APRO Bulletin - 1983 11 00 - Vol 31 No 9

Magazine Overview

Title: The APRO Bulletin
Volume: 31
Issue: 9
Date: November, 1983

This issue of The APRO Bulletin delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, including detailed reports of sightings, investigations into controversial topics like cattle mutilations, and discussions on the psychological and societal implications of belief and secrecy.

UFOhio Symposium Papers

The bulletin lists eight papers presented at the APRO UFOhio Symposium in June 1981, available from APRO Headquarters. These papers cover a range of subjects including historical accounts, investigations, psychological aspects, and sociological research related to UFOs. The prices for these papers are listed, reflecting copying costs and postage.

Important Meeting Notice

An announcement is made for the annual general membership meeting of APRO, scheduled for Saturday, December 3rd. The meeting will focus on APRO's computer project and its implementation. It is to be held at the Southern Arizona Home Builder's Association building in Tucson, Arizona.

Remote Wyoming Area Revisited: Stop Press UFO Over Iran

This section details a UFO sighting reported from Iran on July 15, 1983. Travelers on the Tehran-Semnan road witnessed an orange glowing object on the ground that later elevated and disappeared. The report includes an account from a witness identified as an instructor at Mehrabad Airport, who contacted the control tower. The Islamic Republic's Army stated there was no confirmation of 'flying saucers' and suggested the object might be debris.

Remote Wyoming Area Revisited (Continued)

This article revisits a case from Volume 28, No. 10, concerning a strange blue light in northern Wyoming. It then details an incident on August 11, 1983, where Dr. David Dolese, a physician from Alaska, observed a flashing yellow-white light near Cooke City, Montana. The object, described as an asymmetrical asterisk, moved slowly and was estimated to be a few hundred feet high and two to three feet in diameter. Dr. Dolese initially thought it might have a 'human explanation' but was intrigued by its appearance. The article includes a sketch of the object.

Cattle Mutilations and the Imagined Culprit: A Psychological Perspective

Authored by Peter A. Jordan, this article explores the psychological factors contributing to theories surrounding cattle mutilations. It discusses how biases towards extraterrestrial hypotheses can lead to misinterpretations of evidence, such as identifying helicopters as 'alien UFOs'. The author also addresses common claims about missing blood and lack of struggle in mutilated carcasses, offering explanations related to natural processes and biological conditions. The article critiques the tendency for ranchers and officials to rely on a consensus model of reality, influenced by 'group think', and draws parallels to Solomon Asch's conformity experiments. It questions the reliability of intuitive science when faced with ambiguous situations.

Necropsy: The Shock of the Natural

This section examines the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's findings on cattle mutilations in 1975. Out of over 200 claims, only 50 were suitable for laboratory analysis, with 13 confirmed as 'willful mutilation' and 37 classified as 'predator-damaged'. The article notes that even in confirmed cases, some showed knife cuts made post-mortem. It also mentions the absence of drugs, poisons, or laser burns, suggesting natural causes like hardware, pneumonia, or bacterial infections. The article references the book 'Mute Evidence' by Dan Kagan and Ian Summers, which discusses these findings and dispels common misconceptions. It further explores how cognitive errors can arise from ambiguous circumstances, citing Asch's experiment on group pressure and conformity.

The Persistence of Belief

This part of the article delves into why people persist in believing in diabolical explanations for phenomena like cattle mutilations, even when presented with unreliable information. It suggests that 'commitment' plays a significant role, referencing Leon Festinger and Stanley Shactner's study of Marion Keech, where disconfirmatory evidence paradoxically increased commitment. The author outlines five conditions under which commitment might increase despite contradictory evidence. The section also notes the discrepancies between physiological observations and the conclusions of ranchers and veterinarians, and references a report by former FBI agent Kenneth Rommel, which found most New Mexico mutilations explainable by 'available evidence' and 'natural causes'.

Greg Faltersack Confessed

Written by Richard Heiden, this piece revisits a 1972 UFO sighting reported by Greg Faltersack. Initially, electromagnetic effects on his car were reported, but an APRO investigator found the car's problems predated the incident. The article reveals that Faltersack's sister, a UFO enthusiast, convinced him to report the sighting, which he was reluctant to do. Faltersack later joined the UFO Education Center and eventually admitted that the sighting never happened. The sister reportedly urged him to keep the hoax quiet. The article suggests the UFO Education Center may have used obvious UFOs for publicity.

Official UFO Secrecy: A Test of American Liberties

Authored by Robert F. Creegan, this article discusses the importance of citizen access to information, particularly concerning UFOs, as a characteristic of a free society. It highlights the shock of official secrecy surrounding UFO investigations, which have involved numerous military and civilian agencies since before the Arnold sighting. Lawsuits and the Freedom of Information Act have revealed gaps in information and agency attempts to withhold documents. The author calls for renewed Congressional investigations to ensure the public's right to be informed and to allow science to investigate this 'catastrophic enigma'. The article mentions surprising involvement of the Department of State and reports of actual landings in sensitive areas, as well as incursions at military bases. It also references a CIA statement about receiving UFO-related material from science and technology sources.

Letters

This section includes two letters from readers. The first, from Jack P. Swaney, expresses disappointment and disgust with the publication of Mr. Jordan's article on cattle mutilations, questioning its 'scientific responsibility' and suggesting the author consulted psychics and a Ouija board. The second letter, from David L. Woolstrum, includes dues and a contribution for the computer fund, expressing enjoyment of Sally Sheridan's articles and the use of computers.

Pilot Sightings and Radar Trackings (Part II)

This section, by Bob Gribble, presents several reports from the National UFO Reporting Center:

• April 16, 1978 - Georgia: A pilot and radar observed a fast-moving red and white object oscillating up and down.
• June 4, 1978 - California: A pilot and co-pilot saw a frosty, white, tapered object move from standstill to tremendous speed and disappear.
• September 24, 1978 - Maine: A police officer and radar tracked a large, cylindrical object moving at high speed with a humming sound.
• November 15, 1978 - Eastern Washington State: Interceptors tracked a green object, described as bullet-headed, moving at high speed.
• December 1, 1978 - Southern California: Two pilots observed a white light maneuvering around their aircraft.
• May 26, 1979 - Idaho: A pilot observed five orange objects in formation that regrouped and moved erratically, causing instrument malfunctions.
• May 26, 1979 (Braniff Airliner): A Braniff airliner crew and a private jet crew observed orange objects below their aircraft, which disappeared from radar.
• June 9, 1979 - California: A pilot observed a flashing object approaching on a collision course, described as being the size of a large truck tire inner tube covered with tiny mirrors.
• July 2, 1979 - Southeastern Nebraska: Radar tracked blips moving at high speed, with one passing over the station.

We're Sorry!

This section apologizes for the delay in mailing Volume 31, No. 9 and No. 10 of the Bulletin. It explains that Mrs. Lorenzen, the editor, was hospitalized for cardiac arrhythmia, and Mrs. Maxine McCoy, the membership secretary, was hospitalized for a heart-related ailment. Both are recovering, but the office is still working to return to normal operations.

Thank You!

Headquarters expresses gratitude for inquiries concerning their welfare during a recent flood. The bulletin clarifies that while some areas in Tucson and the state experienced flooding, it was largely confined to flood plain areas. APRO and its members did not suffer any hardship.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the exploration of controversial topics like cattle mutilations, and the examination of psychological factors influencing belief and perception. There is a strong emphasis on the need for transparency and access to information regarding UFO phenomena, with a call for renewed government investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also critically examining the evidence and psychological underpinnings of reported events. The bulletin also highlights the importance of APRO's role in collecting and disseminating information on these subjects.