Simple Visitation or Direct Involvement?

The most accepted speculation or theory concerning an ET presence is that we have simply been visited. But there are other levels of ET involvement and relation to our planet. Many researchers and speakers in the UFO field appear to significantly differ from others in terms of how deep the conspiracy allegedly goes, or how much the "visitors" are actually involved with our Civilization. Few (Dr. Edgar Mitchell for example) don't really get into the depths of this conspiracy, and remain rather conservative with their statements, Dr. Mitchell would only state that: "Yes, we've been visited, the Roswell crash was real, there were bodies recovered, etc..." And when asked about NASA, is actually quite illusive, and refrains completely from involving the space agency in any way as part of the cover up.

But isn't that somewhat of a contradiction?...Afterall, if we are to believe that an extraterrestrial presence is existent and that there is indeed a cover up, then one must wonder how deep this cover up would be. Would NASA not be involved with this cover up in any way?...How could they Not be when we are discussing a presence of extraterrestrials in/around our planet?..Surely an organization whose goal is Space Exploration would be at least "in the know" or involved with a cover up somehow. Anyhow this thread is not meant to be about NASA and whether they are possibly involved. However just to demonstrate the positions of different speakers, researchers, and whistleblowers in the UFO field.

A similar but differing character would be the late astronaut Gordon Cooper, whose claims go a little further than that of Dr. Mitchell, speaking and summarizing his experience at Edwards AFB he stated: "I had a camera crew filming the installation when they spotted a saucer. They filmed it as it flew overhead, then hovered, extended three legs as landing gear, and slowly came down to land on a dry lake bed! It was a classic saucer, shiny silver and smooth, about 30 feet across. It was pretty clear it was an alien craft." -- Quote Source

Which moving on to a higher level of Conspiracy. Direct ET involvement:

There are many rumors and much talk about the Dulce Base, and it is alleged by some to be a top secret facility with underground bases in which there are aliens actually working in-cognito with the scientists and officers of that base, Genetic Experiments are even said to be conducted there. Another story involves President Eisenhower and the infamous Holloman AFB UFO landing it said that there was a treaty signed of some sort, civilian abductions were to be allowed in exchange for Technology. And speaking of abductions, a notion which may sound frightening to some...If this is true, if even One abduction/contact case is genuine and accurate in reality as described (not sleep-paralysis) - Then again, one must wonder how deep the conspiracy goes, and how involved the ETs are with our Civilization. Are ETs among us? (See: Sgt. Clifford Stone).

How deep does this conspiracy go, what do you think?

Thanks for reading.