Amskaya - No 052 - 2002 10

Magazine Overview

AMSKAYA, Newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, Issue No. 52, dated October 2002. This issue focuses on UFO investigations, extraterrestrial contact, and related phenomena, with a prominent cover story on "Britain's Secret UFO Hunters."

Britain's Secret UFO Hunters

The lead article discusses a Discovery Channel program from July that seemingly investigated the head of UFO investigation in Britain in the 1950s, operating from a secret facility known as 'Room 801' in the Metropole Hotel. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) had denied the existence of such operations. The room was described as a strange, domed structure accessible via a back staircase and an outside walkway, reminiscent of a spaceship interior with a domed roof and porthole windows. Wing Commander Myles Formby was tasked with researching UFOs for the government, leveraging his expertise in identifying Russian aircraft. His colleagues interviewed witnesses, including a Mr. Templeton from Carlisle, who took a famous photograph of his daughter with what appeared to be a spaceman behind her. The agents involved identified themselves only by numbers. The article mentions a memo from Winston Churchill inquiring about the meaning and truth behind 'flying saucers.' Despite some RAF officers reporting sightings of craft with unexplainable behavior, the 'Flying Saucer Working Party Report No.7' was reportedly critical of extraterrestrial theories, finding no unexplainable phenomena and recommending no further investigation. The secret room's location was implied to be a place of relegation rather than high security. Formby confirmed the investigators' findings but remained tight-lipped, presumably due to the Official Secrets Act. The article questions whether this is further disinformation, noting that some sightings, like those of the two RAF officers and a fighter pilot's encounter over Sussex, were not fully explained. The reaction to Mr. Templeton's photograph is deemed disproportionate for mere investigation of Russian craft. The piece suggests that while the Cold War is over, the 'Silence Group' may remain active.

Ufology and Scientific Scrutiny

An introduction by Tony Wedd, Part 4 of "Earth Men, Space Men," describes the burgeoning field of ufology as an amateur, international science. It notes the involvement of various enthusiasts and the multiplication of UFO research groups. Wedd critiques the seriousness with which UFOs are sometimes treated, citing young individuals taking photographs and the difficulty in evaluating the phenomena due to fantastic acceleration and changes in direction. He contrasts the views of Donald Menzel ('Natural phenomena') and Dr. Jung ('A modern myth') with Gerald Heard ('Insect crews'), all attempting to rationalize the unknown. The limitations of ufology are highlighted by a film titled 'U.F.O.,' which, despite presenting evidence, concludes that the objects were 'not birds, not balloons, not aircraft, and not faked.' The article mentions 'Project Bluebook,' the US Air Force's UFO investigation group, and notes that reports from individuals claiming contact with UFO crews or occupants were filed under 'CP' (crackpot). Lt-Col. Tacker's statement that the U.S. Air Force had 'no evidence to date to substantiate the possibility of life on other planets' is questioned, with the 'crackpot file' itself being presented as a form of evidence. The author suggests that the Air Force authorities acted as judges of what constitutes 'good' evidence, implying a bias against UFO reports.

Contact Stories and Potential Futures

The article critiques the scientific establishment's handling of contact stories, suggesting that scientists, acting as judge, jury, and executioner, would know the worthlessness of a negative conclusion. The 'crackpot file' is presented as a guide to evaluating UFOs. The story of Captain Mantell, who was sent to investigate a UFO and was subsequently destroyed along with his plane, is recounted. While a military perspective might see this as hostility, George Adamski's account suggests the 'Space men' slowed down to allow Mantell to approach, inadvertently causing the accident due to radiation from their ship. The article also touches upon J.J. O'Neill's 1953 report of a bridge across the Mare Crisium on the Moon, which astronomers dismissed as natural. Buck Nelson's claim of landing on the Moon and Howard Menger's experiences with hovercraft-like vehicles are mentioned. The author posits that if these claims are true, the efforts to send humans to the Moon by rocket are misguided. The article suggests that governments might seek guidance from 'interplanetary parliament' on Saturn, leading to potential brotherhood with 'wiser people in Space.' The UFOs are seen as a warning of danger but also as portending great possibilities, urging humanity to choose between self-destruction and achieving brotherhood.

