hopkins and Jacobs, Boylan has publicly referred to himself as an "experiencer." The newsletter mentions Boylan's past legal troubles and his claims of witnessing a UFO transform into a car and estimating 3,000 extraterrestrial contacts daily in the U.S. Boylan also challenges the ET cross-breeding dogma, suggesting "military intelligence" may be planting "preposterous stories" to discredit him. He refers to government "harassment" and "collusion" in conducting "pseudo-Alien abductions."

Philosophical Schism Threatens Hopkins/Jacobs/Mack Partnership:

Philosophical differences between Dr. John Mack and David Jacobs regarding the nature of UFO-abductions (benevolent vs. malevolent) have surfaced publicly. The article suggests Mack may be seeking to challenge Hopkins for leadership in the UFO-abduction field. Mack's upcoming book, "Abduction: Human Encounters With Aliens," is expected to receive significant media promotion. At a UFO conference, Hopkins stated that the abduction experience is a catalyst for growth and that he does not see abductors in a "clear-cut moral framework." He also criticized "Alien worship." Mack, meanwhile, is scheduled to speak at more conferences than Hopkins. The newsletter notes that Mack's support group, GRAA, has largely disintegrated, partly due to his efforts to collect insurance payments for his services. Mack has since formed a new group, PEER, reportedly affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

Short Shrift:

This section offers several brief items. It recommends a video titled "Alien Abductions: Alternative Explanations and Guidelines" by Dr. William P. Cone for those who suspect they may be abductees. It corrects a typographical error in a previous issue regarding dates. It reports that CBS-TV cancelled a planned TV special on UFOs due to a producer's error in accepting a hoax regarding "The Incredible Discovery of Noah's Ark."

If GAO Confirms Crashed-Saucer Cover-up, SUN Predicts:

This section presents a series of satirical predictions for what might happen if the GAO confirms a UFO cover-up. These include President Clinton designating the Roswell crash site a National Monument and awarding researchers, the appointment of a panel (MJ-13) to develop defenses against ETs, the closure of pro-UFO organizations, Stanton T. Friedman offering lectures on preventing ET sperm theft, Radio Shack offering a new burglar alarm to detect ET entry, and SUN terminating publication.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance:

The recurring theme throughout this issue is skepticism towards UFO claims, particularly those related to the Roswell incident and the research of abduction cult figures like Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, and John Mack. The newsletter consistently questions the evidence, highlights potential confabulation and fabrication, and points out the financial and personal motivations of some researchers. The editorial stance is critical of what it perceives as the credulity of some UFOlogists and the media's role in promoting what it calls "New-Age Witchcraft." The newsletter emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and critical thinking when examining UFO phenomena.