SUN 75 (Spring 2003)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: SUN #75
Date: Spring 2003
Publisher: Philip J. Klass
Country: USA
Language: English

Analysis of Spielberg's "Taken"

The lead article discusses Steven Spielberg's 20-hour TV mini-series "Taken," which focused on the UFO phenomenon's impact on three generations of Americans. Budd Hopkins noted that while reviews were mixed, the show was highly successful in boosting audience for the subject, with The Sci-Fi Channel averaging 838,000 households, a significant increase. Chris Mooney, writing for "Slate Magazine Online," offered a more critical perspective, suggesting that the entertainment industry might be fabricating UFO narratives for ratings, with Spielberg as a potential ringleader due to his earlier films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T."

Steven Spielberg himself stated he was thrilled with the response to "Taken" but personally does not believe in alien abductions, viewing it as a "nice mythology." He attributed the show's success to its focus on family dynamics and trauma rather than just special effects, crediting writer Leslie Bohem. The newsletter's own assessment found "Taken" too long, suggesting it should have been five one-hour segments. It noted that UFOs were portrayed as small glowing-white circles that merged into large chandeliers, similar to "Close Encounters," and that the interior of a UFO shown in one sequence had a "Hollywood-style" construction.

Paul Davids, co-author of the TV movie "Roswell," called "Taken" a "raging success" in media business terms, palatable for mass merchandising of "cosmic paranoia" and a boost for the Sci-Fi Channel. He suggested that while some might accept it as UFO gospel, it could also stimulate inquiring minds to explore UFO literature.

Dr. Greer's "Free-Energy Machine"

The newsletter reports on Dr. Steven Greer's claim, made on the Coast-to-Coast AM radio show, of witnessing a demonstration of a "free-energy machine." Greer, who advocates for government disclosure of UFO information, stated that the device, created by an unnamed inventor, gathered less than one watt of power passively and generated hundreds of watts, powering multiple appliances simultaneously. Greer plans to have a more robust version built and subjected to research, development, and testing in independent laboratories before a "massive disclosure."

The "Skeptics UFO Newsletter" (SUN) comments skeptically on Greer's announcement, suggesting he might next seek a cure for all human ailments. The article also mentions that Space Energy Access Systems (SEAS), founded by Greer, had closed its Phase-1 investment and was seeking funds for Phase-2, which involves securing, protecting, developing, and disclosing the technology, with a goal of massive public disclosure and eventual mass production.

Debunking Roswell Witnesses and Documents

This section critically examines several individuals and claims related to the Roswell incident.

Frank Kaufmann Exposed as Hoaxer

Frank Kaufmann, described as a pivotal "witness" in Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt's book "The Truth About The UFO Crash At Roswell," is exposed as a fabricator of tales and hoax government documents. His identity as "Steve MacKenzie" was revealed in a previous SUN issue. An analysis of his personal papers after his death revealed that he had created hoax documents to support his claims. Highlights of this exposure were posted on the CUFOS Web-site. Kevin Randle publicly stated he no longer had confidence in Kaufmann's stories.

Kaufmann's claims included receiving a call from Brig. Gen. Martin F. Scanlon to report UFO movements via a mirror system, despite admitting he had no expertise in radar. He also claimed to be part of a nine-man team to recover a crashed ET craft at a site different from the one found by Brazel. However, this team did not include key intelligence personnel like Maj. Jesse Marcel or Capt. Sheridan Cavitt. Jim Ragsdale, another alleged witness, changed his story multiple times. The newsletter notes that Randle split with Schmitt after Schmitt was exposed for falsifying his background.

Randle and Schmitt are criticized for ignoring logical discrepancies in Kaufmann's accounts, such as the conflicting stories about who photographed the alleged craft and ETs. The newsletter also discusses the Project Mogul theory, suggesting that debris found by Brazel might have come from Project Mogul balloon-borne radar targets, a theory explored by Karl Pflock and Robert G. Todd. Pflock initially considered the possibility of a collision with an ET craft but later lost confidence in claims made by Kaufmann and Ragsdale, as well as Glenn Dennis's story about a nurse-friend involved in an autopsy.

Major Edwin Easley Memo Proved Bogus

Randle's belief in Major Edwin Easley as a key witness is challenged. Easley reportedly responded to Randle's inquiries with "I can't talk about it" and denied that the Provost Marshal was at the crash site. Randle's belief may have stemmed from a counterfeit Easley memo, dated July 30, 1947, found among Kaufmann's papers. This memo, detailing the recovery of an ET craft, was allegedly sent to the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA). However, AFSA was not established until nearly two years after the memo's alleged date, proving it bogus.

New Randle Book Challenges MJ-12 Authenticity

Kevin Randle's new book, "CASE MJ-12: The True Story Behind The Government's UFO Conspiracies," questions the authenticity of the original MJ-12 documents. While Randle agrees with Stan Friedman that an ET craft crashed in New Mexico and that the government has withheld UFO information, they disagree on the MJ-12 documents. Randle admits an "oversight committee" might have existed but states that no committee with that name existed and the released documents are faked. Stan Friedman, in his book "TOP SECRET/MAJIC," defends the MJ-12 documents and criticizes Randle's scenario, which he claims depends on Kaufmann's testimony.

