# Area 51
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 8, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795 "2004-12-08T19:35:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/1 "2004-12-08T19:35:34Z")
Does anybody know the truth about Area-51? Personally I think it would make a great article for Cecil to investigate, but Cecil it’s your choice anyways. Back to the topic, I’d be really interested if anyone could find or knows any information about the site and whether or not it is a secreat government testing ground or not. Thanks.
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### Author:  [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/2 "2004-12-08T19:47:41Z")
Cecil has already [spoken](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_040.html).
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### Author:  [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/3 "2004-12-08T19:55:30Z")
Wikipedia has an excellent summary of what is known about Area 51 [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51).
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/4 "2004-12-08T19:57:32Z")
Thanks for that, but I mean what about the facts of the presidents signing deals to keep the area TOP secret and the fact that that area of land is free from any laws(i.e. they can kill anyone for any reason and it sticks) and the fact that when the U.S. government gave satellite pictures of the U.S.A. to the public area-51 was the only site blacked out? I just want some understandable answers, not nesscessarily about aliens but about secreat government projects.
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/5 "2004-12-08T20:09:59Z")
About 50 years ago, an alien spaceship crashed near Roswell, New Mexico.
Naturally the US Air force was determined to hush it up, since ‘the average US voter was not ready for such information’. (And they did a fine job, except that a spokesman foolishly departed from the official story of ‘a weather balloon’ 😕 .)
Now this meant that a dedicated bunch of ‘scientific’ types were alerted, and they soon realised what was going on. Bravely publicising the fact that flying saucers had landed, they were able to set up a thriving tourist industry in Roswell. Although this made profits 🆒 , it was all in a good cause - to expose the gigantic conspiracy perpetrated on the World by the US Government.
The spaceship, and the alien crew (who had unfortunately perished in the crash) were taked to the secret military base known as Area 51.
A brave soul smuggled out amazing autopsy footage as doctors probed the alien being’s internal bits. :eek:
After a while, other aliens came looking for their fallen comrade. They were not sure where the accident happened, so have visited all corners of the World. They have left amazing messages to us in the form of crop circles, but the efficient US conspiracy has cunningly pretended that anyone can make a crop circle with two planks and a piece of string. :rolleyes:
Meanwhile the Government has continued its silly denials, and it is a known fact that there is a secret swearing-in ceremony for each incoming President where he takes an oath never to reveal the inter-Galactic truth. 😉
The only time that the alien spaceship (which has now been fully repaired) will emerge into the light of day is if aliens sneakily attack the US on a National Holiday. :mad:
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/6 "2004-12-08T20:22:22Z")
> [@bot0003](#):
>
> Thanks for that, but I mean what about the facts of the presidents signing deals to keep the area TOP secret and the fact that that area of land is free from any laws(i.e. they can kill anyone for any reason and it sticks) and the fact that when the U.S. government gave satellite pictures of the U.S.A. to the public area-51 was the only site blacked out? I just want some understandable answers, not nesscessarily about aliens but about secreat government projects.
How high is your security clearance?
Do you have permission to discuss this on a public message board?
Of course the laws you refer to are well-known (so we don’t need a cite or anything).
Once the President has defined an intruder on Area 51 land as an ‘enemy combatant’, the Geneva Convention no longer applies.
Since Area 51 is rented from the Cuban Government, US citizens cannot get legal protection under the US constitution either.
You are mistaken on one point though - intruders are only executed under ‘anti-terrorist’ legislation.
Here are the figures I found for the casualties entering Area 51:
1950 none
1951 none
1952 none
1953 7 (hushed up as a traffic accident)
1954 none
1955 none
1956 none
1957 none
1958 none
1959 none
1960 none
1961 2, 345 (Kennedy refused to accept this, which is why he was assassinated)
1962 none
1963 none
1964 none
1965 none
1966 1 (possibly killed by lightning)
1967 none
1968 none
1969 none
1970 none
1971 none
1972 26 (all anti-war protesters)
1973 none
I don’t have more recent data, because my secret contact was abducted by aliens working with the Government.
