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April 2, 1993
NASATAPE.ASC
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This file shared with KeelyNet courtesy of Tom Tatom.
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C U F O N
EDITORIAL
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Computer UFO Network
Seattle Washington, USA
(206) 776-0382 8 Data Bits, No Parity, 1 Stop Bit 300/1200/2400 bps.
SYSOP - Jim Klotz Information Director - Dale Goudie
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UFO Reporting and Information Service
Voice Line - (206) 721-5035
P.O.Box 832, Mercer Island, WA 98040, USA
This the first in a series of CUFON editorials: 07-JULY-1992
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The most talked-about material in UFOlogy so far this year has to be
the "NASA Tape" first introduced to most of us by Mr. Don Ecker on
the June 5, 1992 Hard Copy Show, and again later on the Larry King
Show, June 26, 1992.
In fact, this tape has completely taken over most discussions on the
subject.
Many theories have been put forward to explain the apparently
anomalous change of an object's trajectory in the featured portion
of the tape. Put simply, the explanations fall into two groups:
(1) the event is normal and can be explained conventionally,
and
(2) a truly anomalous event is shown.
Mr. Dale Goudie of the UFO Reporting and Information Service points
out what is perhaps the most important part, certainly a neglected
part of the event, which can be seen if one continues to track the
object as it apparently moves out into space. Note that it * AGAIN
* changes direction, back towards the Earth on yet another
trajectory! (This is visible on the Hard Copy segment 3 minutes, 9
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seconds after the start of the segment on NASA tape, when Don makes
the remark "... propulsion system not made in Detroit.")
If the first change of direction and speed are the result of the
shuttle's maneuvering thrusters as some have theorized, what caused
the SECOND change of trajectory? We believe that this second
direction change makes the "maneuvering jets" explanation untenable.
We do not understand why this part of the event has not been
discussed. Mr. Dale Goudie mentioned the second change of
trajectory prior to the Larry King Show. during the Laura Lee Show
(a Seattle radio call-in show), June 20, 1992, on which Mr. Don
Ecker was the featured guest.
Mr. James Oberg was positioned opposite Mr. Ecker on the Larry king
broadcast. Much was made by all participants of Mr. Oberg's
association with NASA, but no mention was made of his connection to
CSCIOP. Mr. Oberg is a principal member of the UFO Subcommittee of
the Committee on the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the
Paranormal. He has been described as "(Phillip) Klass' right hand
man." His Air Force career and position at NASA's Johnson Manned
Spacecraft Center in Houston aside, the close relationship with
CSCIOP establishes his position re. UFO.
Also mentioned as being an anomalous object on a different portion
of the same NASA tape, is the so called "domed disk", which
supposedly appeared under digital video enhancement. If this is a
truly anomalous object showing structure, why has this part of the
tape not been center stage? Perhaps speculation about 'space wars'
is more entertaining than mere existence of anomalous objects in
near earth space?
We believe that speculation about 'interplanetary wars' or SDI
technology being brought to bear on 'aliens,' is harmful and futile.
There is no frame of reference to judge the true velocities or
object sizes in the NASA tape, much less any information which can
support such speculations. We think that speculation, of which
there is a great deal in the UFO literature and press, diverts
attention into areas which do nothing to advance understanding of
the phenomena.
It is not wrong to speculate (or better to hypothesize and then test
the hypothesis.) What is wrong, is to present speculations as fact.
The UFO literature is abounds with unverified, unprovable assertions
accepted and promulgated as fact. Many UFO books are primarily
composed of previously published material rehashed. Hence the
speculations of others are perpetuated as "fact."
In this case, such a rush of people hungry for any UFO event has
produced a storm of wide-ranging discussion and controversy in which
this tape is now mired. It's value as documentation (or "proof", if
you like) has been reduced to virtually nothing; it has become a
non-event.
Interested people, in these latter days of UFO popularity, rush onto
any apparently interesting case en masse. Reports of
"investigators" and the merely interested overrunning supposed
"landing sites" and persons brave enough to report a close
encounter, spark little concern or comment. Many good cases are
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damaged in this manner. It seems that this kind of thing happens in
many "good" UFO cases; those in which there is valuable factual
information to be had.
The tape does, however, remain interesting, and should be
investigated and whatever provable information which can be
developed from it be carefully documented.
Jim Klotz - CUFON SYSOP
Dale Goudie - CUFON Information Director
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Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson
Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet
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