Anomaly 01 1969 May

Magazine Overview

Title: ANOMALY
Issue: No. 1
Date: May 1969

This is the inaugural issue of ANOMALY, an irregular newsletter dedicated to the statistical and scientific analysis of aerial anomalies (AA). The publication aims to collect and correlate known AA events in a systematic manner to produce a valid body of statistical and corroborated evidence, explicitly stating it will not compete with existing organizations and has no 'cause' to prove.

Editorial Stance and Methodology

The editors criticize the prevalent UFO literature for being based on hearsay and speculation, with many important problems suppressed or ignored by superficial investigations. They argue that concentrating solely on object descriptions has yielded little "hard" data and that a new system for collecting and analyzing data is required. This issue introduces concrete suggestions for investigating phenomena and briefly explains findings that contradict popular speculations.

The newsletter emphasizes the importance of shifting focus to witnesses and the unusual manifestations they experience, rather than solely on the objects themselves. It posits that UFOs represent only a part of a much larger, world-wide phenomenon.

Data Collection and Analysis

ANOMALY advocates for a rigorous, objective approach, stressing that investigators should express no opinions and merely collect facts. Testimonial evidence must be collected in a manner similar to law enforcement agencies. The newsletter introduces the Data Reduction System (DRS), a numerical shorthand for isolating and recording key factors of a sighting: date, time, geographical location, object movement, type of object, and file number for the full report. The DRS is presented as a universal system to organize incoming data, create handy indexes for future study, and enable quick organization and assessment of national "flaps" and "flap dates."

Key Investigative Considerations

The publication details several critical factors for investigators:

• Objectivity: Distinguishing between skepticism and objectivity, emphasizing the collection of facts without personal opinions.
• Estimates: Acknowledging the difficulty and unreliability of estimating altitude and speed without known reference points, urging that such estimates be clearly labeled.
• Directions: Highlighting the poor sense of direction many witnesses have and the need to recreate sightings and take compass readings.
• Emotional Reactions: Stressing the importance of understanding witnesses' emotional and physiological responses (fear, nausea, dizziness, dreams) before, during, and after a sighting.
• Elevation: Noting that objects seen low on the horizon are often non-UFO phenomena.
• Sounds: Recognizing that sounds can be important, sometimes "mental" or electrical responses, and suggesting examination by a qualified psychiatrist if beeping sounds are reported.
• Hypnosis: Warning against hypnotizing witnesses except by a qualified psychiatrist, as amateur hypnotists have ruined cases.
• Landings: Recommending photographing and measuring definite landing markings, noting that hundreds of such cases have been neglected.
• Eye Burn: Advising immediate medical examination for witnesses suffering from burned or inflamed eyes after viewing a UFO.
• Dreams: Emphasizing the significance of unusual nightmares before or after sightings and the potential for prophetic dreams.
• Radioactivity: Mentioning that radioactivity is rare and Geiger counters can be misread.

Diversions and Psychological Warfare

ANOMALY suggests that a large part of the UFO phenomenon is deliberately deceptive, with UFOs leaving behind ordinary debris or tire tracks to create the impression of a hoax. The newsletter also points to "diversionary landings" or staged incidents used by UFO occupants as a form of psychological warfare to draw attention away from significant activity. The use of ancient Greek names and phrases by UFO occupants is also noted.

The Environmental Phenomenon and ET Hypothesis

The publication strongly argues against the extraterrestrial (ET) thesis, stating that all evidence indicates the phenomenon is environmental. It suggests that the ET concept was deliberately promoted to keep the phenomenon safe from interference and that hoaxes were executed to sustain skepticism. The newsletter concludes that the ET concept is "completely erroneous."

Hallucinatory Effects

ANOMALY addresses the potential for sightings to be hallucinatory or psychological. It discusses "induced hallucinations" where exterior influences plant false memories in witnesses' minds, similar to hypnosis. These effects can manifest as dreams or nightmares. The newsletter advises keeping this factor a "ufological secret" until sufficient medical evidence is gathered, to avoid alienating witnesses who might fear being labeled "crazy."

