APRO Bulletin - 1977 11 00 - Vol 26 No 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated November 1977, features a prominent article on the "Idaho Abduction Case," alongside a review of a Firesign Theater album, an in-depth analysis of FBI files related to UFO sightings, and commentary on the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

"U.F.O. REPORT" Radio Series On Air Again

The bulletin announces the return of APRO's five-times-per-week radio series, "U.F.O. Report," which is being syndicated by a new company. This company is described as one of the largest of its kind globally, handling programs like the Ronald Reagan Commentaries and the Jack Webb Show. Hal Starr, APRO's Public Relations Director, is optimistic about the new syndication, with the company's president instructing the sales force to prioritize "U.F.O. Report" and anticipating at least 100 cities carrying the broadcast by year's end. Contact information for administrative personnel is provided.

Review: EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG by the Firesign Theater

Reviewed by Tom Day, this section discusses the Firesign Theater's sound play, "Everything You Know Is Wrong." The album is set in Hellmouth, California, and features Dr. "Happy" Harry Cox as the central figure, grappling with UFOs and psychic phenomena. The review highlights the comedy group's skill in creating well-conceived supporting characters and delivering a fanciful drama with dazzling dialogue and puns. While acknowledging the script's complexity and obscure references as minor flaws, the review praises the album's understanding of belief and disbelief, its literate phrasing, and strong characterizations, deeming it enjoyable listening.

Idaho Abduction Case

This detailed report by APRO focuses on the experience of Ms. Rachel Jones of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. On the night of June 20, 1977, Ms. Jones reported being awakened by someone entering her apartment. She experienced paralysis and a sensation of being moved, recalling a figure in a bluish suit. Upon waking fully, she noticed a significant time lapse, with the clock reading 1:57 a.m. The next morning, she suffered a severe headache. Subsequent investigation involved Dr. Sprinkle, a consultant in Psychology and expert in regressive hypnosis. Ms. Jones underwent questionnaires and hypnotic sessions to explore the lost time. Her personality profiles were similar to normal adults. During hypnosis, she described encounters with entities, including one with an inverted triangle on its shirt, and a room with a "wagon wheel" apparatus in the ceiling. She recalled being moved, feeling a warm light and a burning sensation on her shoulder, and experiencing distress. The entity reportedly stated, "It's not time" and mentioned a "change" that would make her "better for others." The report includes drawings by Rachel and notes the case's similarity to others where abductions occurred in residences. A physician's statement describes an unusual circular to elliptical scar on her back.

Close Encounters - The Hollywood Kind

This article by James D. White reviews Columbia Pictures' film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." While acknowledging it as spectacular entertainment that might convey the impact of UFO sightings to skeptics, the author questions its portrayal. The movie depicts UFOs as transient projections rather than solid objects found in actual literature. The narrative follows Richard Dreyfuss's character as he investigates UFO activity, leading to a compulsion to go to a mountain in Wyoming. The film involves NASA receiving computer signals, interpreted as map coordinates, and features a French scientist, played by Francois Truffaut, who acts as an interpreter. The article describes the film's climax, where a command ship lands, and figures from the missing 1945 Navy flight emerge. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is mentioned as a technical advisor. The author raises questions about the film's intent, specifically whether it suggests UFOs are benign and if it implies the establishment is secretly prepared to deal with the UFO problem.

1950 Steep Rock Lake, Ontario Case: Possible Hoax

Robert Badgley, an investigator from Ontario, Canada, researched the 1950 Steep Rock Lake case. This story, originally published in the Steep Rock Lake Echo, involved a couple witnessing a spaceship with occupants. Investigations revealed that Mr. Beryl Labossieu, formerly of Steep Rock Iron Mines, stated the story was entirely fictitious and written for local amusement. It was later picked up by an American magazine and included in Frank Edwards' book on UFOs, leading to numerous letters and fooling many people over the years.

New Consultant

Ronald Neman, Ph.D., has joined APRO's panel of consultants. Dr. Neman holds degrees in Psychology and has extensive professional experience, currently serving as Associate Director for Research at the National Association for Retarded Citizens.

UFO Related Information from the FBI File (Part II)

This section, by Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee, continues the examination of the FBI's involvement with UFO reports in 1947. It details the FBI's initial engagement, the accumulation of data, and the subsequent "retreat" from active investigation. The article highlights the types of reports the FBI received, including numerous hoaxes (e.g., aluminum discs, cardboard discs with propellers, objects with hammer and sickle symbols) and three credible reports from the Army Air Force (AAF). These credible reports, from meteorologists and observers using instruments, described metallic discs with specific shapes and flight characteristics, observed at significant altitudes and speeds. The author suggests that the FBI's decision to investigate may have been influenced by the possibility of "subversion" and "foreign power" involvement, with the FBI aiming to determine if UFO reports could be attributed to such activities. The article also notes the apparent lack of concern from "high brass" in the War Department regarding UFO sightings, leading to speculation that they possessed prior knowledge. The FBI's investigation considered the possibility that flying discs were highly classified experiments of the Army or Navy. However, communications with Army Air Forces Intelligence and the War Department indicated no such governmental experiments were being conducted. The FBI file contained many reports, with a significant portion being hoaxes, leading to the conclusion that the issue was primarily a military intelligence problem. The author presents a document expressing the belief that the "flying saucer" situation was not imaginary and that "Something is really flying around," possibly a domestic project. The physical characteristics of observed objects are described, including metallic surfaces, blue-brown haze exhaust, circular or elliptical shapes, and sizes comparable to aircraft like the C-54. Reports of multiple discs flying in formation at high speeds are also mentioned. The article concludes by noting that the FBI's investigation might have continued if not for a "last straw" event, which is to be described later. The analysis within the FBI file suggested that the situation was similar to past handling of Japanese balloons, implying it was a military matter that the Bureau should not be expending resources on, especially when there was no clear connection to Russian espionage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting detailed case studies, investigative reports, and analyses of official documents. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO sightings, distinguishing between credible evidence and hoaxes, and exploring potential explanations ranging from foreign technology to domestic projects. The magazine also engages with the media's portrayal of UFOs and highlights the work of researchers and consultants in the field. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and disseminating information related to unidentified flying objects, encouraging members and the public to report sightings and participate in investigations.