Book Reviews

Without Consent by Carl Nagaitis and Philip Mantle is reviewed. Subtitled 'Extraterrestrial Contact and Alien Abduction in the UK,' the book focuses on non-consensensual abductions. It notes the similarities in abduction narratives and the potential for psychotronically induced hallucinations to make extraterrestrials appear frightening, possibly to protect economic interests. The review contrasts the treatment of abductees and contactees, noting that abductees have faced less harassment from government agencies.

The Face and the Message by John Michell is also reviewed. This book investigates the crop formations at Chilbolton, Hampshire, which depicted a human face and a binary message. The message is compared to one sent from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, containing scientific data. The author suggests that these extraterrestrial communications imply a universal human form and that the senders might be acting superior. However, the article notes that the author attributes these patterns to Hermes-Mercurius, a trickster god.

John Michell's article '2002 - some space oddities' in the Daily Mirror is mentioned, referencing a disc-shaped UFO sighting in Tonbridge and a cigar-shaped UFO over Brighton. Michell expresses skepticism about UFOs being from space or secret military devices, noting the lack of progress in their appearance since the 1950s.

Personal Accounts of Contact

James Cooke, an electrician and salesman, recounts his experiences with higher entities and instructions for journeys. On September 7, 1957, he witnessed a ship approach, change color, and land a few inches above the ground. He was instructed to jump aboard, remove his clothing, and don a suit with a breathing apparatus. He was then taken to a planet called Somdic, described with yellow vegetation and a copper-colored ground. The inhabitants, described as 'baby-faced' with good complexions, did not have money and manufactured their needs. Cooke was shown a factory and learned that they could turn energy into substance. He was told that Earth's inhabitants were upsetting the balance with force and were urged to warn them. The inhabitants of Somdic use a solar ray for their mother ship, which generates its own gravity and has a repellant magnetic barrier for protection from meteorites.

Another account details a conversation with a visitor who appeared to be from another planet. The visitor spoke of an afterlife, the spirit of those who had died, and offered guidance and reassurance. This experience led the narrator to develop faith and a new perspective on life. He also mentions having conversations with his deceased wife and sons.

A third account describes a visit from a 'high official of the police and another gentleman' who advised him to forget certain matters. Later, he was met by an inhabitant of another planet who arrived in a craft. This individual suggested that people from other planets are living on Earth among us.

Further Testimonies and Reflections

One individual recounts a 30-minute conversation with a visitor while a circular object hovered nearby. The visitor offered reassurance about the future and promised guidance if faith was kept. This experience profoundly altered the narrator's views on life and death.

Another personal testimony details a meeting with a visitor who rebuked the narrator for his language and spoke of earthly troubles and difficulties as a probationary period for a further life. The visitor also mentioned names of people the narrator knew and their interest in earthly matters. The narrator was advised to curtail conversations about these matters, as many forces desire this knowledge for power and influence. The visitors were described as well-dressed, with a likeness to continental or Jewish people, and both tall and athletic.

Publications and Subscriptions

The newsletter also promotes several publications and a CD-ROM:

• The Hidden Unity and Beginnings by Jimmy Goddard: Explores subconscious siting of ley points, worship, and cognitive dissonance. (£2 + 30p p&p)
• Earth People, Space People by Tony Wedd: A booklet detailing extraterrestrial contact claims, the history of the STAR Fellowship, and evidence for life in the Solar System. (£2 + 30p p&p)
• The Legacy of Tony Wedd (CD-ROM): An electronic exhibition of Tony Wedd's research on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology. (£9.99)

AMSKAYA itself is available for £2 for four quarterly issues from J. Goddard.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include government secrecy and cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena, the nature of extraterrestrial contact and abduction, the scientific investigation (or lack thereof) of UFOs, and the potential for humanity to learn from or interact with advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting personal testimonies and investigative reports, while also acknowledging skepticism and the possibility of disinformation. There is an underlying message of hope for a positive future through potential contact with 'wiser people in Space,' contrasted with the danger of humanity's self-destructive tendencies.