The above is from a military source:
[www.tellittothemarines.com](http://www.tellittothemarines.com)
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/7 "2004-12-08T20:35:44Z")
Funny, that website doesn’t seem to work for me. But there must be some way to get into the base, I mean granted I don’t want to be shot or anything but high res satellites, remote controlled cars and planes, how is the government so good at hiding this stuff? Anymore imput would be nice and thanks for the wiki site.
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/8 "2004-12-08T20:56:44Z")
> [@bot0003](#):
>
> Funny, that website doesn’t seem to work for me. But there must be some way to get into the base, I mean granted I don’t want to be shot or anything but high res satellites, remote controlled cars and planes, how is the government so good at hiding this stuff? Anymore imput would be nice and thanks for the wiki site.
\*\* What do you mean, that site doesn’t work? \*\* :eek: 😕 :rolleyes: :smack:
Why there can only be one reason…
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(welcome to the boards, by the way)
…
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your true motives have been detected. I think you know what I mean. 😛
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/9 "2004-12-08T20:58:16Z")
Let me guess…it ain’t a real site is it?
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/10 "2004-12-08T21:01:26Z")
It’s as genuine as your query!
And here’s a creepy thing for you to consider:
An Englishman, Archibald Leach set that website up. Oh yes.
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/11 "2004-12-08T21:04:58Z")
Then why doesn’t it work?
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/12 "2004-12-08T21:07:43Z")
Here is an alternate site:
[http://www.carygrant.net/wavs/honeymoon.html](http://www.carygrant.net/wavs/honeymoon.html)
…
…
…
And by all means, tell it to the Marines. (cheering) Marines? Oh yes, well I had to put them in they’d be offended. Ya see I mentioned all the others. Oh ho, you don’t know those Marines.- Grant/Slezak
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### Author:  [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/13 "2004-12-08T21:14:02Z")
Not only did that link not work for me, it actively _crashed my laptop_!
It’s obviously all part of the conspiricy…they knew I was getting too close.
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/14 "2004-12-08T21:14:34Z")
I fail to see how this has anything to do with the topic at hand :smack:
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/15 "2004-12-08T21:24:20Z")
Gosh, you’re a hard one to satisfy.
You’ve had the official StraightDope answer, the Wikipedia reference and the ‘truth’ (courtesy of myself).
Just before I continue (and hurry up, because my Mum will kick me off here soon as it’s my bedtime), could you give your cite for your assertions:
- “area 51 is free from any laws (i.e. they can kill anyone for any reason)”
- “the Presidents signing deals to keep the area TOP secret”
Unless that would breach security…
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/16 "2004-12-08T21:27:29Z")
Whatever that meant…
Here: [http://seekers.100megs6.com/ufoman-area51.htm](http://seekers.100megs6.com/ufoman-area51.htm)
and to a lesser extent: [http://www.area51newmexico.com/aboutarea51.html](http://www.area51newmexico.com/aboutarea51.html)
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### Author:  [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/17 "2004-12-08T21:35:02Z")
**bot0003** , it’s evident to me that **glee** thinks you’re pulling our leg/jacking us around, so he’s responding in kind.
Your blithe dismissal of the Straight Dope and Wikipedia information suggests that you are doing the above, or have bought into a load of horsecrap.
If the Air Force facility in the area is indeed top-secret, then there isn’t going to be any information about it, and trespassing on it is indeed likely to get one shot, and the government isn’t going to release satellite photos of it. Simple logic.
I don’t believe you’re going to be able to learn more than has already been presented.
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### Author:  [@bot0003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot0003)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/18 "2004-12-08T21:39:17Z")
First off, I never dismissed that information I actually THANKED the people for it…read the comments before you post. And to clarify I wasn’t joking around, I just thought that this forum actually had people willing to respond to my serious question. Cecil responded to the alien question but I want to know if there is anything else going on(if indeed anything). If no one knows fine, but if someone would like to share what they do know, please do, I’d very much appreciate it.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/19 "2004-12-08T21:49:37Z")
Since this is General Questions, let’s give young **bot** the benefit of the doubt for a moment and attempt to answer the question.
