SUN 63 (May 2000)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: SUN #63
Date: May 2000
Publisher: Philip J. Klass
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, published by Philip J. Klass, delves into several prominent UFO-related controversies and reports from May 2000. It features a significant split between the Wood family (Dr. Robert Wood and son Ryan) and Joe Firmage over the authenticity of the MJ-12 documents, a new witness account of the Roswell incident, and analyses of sightings that may have been misidentifications of the planet Venus.

Robert/Ryan Wood Split With Joe Firmage Over MJ-12 Documents

The lead article details a schism between the Wood family and Joe Firmage, a Silicon Valley multi-millionaire who had previously believed in extraterrestrial UFOs and cited MJ-12 documents as evidence. These documents, obtained from Tim Cooper and endorsed by the Woods, are now a point of contention. Firmage's International Space Sciences Organization (ISSO) issued an assessment suggesting that the MJ-12 documents were likely fabricated as U.S. covert psychological warfare to mislead foreign governments. Ryan Wood, however, sharply challenged this view in a paper posted online, arguing that the documents' alleged misspellings and anachronisms are within the scope of human bureaucratic error and do not prove they are false. Wood questions the disinformation theory, suggesting it would be counterproductive and illogical for the U.S. government to use such a method to hide a 'super-secret.'

The newsletter further explores the identity of the 'unknown author' of the ISSO assessment, with Ryan Wood referring to an 'unknown author' in his critique. Philip J. Klass, editor of SUN, inquired with Robert Wood, who stated the author was unidentified but that Joe Firmage wrote the foreword. SUN suspects the author may be Creon Levit, ISSO's director of science research. The ISSO's updated assessment, in response to Wood's challenge, reiterated its belief that the MJ-12 documents were fabricated for psychological warfare, while the Woods maintain that factual discrepancies suggest authenticity, arguing that hoaxers strive for perfection and government specialists might not. ISSO dismisses the possibility of amateur fabrication due to the quality of the documents.

Cooper (Unwittingly) Shows His Disinformation Skills On Internet

This section discusses Tim Cooper's role in disseminating what are described as 'UFO/MJ-12 disinformation' intended to authenticate his Majestic documents. Cooper's internet postings linked Allen W. Dulles, former Director of Central Intelligence, to UFO intelligence and suggested CIA involvement in President Kennedy's assassination. Cooper also presented documents, including a purported memo from Kennedy requesting a review of MJ-12 operations and another memo suggesting Marilyn Monroe was killed by the CIA to silence her knowledge of UFO secrets. The article notes that these 'UFO links' appear to be Cooper's invention.

Authentic CIA Documents Reveal Agency's True UFO Involvement

This article examines declassified CIA documents from the late 1960s and early 1970s. These documents reveal that in late 1952, the CIA considered launching its own UFO investigation but decided against it in early 1953, based on the Robertson Panel's assessment that there was no credible evidence of ET or Communist craft. Monitoring UFO activity was assigned to the CIA's Physics & Electronics Division. An August 1955 memo recommended terminating the UFO project due to a lack of significant intelligence. A July 1970 memo stated that the only formal CIA involvement in a UFO investigation was the Robertson Panel in 1953, marking the 'high point' of CIA involvement.

New Roswell Witness Claims He Saw Crashed Craft And ETs

Roswell researchers Tom Carey and Don Schmitt are promoting the testimony of an 83-year-old man, known as 'Tex,' who claims to have encountered a crashed UFO on July 3, 1947, near Roswell, Texas. Tex alleges he was part of a team sent to recover a drone-type jet aircraft that had malfunctioned. During this recovery, they reportedly discovered the crashed alien craft, two live ETs, and one dead ET. Tex described the craft as teardrop-shaped, about 20 feet long, with silvery metal and hieroglyphic symbols. He described the ETs as small, with grayish-greenish skin, large heads, small noses and ears, and slanted eyes. Carey and Schmitt have verified that Tex's claimed activities placed him at the crash scene at the time. However, Carey refused to identify the air base from which the drone was launched, citing concerns about the testimony being dismissed if found to have minor errors. The article notes a 'curious coincidence' between Tex's description and that of Frank Kaufmann, another alleged Roswell recovery team member.

Carey, Schmitt Ignore Flaws In Tex's Tale

This section critically examines Tex's account, suggesting Carey and Schmitt are overlooking significant flaws to promote a book. A key flaw highlighted is Tex's claim of discovering the crashed craft more than 40 miles north of Roswell shortly before a Roswell Army Air Field recovery team arrived. If true, this would imply top officials already knew of the discovery by July 5, making the later flight of debris to General Ramey on July 8 unnecessary. Furthermore, Tex's claim of involvement in drone-type jet aircraft flight tests in mid-1947 is questioned, as the first jet-engine-powered drone, the Firebee I, did not begin flight tests until 1951, four years after Tex's alleged experience.

