Ever write a Letter to the Editor and really let them know what you thought about some boneheaded article? Or actually call the paper?
Well, if you've ever entertained the thought of doing something comparable with a buttoned-down institution like the FBI, you might
think again.
The Computer UFO Network has posted what is purported to be (and appears so to my
inexpert eyes) the genuine FBI file on
renowned UFO skeptic Philip J. Klass, who died last year
(2005) at age 85. CUFON's cover letter (dated February 2, 2006) states that these documents were provided by researcher Michael Ravnitzky
and comprise the "releasable portions" of the file. The letter further notes that some material in the released pages has been redacted,
and that the FBI's decision to withhold other documents on national security grounds "has been appealed." Ravnitzky, who identified
himself in an e-mail to me as "a lawyer, former investigative reporter and private investigator, and aeronautical engineer," promptly
brought the posting to my attention.
Seinfeld fans may recall the episode ("The Package") in which Elaine's doctor labels her -- more than a tad unfairly -- as a crank, and how that
notation in her medical record haunts her as it finds its way to each new doctor she seeks out. That's very much what I was reminded of
as I perused the purported Klass FBI file, which tags Phil as an unstable character and revealer of national secrets.
According to the file, in January 1958, an Air Force District Commander notified the FBI of Klass' "unauthorized disclosure of information
classified 'Secret' in an 'Aviation Week' article" that apparently had spanned two recent issues (November 18 and 25, 1957). The
Bureau did not conduct a formal investigation because "such classified information as was contained in the article could not be
declassified for purposes of prosecution." Ironically, Klass' detractors generally portrayed him as being in bed with the U.S.
government. To the contrary, this episode tends to suggest that, as Phil often stated, he would have blown the lid off the government's
so-called "UFO cover-up" had he found evidence of any such conspiracy.
A heavily redacted (as many of these are) 1965 document relates to an allegation of some sort of activity by Klass in his apartment,
about which the FBI found "no record of Klass having obtained any kind of licensing for radio transmitting equipment." Some detractors
may fantasize that if he was not in bed with our government, perhaps he was sending our secrets to his Soviet handlers. After all, as a
result of his knowledge of Defense Department secrets, Klass was indeed approached by Boris and Natasha from time to time. A January 1965
report notes that Phil "telephonically contacted the [FBI's] Washington Field Office [advising] he was having lunch that date with
Now for the morsels that will tickle the fancies of Klass’ pro-UFO "enemies" (and diehard Seinfeld fans). A February 1975 report
states that Klass recently "telephoned the Bureau and spoke with the Editor of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (LEB). In strong terms
laced with sarcasm, he derided our publication of the article by Dr. J. Allen Hynek,
'The UFO Mystery.'
In a June 1975 internal note about a follow-up letter from Phil in which he described Dr. Hynek as "the spiritual leader of the vocal
group of 'believers' and 'kooks' who claim that we are being visited by extraterrestrial spaceships," we find this: "Klass is deficient
on all points of his argument, particularly concerning the credentials of Dr. Hynek, which could scarcely be better.
Curiously, much of the Klass FBI file concerns two bizarre mailings in 1976 with a return address of "Philip J. Klass" and a Dallas post
office box number, and were almost certainly the work of one of Klass' many detractors. Our Philip J. Klass resided in Washington, DC, and, although a practical jokester to an extent, had no known propensity for this sort of eccentricity. Yet, these reports were placed in our Phil's file presumably because they were related to advanced (though fanciful) aircraft design and sent by someone using the name "Philip J. Klass" who appeared to the FBI, based on these mailings, "most likely not in full possession of his faculties." Recall that our Phil had been deemed as "often irrational" -- the fuller quote along these lines, referred to earlier, is routinely referenced and pasted into subsequent reports.
These strange mailings, one to Bell Labs in New Jersey and another to Herzog Commodities in New York, consisted of many pages (28 in one
and 8 in another) of "reduced and reproduced text" and sketches of airplanes. The type is so tiny, due to four original pages being
reduced and fitted onto each single page, that I cannot read it. But one FBI report quotes references to a "psychic time bomb," "Jewish
subconscious transformation" (our Phil was Jewish), sketches of aircraft "powered by Volkswagen
Klass would often send me photocopies of his correspondence with UFO proponents (most of whom seemed to appreciate his probing questions and sense
of humor about as much as the FBI did). But it was to my utter surprise that the remainder of Klass' file relates to the FBI's policies
regarding "psychic detectives," specifically Noreen Renier, about whom I have
written extensively, and who singles me out in her book, A Mind for Murder,
as her "most relentless" critic. In an April 1987
letter, Klass informs, "I am writing, in connection with an article I hope to author and publish, to obtain the official views of the FBI
on the use of 'psychics' to assist in FBI investigations." A series of five pertinent questions then follows. The FBI responded by
explaining that "Although the Bureau has never contracted psychics as consultants, it is possible that individual Special Agents may have
encountered people who have volunteered information based on their psychic impressions [which] would be handled in the same manner as
leads obtained from other sources. The FBI does not endorse or recommend the use of psychics in law enforcement [Q: Is this because no
credible evidence exists that "psychic" power is genuine? A: Hardly. The sentence continues.] partially because the
information obtained is frequently inconclusive. However, we do acknowledge that many police departments
Klass replied eight months later, noting that he had since learned (citing a source that I had quoted in my writings) that Renier had
been invited "on several occasions" to lecture at the FBI Academy. "What I do find surprising," said Phil, "is that the FBI would give
the appearance of endorsement of 'psychic criminal investigators' by inviting such a claimant to speak before large groups of local law
enforcement officials.
Oblivious to the FBI's dismissive attitude toward him, Klass persisted. "What is open to challenge," he observes in his next letter, "is
the question of whether Ms. Noreen Renier [this is the only sentence in the file in which, by apparent oversight, her name was not
redacted], who commercially exploits her claims of psychic powers, is 'an appropriate lecturer' to make an 'objective presentation on the
subject.'
Thanks in part to the FBI's rejection of Klass' advice, Noreen Renier has gone on to become one of the most famous "psychic detectives"
in America, with a book in print and frequent media appearances, including on CNN and Court TV. I think I'd better cancel my gift
subscription to the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin before I get any bright ideas about writing them a letter.