SUN 50 (Mar 1998)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated March 1998 (SUN #50), is published by Philip J. Klass and focuses on a critical examination of the Travis Walton UFO abduction case. The newsletter adopts a skeptical stance, aiming to debunk claims and expose perceived falsehoods.

Walton Claims He Is Afraid To Recall What Occurred Aboard UFO

The lead article questions Travis Walton's claim that he is still afraid to undergo hypnotic regression to recall the approximately two hours of missing time during his alleged 1975 UFO abduction. Despite his first book, "The Walton Experience" (1978), suggesting he might try hypnosis someday, his more recent book, "Fire In The Sky" (1996), indicates the fear persists. The article notes that James Harder, a pro-UFO researcher, administered hypnosis shortly after Walton's reappearance, but provided no more details than Walton had given without it, and Travis declined further probing due to fear.

CUFOS's Jerome Clark Strongly Endorses Walton's Abduction Claims

Jerome Clark, editor of the International UFO Reporter (IUR) and associated with the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), is presented as a strong proponent of Walton's claims. Clark's review of Walton's recent book lauded its credibility after two decades and called it "the best book ever written by a UFO witness." The newsletter speculates that Clark may have assisted Walton with his books, possibly acting as a "ghostwriter."

"Missing" Physical Evidence Challenges Tales of "Eyewitnesses"

The newsletter argues that the lack of physical evidence challenges the eyewitness accounts. It contrasts Walton's description of ETs with those from the Betty/Barney Hill case, which was popularized on NBC-TV shortly before the Walton incident. Walton's description of ETs with large, flipping eyelids and small, oval nostrils closely matches the NBC-TV movie, while later "new-look" ET descriptions (post-1980s) often describe ETs with no eyelids. Tracy Torme, who convinced Paramount to produce the "Fire In The Sky" movie, admitted Walton's tale didn't fit other abduction patterns, noting differences like Walton's five-day absence and lack of paralysis or medical experimentation.

The Incident and Lack of Physical Evidence

The article details the alleged incident where Travis Walton jumped from a moving truck towards a hovering UFO and was struck by a bright blue-green ray. Despite claims of being knocked unconscious and hurled backward, medical examinations by Dr. Howard Kandell and Dr. Joseph Saults found no burns, bruises, or significant injuries, except for a small puncture-wound scab on his elbow. Duane Walton, Travis' brother, prevented the doctors from questioning Travis or using their camera and tape recorder.

Prior Interest in UFOs

Walton denies having a long-time interest in UFOs, but a tape-recorded interview with his brother Duane and Mike Rogers from 1975 suggests they had frequently discussed UFOs and what they would do if they saw one. Duane's comments during Travis' disappearance indicated a belief that Travis was having "the experience of a lifetime," which the author interprets as inconsistent with a genuine abduction scenario.

Walton's Lack of Candor and Legal Issues

The newsletter accuses Walton of misleading the public regarding his past. While Walton admits to "a few isolated brushes with the law," the article reveals he and Charles Rogers pleaded guilty in 1971 to breaking into an office and stealing checks, which they then filled out. Although they were placed on probation and later had their records cleared, the author deems this admission "very misleading."

Walton Flunks His First (Secret) Polygraph (Lie Detector) Test

The newsletter reports on the polygraph tests surrounding the Walton case. Initially, APRO announced that Travis and Duane Walton had passed tests administered by George Pfeifer. However, Philip J. Klass investigated and learned of a prior, secret polygraph test given by Jack McCarthy. McCarthy assessed Travis' test as showing "gross deception," noting that Travis sometimes held his breath to "beat the machine." McCarthy had been hired by APRO director Jim Lorenzen and the National Enquirer. A "secrecy agreement" was signed, but McCarthy later confirmed the test results to Klass.

When Travis was asked if he was in a spacecraft from November 5th to 10th, his blood pressure dramatically increased, and he held his breath during responses. Later polygraph tests by Pfeifer were deemed inconclusive by Tom Ezell and another examiner, Cy Gilson. Negotiations for further tests broke down when the author discovered APRO and Rogers were trying to use a polygraph examiner who believed household plants had "feelings."

