SUN 58 (July 1999)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: SUN #58
Date: July 1999
Publisher: Philip J. Klass
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter critically examines various UFO-related topics, focusing on skepticism towards claims of extraterrestrial phenomena and the organizations promoting them.

Firmage Holds Secret Meeting Of UFOlogists To Gain Their Support

Joe Firmage, a wealthy Silicon Valley software expert, funded a secret meeting of approximately 20 UFOlogists and researchers in Newport Beach, California, from April 23-25, 1999. The primary objectives were to discuss the future of UFO research and to garner support for the authenticity of the 'new MJ-12 documents' previously endorsed by Dr. Robert Wood and his son Ryan. Notably, Firmage excluded prominent UFOlogists known to question the documents' authenticity, such as Stanton Friedman and Richard Hall, as well as the leaders of major UFO organizations: Walt Andrus (MUFON), Mark Rodeghier (CUFOS), and Don Berliner (FUFOR). The attendees reportedly included Robert Wood, Ryan Wood, Tim Cooper, Linda Moulton Howe, Paul Davids, Jim Marrs, Jim Westwood, Richard Haines, Dr. Jesse Marcel (son of Maj. Marcel), Michael Lindemann, and William LaParl. Dr. Hal Puthoff, a physicist researching 'Zero Point Energy,' was also present. Firmage covered all travel and lodging expenses. During the meeting, attendees critically discussed the shortcomings of existing UFO organizations, which may lead Firmage's newly created 'International Space Sciences Organization' (ISSO) to focus on UFO research and 'exotic science.'

Cooper Rumored To Have Flunked His "Lie Detector" Test

Tim Cooper, who claims to have received the 'new MJ-12 documents' from Thomas Cantwheel, agreed to a polygraph test requested by UFOlogist Robert J. Durant during a radio talk show on January 24. Robert and Ryan Wood were present. Durant offered to pay $500 towards the test, and the money was sent to Robert Wood. Dr. Wood had previously stated at a MUFON conference that Cooper would be tested by the chairman of the Polygraph Association of California, and the results would be published regardless of outcome. However, as of mid-June, there was no official word on whether the test took place or its results. Rumors suggest Cooper failed the test badly, presenting the Woods with a dilemma: admit their authentication efforts were flawed or discredit the examiner.

Timothy Good Discovers More "Anomalies" In Cooper Documents

British UFOlogist Timothy Good, who initially publicized the original MJ-12 documents, has become skeptical of the new Cooper documents. His doubts stem from similarities in 'anomalies' found in the typewriter used by Cooper to write a letter in 1991 and the typewriter used for Cooper's 'new MJ-12 documents,' specifically 'Project Majestic Twelve's 1st Annual Report' allegedly written in 1952. Good noted that the numeral '8' is slightly elevated above other numbers, and the upper-case letters 'G' and 'N' are also slightly elevated. Furthermore, a Cooper-supplied document marked 'Top Secret Ultra' bears the identification number '001947122A 1206,' where '1206' is Tim Cooper's post office box number.

Dr. Leir -- Podiatrist And "Alien Implant" Specialist--Admits Negligence

Dr. Roger K. Leir, a Southern California podiatrist known for surgically removing alleged 'Alien [UFO] Implants,' has admitted negligence in his medical treatment of a patient in 1990, prior to his implant research. To avoid losing his medical license, Leir accepted a three-year probation requiring further medical training. This disciplinary action resulted from a complaint filed in July 1998 by the California Board of Podiatric Medicine. Leir's work was featured on the NBC-TV special "Confirmation: Hard Evidence of Aliens Among Us?" in February 1999.

FIRMAGE REVEALS GRANDIOSE PLANS AND THEORIES

On May 15, Joe Firmage announced the creation of the International Space Sciences Organization (ISSO), intended to be an 'global classroom' on the Internet for presenting ideas rejected by mainstream media. He also offered a 14-page 'preview of further writings.' Regarding the 'Roswell Incident' and government coverup, Firmage proposed three possibilities: 1) A physical ET event occurred in the 1940s, leading to official recovery of material and a secret organization maintaining the secret. He claims to have spoken with significant figures in government and science who confirm UFO reality and recovered ET materials. 2) No physical crash occurred, but the government recognized the tangible nature of the phenomenon, as stated by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Nathan Twining. Some suggest Roswell was a disinformation tactic to mislead the Soviet Union. 3) Government institutions, fearing public reaction, maneuvered to hide the reality of phenomena. Firmage believes UFOs are real, dismissing the idea that they don't exist. The newsletter's editor questions whether Firmage has done adequate research into skeptical investigations.

