SUN 38 (Mar 1996)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated March 1996, is the 38th edition published by Philip J. Klass. It focuses on critical analysis of UFO-related phenomena and media coverage, particularly a NOVA documentary on UFO abductions and the controversial 'Alien Autopsy' movie.

NOVA's TV Documentary on UFO Abductions

The lead article discusses the NOVA documentary "Kidnapped By UFOs?" which aired on PBS. The documentary aimed to provide skeptical explanations for abduction claims, featuring interviews with UFO abduction proponents Budd Hopkins and Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, alongside psychologists specializing in "false memories" and hypnosis. Hopkins vehemently denounced the program, accusing NOVA of "systematic deceptions" and implying that abductees were portrayed as "deluded, hallucinating, or simply weak-minded." The article notes that while NOVA questioned Hopkins and Mack's views, it did not ridicule the abductees themselves.

Dr. Michael Persinger, a neuro-scientist, is quoted discussing his studies suggesting "abductees" are individuals with unusual creativity and suggestibility, whose narratives can be influenced by external stimuli, such as religious imagery or science fiction themes.

A separate section, "Hopkins Falsely Accuses NOVA Of Falsehood," addresses Hopkins' claim that NOVA misrepresented the increase in UFO sightings after the movie "Close Encounters." The newsletter provides data from the Hynek Center for UFO Studies showing a significant increase in reported sightings in 1978, contradicting Hopkins' assertion that sightings decreased.

The newsletter also details Hopkins' "investigative techniques" as shown in the NOVA documentary, where he uses hypnosis on a woman named Jody and her children. Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, an expert on "false memory syndrome," critiques Hopkins' methods, stating he encourages elaboration and imagination, and that the concept of the body having "memories" separate from the mind lacks scientific support. She suggests Hopkins' approach could lead to the creation of false memories.

Dr. Robert Baker is mentioned as recalling similar tales of nocturnal visits in the Middle Ages attributed to demons, drawing a parallel to modern alien abduction narratives. John Velez, an "abductee," describes an encounter with a USO (Unidentified Submerged Object) involving an invasive probe.

Mack Tries To Censor NOVA Documentary

This section reports that Dr. John Mack attempted to have a four-minute interview with Donna Bassett removed from the NOVA documentary. Bassett, under hypnosis by Mack, claimed to have been abducted during the Cuban Missile Crisis and met President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev aboard a flying saucer. Time magazine had previously exposed this story as a hoax. The article criticizes Mack for being unable to distinguish a "true abductee" from a "wacko" or a hoaxer, despite his own later ambivalence about Bassett's story. Mack's view that the UFO phenomenon operates in a "gray area" beyond physical science methods is also presented.

Dr. Carl Sagan expresses concern about the "absence of skeptical thinking" among both abductees and therapists, warning that abandoning scientific methodology leads to a "dark age."

Media Reaction

Reviews of the NOVA documentary are discussed, including a preview from Dorothy Rabinowitz of The Wall Street Journal, who describes the film as "demolishing the claims" of those involved in alien abduction narratives. Other media outlets, like The New York Times and The Washington Post, are mentioned for their coverage of UFO-related topics, with The Post having previously promoted belief in UFO abductions through a preview of the CBS mini-series "Intruders."

Hopkins, Mack Should Consult "Original Abductee" Betty Hill

The newsletter features insights from Betty Hill, an alleged abductee whose case gained international fame. Hill expresses skepticism about many abduction claims, differentiating between a "commercial UFO field" and the "real UFO field." She suggests many tales are lies, hallucinations, or fantasies, likening them to the "monster in the closet" or the "Virgin Mary syndrome" for alien insemination claims. The article notes that while Hill appeared briefly in the NOVA documentary, her more skeptical views might have been omitted.

