CISU Sicilia - No 05 - ottobre 1997

Magazine Overview

This is the fifth issue of CISU Sicilia, a periodic bulletin from the Regional Coordination for Sicily of the Italian Center for Ufological Studies, dated October 1997. The bulletin covers a range of topics related to ufology, with a strong emphasis on critical analysis, historical cases, and the debunking of hoaxes.

Editorial: The Issue of Common Sense

Antonio Blanco's editorial, "QUESTIONE DI BUON SENSO" (The Issue of Common Sense), addresses the proliferation of self-proclaimed ufologists and the prevalence of commercialized UFO literature. Blanco argues that 99% of readily available sources—books, magazines, and videos—are produced for profit, prioritizing sensationalism over factual accuracy. This commercial approach, he contends, has led to a generation of enthusiasts misinformed by the 'myth of flying saucers' and concepts like cover-ups and alien autopsies, often amplified by media like 'X-Files'. He stresses that serious ufological research requires little more than common sense.

UFO News Sicily

This section provides a recap of events involving CISU Sicily in the first half of 1997. It details several investigations:

• IL PRIMO IR-3 DELL'ANNO (The First IR-3 of the Year): An ambiguous report from a 39-year-old police inspector in Arenella (SR) about a sighting of a short, grey-silver figure in a field, which fled and disappeared. Due to a lack of corroborating evidence, the case remains inconclusive and lacks objective links to UFO phenomena.
• ALTRE INDAGINI (Other Investigations): Salvatore Ingui investigated two cases:
• 85PA01: A sighting in Mondello (PA) in June/July 1985 by a 15-year-old girl and her family of two luminous oval objects hovering near a field. The phenomenon lasted about ten minutes, and strangely, only the witness and a neighbor's daughter remembered it the next day.
• 91TP01: In August 1991, two friends on the Trapani-Palermo highway reported being accompanied by an intense orange light from a slightly ellipsoidal body moving slowly and silently at an altitude of about 300-400 meters.

Repeaters

This section discusses individuals who claim to have experienced intense ufological and paranormal phenomena over many years. Two individuals from Palermo province are mentioned, whose experiences include sightings, close encounters, suspected abductions, and paranormal events. The article suggests that the widespread dissemination of American ufology, amplified by unscrupulous 'ufologists' and popular TV shows like 'X-Files', can negatively impact the mental equilibrium of vulnerable individuals, suggesting psychiatric help might be more appropriate than ufological intervention.

Informative Activity

This section details CISU Sicily's public outreach efforts:

• January 17: An interview with Antonio Rampulla about CISU and the UFO phenomenon in Sicily was published in 'Il Bottegone'.
• March 25: Antonio Blanco and Giuseppe Verdi participated in the final episode of the TV series 'Siamo soli?' on Tele Enna.
• March: Antonio Blanco's column 'Appunti di Ufologia' (Notes on Ufology) in the magazine 'Sotto il Vulcano' discussed CISU's activities related to the Internet.
• May: An article on CISU's activities was published in 'Paesi Etnei Oggi' by Maurizio Giordano.
• June 21-29: CISU contributed to the National UFO Information Week, celebrating the 50th anniversary of ufology, with a special issue of their bulletin, regional media interviews, and participation in a radio broadcast.
• May 30: Antonio Blanco discussed 'cover-up' and 'Area 51' on Radio Rete Centrale.

VENDITORI DI FUMO (Sellers of Smoke)

Salvatore Foresta's article critically examines the phenomenon of 'contactism' (contactees) and its evolution into a modern cult.

• Origins: Foresta traces contactism back to George Adamski in the 1950s, who claimed contact with Venusians and Martians, presenting photographic and film evidence that was later exposed as fraudulent (e.g., the 'Venusian scout' being a refrigerator lid).
• Spread and Evolution: Despite criticism, Adamski's claims gained followers. This led to numerous other individuals claiming contact and forming groups, such as the Raelian Movement, often promoting the idea of 'cosmic brothers' concerned about humanity's self-destructive tendencies.
• Critique of Contactism: Foresta argues that contactism is not a scientific hypothesis but a religion. He highlights several issues:
• False Claims: Contactees have frequently made unsubstantiated declarations, such as Eugenio Siragusa's prediction of an event on Mount Etna in 1967 that was postponed.
• Lack of Proof: No contactee has ever provided convincing evidence. Many photos and films have been exposed as fraudulent.
• Exploitation: Despite these issues, many people are drawn to the certainty offered by contactees' assertive claims, preferring them to the doubts inherent in serious research. This also stems from a fundamental human desire not to feel alone in the universe.

From 1950s Contactism to Today's Cultism: The Myth of the 'Space Brothers'

This section, likely a continuation or related piece, further explores the evolution of the 'space brothers' myth. It notes that contactees often present their claims with assertive conviction, appealing to individuals seeking certainty. The article implies that this phenomenon, while often based on falsehoods, persists due to a deep-seated human need.

CINQUANT'ANNI DI BUFOle (Fifty Years of UFOs)

Antonio Blanco's article revisits significant UFO-related events and alleged sightings from 1947 onwards, analyzing them with a critical eye.

