SUN 61 (Jan 2000)

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skeptics UFO Newsletter, SUN #61, dated January 2000, is published by Philip J. Klass and focuses on critical analysis of UFO-related claims and documents. The cover headline highlights a new scenario proposed by the International Space Sciences Organization (ISSO) suggesting that the MJ-12 documents are government disinformation and that UFO crash incidents may have been staged.

ISSO's New Scenario: MJ-12 Documents as Disinformation

The International Space Sciences Organization (ISSO), founded by Joe Firmage, has proposed a new theory regarding the controversial MJ-12 documents. ISSO suggests that these documents, initially endorsed by researchers like Dr. Robert Wood and his son Ryan, were actually fabricated by the U.S. as part of a covert psychological warfare operation, possibly beginning in 1950 during the Korean War. The purpose, according to ISSO, was to mislead Communist countries. This scenario extends to suggesting that alleged UFO crash recoveries, such as the Roswell incident, might have been "staged" to support this disinformation campaign, creating a false impression of U.S. technological advantages gained from extraterrestrial craft.

ISSO poses questions about whether this psychological warfare explanation invalidates the entire history of government involvement with UFOs. They ponder if staged crash recoveries, augmented by deceptive documents, were used to mislead adversaries about recovered UFO technologies during the Cold War. The newsletter notes that this new position challenges the earlier stance of the Woods and Firmage, who had previously asserted the authenticity of the MJ-12 documents and believed technologies like transistors and fiber-optics were reverse-engineered from Roswell debris.

ISSO acknowledges that this new scenario raises significant questions about the truthfulness of the MJ-12 documents and the validity of UFO crash recovery events. They state their intention is to focus on evidence of observational reality and physics plausibility, which they believe far surpasses questionable documents and may reveal scientific truths behind Cold War narratives.

ISSO Claims MJ-12 Documents are 'Good Enough to Fool Expert Analysts'

ISSO asserts that the MJ-12 documents are "professionally, artfully crafted, good enough to fool perceptive analysts." The newsletter's editor, Philip J. Klass, dismisses this claim as "ridiculous," citing numerous discrepancies found by himself and other researchers. Examples include the Truman memorandum signature on a 1987 MJ-12 document being a photocopy from a letter dated later, and an "elevated-8" typewriter flaw found in documents provided by Tim Cooper matching a flaw in a typewriter used to prepare another MJ-12 document. Robert Wood suggested this flaw might be a characteristic of the typewriter design, implying all machines from that manufacturer would have it, a notion Klass finds unlikely.

ISSO suggests the objective of this alleged disinformation effort was to redirect "enemy" weapons research and development during the Cold War. They argue that if the U.S. was reverse-engineering ET technology, it would be kept secret, yet development of microchips was not. They also note the lack of evidence that Soviet programs were diverted from developing nuclear weapons due to UFO technology. The newsletter points out that Robert Wood previously admitted factual discrepancies in the documents but claimed they indicated authenticity, a stance Klass questions, suggesting hoaxers might be government disinformation specialists.

Firmage Still Suspects MJ-12 Exists, and Government Coverup

Despite the new scenario, Joe Firmage maintains his belief that a quasi-governmental body likely holds substantial non-public information and possibly physical materials related to the UFO phenomenon. He suggests that if this is false, it represents an extensive intelligence effort to convince people otherwise.

New Sturrock Book Review: "The UFO Enigma"

Dr. Peter A. Sturrock's new book, "The UFO Enigma; A New Review of the Physical Evidence," details his surprise that a panel of nine scientists convened to review UFO cases were not more impressed. The book's insights, not included in the initial press release, reveal Sturrock's fear that some panelists might leave early. The Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE), which conducted the review, issued a press release that led to misleading media coverage.

Sturrock Blames Dr. Condon for Scientific Community's Disinterest

Sturrock attributes the scientific community's general disinterest in UFOs to the conclusions of Dr. Edward U. Condon's 1966-68 UFO investigation. Condon concluded that no credible evidence of ET involvement was found and that further study was unlikely to advance scientific knowledge. Sturrock's own career as an astrophysicist, with limited personal investigation into UFO cases, is presented as validating Condon's view. Sturrock criticizes the Condon Report for its continued significance among scientific and policy-making communities, despite its age.

