CdU Suplemento Internacional - 2002

Magazine Overview

This issue of CdU Suplemento Internacional, published by Fundación Anomalía in 2002, is the 8th supplement in the series, focusing on selections from 2001. The cover features an illustration from "Amazing Stories" from 1929, titled "Microcosmic Buccaneers," depicting an alien encounter with a futuristic craft.

Articles and Content

The Origin of the Expression "Foo Fighter"

This article by Class Svahn and Eileen Fletcher, originally from International UFO Reporter, traces the etymology of the term "foo-fighter." It explains that the expression has roots in the comic strip "Smokey Stover," created by Bill Holman, which debuted in 1935. The comic featured a firefighter protagonist, and "foo-fighter" was a playful allusion to "firefighters." The article notes that the term appeared in the comic as early as 1938, with references like "What this country needs is a five-cent foo" and a license plate "FOO-E-2-U." The expression was later used by pilots during World War II to describe mysterious aerial phenomena. The article clarifies that despite its comic origins, pilots like Donald J. Meiers, who encountered a mysterious light ball over Germany, took their observations seriously.

Ortoteny: A Lost or Recovered Cause?

Authored by Claude Maugé, this piece delves into the concept of "ortoteny," the study of geographical patterns in UFO sightings. The article critiques research by Johnson, particularly his use of the BAVIC line (Bayonne/Vichy), suggesting it lacks validity due to questionable case selection and timing. Maugé discusses other ortotenic studies, including J.L. Duchêne's 1965 identification of a dartboard-like pattern in French landing cases from 1950-1957, and Charles Garreau and Raymond Lavier's 1975 identification of a grid pattern from 1947-1975. The "Isoscelia" theory by Jean-Charles Fumoux and Jean-François Gille is also examined, with criticism regarding the use of an inaccurate map of France. The article also touches upon Jean Bernard's "prophetic message" theory linking 1954 landings to de Gaulle's return to power, and Raymond Terrasse's recent work identifying numerous geometric patterns connecting UFO landing points from 1906 to 1994. Maugé suggests that many such patterns might be due to cognitive illusions or pareidolia, the tendency to find meaningful shapes in random stimuli.

The Swedish Military and UFOs: Cigar-Shaped UFO in Lake Backsjön

This article by Clas Svahn and Eileen Fletcher reports on Swedish military involvement in UFO investigations dating back to the 1930s. It details the incident on July 27, 1999, at Lake Backsjön, where several witnesses reported a rocket-shaped object crashing into the lake. A subsequent military investigation, codenamed "Operation Sea Find," involved a team of 14 men, including divers, sonar equipment, and a submersible. Despite a thorough search, only a metallic barrel and a plastic bag were recovered. The article notes the military's efforts to misdirect public attention with false stories. It also discusses the general classification of UFO reports in Sweden, with most being declassified upon request, except for those containing sensitive military information or potential international implications.

The 19th of September Marks the 40th Anniversary of the Classic Betty and Barney Hill Encounter

Authored by Dwight Connelly for MUFON UFO Journal, this piece revisits the famous Betty and Barney Hill abduction case. It highlights Betty's continued engagement with the UFO community over the years, her personal experiences, and her book "A Common Sense Approach to UFOs." The article recounts the 1961 incident where the couple observed a bright light and an object that appeared to follow their car. During the encounter, they experienced missing time and physical effects, including unusual marks on Barney. Subsequent hypnotic regression sessions, conducted by Dr. Benjamin Simon, revealed details about the occupants and a star map shown to Betty, which Marjorie Fish later used to create a three-dimensional model suggesting the aliens' home planet was Zeta Reticulus. The article also includes a translator's note pointing out inaccuracies in the original account, such as the timing of Betty's nightmares and the interpretation of the star map.

A Special Memory of Betty and Barney Hill: A Niece Remembers the Incident

Kathleen Marden, Betty Hill's niece and Director of MUFON's field investigator training, shares her personal reflections on the Betty and Barney Hill incident. She recounts her own childhood memories and her family's experiences. Marden emphasizes that while Betty and Barney's account was initially met with skepticism, their conviction and the subsequent investigation, including hypnotic sessions, provided significant details about their encounter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with scientific inquiry, historical analysis, and personal testimony. There's a focus on geographical patterns (ortoteny), the origins of UFO terminology, and detailed case studies like the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting various theories and evidence while also acknowledging potential psychological explanations and the complexities of military involvement in UFO research. The publication also highlights its collaborations with international UFO journals, indicating a global perspective on the subject.

This issue of OVNI magazine, identified as issue number 20, presents a collection of articles detailing UFO sightings, investigations, and alleged phenomena. The content spans personal testimonies, critical analyses of prominent UFO cases, and discussions of various related topics.

