The fact that he was big buddies with Charles Willoughby (who arranged for Japan’s Unit 731 materials to reach the US after WW2) is intriguing, given what I wrote about 731 in “Body Snatchers.”

Did Corso know about Willoughby and 731 and possible Roswell links? Maybe.

As we know, Corso’s book disclosed nothing that could be proved, but did work the UFO people into a froth. Shandera divorced his first wife, apparently right around the time of the 1997 Roswell bash. This new woman seemed exert quite an influence (or at least agreed with him) and he started talking about the aliens as if he actually believed they were here. The major reason for this is what I am writing about now. Did Shandera and his girlfriend actually believe what they were telling Birnes, or did they just want him to think so? Who knows?

Did you read the article that appeared by Bill Birnes in the October 2006 issue of “UFO Magazine” that was titled “Connecting the Coincidences”?

It makes interesting observations about Shandera.

According to Birnes: “…one late afternoon at my Hollywood office during a meeting concerning the work of Uri Geller, Mossad, the CIA, and other agencies dabbling in paranormal research, Jaime Shandera blurted out: ‘You’re going to be the one to disclose the UFO secret.’”

Birnes continued: “I looked up, profoundly distressed by the news. ‘It’s true,’ Jaime said. ‘The extraterrestrials have said that you will be the one to disclose the truth.’
‘Yes, Jaime’s female friend said. ‘It’s true.’ Then she looked around the room. ‘And they’re telling me this right now.’”

Of course, Birnes would later become co-author with Colonel Philip Corso of “The Day After Roswell” - which, for believers of Corso, at least, could be considered that “truth” having finally been disclosed.

Birnes continues in his “UFO Mag” article: “Our book ‘The Day After Roswell’ had just been published. We were actually releasing it at the Roswell Fiftieth Anniversary amidst the rounds of publicity and parties and celebrations. And who do I see walking along amidst the crowds? It was my old friend Jaime Shandera and his female friend. They walked by me. Stared at me. Saw Corso in the background answering questions from some of the guests at a reception. And I said to them, ‘You were right. This is the disclosure.’ Not a word as they disappeared into the crowd.”

Definitely a weird addition to the story!
Nick

Like I said, if true, it was pretty damned weird. Like any discovery, it produces more questions than it answers! I didn’t see it, and there’s no way any of us here could, without the proper clearances.

Greg, You add that last bit on almost as if it’s a clue: did he shake tentacles with them?

You’ve suddenly got my mind reeling in horror here, as I try not to picture parts of the body that shake, or can be made to shake, two of which spring to mind sounding not too dissimilar to ‘tentacles’.

I mean, is there anything anyone could show someone that’d convince them beyond the point of trying to find a more ‘rational’ explanation, no matter how ridiculous that explanation might actually be?

I mean, I’ve seen a few weird things in my time - and that was just you and Nick!

in all seriousness I am very much looking forward to the next installation. Way to build the suspense Mr. Bishop!

Jess

Stay tuned,

Greg

j/k