ET TU, E.T.?

Re Philip J. Klass’ review of Howard Blum’s “Out There: The Government’s Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials” (Sept. 2):

Surely Klass is in a Klass by himself--reviewing a book in which he himself appears, and for a major newspaper, no less!

A renowned debunker, Klass is hardly an objective observer of the UFO scene. He of all people should not have the last word on what may be an important development in UFOlogy--one of the most misunderstood but newsworthy fields ever to catch a reporter’s eye--and Blum, it should be noted, is not your run-of-the-mill reporter. His investigative efforts have twice earned him Pulitzer nominations.

Klass, on the other hand, has made a successful second career out of scoffing at the UFO enigma, and is not taken seriously by anyone who has objectively studied the phenomenon. When one looks closely enough at the facts, it’s obvious that the government has at least a “UFO Working Group” within the Department of Defense, as Blum describes. Blum has verified its existence.

If facts here and there seem not to check out, it should be remembered to what lengths some government officials will go when they perceive a breach of national security. Lying and deception are commonplace.

Blum at least attempted to break through the rings of disinformation, which keep the UFO field in a stranglehold, and which Klass does his utmost to tighten.

VICKI COOPER

Editor & Co-Publisher

UFO Magazine

LOS ANGELES