SUN 72 (Summer 2002)

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated Summer 2002 and identified as SUN #72, is edited by Philip J. Klass. The publication focuses on a critical examination of UFO phenomena, with a particular emphasis on debunking claims made by prominent UFO proponents.

What Stan Friedman Does NOT Tell His Lecture Audiences

Philip J. Klass begins by detailing his interactions with Stanton T. Friedman, a popular UFO lecturer. Klass recounts how Friedman bragged about winning a $1,000 wager from Klass regarding an alleged MJ-12 memo. However, Klass reveals that Friedman had previously rejected a $10,000 wager-offer from Klass, which would have paid Friedman handsomely if he could prove that UFOs were extraterrestrial craft. Klass explains that this wager-offer, proposed in 1967, required Friedman to pay $100 annually for 10 years if no evidence of an ET craft was found, while Klass stood to lose $10,000. Friedman rejected this as 'ridiculous.' Later, after the MJ-12 documents were publicized in 1987, Friedman accepted a similar wager-offer, paying $100 annually, but never attempted to claim the $10,000.

Klass further investigates the MJ-12 documents, specifically a memo allegedly written by Robert Cutler for President Eisenhower. He notes that William S. Moore and Jaime Shandera claimed to have found this memo in the National Archives. Klass points out anomalies in the document, such as an unusual date format and a misidentified rank for Rear Admiral R.H. Hillenkoetter, who was purportedly involved with MJ-12. Klass also made a wager-offer to Friedman, proposing to pay $500 for each Hillenkoetter letter using the same date format, $1,000 for a specific date format, and $2,000 if signed 'Roscoe,' while Friedman would pay Klass for letters with a different format. Friedman rejected this offer.

Friedman Wins $1,000 On Cutler Memo Typeface

In early 1989, Klass focused on a purported Top Secret White House memo from Robert Cutler to Gen. Twining. Moore and Shandera claimed this memo was found in the National Archives. Klass discovered that Cutler was out of the country on the alleged date of the memo. Friedman suggested the memo was written by Cutler's assistant, James Lay, using Cutler's name. Klass identified a discrepancy in the typewriter typeface used: 'Pica' type in the memo versus 'Elite' type in actual Cutler office letters. Klass offered Friedman $100 for each authentic Cutler letter from that period using the 'Pica' typeface, with a $1,000 limit. Friedman accepted and provided photocopies of such letters, earning Klass $1,000.

But Friedman Rejects Chance To Win Another $1,000

Klass discusses the Roswell Incident and the book 'Crash At Corona,' co-authored by Friedman and Don Berliner. The book's 'star witness' was Gerald F. Anderson, who claimed to have seen a crashed ET craft in 1947 with his family and archaeologists led by a Dr. Buskirk. Anderson, who was five at the time, provided a description of Buskirk. Tom J. Carey found a Dr. Buskirk who resembled the sketch but denied Anderson's story and had photos showing he was hundreds of miles away. Buskirk recalled Anderson as a student. When investigators sought Anderson's school records, he instructed officials not to release them. Klass offered Friedman $1,000 if he could get Anderson to authorize the release of his school records to verify his claim. Friedman never replied, and later, Friedman and Berliner admitted Anderson was 'no longer reliable,' yet he remained in subsequent printings of their book.

Friedman Believes That Twining Resorted To Intentional Falsehood

Friedman's explanation for a statement by Lt. Gen. Nathan Twining in a 1947 letter is discussed. Friedman quotes Twining stating, 'The phenomenon is something real and not visionary or fictitious.' However, Friedman omits Twining's subsequent sentence: 'Due consideration must be given the following: The lack of physical evidence in the shape of crash recovered exhibits which would undeniably prove the existence of these objects.' Friedman argues this omission implies a cover-up, while Klass suggests Twining might have resorted to 'intentional falsehood' if his secretary couldn't find a Top Secret stamp.

Prof. Swords Does Not Find Strange Behavior “Odd”

Michael D. Swords, a professor of science studies, offers an explanation for the absence of Roswell mentions in the Twining letter. He suggests the letter might have been written by Col. Howard McCoy, head of the Air Materiel Command's Intelligence Division. Swords notes that McCoy's division created 'Project Sign' to investigate UFO reports. McCoy stated they would give anything to recover a crashed UFO. Swords implies that if crashed UFOs were recovered, the information would be classified 'Top Secret,' and perhaps McCoy was not informed or the explanation is intentional falsehood. Klass comments that it is not 'odd' that USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg was also not informed, suggesting the logical alternative that the debris was not from an ET craft.

