SUN 33 (May 1995)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: #33
Date: May 1995
Publisher: Philip J. Klass

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter (SUN) delves into the unraveling credibility of prominent UFO researchers, particularly concerning the Roswell crash incident. It highlights internal disputes and exposes alleged falsehoods that cast doubt on previously accepted narratives.

Randle Admits Schmitt Lied

The central story reveals that Kevin Randle has admitted his co-author, Don Schmitt, lied to him about significant aspects of his background, including his educational degrees and employment. This admission, stemming from an interview Schmitt gave to Milwaukee magazine, has severely strained their relationship and Randle's belief in the integrity of their joint research. Schmitt claimed to have Bachelor's and Master's degrees and be pursuing a doctorate, but investigations revealed he had not completed his Bachelor's and had never attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also claimed to be a medical illustrator, but evidence showed he was employed as a mail carrier for the Hartford Post Office since 1974. Randle initially defended Schmitt, even circulating a memo from the postmaster that seemed to qualify Schmitt's employment, but later learned the full truth from documentary producer Russ Estes. Estes confronted Schmitt, who continued to deny working for the post office, but a call to the post office confirmed his employment. Randle expressed deep shock and disappointment in Schmitt's lack of candor, acknowledging its potential impact on their books, "UFO Crash At Roswell" and "The Truth About The UFO Crash At Roswell."

The Important Lesson to Be Learned

Philip J. Klass uses the Schmitt situation to draw a broader lesson about witness testimony. He suggests that even fundamentally honest individuals may occasionally "spin a tall tale," motivated by ego gratification and the desire for celebrity. This applies to "star" witnesses in UFO cases, whose tales, often involving events from decades ago, are difficult to disprove unless they change their stories. The article implies that the allure of media attention and public recognition can lead witnesses to embellish their accounts.

British Movie Claims 1947 Autopsy of Roswell ET

This section scrutinizes a purported 16mm film acquired by Ray Santilli of Merlin Films & Publishing, which claims to show two doctors performing an autopsy on an extraterrestrial body recovered near Roswell in 1947. The article points out numerous inconsistencies: the film's alleged date of July 30, 1947, is weeks after the debris discovery; the alleged ET is 5-1/2 to 6 feet tall, contrary to the reported 4-foot height of Roswell ETs; and the autopsy appears to be conducted in a non-sterile tent with poor lighting. A skeptical U.S. researcher also noted that President Truman's calendar shows him in Washington, not New Mexico, during the alleged inspection of the debris field. SUN suggests that "Operation Right To Know" protest at Merlin Films and predicts the movie will be akin to the "Hitler Diaries."

Dr. Mack Acts To Muzzle Supporter Sheehan

Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, under investigation by a faculty committee, has asked attorney Daniel Sheehan to stop mustering support for him. Sheehan, known for his involvement with the Christic Institute, had urged psychotherapists to defend Mack. The article notes Sheehan's past legal troubles, including a $1 million sanction for filing a baseless lawsuit.

UFO Flap Predicted (But Don't Hold Your Breath)

Joseph W. Ritrovato, writing for MUFON UFO JOURNAL, predicts a major "UFO Flap" based on cyclic patterns in UFO reports. However, SUN disagrees, arguing that UFOs, like news media, appear when there is a lack of important news. SUN predicts that any flap would likely occur in August, during the summer doldrums, and not in 1996 due to the Presidential elections. The article questions why UFOs would always have their lights on and perform unusual maneuvers if not to be seen and recognized as genuine UFOs.

If "Birds Of A Feather Pflock Together," Where Does Karl Stand?

This section examines Karl Pflock, a figure whose stance on UFOs is debated. Pflock, who previously worked for the CIA, authored a report skeptical of many Roswell witnesses and suggesting the debris was from a Project Mogul balloon. Despite this, he accepted the story of an ET autopsy told by mortician Glenn Dennis, though he conceded no evidence for a nurse named Naomi Maria Selff could be found. Pflock stated in a radio interview that he was convinced Dennis was telling the truth as he remembered it, and that bodies were involved, though not necessarily alien.

Pflock also expressed his belief that after filtering out misidentifications, a "hard core" of thoroughly investigated UFO cases defy conventional explanation, suggesting they could be natural phenomena or alien craft. He also commented on UFO photos, acknowledging that many are easily explained but that some excellent ones defy mundane explanations.

Mortician Dennis "Caught Off Base" In Claim That He Was Misquoted

This article addresses a discrepancy regarding Glenn Dennis's account of the alleged ET autopsy. Karl Pflock questioned a statement attributed to Dennis by Tim Korte of the Associated Press, in which Dennis allegedly mentioned "two pathologists from Walter Reed Hospital." Dennis denied making this statement to Korte. However, SUN found a similar statement in a report titled "The Glenn Dennis Story," which quoted Dennis as saying the two men were pathologists from Walter Reed. Further investigation, based on a TV interview with Dennis, also contained a similar claim. SUN concludes that Dennis is no longer a credible witness.

New Hopkins Book To Immortalize Linda's "Beam Me Up Scotty" Tale

Budd Hopkins is reportedly publishing a new book about the UFO abduction case of Linda Napolitano, dubbed the "Queen-Bee of Abductees." The article highlights a discrepancy in Hopkins's initial account of Linda's abduction, where he described "government agents" lifting her, while Linda's own account involved her interacting with them and getting into a car. A curious detail is that the alleged witnesses, "Dan" and "Richard," took 14 months to contact Hopkins after the abduction. The article also notes Linda's claim that she bought Hopkins' book "Intruders" as a mystery story, not realizing it was about UFOs.

Short Shrift

This section contains several brief news items:

• President Clinton's Executive Order for automatic declassification of documents over 25 years old is mentioned, noting that recent declassifications of National Intelligence Estimates did not reference UFOs.
• A rumor from "Houston Sky" suggests the GAO has unearthed evidence confirming the existence of MJ-12 documents, but SUN predicts these will not be made public due to their "ultra-sensitive" contents.
• Kevin Randle's new book, "A History Of UFO Crashes," acknowledges Don Schmitt's inspiration and includes skeptics like Philip Klass for their data and research.
• The UFO research grant committee rejected Karl Pflock's request for funds to investigate Glenn Dennis's claims, likening the search for evidence to looking for a needle in a haystack.
• Subscribers to the "Roswell Reporter" newsletter are awaiting its second issue to see how it addresses Schmitt's current problems.
• Kevin Randle issued a "Mea Culpa" letter apologizing for his previous defense of Don Schmitt and for circulating the postmaster's qualified denial, admitting his friend had lied to him.
• SUN questions how long CUFOS will retain Don Schmitt as its Director of Special Investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, under Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards UFO claims and researchers. The recurring themes include scrutinizing witness credibility, exposing alleged hoaxes and inconsistencies in UFO cases (particularly Roswell), and questioning the motives and methods of UFOlogists. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and evidence-based analysis, often contrasting it with what it perceives as sensationalism and uncritical acceptance within the UFO community. The editorial stance is clearly aimed at debunking unsubstantiated claims and promoting a rational, scientific approach to the study of UFO phenomena.