New Book Confirms Military Satellites Have Spotted "UFOs"

"America's Space Sentinels," by Jeffrey T. Richelson, details the Pentagon's Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, which detect ballistic missile launches via infrared radiation. The book confirms that these satellites have occasionally detected 'unidentified flying objects,' though none were believed to be ET craft. Two types of objects have been observed: 'Slow-Walkers,' flying at supersonic speeds, and 'Fast-Walkers,' flying at hypersonic speeds. The 'Slow-Walker' system was established in the late 1980s due to concerns about Soviet bombers. The 'Fast-Walker' incidents were first publicized by UFOlogist Joe Stefula in 1996, concerning an incident on May 5, 1984. However, Richelson's book explains that the 1984 'Fast-Walker' was a signals intelligence spacecraft, likely the VORTEX satellite, which failed to enter its proper geostationary orbit. Pro-UFOlogists had hailed this unexplained incident as proof of ET craft.

UFOLOGIST/DSP-ENGINEER REGEHR HINTS THAT DSP HAS SPOTTED ET CRAFT

Ron Regehr, an engineer with Aerojet ElectroSystems, published a report suggesting that DSP satellites have detected ET craft. Regehr's claims are speculative, based on unclassified data, as he has access to classified DSP data. DSP sensors operate at a wavelength of approximately 2.5 microns to avoid atmospheric attenuation. If ET craft use propulsion systems involving high temperatures, they could be detected. However, if they use 'exotic propulsion techniques' like 'Zero Point Energy,' as Firmage believes, they would not be detected by DSP's infrared sensors.

Woods Report Techniques Used To Authenticate Cooper Documents

Robert Wood and Ryan Wood presented a short course on their authentication techniques at an April 18 MUFON conference, using some of Tim Cooper's 'new MJ-12 documents.' They found the 'First Annual Report of the Majestic 12 Project' impressive. However, they did not mention several anomalies in the Cooper document: the report was allegedly written five years after MJ-12's supposed creation in 1947, and the document lists Dr. Vannevar Bush as chairman in 1952, contradicting the 'Eisenhower Briefing Document' which names Rear Admiral R.H. Hillenkoetter as head of MJ-12.

WHAT RYAN WOOD CONSIDERS TO BE IMPRESSIVE CONFIRMATION

Ryan Wood highlighted a section in the 'First Annual Report' stating that from 1949 to late 1950, several B-36 bombers crashed without crews or recovered atomic bombs. He confirmed one such incident over Washington where a B-36 bomber was lost, its nuclear weapon jettisoned, and the plane crashed. Ryan Wood cited a manual about B-36s from Travis AFB as his source, but provided no date, source identification, or further evidence. He also stated that he and Stanton Friedman agree on the authenticity of the 'Interplanetary Phenomenon Unit' (IPU) and the 'Special Operations Manual' (SOM 1-01), though Friedman had ambivalent views on SOM 1-01 in his book.

WOODS DISAGREE WITH FRIEDMAN ON KEY ISSUE: TRUMAN SIGNATURE

The most significant MJ-12 document is President Harry Truman's alleged September 24, 1947, memorandum authorizing Operation Majestic Twelve. Stanton Friedman authenticated the Truman memo's signature by comparing it to a letter Truman wrote to Vannevar Bush on October 1, 1947. However, the newsletter's editor, Philip J. Klass, found a genuine Truman letter to John W. Snyder dated September 26, 1947, in the Truman Library. Klass argues that if two signatures are identical, one is likely a forgery. He sent copies to a leading questioned-documents examiner, Peter Tytell, who concluded the MJ-12 Truman memo signature was a pasted-on photocopy. Robert Wood disagrees, stating the Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 signatures are a 'dead match.' Wood suggests Truman used an 'auto-pen' for both signatures, while Klass proposes that Truman might have signed the Sept. 26 letter with the auto-pen, making it identical to the Oct. 1 signature, thus casting doubt on the authenticity of the Sept. 24 memo.