Personal Encounters and Investigations

The issue opens with a personal narrative from the narrator's childhood, recounting a family encounter with a UFO. The story begins with the narrator's school day and a mysterious phone call that leads to his aunt Betty being asked to check for radiation around her 1957 Chevy Bel Air. Betty and her husband Barney had previously heard pulsating sounds from the car's trunk and found circular marks on it. When Betty tested the car with a compass, the needle spun erratically over the marks, while behaving normally elsewhere. The narrator's mother also had an encounter with her aunt Norma, witnessing a large, brilliant object hovering low over a field near South Kingston, which appeared to be discharging smaller objects.

Following the initial encounter, the narrator's family visited Betty and Barney. They observed the circular marks on the car, which were described as small, half-dollar sized, and polished. The compass demonstration was repeated, confirming the erratic needle behavior over the marks. The narrator's mother discovered that the narrator and his brother Glenn were trying to remove the circles from the car.

Further incidents described include damage to Barney's shoes and Betty's suit, along with Barney experiencing spinal discomfort. The narrative then shifts to a later event where dry leaves were found on the Hill's dining room table, containing Betty's lost earrings, suggesting a continued, peculiar form of harassment. The issue details a pattern of alleged harassment against Betty and Barney, including thermostat manipulation, blocks of ice left on the table, the theft of Betty's tax documents, and her apartment being ransacked. The harassment reportedly ceased after Barney's death.

The 'Friendship Island' Phenomenon

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the 'Friendship Island' phenomenon in Chile. The article begins by referencing a widely believed story about an island in southern Chile inhabited by blond extraterrestrials. It notes that this belief, present since the 1980s, gained massive traction in 1998, often based on a purportedly false UFO case. The phenomenon is described as having evolved into a pseudo-religion with ongoing contact with 'angelic entities'.

The article traces the history of Friendship, which was initially confined to a niche Chilean UFO circle but gained wider recognition through television programs. It mentions claims that 'Friendship' members had cured a cancer patient and possessed advanced technology. The narrative then recounts how radio amateur Octavio Ortiz received a distress call about a UFO sighting in southern Chile. Ortiz later met Alberto, who introduced him to Ariel, a member of Friendship. Friendship members are described as knowledgeable about personal matters, even discussing Ortiz's illness. The article also touches upon the idea that Friendship members are blond, tall, and angelic-looking, aligning with local beauty standards.

George Adamski Case Analysis

Richard H. Hall contributes an analysis of the George Adamski case, labeling him a fraud whose deception was proven years ago by NICAP. Hall details several points of evidence: Adamski wrote a science fiction novel in 1949 titled 'Pioneers of Space: a Trip to the Moon, Mars and Venus,' which described Venusians with characteristics similar to those he later claimed to have encountered. Hall found that Adamski had recycled his own science fiction into his later 'real' accounts. Furthermore, Adamski's 'Wisdom of the Masters of the Far East' book from 1936 indicated an early association with a mystical Eastern religion, mirroring the 'space brothers' teachings. Hall also points out inconsistencies in Adamski's accounts of the beings from space and their activities, suggesting a lack of a consistent narrative. The article mentions Adamski's claims of meeting Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who denied ever hearing of him. A 1960 lecture by Adamski in Washington D.C. is also described, where invited guests canceled their attendance upon learning the true nature of the event.

Romanian UFO Sighting (Certesti Case)

The magazine also reports on a UFO sighting in Certesti, Romania, on July 3, 1995. Witnesses, including police sergeant Marian Mancu and volunteer agent Maricel Rusus, described seeing a silent, disc-shaped object with unusual maneuverability. The object was described as having a defined shape, consistent brightness, and internal illumination, ruling out conventional explanations like aircraft or balloons. The witnesses reported feeling ill and experiencing nightmares after the event, leading to speculation about a CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) or CE4 (abduction) classification. The article notes the difficulty in obtaining definitive proof due to a lack of specialists in regression hypnosis in Romania.

Other Mentions

Briefly mentioned are a UFO sighting in New Mexico involving what were later identified as cottonwood seeds, and an article about the 'Ummita' language, referencing a publication by Johannes Gehrts. The magazine also includes a photograph of a UFO allegedly captured by Daniel Mateescu in Romania in 1971.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, personal testimonies of encounters, and critical investigations into alleged UFO cases. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that is both open to the possibility of genuine UFO phenomena while also being skeptical of sensationalized or fraudulent claims, particularly evident in the detailed debunking of the George Adamski case. The editorial approach seems to favor rigorous investigation and the presentation of evidence, even when it leads to the dismissal of popular narratives. The inclusion of diverse cases from different countries suggests a broad scope in exploring the UFO phenomenon.