New Revealing Report Raises More Doubts About Santilli's Controversial Autopsy Movie (SCAM)

This lengthy section scrutinizes Ray Santilli's "Alien Autopsy" movie. The article highlights an upcoming expose in the MUFON UFO Journal titled "Santilli's Controversial Autopsy Movie," with the acronym SCAM coined by author Kent Jeffrey. Jeffrey, who previously worked on the "International Roswell Initiative," raises doubts about the film's authenticity, particularly concerning the cameraman's identity and the production details. Interviews with former military cameramen suggest anomalies in the filming of the alleged autopsy, such as the absence of a "still" photographer and the unusual circumstances under which the movie cameraman was allowed to film.

Santilli has been reluctant to disclose the identity of the alleged SCAM cameraman, citing anonymity. Interviews with Bob Shell, editor of Shutterbug magazine, reveal ongoing promises of an interview with the cameraman that have not yet materialized. The article suggests Santilli may have a business agreement with Shell for a book about the autopsy.

UFOlogy Has Benefitted From SCAM

Ray Santilli responded to criticism by claiming that "skeptical UFO publications" and UFO researchers have profited from the SCAM controversy. The newsletter argues that while SCAM may have benefited some financially, it has also served to enhance the skeptical instincts of UFOlogists, helping to "separate the men from the boys" and demonstrating the difficulty of proving a UFO hoax.

Court Endorses Withdrawal Of Boylan's Psychotherapist License

This section reports on the California Superior Court upholding the decision to terminate Dr. Richard J. Boylan's psychotherapist license. Boylan, known as an "abductologist," was charged with "gross negligence" for his treatment of female patients, including "nude hot tubbing" and massage, and for imposing his views on extraterrestrials. The court found his conduct "outrageous" and falling "well below the standard of care."

Boylan claims the decision was influenced by intelligence officials and that current therapy practices are being suppressed. He also alleges that the judge received calls from Washington D.C. officials.

Boylan's Views On UFOs And Their Possible Relationship To Jesus

A memorandum posted by Dr. Boylan on the Internet is discussed, outlining his views on UFOs and their potential connection to Jesus Christ. He references "The Aviary," a group of defense industry scientists, and "The Yellow Book" and "The Red Book," which allegedly contain information from extraterrestrials, including predictions of ET contact becoming public in 1997 and a formal landing on April 24, 1997. The books also reportedly raise questions about whether ETs will have "Christ Consciousness."

UFO Movement Leaders Issue "Best Available Evidence" Report

Leaders of three principal UFO groups (CUFOS, MUFON, FUFOR) have released a 171-page "Unidentified Flying Objects Briefing Document" for "1,000 world leaders." The report claims to present the "best available evidence for the existence of UFOs," based on unexplained cases. However, the newsletter notes that the report's described cases, such as the Socorro landing and the Tehran dogfight, are identified by the author as hoaxes or having prosaic explanations in his own books.

Short Shrift

This section provides brief updates:

• Budd Hopkins, John Mack, John S. Carpenter, and Whitley Strieber are scheduled to speak at MUFON's 1996 international UFO symposium.
• Stanton T. Friedman is publishing a new book, "Top Secret Majic," endorsing the MJ-12 papers, which have been previously characterized as phony by the Pentagon and bogus by a GAO investigation.
• An evaluation of Major Jesse Marcel's "Efficiency Report" notes his "inclination to magnify problems" and his "superior moral qualities."
• The U.S. Government is helping fund Dr. Mack's UFO abduction research through the Federal Work Study program, compensating students employed by Mack's research group, PEER.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, under the editorship of Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena. The recurring themes include: critical analysis of media portrayals of UFOs, debunking of alleged hoaxes and misinterpretations, emphasis on prosaic explanations for sightings, and questioning the methodologies and claims of prominent UFO proponents like Budd Hopkins and John Mack. The newsletter highlights the importance of scientific rigor and evidence-based reasoning, often contrasting it with what it perceives as credulity and unsubstantiated claims within the UFO community. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of skepticism and the application of critical thinking to UFO reports and related controversies.