_Does anyone know the truth about Area 51?_
The truth is that the “government” needs a place to test TOP SECRET stuff, like new spy planes or weapons systems. It is best to test this stuff away from populated areas, just in case flaming debris comes hurtling out of the sky.
That leaves basically the ocean and the desert, and since it’s more difficult to fish the wreckage out of the ocean than to scrape it off the desert, the desert wins.
_Is it a secret government testing site?_
Probably, but IF the government admitted that, then it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?
Carry on.
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795/20 "2004-12-08T21:59:39Z")
Gary T,
ah, you saw through my little ‘conspiracy’!
bot0003,
Hey, I welcomed you to the boards! Read my posts before you sneer.
The way this conspiracy theory works is simple.
If we tell you Area 51 is simply a US Air force base, specialising in testing new aircraft, you’ll think we are part of a conspiracy to hide the aliens.
If we tell you we think there are aliens there, but we haven’t any proof, you’ll think the cover-up is brilliant.
On the off-chance that you will accept evidence, try this.
From your links:
“It wasn’t until Bob Lazar claimed on a national television station in Las Vegas, that he used to be employed at Area 51, and Area 51 had been connected with anything to do with extra-terrestrial activity in 1989. He allegedly he saw photos and reports from alien autopsies and several alien spaceships. But is he telling the truth? Possible so, as a lie-dector test proved he was tell the truth.”
I didn’t know there was **any** evidence that lie-detectors work?
Do **you** know better?
"Many of Lazar’s statements have been criticised as inaccurate or unfounded. His grasp of physics has been questioned, though he appears well-versed in it in his interviews and public appearances. Lazar claims to hold advanced degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology, but does not appear on the alumni roll of either institution. Lazar’s supporters allege this discrepancy is the result of a government cover-up.
One objection to Lazar’s report was that while the element Uup occurred in the atomic number range postulated for greater stability, the first terrestrial experiments to produce it indicated a half-life on the order of seconds rather than years. Defenders answer this criticism on the ground that different stabilities are attributable to different isotopic compositions: that an isotope achievable only under distant stellar formation may be more stable than forms resulting from collision of stable elements by conventional means."
> **[Bob Lazar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lazar)**
>
> Reportedly haunted locations:
> Robert Scott Lazar (/ləˈzɑːr/; born January 26, 1959) is an American conspiracy theorist who claims to have been hired in the late 1980s to reverse-engineer extraterrestrial technology at what he described as a secret site called "S-4". Lazar alleges that this subsidiary installation is located several kilometres south of the United States Air Force facility popularly known as Area 51.
> Lazar claims he examined an alien craft that ran on an antimatter reactor powe...
“When two Area 51 workers were seriously ill with an exposure to an unknown poison, their supervisors refused to tell doctors what they have been exposed to. So the doctors were unable to treat the poor workers and they later sadly died in 1994. Their families tried to sue the US government, not for money but to find out what had happened to their loved ones. Later it was discovered President Clinton has made this area “exempt from federal, state and international laws” meaning that they can basically do whatever they like! Toxic waste had been dumped and burnt on the “wind-receiving” (how clever) side of the base allowing deadly vapours to be breathed in by the workers which caused their skin to literal peal off. The court case was unsuccessful because the government wouldn’t even acknowledge the fact that it existed or that the workers did either.”
Interesting how a US President can make an area exempt from international laws. Which US law did he use for that then?
Just a quick cite is all we need - when did Clinton do this?
Anyway at last we can break the code of silence.
All you need to do is quote the names of the two workers.
I personally guarantee the ACLU will happily sue the Government on the families behalf, especially with the gruesome manner of their death.
Just give us their names…
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-51/278795.md?page=2)