Title: Fortean Times
Issue: 150
Date: September 2001
Publisher: Fortean Times
Country: United Kingdom
Language: Spanish (original articles translated)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Fortean Times delves into personal accounts of anomalous experiences and controversial claims within the UFO community. It features a review of Angela Thompson Smith's book, "Diary of an Abduction," and an extensive report on Steven Greer's "Project Disclosure" conference.

"Diario de una Abducción": The Experiences of Angela Thompson Smith

The magazine reviews "Diario de una abducción: una científica analiza el enigma de su propio contacto con alienígenas" by Angela Thompson Smith. Smith, a Doctor of Science, has had numerous encounters with aliens, whom she calls "The Visitors," since her childhood in England. Her family also witnessed UFOs on several occasions, and during a trip near Bristol, the entire family was reportedly abducted. After moving to the United States, her experiences with temporal gaps and alien encounters continued. Smith considers these incidents to be "abductions" and has developed a broad interest in the paranormal, including runes, tarot, past-life regression, and hypnosis.

The review notes that Smith's book is not a typical abduction narrative but rather a collection of her personal experiences. Her father, brother, and she herself observed UFOs, and during an excursion near Bristol, the entire family was abducted. She describes frequent "Bedroom Visitors" and once touched one, conversing with a "Wise One" about the differences between human hands and alien claws. These contacts occur in a non-physical plane through meditation.

Smith believes her Celtic heritage, psychic powers, and superior intelligence set her apart. Her experiences have led her to connect with prominent UFO researchers like Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, Kenneth Ring, and Richard Haines. The reviewer suggests that her accounts, unfiltered by conventional researchers, could be valuable for understanding paranormal experiences. However, the reviewer also raises questions about whether Smith might be attributing paranormal explanations to everyday occurrences, suggesting that her experiences could stem from her own subconscious.

"Un Alienígena en el Pentágono": Steven Greer's Project Disclosure

The article "Un Alienígena en el Pentágono" by Mark Pilkington reports on a press conference held by Steven Greer on March 9, 2001, at the National Press Club. Greer, director of CSETI (Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence), claimed that the conference would reveal secrets that could change the world, promising peace and intergalactic community entry. Approximately 250,000 people were present, with many more connected online.

Greer and alleged witnesses from the military and government revealed supposed secrets, including downed UFOs captured by the military, human-alien interaction, and recovered extraterrestrial technologies like anti-gravity propulsion systems. These secrets, Greer claimed, were hidden by a powerful military-industrial complex. He stated that even some US presidents were unaware of these truths.

Greer, an emergency physician, founded CSETI in 1991 with the goal of establishing peaceful relations with extraterrestrial life. His work is influenced by Transcendental Meditation and Baha'i faith, and he utilizes remote viewing and astral projection. He is also a proponent of conspiracy theories, believing a secret elite is hiding extraterrestrial presence and technology from the public.

CSETI's methods involve group meditations at UFO sighting locations, using recorded sounds from crop circles, and transmitting mental messages. They also use powerful reflectors to signal potential alien craft. Greer has even distributed 'boarding passes' for aliens.

The article recounts CSETI's investigation into crop circles in 1992, where they attempted to communicate with the intelligence behind them. They reported seeing a large, tree-shaped craft, though other witnesses were not as certain. A symbol, a triangle with circles, was adopted as CSETI's logo after appearing as a crop circle.

Criticisms and Credibility

The article expresses skepticism regarding some of Greer's witnesses. Sergeant Clifford Stone claims involvement in recovering crashed UFOs and seeing documents describing 57 alien varieties, but his claims lack corroboration and have been called fantastical. Larry Warren, co-author of "Left at East Gate," claims to be a witness to the 1980 Bentwaters/Rendlesham incident, but his story has varied over the years and includes claims of being assaulted and abducted.

The reviewer questions Greer's judgment, suggesting he might be easily fooled or intentionally using unreliable witnesses to promote his agenda. The article notes that Greer is adept at self-promotion and has gained significant media attention, but his claims have also been criticized for damaging the credibility of ufology. The potential for a Congressional committee on UFOs is mentioned as a unique, albeit improbable, opportunity.

Fundación Anomalía

The issue also includes information about "Fundación Anomalía," an organization founded in 1997 dedicated to the objective study of anomalous aerial phenomena. Its activities include safeguarding UFO-related information, promoting scientific analysis, managing grants for research, and publishing materials. They offer various donation levels for support, including "Donante Colaborador," "Donante Principal," and "Donante Benefactor."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien abductions, and the broader paranormal. The magazine presents these topics with a degree of critical analysis, particularly regarding the credibility of witnesses and the potential for misinterpretation or self-deception. While acknowledging the value of personal accounts in understanding anomalous phenomena, the editorial stance appears cautious, encouraging readers to critically evaluate the information presented, especially concerning controversial figures like Steven Greer. The article highlights the ongoing debate within ufology regarding evidence, witness testimony, and the potential for government cover-ups.