BATON ROUGE UFO BULLETIN

Magazine Overview

This issue of the BATON ROUGE UFO BULLETIN from September 1957, published by the NORTH JERSEY U. F. O. GROUP, is sponsored by the Recreation and Park Commission. It covers a range of topics including psychiatric theories, ancient cultures, and UFO phenomena.

Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis

The bulletin begins by discussing recent developments in psychiatry, noting a shift towards considering biological and social factors in mental disturbances. It highlights a report from Dr. Robert G. Heath at Tulane University, who stated that psychoanalysis is not suitable for schizo-types, describing psychosis as a "genetically determined, metabolic disease." The author expresses agreement with this approach, having advocated for it for ten years.

Further criticism is leveled at psychoanalysis by Dr. Roy R. Grinker, Director of the Institute for Psychosomatic Research and Training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. Grinker suggests that psychoanalysis has drifted from biological and social sciences and ignored scientific principles of testing theories against facts, implying that Freudian theories were not rigorously tested. Dr. Walter C. Alvarez, a medical columnist, is also quoted as stating that Freud "did many unscientific things such as building a huge structure of theory on the basis of his weird interpretation of one case history or one dream."

Cultural and Archaeological Connections

The bulletin then shifts to cultural observations, referencing columnist Whitney Bolton's lyrical descriptions of Mexico. Bolton suggests that life did not originate solely in Eastern basins but was co-existent across the globe, from the North Pole to Cape Horn, with magnificent jungles and ruins that could rewrite history. This observation is supported by a TIME magazine report from July 29th concerning the dating of ancient North American cultures.

The article discusses the confusion among archaeologists regarding the dating of cultures like the Olmecs, Mayas, and Zapotecs. While some writers date the Mayas back to 100 A.D., others are more conservative. Dr. George Brainerd of UCLA has dated Yucatecan pottery to 1000 B.C. A significant finding from an Olmec excavation at La Venta, Mexico, involved charcoal dated to 814 B.C., associated with jade figurines showing a high state of culture. The practice of headbinding to create abnormally high brows among the Olmecs is noted, contrasting with the Mayan practice of flattening foreheads. The author questions the origin of these cultural practices and notes the intermingling of cultures in Mexico.

The Olmec carvings suggest that if figurines date to 814 B.C., the culture can be dated back considerably further. The article posits that cultures originating in Mexico between 3000 B.C. and 100 A.D. had limited external influences, contributing to their unique development. Peruvian artifacts show a relationship to Central American cultures, and resemblances are noted between Yucatan and Angkor Vat, and between Egyptian and Central American art forms. The corbelled arch found on Crete is also mentioned as being similar to Mayan examples.

UFO Phenomena and NICAP

The bulletin strongly endorses "The UFO Investigator," published by NICAP, calling it "probably the best publication yet" on the subject. It criticizes other publications for being organs for the psychical and metaphysical, whose existence depends on the lack of positive discoveries about UFOs. NICAP, under the direction of Major Donald Keyhoe and his board, is presented as the organization that will make discoveries. The publication notes that NICAP is facing financial difficulties but relies on the selfless efforts of Major Keyhoe and others. Membership is available for $7.50, which includes receiving the publication. The author expresses intent to support NICAP, calling it the only organization of its kind and caliber dedicated to constructive discovery in the field.

The bulletin also discusses the importance of supporting NICAP, warning that without it, research might devolve into "mimeographed nonsense, saucer trips to Venus, doomsday predictions, and the like." It mentions the issue of deliberately faked photos, citing an example involving Jules St. Germain and George Van Tassel, who was reportedly deceived until the fakes were exposed.

Specific UFO Reports and Analysis

An item is reported from the Morning Advocate about forty pounds of ice falling, which a scientist determined had a high chloride content, suggesting it was not native to the area and could have been carried by the jet stream. The author humorously suggests the Air Force should be appraised of this phenomenon.

The bulletin then reviews "Thy Kingdom Come," a message from outer space related by the Los Angeles Interplanetary Study Groups. The group's intentions are described as noble, aiming to foster understanding between Earth and space peoples, disseminate solutions to Earth's problems, initiate political and economic action for abundance, and establish a "Universal Brotherhood of All Mankind" and "Kingdom of Heaven on Earth." The message mentions "Monka" and a "telethought message #2," suggesting an aborted speech from Monka due to interference from higher interplanetary authorities.

Another report details a UFO sighting in Campinas, Brazil, on December 20, 1954, where metallic waste material was dropped from three UFOs. Samples were analyzed by metallurgists, including Dr. Maffei and Professor Nathan Meltz. The material was identified as tin, but with a density of 10.3 (compared to the usual 7.3) and notably, no trace of antimony, which is typically an impurity in tin. This purity is considered extraordinary.

The bulletin also references a TIME magazine article from September 9, 1957, about Joao de Freitas Guimaraes, a law professor from Santos Catholic University in Brazil. Guimaraes claimed to have spent an hour in a 60-foot saucer that landed on the beach. He described communicating telepathically with two men from the saucer, who had blonde hair, green eyes, and yellow shoes. The article notes that reporters besieged him, and the Brazilian Air Force nervously covered the beach with a fighter. Guimaraes' televised explanation left many unconvinced, but his faculty dean defended his right to his convictions.

The author expresses amusement at the report, questioning the language used for telecommunication and the Brazilian Air Force's reaction a year after the supposed landing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critique of established psychological theories, particularly Freudian psychoanalysis, and the exploration of ancient human civilizations and their potential global connections. A significant portion is dedicated to promoting the importance and legitimacy of UFO research, with a strong endorsement of NICAP as the leading organization in the field. The editorial stance is critical of unsubstantiated claims and fakes within the UFO community, while advocating for rigorous investigation and objective reporting. There is a clear emphasis on scientific methodology and the need for evidence-based conclusions, even when discussing extraordinary phenomena.