Gerald Anderson Exposed as Document Counterfeiter

Gerald F. Anderson is exposed as a hoaxer whose claims about witnessing an ET craft recovery on the Plains of San Agustin were based on a forged diary. Anderson provided his Uncle Ted's diary, which appeared to confirm his story, but analysis showed the ink was chemically introduced around 1970, not 1947. Anderson's explanation that his uncle made a copy after 1970 was accepted by Friedman but not Randle. Anderson's aptitude for creating hoax documents was further proven when he submitted a counterfeit phone bill to support his claim of a short conversation with Randle, when Randle's tape recording indicated a longer one. Dr. Buskirk, Anderson's former high school teacher, denied Anderson's story and had photographic proof of his whereabouts.

Lt. Gen. Twining's Revealing Letter

The newsletter discusses Lt. Gen. Nathan Twining's letter of September 23, 1947, which responded to a query about UFOs. While some parts of the letter, stating the phenomenon is "real and not visionary or fictitious," were quoted in various Roswell books, these books omitted Twining's emphasis on the "lack of physical evidence in the shape of crash recovered exhibits which would undeniably prove the existence of such objects." The article also references a Top Secret Air Intelligence Report #203 from December 10, 1948, which considered domestic or Soviet foreign devices as possibilities for UFO origins and did not mention the MJ-12 documents, despite its declassification. The SUN editor authored a series in "Skeptical Inquirer" magazine in 1987-88, arguing that the MJ-12 documents were fraudulent due to numerous flaws and inconsistencies, including date formats that mirrored William Moore's writing style.

UFO-Conspiracy Theory, "Exopolitics" Paper Reveals Extreme Credulity

Dr. Michael E. Salla's two-year study of popular conspiracy theories, titled "The Need for Exopolitics: Implications of Extraterrestrial Conspiracy Theories for Policy Makers & Global Peace," is discussed. Salla, who has a Ph.D. in Government, appears to share views similar to Dr. Stephen Greer and Stephen Bassett, who promote Project Disclosure.

UFOlogists Criticize CFI's Choice Of Kecksburg Incident

Some pro-UFOlogists criticized the Coalition for Freedom of Information (CFI) for selecting the Kecksburg (PA.) UFO incident of December 9, 1965, as a key case. CFI, created by the Sci-Fi Channel to promote its mini-series "Taken," sought a case with quantifiable, forensic aspects that could raise UFO issue visibility. Leslie Kean, CFI's Research Director, explained the criteria, including physical evidence, site access, eyewitnesses, a compelling narrative, and government involvement. Kean cited Stan Gordon's extensive work on the Kecksburg case as a factor. However, the newsletter points out that Kean failed to mention that Gordon also investigates Sasquatch sightings and that one of Gordon's "impressive witnesses" was a convicted bank robber. Amateur astronomer Bob Young is mentioned as being convinced the Kecksburg UFO was a meteor-fireball and that the government recovered nothing.

Short Shrift

This section provides brief updates:

• "The Secret" Movie Broadcast: The Canadian Discovery Channel broadcast a TV movie titled "The Secret Evidence: We Are Not Alone," which claims to provide evidence for government coverup of extraterrestrials and the "Majestic 12" operation. The Woods, producers of the movie, are seeking a U.S. cable channel. A claim that the first ET craft was recovered in 1941 near Cape Girardeau, MO, is noted as debunked.
• Woods' Press Release Confirms Split with Joe Firmage: The Woods' press release for "The Secret" does not mention Joe Firmage, who initially funded the movie effort. The release cites UFO researchers Stanton Friedman and Timothy Good as supportive, though Friedman stated it was not an endorsement and he believes some Tim Cooper documents are fake. Timothy Good, who initially promoted the MJ-12 documents, has since changed his opinion and noted that some of Cooper's documents were typed on his typewriter.
• CUFOS Researcher Predicts Global UFO Flap: Dr. Donald A. Johnson of CUFOS predicted a worldwide UFO wave in March 2003, peaking between March 15-25, likely involving Northern Europe and the Pacific Ocean region.
• Classified Documents Increase: Security classification actions increased by 44% in Fiscal 2001, with over 100 million pages declassified.
• Friedman Criticizes Randle for Gulibility: Stan Friedman criticized Kevin Randle's credulity in accepting Frank Kaufmann's stories, while the newsletter notes Friedman's own credulity in believing Gerald Anderson's tales.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The "Skeptics UFO Newsletter," edited by Philip J. Klass, consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards UFO claims, particularly those involving alleged government coverups, hoaxes, and extraordinary scientific assertions like "free-energy" devices. The publication prioritizes evidence-based analysis, scrutinizing witness testimony, document authenticity, and media portrayals of the UFO phenomenon. It actively debunks purported hoaxes and exposes inconsistencies in the narratives presented by UFO proponents. The newsletter's editorial stance is to challenge unsubstantiated claims and promote a rational, evidence-driven approach to investigating UFO phenomena, often highlighting the role of media in shaping public perception and the financial motivations behind some UFO-related productions.