Potential Sources of Influence on Panel's Assessment

Sturrock admits in his book that a study's independence can be compromised if the commissioning agency has a significant stake in the outcome. He questions the independence of the Colorado Project but fails to mention that his own four-day panel conference was funded by Laurance S. Rockefeller, a known UFO proponent. The newsletter also points out Sturrock's and SSE's pro-UFO bias, noting the absence of UFO skeptics invited to speak at SSE conferences. Furthermore, Sturrock selected scientists whose bias he hoped would counteract the investigators' bias, but failed to disclose that two of the nine scientists were SSE members, one serving as co-chairman.

Sturrock Surprised, Disappointed by Panel Scientists' Reactions

Following the first day of case reports, panel members expressed concern about their involvement. While the review gained momentum, panel members became more realistic about the complexity of the UFO problem. A crisis occurred on Friday morning when formulating conclusions, requiring an additional two days of discussion. The panel eventually agreed on seven conclusions, two of which favored Sturrock's objective: the possibility of learning new things from unexplained observations and the desirability of institutional support for UFO research.

Was Crashed Saucer Recovered Six Years Before Roswell?

A new TV show is expected to reveal that a crashed saucer, allegedly recovered in spring 1941 near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, predates the Roswell incident. This account comes from Charlette Mann, granddaughter of alleged witness Rev. William Huffman. Leonard Stringfield's "UFO Crash/Retrievals" report also cited this incident, which is mentioned in a Tim Cooper MJ-12 document. Huffman reportedly described a craft with a rounded shape and three non-human bodies, covered in a material resembling "wrinkled aluminum foil." A photograph of one of the beings was reportedly taken but never returned.

UFOlogist Bryant Suspects USAF Is Offering Treatment To Abductees

Lerry Bryant, a UFOlogist known for publicity-seeking, has filed a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking details on treatments provided to military personnel reporting symptoms of abduction by extraterrestrial entities. His request includes seeking laboratory reports on any alien-implanted devices.

Friedman Still Supports Witness Caught Counterfeiting Document

Stanton Friedman's continued support for Gerald Anderson's account of a 1947 crashed saucer sighting is strained by Anderson's proven dishonesty. Anderson's story lost credibility after he was caught counterfeiting documents, including his uncle's diary and a phone bill. Friedman, initially eager to believe Anderson, was later presented with evidence of the diary's fraudulent nature, showing ink introduced in the early 1970s. Anderson's veracity was previously endorsed by a MUFON UFO Journal article based on a polygraph test, but later issues cast doubt on his truthfulness.

Disagreement Over Authenticity of "Special Operations Manual"

Another point of contention is the "Majestic-12 Group Special Operations Manual (SOM 1-01)," purportedly for recovery of ETs from crashed saucers. Don Berliner received a roll of film containing photos of this manual, which he provided to the General Accounting Office. The manual contains numerous discrepancies, including instructions on explaining UFO sightings that predate the launch of man-made satellites. While Friedman endorsed the document with qualifications in his book, Dr. Robert Wood and his son Ryan also endorsed it. However, a committee of researchers, including Berliner, denounced SOM 1-01 as bogus.

Dr. Greer Warns: Pentagon May Seek War Against ETs

Dr. Steven M. Greer, director of the Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CSETI), predicts that the Pentagon and defense industry may stage pseudo-ET attacks to convince the public that ETs are hostile. Greer believes this is a tactic to secure long-term funding for the military-industrial complex, as he views ETs as benevolent. He conducts tours where participants allegedly communicate with UFOs.

Secret Of The Millennium Revealed

Aviation Week & Space Technology (AW&ST) is set to feature SUN's editor, Philip J. Klass, on its cover, potentially revealing a "millennium's biggest secret." Klass notes that while AW&ST has published many secrets over his 48 years with the publication, it has never carried stories about UFO coverups or ET craft recovery.

Short Shrift:

• Roswell researcher Donald R. Schmitt is accused of making false claims again, reportedly stating that rancher Brazel found a second crash site with "not human" creatures. This was never reported by Brazel.
• Budd Hopkins' account of Linda Cortile being beamed up to a UFO, witnessed by UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar, is questioned as de Cuellar publicly denied involvement. The newsletter sarcastically suggests ETs might try a more public demonstration in the future.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards official UFO narratives and documents, particularly the MJ-12 papers. The newsletter consistently questions the authenticity of claims and highlights discrepancies, biases, and potential disinformation. The editorial stance, as embodied by Philip J. Klass, is one of critical inquiry, aiming to debunk unsubstantiated claims and expose what the editor perceives as flaws in UFO research and reporting. The publication emphasizes the importance of evidence-based analysis and challenges the prevailing pro-UFO narrative, often contrasting it with prosaic explanations or questioning the motives behind certain claims and organizations.