CUFORG - Vol 2 No 28 - 1987 12

Magazine Overview

Title: ENCOUNTER
Issue: No. 28
Volume: II
Date: December, 1987
Publisher: Cambridge UFO Research Group

This issue of ENCOUNTER magazine, published by the Cambridge UFO Research Group, focuses on UFO sightings and the broader phenomenon of alien encounters. It features reports from Canada, particularly Ontario, and delves into the controversial topic of alien abductions, referencing popular books and investigators in the field.

UFO Sightings in Ontario

The magazine details several specific UFO sightings reported in Ontario:

• September 27, 1987, Kitchener, Ontario: Dave reported seeing an object the size of a large hot air balloon with white lights circling in a pattern. The object was estimated to be 300-400 feet high and moved from south to north.
• January 26, 1987, Highway #8 towards Cambridge, Ontario: Two balloon-shaped objects, outlined with red and green lights, were observed moving parallel to the highway from west to east for 2-3 minutes.
• October 17, 1987, Guelph, Ontario: Andrea, an amateur astronomer at the Guelph Observatory, observed three identical, cigar-shaped objects flying directly overhead. They were moving from north-northwest to south-southeast at an altitude estimated between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. The objects were described as a constant color, glowing like a planet, and flew erratically at high speed. Airports checked for radar confirmation reported nothing.

Scientific Perspectives and Skepticism

Bonnie Wheeler, head of the Cambridge UFO Research Group, has been investigating UFO claims for 11 years and believes that extraterrestrials are observing humanity. She suggests that "We are guinea pigs being analysed" and that aliens possess technology far beyond ours but are not violent. She claims her group has 25 active members and investigates cases from Burlington to Grand Bend.

However, her views are contrasted with those of scientists like William Wehlau, head of the University of Western Ontario's astronomy department. Wehlau states that "The evidence for or against UFOs existing is quite weak" and that "There is no scientific basis which would prove or disprove their existence at this time." He points to natural phenomena like the planet Venus, "sun dogs," and "pillar of fire" effects as possible explanations for sightings.

Allen McNamara, a space physicist, notes that about 10% of reported UFO cases remain unexplained, but he requires concrete proof. Murial Enock from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory suggests that most UFOs are satellites, and NASA has a list of over 1,000 revolving satellites visible at night.

Alien Abduction Phenomenon

The issue extensively covers the topic of alien abduction, drawing heavily from Whitley Strieber's book "Communion" and the work of UFO investigator Budd Hopkins.

• Whitley Strieber's Account: Strieber recounts an experience on December 26, 1985, where he claims to have encountered a "strange being" and was taken to a room with "quick little humanoids." He describes being subjected to medical procedures, including the insertion of a needle into his brain. Strieber states that this experience, reconstructed under hypnosis, led to a "personality change" and a heightened sense of spirituality. He believes these visitors are not necessarily from another planet but from "another aspect of reality."
• Budd Hopkins' Research: Hopkins, a painter and sculptor, began investigating UFOs after seeing an object in 1964. He has interviewed over 135 subjects who describe kidnappings involving "little doctors," skin grafts, probing, and the appropriation of sperm and ova. Hopkins shares Strieber's experiences and notes the "shattering hypnotic sessions" that helped Strieber recall his "abductions."
• Physical and Psychological Effects: The magazine mentions that abductees often exhibit signs of radiation poisoning, physical examinations by extraterrestrials, and feelings of post-abduction confusion. Dr. Donald F. Klein, Director of Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, found Strieber to be of sane mind, having adapted to a "high level of uncertainty."

UFOs and Popular Culture

The issue references how UFOs and alien encounters have been depicted in popular culture, including Orson Welles's "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast in 1938, Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." The article also mentions Gary Kinder, author of "The Wolfen" and "The Hunger," who claims to have seen a spectacular UFO in 1972.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the debate between scientific skepticism and belief in extraterrestrial visitation, and the deeply personal and often traumatic experiences of alleged alien abductees. The Cambridge UFO Research Group, as the publisher, appears to lean towards validating witness accounts and exploring the phenomenon, while also acknowledging the scientific community's demand for concrete evidence. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena and anomalous experiences, presenting both anecdotal evidence and scientific counterpoints.

This issue of BESTSELLER magazine, dated May 4, 1987, features a prominent cover story titled "ALIENS IN OUR MIDST!" The main headline highlights the experiences of author Whitley Strieber, author of the book "Communion," who claims to have had encounters with nonhuman beings. The cover includes a quote from Strieber stating, "'It poked my wife. It went into my son's room, and the baby sitter saw it standing on the fire escape,' says the author of Communion." The article is by Michael Kaplan.

Article: "It poked my wife..." by Michael Kaplan

The article details Whitley Strieber's personal experiences with what he describes as alien visitors. Strieber, a novelist known for "Wolfen" and "The Hunger," recounts an incident where he saw a white blur moving rapidly in his room. He describes squat, bullet-shaped beings, white in color and hard as plastic, that had been interacting with his family. These beings reportedly poked his wife, gave her bad dreams, visited his son's room, and were seen by the baby sitter on the fire escape.

Two years after these initial encounters, Strieber was taken to a flying saucer. His book "Communion" details these experiences, including descriptions of the beings' appearance (cool, soft skin, paper clothing) and the futuristic experiments performed on him. Strieber expresses about eighty percent certainty that these visitors are real and not a mental projection, emphasizing the need for dignity and understanding for those who have such experiences.