Report Importance Scale

A "Report Importance Scale" is provided, ranking cases from +6 (most important, e.g., contacts with verifiable predictions and psychological effects) to -6 (least important, e.g., deliberate events and group sightings). Witnesses in +6 to +1 cases are recommended for psychiatric examination.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the need for a scientific, statistical, and objective approach to the study of aerial anomalies. The editorial stance is critical of existing ufology, which it deems speculative and lacking rigor. ANOMALY champions a new methodology, the DRS, and emphasizes the importance of witness testimony, psychological factors, and potential deception by the phenomenon itself, while firmly rejecting the extraterrestrial hypothesis in favor of an environmental explanation.

This issue of ANOMALY magazine, dated May 11, 1989, focuses on the systematic collection and classification of UFO (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) data, as well as discussions on related phenomena like 'Men In Black' (MIB).

Data Collection and Classification System

The magazine introduces a detailed system for classifying UFO sightings, categorizing them into four types:

• Type I: Unusual aerial object, spherical, discoid or other complex form, maneuvering close to the ground or even landing.
• Type II: Cigars and cylinders, also strange cloud-type formations such as self-luminous elongated structures apparently gaseous in form.
• Type III: An unusual object, spherical, discoid or other complex form, remaining stationary in the sky during most of the observation.
• Type IV: An unusual object or light pursuing a course across the sky without pausing or performing excessive maneuvers.

A sample case is fitted into Type III, and a corresponding DRS (Data Reduction System) code is provided: 69-106-2200-N.C.-G9-HN-M-E-III. The issue explains that each researcher participating in the study will be given a specific file number (e.g., LT3), and each report submitted will carry this number. A numerical identification for each report is also required, leading to a full code like LT3-14 for the 14th report.

The purpose of this system is to reduce all basic data of sightings to a single line of numbers and letters, enabling instant comparisons and checks of time and geographical coordinates, thus avoiding the need to sift through numerous individual reports.

Submitting Reports

The study is conducted with minimal funds and relies on volunteer workers. Researchers are asked to include return postage for tapes and other materials, and a stamped, self-addressed postcard for receipt acknowledgment. To receive the next issue of ANOMALY, a stamped, self-addressed business-sized envelope should be sent.

Newspaper clippings should be marked with the newspaper's name and date of publication. Full reports should be typed on 8"x11" sheets with the DRS code at the top. Two typed index cards (3"x5") must accompany each report: one with only the DRS code, and the other with the Vallee class code, normal date, and geographical location. This double card system aids in organizing 'flap' studies.

Each report should begin with a one-paragraph summary of the event, followed by a detailed chronological review including terrain, weather, physical descriptions of witnesses, and their backgrounds. Seemingly irrelevant details are encouraged, as they may prove important.

Researchers are recommended to write to the Geological Survey Office in Washington, D.C., for magnetic maps, as UFO activity is often concentrated around magnetic faults and deviations.

Men In Black (MIB)

The issue delves into the controversial topic of 'Men In Black' (MIB), individuals who have been reported in connection with UFO 'flap' areas. Several types of MIB are described:

• Psychic/Hallucinatory: Appearing and disappearing suddenly, causing paralysis or a rise in temperature.
• Tall, Blond Scandinavian Type: Usually travel in pairs, with one being tall, blond, fair-complexioned, and the other shorter with angular features and a dark olive complexion. The blond typically speaks more.
• Oriental Features Type: Men with Oriental features, dark complexions, slight stature, and a heavy, undefinable accent, sometimes posing as salesmen or poll-takers.
• Dark-Complected Females: Occasionally described, around 18 years of age.

MIB vehicles range from traditional cars like Cadillacs and Lincolns to Fords and Volkswagens, with white station wagons also being reported.

