SUN 51 (May 1998)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated May 1998, focuses on the re-emergence of attorney Peter Gersten into the UFOlogy scene and his ambitious plans for the organization Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS). The newsletter, published by Philip J. Klass, adopts a skeptical stance, critically examining claims and evidence presented within the UFO community.

Peter Gersten's New Agenda

Attorney Peter Gersten, known for his earlier FOIA lawsuits seeking UFO-related documents, has reasserted control over CAUS. His announced agenda includes several key initiatives:

• Project Destination Moon: Verification: Gersten aims to raise $12 million to launch a rocket to photograph alleged extraterrestrial structures on the moon, including a cable car, which Richard Hoagland claims to have discovered in Apollo astronaut photos. Gersten is also seeking $30,000 for a promotional video.
• Crop Circle Study: A scientific committee will be formed to study crop circles, which Gersten believes are communications from extraterrestrial intelligence.
• FOIA Lawsuit Regarding Roswell: Gersten plans to file an FOIA lawsuit against the Army based on claims made by retired Lt. Col. Philip J. Corso in his book "The Day After Roswell," which alleges Corso personally saw ET bodies recovered near Roswell.

The newsletter notes Gersten's previous shift in interest towards astrology but suggests his interest in UFOs was rekindled after meeting Corso and reading his book.

Gersten's History with FOIA and CAUS

The newsletter details Gersten's pioneering use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in the mid-1970s. As a young attorney, he proposed using FOIA to obtain CIA documents related to UFOs, with legal expenses underwritten by UFO groups. He filed a significant FOIA suit in 1977 on behalf of Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) against the CIA, seeking documents related to the Robertson Panel and 600 specific UFO incidents. The CIA's eventual release of documents in 1978 led Gersten to conclude that they "seriously damages the theory of a coverup," as they showed the agency's involvement was brief and concluded in 1953.

Gersten later took over as Director of CAUS after its founder, W. Todd Zechel, departed. Zechel, who had claimed to have worked for "two civilian intelligence agencies" and possessed evidence of a government UFO coverup, was exposed by the newsletter as having a history of fabricating stories. Gersten's efforts with CAUS in the 1980s to obtain NSA documents were met with refusal due to national security concerns.

CAUS Founder Zechel's Departure

The newsletter recounts the rise and fall of W. Todd Zechel, who founded CAUS and gained fame with claims of government UFO coverups. An investigation by the newsletter revealed Zechel's claims to be largely fabricated, with his employment history including carpenter, fireman, and manager of a "sex shop." Zechel eventually left CAUS for Hollywood. Following Zechel's departure, Barry Greenwood and Larry Fawcett took over the CAUS newsletter "Just Cause," which increasingly focused on obtaining historical UFO documents.

Gersten's Return and Shifting Views

In January 1998, Gersten announced his takeover of CAUS, aiming to make it a more effective activist organization. This move led to Greenwood's resignation from CAUS and the announcement of a new publication, "UFO Historical Review." Gersten's recent views suggest a shift away from "lights-in-the-sky" UFOs, which he believes are mostly earthly technology. He now finds crop circles to be more compelling evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.

California Revokes UFO-Abduction Therapist's License

The newsletter reports on the revocation of psychotherapist Dr. Edith Fiore's license in California. Fiore, an author on UFO abductions, was charged with "gross negligence" for her treatment of a patient, which involved removing "90 entities, comprised of dead persons," via hypnosis and suggesting UFO abduction. This is the second such revocation, following Dr. Richard Boylan two years prior.

Analysis of "Top Secret" UFO Documents

The newsletter examines two "TOP SECRET" documents that indicate no evidence of a Roswell crashed saucer recovery by U.S. agencies. One document, an Air Intelligence Report from 1948, suggested UFOs might be of Soviet origin. Another, a 1949 report to the Joint Intelligence Committee, summarized Air Force efforts to understand UFOs. This report, based on studies with RAND Corporation and input from scientists like Dr. Irving Langmuir, Dr. G.E. Valley, and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, concluded that most reported incidents could be explained by misidentification of weather balloons, meteors, or Venus. However, it acknowledged a few unexplained incidents that "surpass these limits of credibility."

Travis Walton Case and Book

The issue delves into a rift between "UFO abductee" Travis Walton and his crew chief, Mike Rogers, as revealed in Walton's book "Fire In The Sky." Despite their past friendship and familial ties, they reportedly had a significant falling out. The newsletter questions the authenticity of the Walton incident, suggesting it might have been a hoax concocted by Rogers to cover a delinquent contract or to win a National Enquirer prize. It highlights that Walton himself does not seem to derive positive feelings from the experience, preferring to live normally and avoid the UFO community.

Travis Walton's book is analyzed for its lack of enthusiasm for the UFO experience and its focus on living a normal life. The prospect of a Hollywood movie based on the incident, involving Tracy Torme, is credited with healing the rift between Travis and Rogers.

Jerome Clark's Role and Skepticism

The newsletter addresses rumors that Jerome Clark, editor of International UFO Reporter, served as a ghostwriter for Travis Walton's book. Clark denies ghostwriting but admits providing articles critical of Philip J. Klass and CSICOP at Walton's request. In his book "The UFO Book," Clark offers an evaluation of the Walton case, suggesting that while the participants may not be hoaxers, any hoax would not be of the type Klass proposes. The newsletter challenges Clark to offer an alternative hoax scenario.

Personal Correspondence and "Death Threat"

An exchange of correspondence between Philip J. Klass and Jerome Clark is detailed, stemming from Klass's comments about his property and a sailing trip. Clark interpreted a letter from Klass as a "death threat," leading to the termination of their correspondence. Klass maintains his remarks were intended as a joke.

Book Reviews and Commentary

The newsletter includes brief reviews and commentary on several UFO-related books:

• "The Threat" by David Jacobs: Jacobs attempts to explain divergent views among UFO abduction researchers (positive vs. malevolent ETs) by attributing positive interpretations to inadequate hypnosis.
• "How To Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction" by Ann Druffel: This book suggests UFO abductions can be avoided through willpower and commands.
• Budd Hopkins' work: The newsletter notes the omission of the Linda "Cortile" case from Jacobs' new book, despite Hopkins characterizing it as a significant UFO abduction case.
• National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS): The newsletter reports on NIDS's ranch in Utah, which was established to record UFO activities and cattle mutilations, noting that UFO visits ceased after the property owner built a new house and sold the old one.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is a critical examination of UFO claims and the individuals promoting them. The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, through its editor Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a skeptical viewpoint, seeking prosaic explanations for alleged UFO phenomena and exposing what it perceives as hoaxes, fabrications, or misinterpretations within the UFO community. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of verifiable evidence and scientific analysis, contrasting it with the speculative and often unsubstantiated claims made by UFO proponents. The editorial stance is one of debunking and promoting rational inquiry into UFO reports.