Walton, Rogers Resist New Tests, Suddenly Change Their Minds and Pass

In 1992, as the movie "Fire In The Sky" was being made, UFOlogist Jerry Black proposed new polygraph tests for Walton and Rogers. Initially resistant, they agreed when Cy Gilson, who believed previous tests were inconclusive due to obsolete technology, was to administer them using newer computer analysis techniques developed by Professor David Raskin. Gilson tested Allen Dalis and Mike Rogers, who scored 99% probability of truthfulness. Travis Walton scored 96%. However, Raskin, when contacted, expressed no interest in reviewing the charts, stating he had "enough important battles to deal with."

New "Mystery Witness" Appears, Uses Tricks in Polygraph Test

Shortly before the movie's debut, a "mystery witness" (referred to as "X") contacted Travis, claiming to have seen the UFO and its blue beam on November 5, 1975. "X" claimed to be in military intelligence and advised to keep quiet. "X" agreed to take a polygraph test administered by Gilson. The first test series indicated "X" was truthful regarding being present and seeing the UFO and beam. However, a second test series indicated an 89% probability of deception, particularly on questions about prior contact with Klass or CSICOP, conspiring to discredit Walton, or working for the U.S. military. "X" answered "YES" to being advised by a military supervisor to keep quiet.

A Ridiculous Accusation, A More Logical Explanation

Walton accused Klass and CSICOP of recruiting "X" to discredit him. Klass refutes this, stating such trickery would ruin his reputation. He proposes an alternative scenario: "X" may have learned deceptive polygraph techniques from Allen Dalis, an inmate at the Arizona State Penitentiary. Dalis, who had passed Gilson's tests, could have demonstrated these techniques. If "X" failed, it could be used to accuse Klass, while if "X" succeeded, it would enhance the movie's popularity and the Walton case's credibility. The author suggests "X" might have been briefed by Dalis or Rogers.

Walton Reveals PJK's (Alleged) Evil Character And Misdeeds

Walton's book includes an 86-page appendix titled "PJK: Propaganda Job Krumbles, or, Perfidus Janus Kalumnior," attacking Klass's character, methods, and expertise. Walton suggests Klass is a paid operative of a covert agency or motivated by "fanatical disbelief." He accuses Klass of ignoring physical evidence, distortion, supposition, and innuendo.

Walton Accuses PJK of Ignoring Physical Evidence

Walton charges that Klass ignored physical evidence such as magnetic anomalies, ozone traces, Geiger counter readings, and strange metal fragments. Klass counters that William Spaulding, initially a believer, found no magnetic anomalies on a second test and never mentioned ozone traces in his reports. Geiger counter readings near the "zapping site" showed normal background levels, though Mike Rogers' and Allen Dalis' hard hats showed increased radiation. Spaulding's alleged "strange metal fragments" were not found by law enforcement and were not mentioned by Spaulding to Klass. The newsletter also notes the absence of reports of power outages in nearby towns in Arizona newspapers at the time.

Travis' Actions Speak Louder Than His (and Jerry Clark's) Words

The newsletter concludes by questioning Walton's actions and interests post-abduction. If truly abducted, UFOs should have become his primary focus. However, he did not join organizations like APRO, nor did he read books like "Interrupted Journey" about the Betty/Barney Hill case, or books by Budd Hopkins and Whitley Strieber. Walton only attends UFO conferences where he and Rogers are invited speakers. Despite his claims of curiosity about UFOs in 1975, he now states he only wants "to get on with my life and live it as normally as possible."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is skepticism towards the Travis Walton UFO abduction case. Philip J. Klass, the editor, systematically deconstructs Walton's claims by highlighting inconsistencies, lack of verifiable physical evidence, questionable polygraph results, and perceived misleading statements. The editorial stance is clearly that of a debunking effort, aiming to expose the Walton case as potentially fabricated or exaggerated, possibly for personal gain or publicity. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and critical analysis over uncorroborated testimony.