The Woods Offer Their Explanation For Twining's Letter

Dr. Robert Wood and his son Ryan, proponents of the MJ-12 documents, interpret Twining's letter as a covert warning to Air Force officers about not discussing crash recoveries unless classified Top Secret. They believe this was a form of 'compartmentalization.' Klass questions why Twining would publish such a memo, noting it was declassified 22 years later. He suggests that if Twining knew the reality of these objects, he and others would have wanted to provide guidance to Air Force commanders.

Astronomer Haisch Claims UFOs May Be More Exotic Than ETs

Dr. Bernhard Haisch, an astronomer and ZPE specialist, runs a website titled 'ufoskeptic.org.' His views suggest that UFOs might be manifestations of something more profound than extraterrestrial visits, possibly related to transcendent realms and advanced ET technology. He believes that the current materialistic scientific paradigm is incompatible with the true nature of consciousness and that 'contact' with higher intelligences has been occurring since World War One, with the U.S. as a focus. Haisch predicts that open contact will challenge modern human societies and their religious institutions, leading to a significant backlash against mainstream science.

Bigelow Cuts Staff of National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS)

Robert T. Bigelow has significantly reduced the permanent staff of his National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS), an organization investigating UFOs and cattle mutilations. Several key researchers, including Dr. John B. Alexander, Dr. Eric W. Davis, and Dr. George V. Onet, were let go. Dr. Colm A. Kelleher remains as deputy administrator, and Dr. Harold E. Puthoff chairs the scientific advisory board.

UFO Lobbyist Seeks Election To U.S. Congress

Stephen Bassett, founder of the Extraterrestrial Phenomena Political Action Committee (X-PPAC), has launched an independent campaign for the 8th Congressional District of Maryland. Bassett aims to use his candidacy to publicize his views on UFOs and the alleged government embargo of facts about extraterrestrial life. He hopes to leverage his campaign to promote the idea that the conditions for the U.S. government to end the UFO/ET truth embargo will be ideal in the coming year, hence his campaign name 'Disclosure2003.' Bassett's organization, Paradigm Research Group, has been involved in promoting media interest in topics like 'The Face On Mars.'

Variety Of Tales Told By “UFO Abductees"

An article in the International UFO Reporter discusses the variety of accounts from 'abductees' or 'experiencers.' Craig R. Lang, a hypnotherapist, notes that while many experiences fit a 'standard model' of abduction, there is considerable variety. Lang provides examples of abduction scenarios, including medical procedures by 'spiritual scientists' and encounters with entities from 'Andromeda.' Lang concludes that the ambiguity and variety suggest the phenomenon lacks a simple explanation. Klass comments that many persons embellish their tales to attract researcher interest.

"Shockingly Close to the Truth"

Jim Moseley's new book, 'Shockingly Close to the Truth,' co-authored by Karl T. Pflock, is reviewed. The book focuses on Moseley's activities and relationships with other early UFO promoters. Moseley admits he no longer believes in ET visitors or government coverup but remains mystified by some UFO reports. Pflock believes ET visitors were present from the mid-1940s to the early 1970s and endorses the Betty/Barney Hill abduction and the Paul Trent UFO photos. Moseley disagrees with Pflock on some points, including the Socorro landing incident, which Klass investigated as a hoax. Klass also notes his disagreement with Moseley regarding Dr. J. Allen Hynek's investigative skills, stating Hynek's honesty led him to suspect fewer hoaxes.

Short Shrift:

This section provides brief updates on various UFO-related news items:

• Dr. Stephen Greer's Project Disclosure conference has been delayed until October or November.
• David M. Jacobs has created the International Center for Abduction Research (ICAR) to disseminate information about UFO abductions.
• Jacobs's ICAR may compete with Budd Hopkins's Intruders Foundation (IF), which also focuses on UFO abductions and 'Hybrids.'
• Joe Firmage is uncertain about the authenticity of MJ-12 documents but remains convinced of an MJ-12-type operation investigating UFOs and exotic hardware.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO claims and the skepticism of the editor, Philip J. Klass. Klass consistently challenges UFO proponents, particularly Stanton Friedman, by highlighting inconsistencies, lack of evidence, and financial motivations. The editorial stance is one of rigorous skepticism, demanding verifiable proof and questioning the methodologies and conclusions of those who promote belief in UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation. The newsletter prioritizes logical explanations and scientific scrutiny over anecdotal evidence and speculative theories.