• **IL "CASO" (The "Case"):
• April 1, 1950: A German newspaper reported the capture of a pilot from a crashed flying saucer, accompanied by a photo of the being. The article claimed no danger to the public.
• May 1981 (Reality): Ufologist Klaus Webner clarified that the 1950 report was an April Fool's joke created by the newspaper's editor, Wilhelm Sprunkel, with the collaboration of an American military officer and a photographer. The photo was a montage of a child with soldiers.
• Commentary: The article notes that the newspaper published an official denial that was largely ignored, allowing the story and photo to circulate widely, even reaching the FBI archives.
• June 1950: An American weekly published a similar story about a downed UFO and a skeletal creature, with a photograph.
• 1990 Analysis: Claus Westh-Henrichsen's analysis of the 1950 photo revealed perspective impossibilities, suggesting it was a montage.
• The Ummites:
• From 1965 onwards: Numerous scientists and ufologists received letters from a group claiming to be extraterrestrials from the planet Ummo, who had landed in France on March 20, 1950. These letters, written in various languages, contained seemingly scientific concepts.
• Mid-1980s (Reality): Computer analysis of the 'perfect case' of San Josè de Valderas (seven photos of a supposed 'Ummit' flying saucer) from 1967 revealed it to be a colossal hoax orchestrated by parapsychologist Josè Luis Jordan Pena.
• 1969 and 1986: Italian ufologists also received Ummit letters. Angelo Crosignani in Milan continues to believe in the Ummites, citing their advanced knowledge. However, French researchers Renaud Marhice Dominique Caudron have demonstrated the sources of their information.
• Commentary: The Ummit case has been debated for decades, with many declaring it a hoax. The article notes that despite the debunking, the myth persists.

UFO News Sicily (Continued)

• 1995 - The "Santilli Footage": This film, allegedly showing a military autopsy of an extraterrestrial from the Roswell crash in 1947, was released to the public. Most ufological associations and scientists declared it a fake. Despite ongoing claims by Santilli, analyses by Karl Korff and Kent Jeffrey have supported the conclusion that the footage is a fabrication.
• November 14, 1996: An amateur astronomer photographed a mysterious object near Comet Hale-Bopp, interpreted by some as a large alien spacecraft. The photo circulated widely online.
• December 23, 1996: Following a UFO conference in Israel, local press reported the discovery of a live extraterrestrial by a farmer. The creature was described as small, lizard-like, and initially about 20 cm long, later shrinking to 5 cm. The woman was advised by psychic Uri Geller to keep it in her refrigerator.
• December 28, 1996: Italian newspapers and national TV reported that a Londoner who had purchased insurance against alien abduction would receive two million pounds from the insurer after providing testimony and evidence.
• January 12, 1997: Journalists from The Times investigated the insurance story and found it to be a hoax orchestrated by the insurance agency to publicize their new policy. The 'abducted' individual, Joseph Carpenter, was actually Joe Tagliarini, a partner in the brokerage firm.
• January 5: A UFO event in Rome, involving a light filmed over the capital, was later revealed to be a balloon. Despite the debunking, many media outlets that had reported the initial story failed to issue corrections.

OPINIONS: E.T. and Cover Up

Fabio Pescatori, a CISU collaborator, shares his long-held opinion that UFOs are extraterrestrial craft used by beings who have been observing and controlling Earth since at least 1954. He believes governments, particularly the American one, are aware of this but choose not to inform the public, instead discrediting the phenomenon. He states that after years of observation, this is his conclusion.

Pescatori further argues that ufology, as a field, is not being studied profoundly or scientifically. He attributes this to the scientific community's reluctance to engage with what is perceived as a modern myth, partly due to the sensationalism generated by individuals and groups who treat UFOs and extraterrestrials as a religion. He notes the lack of resources and appropriate methodologies within the civilian community, and even CISU, despite its efforts to adhere to scientific rigor, faces limitations in time, finances, and technical capabilities due to its volunteer nature.

He points out that while the 'first' historical sighting by Arnold occurred fifty years prior, many archives of ufological associations contain reports lacking value due to superficial compilation by unprepared individuals. Furthermore, over 70% of UFO reports originate from journalistic sources without proper investigation. Regarding government and military involvement, Pescatori mentions the Freedom of Information Act in the US has declassified numerous documents, revealing that official interest has been limited to territorial defense implications, without conducting in-depth scientific studies. The primary secrecy, he suggests, has been about not knowing, rather than hiding significant discoveries.

Pescatori concludes that the opinion that UFOs are extraterrestrial craft and that Americans and their allies have maintained a cover-up for years remains just an opinion, lacking concrete proof. He also announces that the issue of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) will be discussed in a future bulletin.

Membership Campaign 1998

This section announces that registrations for CISU membership for 1998 are open, listing three membership tiers: ordinary, supporting, and benefactor, with associated costs in Italian Lira. It also provides bank transfer details.

WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE ARE

This section lists the members and collaborators of CISU Sicily, updated as of August 31, 1997. It includes names, roles, addresses, and contact telephone numbers for individuals residing in Sicily who are current with their membership fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards sensationalized UFO claims, the critique of commercialized ufology, the debunking of specific cases and contactee phenomena, and the historical overview of significant UFO events. The editorial stance is clearly critical and analytical, advocating for a common-sense approach and scientific rigor in ufological research, while acknowledging the persistent public fascination with the UFO mystery and the human desire for answers.