Five Canary Island UFOs Identified

Fundacion Anomalia, a Spanish UFO-investigation organization, has found prosaic explanations for five significant UFO cases in the Canary Islands that occurred between 1974 and 1979. The most spectacular incident on March 5, 1979, involved 'multicolored concentric rings' and a 'huge bright dome.' These were identified by Dr. Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as U.S. Navy tests of unarmed Poseidon ballistic missiles fired from submerged submarines. The identification was made possible by now-declassified Navy data, correlating the UFO sightings with missile test launches.

CAUS's Gersten Demands Pentagon Halt UFO Invasion, Abductions

Peter Gersten, an 'UFO-lawyer' and head of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), sent a letter to Defense Secretary William Cohen in late April demanding that the Pentagon take immediate steps to protect citizens from a perceived 'UFO invasion.' Gersten claims CAUS has evidence of an ongoing invasion involving aerial craft and nonconsensual trespasses, assaults, and sexual abuses. The newsletter's editor notes that if Gersten's evidence is credible, NATO might launch a campaign against these 'ET invaders.' However, Gersten also suspects UFOs might be 'time travelers from our future,' raising the question of whether it would be moral to wage war on future descendants.

SHORT SHRIFT:

• Spielberg Plans UFO Abduction TV Series: Steven Spielberg is reportedly planning a 10-part TV series for the Sci-Fi channel titled "Taken," focusing on UFO abductions as fact, not fantasy. The miniseries is budgeted at $40 million.
• Joe Firmage Producing UFO Documentary: Joe Firmage has hired documentary producer Gary Beebe to create a video version of his treatise "The Truth." Beebe interviewed guests at Firmage's recent meeting. Firmage also paid for Timothy Good and Stanton Friedman to travel to Washington for interviews. It is noted that both Good and Friedman reportedly challenged Cooper's documents, and it remains to be seen if these challenges will be included in the final documentary. The newsletter editor was not interviewed.

Firmage "making the rounds" of the UFO-conference circuit

Joe Firmage is actively seeking recognition as a leader in the UFO movement by speaking at various UFO conferences, including an upcoming MUFON meeting in Washington and the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in San Antonio. Other prominent speakers at NUFOC include Kevin Randle, Karl Pflock, Patrick Huyge, and Jim Moseley. Firmage also spoke at a small conference in Aztec, N.M., celebrating the 51st anniversary of an alleged crashed-saucer incident.

Federal court dismisses Gersten/CAUS lawsuit against Army

Peter Gersten's lawsuit against the Army, filed on behalf of CAUS seeking documents related to Philip Corso's book "The Day After Roswell," was dismissed on April 26 by Federal Judge Roslyn O. Silver. CAUS will not appeal the decision.

Lockheed Martin developing UFO (Unusual Flying Object)

Lockheed Martin's 'Skunk Works' is developing a large hybrid blimp-aircraft called the 'Aerocraft,' which could be mistaken for a 'flying saucer.' The Aerocraft is nearly 800 ft. long, can carry over a million pounds of cargo, and travel at speeds over 125 mph. It utilizes helium gas for lift, supplemented by wings and 'tilt-rotor' jet engines. Testing of small models could potentially generate UFO reports.

Wild, sexy Australian ET-encounter tale featured in IUR

The Spring issue of International UFO Reporter features a story by Bill Chalker about Peter Khoury's alleged 1992 encounter with two 'naked female aliens.' Khoury claims he bit one of the aliens' nipples, after which they disappeared. He later discovered a 4-5 inch blond hair coiled around his penis, which DNA analysis reportedly revealed had rare properties.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, edited by Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena and the organizations that promote them. The newsletter critically examines claims, seeks prosaic explanations for alleged sightings, and highlights inconsistencies and potential flaws in evidence presented by UFO proponents. Recurring themes include the authentication of controversial documents like the MJ-12 papers, the critique of UFOlogist organizations, and the investigation of military and scientific reports that are often misinterpreted by the UFO community. The editorial stance is to debunk sensational claims and promote rational, evidence-based analysis of UFO reports.