Investigators are cautioned against attempting to apprehend MIB themselves or attacking them physically, as they may employ hypnotic techniques. It is advised to collect testimonial evidence and report them to the local police or FBI, proving they are breaking the law. If individuals in military uniforms approach witnesses, contact the local Air Force or military base to verify their identity.

Several publications on MIB are recommended, including "MIB" by Robert S. Easley and Rick R. Hilberg, "THE MEN IN BLACK" by Kurt Glemser and Robert Beneschan, and "NEW UFO BREAKTHROUGH" by Brad Steiger and Joan Whritenour.

Other Anomalous Phenomena and Reports

Brush-Off Letters: The magazine discusses 'brush off' letters as a form of 'documentation' by ufologists, citing a typical form letter from Kennedy's office and a revised pro-UFO letter. A case involving Mr. Michalak and the Mayo Clinic is mentioned, where the clinic stated they had no record of him, suggesting he might have used an assumed name.

Anomalous Radio Signals: Reports have been received of unusual unidentified radio signals, often calling out meaningless numbers over telephones, television sets, and church public address systems. Examples include incidents in Portland, Oregon, and Cambridge, England.

Telephone Poll: An in-depth survey of telephone problems being experienced nationwide is being conducted, and readers are asked to report any unusual problems or harassment.

Stray Lightning Bolts: An unusual increase in deaths by lightning and a herd of cattle killed by lightning are noted, prompting a study of this phenomenon.

Correspondence and Reviews

Special Announcement: A comprehensive review of ufological events in the United States, titled "NORTH AMERICAN REPORT," is announced, featuring articles by various ufologists. It is available for $1.50 from FLYING SAUCER REVIEW in London, England.

Correspondence:

• A letter from Robert F. Kennedy (February 7, 1966) to John A. Keel thanks him for his letter on UFOs. Kennedy agrees that other beings likely exist in the universe but states that UFOs are not necessarily manned vehicles, suggesting an explanation involving comets' gaseous tails. He notes that sightings do not indicate manned craft.
• A letter from Robert L. Schulz, Executive Assistant to Brig. General, USA (Ret), on behalf of Dwight D. Eisenhower (January 16, 1967), responds to a query about a rumored UFO landing at MUROC AFB in 1954. Schulz states that the General cannot comply as there is no basis in fact to the presented statements.
• A letter from Fulton J. Sheen, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Organizations (April 26, 1966), responds to John A. Keel's request for an appointment. Sheen states that the Bible does not relate to flying saucers and that the question resides in the field of science, not scripture.

Book Reviews:

• Two booklets summarizing MIB reports are recommended: "MIB" by Robert S. Easley and Rick R. Hilberg ($1.00), and "THE MEN IN BLACK" by Kurt Glemser and Robert Beneschan ($2.00).
• "NEW UFO BREAKTHROUGH" by Brad Steiger and Joan Whritenour, which covers the MIB scene, is also mentioned (75¢).

Unusual Religious Movement: An intriguing letter from the EAST VILLAGE OTHER (April 2, 1969) describes the activities of a high-powered religious movement called the Nisherin Shoshu, who were reportedly soliciting new members in L.A. and San Francisco. The letter writer describes encounters with members who exhibited a peculiar gleam in their eyes and offered rides to meetings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rigorous, data-driven approach to UFO research, emphasizing the need for detailed reports, systematic classification (like the DRS code), and careful analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into anomalous phenomena, while maintaining a skeptical but not dismissive attitude towards extraordinary claims. The publication seems to encourage direct investigation and reporting by its readers. There is a clear distinction made between scientific inquiry and religious or scriptural interpretations of UFOs. The MIB section highlights the importance of caution and proper procedure when dealing with potentially unusual or intimidating individuals associated with UFO cases. The overall tone is informative and instructive, aiming to guide researchers in their efforts.