Illinois Case Shows Variability Of Celestial-Body Type UFO Reports

This article discusses a UFO incident in west-central Illinois on January 5, where multiple witnesses reported seeing 'nocturnal lights.' The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) investigators largely ignored the differences in witness descriptions, but MUFON's Illinois State Director, David B. Marler, noted these variations. Witness descriptions ranged from a large rectangular object to elongated triangles, with differing accounts of lights. Marler suggested that perspective, varying distances, angles, and the object's movement could explain some discrepancies. The article also notes that more than 35% of 'nocturnal lights' type UFO reports investigated by Allan Hendry turned out to be bright planets or stars.

Georgia Law-Enforcement Officers Mistake Venus For UFO

This section details a case from October 20, 1967, in Milledgeville, Georgia, where police officers reported seeing a 'bright red, football-shaped light' that appeared to move and change color. The object was observed for about 30 minutes, and similar sightings were reported in nearby towns, leading to a 'mini UFO-flap.' The University of Colorado's UFO study dispatched scientists who concluded the object was the planet Venus, with Jupiter possibly accounting for a second UFO. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is quoted emphasizing how persuasive Venus can be as a UFO explanation.

Which Illinois UFO Reports Were Triggered By Venus Is Uncertain

This part of the Illinois case analysis questions whether Venus could explain all sightings. Witness #1 reported a 'bright star very low' in the NORTHEAST, moving slowly to the SOUTHWEST. If this witness saw Venus, it would have been rising in the SOUTHEAST, and its reported direction of movement contradicts Venus's position at that time, suggesting Venus may not explain all reports.

NIDS Conclusion: One Triangular Craft, Nearly Nine-Hour Flight

NIDS investigators concluded that a series of UFO reports from January 4-5 in Illinois were likely caused by the same object, estimating a total flight time of just under nine hours. This conclusion is based on correlating a report from north of Chicago with sightings in west-central Illinois. The article suggests that a bright-light type UFO reported near Dupo, Illinois, was more likely Venus.

CAUS Loses FOIA Lawsuit But Gains Much Publicity

This section reports on Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), led by attorney Peter Gersten, filing a FOIA request with the Defense Department for documents on 'unidentifiable and unique aerial objects.' After an exchange of responses, CAUS charged the Defense Department with failing to conduct a reasonable search. The court initially ordered supplemental affidavits, but ultimately ruled in favor of the Defense Department, stating that a reasonable search had been conducted and CAUS failed to demonstrate substantial doubt.

GERSTEN SEEKS $10,000 TO APPEAL MCNAMEE'S DECISION

Following the court's decision, Gersten announced plans to appeal if CAUS could raise $10,000. He complained about the lack of contributions, clarifying that while he provides legal services 'pro bono' for CAUS, appeals require funding. Gersten stated that the lawsuit aimed to obtain information and draw attention to 'our contact with this other [ET] intelligence.'

SHORT SHRIFT::

• Firmage issues new "Position Paper": Joe Firmage has released a lengthy treatise focusing on nuclear weapons and ecology, with only a brief mention of UFOs, praising TV shows that examined UFO evidence. He did not mention the Wood/Majestic documents.
• FBI files reveal Corso had poor credibility: Released FBI files indicate that Philip J. Corso, author of "The Day After Roswell," was held in low regard by the FBI. Corso admitted to fabricating a letter as a 'joke' and was described as a 'self-styled intelligence expert' who spread 'rumors, idle gossip and downright lies.' His book is seen as confirming the FBI's assessment.
• Stan Friedman also debunks some Corso claims: Stan Friedman stated in a sworn statement that claims made by Corso about serving with the National Security Council during the Eisenhower Administration were false, according to the Eisenhower Library.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, edited by Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena, prioritizing rational explanations and scrutinizing claims of extraterrestrial visitation and government cover-ups. The newsletter frequently highlights instances where sightings are likely misidentifications of known celestial bodies like Venus or planets. It also critically examines the credibility of UFO researchers and witnesses, exposing alleged disinformation and questioning the validity of controversial documents like the MJ-12 papers. The editorial stance appears to be one of debunking unsubstantiated claims and promoting a critical, evidence-based approach to UFO research, while also acknowledging the complexities of government secrecy and FOIA requests.