Strieber's book "Communion" was published by William Morrow & Co. after his original publisher rejected it. It was sold for a $1 million advance and has had a significant public impact, with Strieber discussing his experiences on television to an audience of 25 million viewers. He notes that skepticism from the scientific community is expected, as they require proof, but believes most people are open-minded.

Article: "Communion's odd beings to come to the screen" by Lawrence Van Gelder (New York Times Service)

This section discusses the upcoming film adaptation of Whitley Strieber's book "Communion." Philippe Mora, the director, believes in nonhuman beings and is making the film version of Strieber's bestseller. Mora, who met Strieber in London in 1968, describes the book as fascinating because Strieber, being articulate, could express his experiences effectively. Mora explains that Strieber concluded the only explanation for the experience was that these beings were real. The film is described as not being an alien-special effects movie but rather focusing on the psychological aspect of the encounters. Mora highlights that thousands of people have had similar experiences, making it a significant phenomenon, akin to a religious experience for atheists.

The screenplay was written by Strieber, and pre-production was underway. Shooting was scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in February 1988, with completion expected by August. Allied Entertainment is handling international distribution, and negotiations for U.S. distribution were in progress. Mora states that while he has had vivid dreams, he has no personal experience with nonhumans.

Article: "U.S. found 4 UFO aliens, author says" (LONDON (Reuter))

This news brief reports that UFO researcher Timothy Good claims a U.S. government committee, codenamed Majestic-12, conducted a top-secret investigation into UFOs after World War II. According to Good's book "Above Top Secret: The Worldwide UFO Coverup," the committee found the bodies of four humanoid creatures from a crashed flying saucer in New Mexico in 1947. The report allegedly quotes Roscoe Hillenkoetter, then head of the CIA, describing the small, human-like beings who had ejected from the craft and died due to exposure. The newspaper The Observer has seen the briefing paper, but inquiries in U.S. archives have failed to authenticate it, suggesting it could be part of a hoax.

Letter/Commentary: Russ Reardon

This section, dated February 2, 1987, critiques the astronomical community's approach to searching for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Reardon argues that astronomers have spent years searching for interstellar communication with radio telescopes (e.g., Green Bank, Arecibo) and have found "nothing." He contrasts this with the work of researchers like Erich von Däniken, Velikovsky, Zecharia Sitchin, and others, whose findings are dismissed by astronomers as "pseudo-scientific." Reardon cites a quote from Richard Berendzen of "COSMIC SEARCH" magazine, which aims to distinguish SETI from fantasy and pseudo-science, suggesting that facts can be more engaging than science fiction. Reardon concludes that astronomers have come up with "nothing."

Reardon further criticizes astronomers for squandering taxpayer funding and exhibiting "arch-bigotry" towards those outside their "codified absolutes." He suggests SETI programs are designed to assure humanity's central role. He quotes astrophysicist Utt Struve on the importance of getting first credit for discoveries. Reardon lists various alleged ET phenomena: craft neutralizing autos, aircraft, and missiles; altering missile targeting systems; destroying missiles and launch pads; vaporizing jets; burning people (Cash-Landrum); being photographed pacing a nose cone at high speed; dematerializing and changing ship structure (Rendlesham Forest); defying gravity (Exeter, NH); hypnotizing encounterees; and smashing through Antarctic ice.

Reardon suggests that ETs might originate from the Sirius binary star system or the planet Nibiru, citing research by Robt KG Temple and Zecharia Sitchin. He criticizes the establishment astronomers for their "egotistical denial" and lack of critical thinking, stating that this is not their "ball-game" but ET's. He mentions Stanton Friedman as a rebel within academia trying to convince colleagues. Reardon also references Carl Sagan's admission of an open mind but suggests Sagan is less certain than "79'ers."

Reardon concludes by discussing the difficulty of evaluating physical evidence of UFOs, referencing the discredited "Condon Report." He disagrees with Lee DuBridge's statement that "Either we are alone or we are not, either way is mind-boggling," arguing that people have lived with "Man" (presumably aliens) for centuries without their minds being "bogged." He asserts that human nature remains unaltered despite cultural changes. Reardon ends with a score of ET's 1 - Man 0, indicating that ETs are winning.

Other Content

UFO Phenomenon Community Who's Who Directory

An advertisement for the first limited edition of the "International Who's Who Directory" by the UFO Phenomenon Community Who's Who. It will be published by the end of March 1988, containing over 200 entries from 28 countries. The directory includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, education, background, activities, positions, organizations, publications, and projects. It will be soft-covered, perfect-bound, over 100 pages, and measure 5 1/2" by 8 1/2". The cover price is $6.95 plus postage. Participants and advance orders receive discounts.

Reply Form

A reply form lists various materials available for order from the "Fund for UFO Research." These include collections of Brazilian Air Force sightings, papers on early UFO cases, presentations on UFO investigations, documents related to Senator Richard Russell's witness account, an analysis of the "Melbourne Episode," a UFO document companion, a library set of U.S. and Canadian government UFO documents, an analysis of a documented UFO landing, and a report on the psychological testing of UFO "abductees." There is also a report on pre-1947 UFO sightings. The form also provides details for making checks payable to the Fund for UFO Research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reality of alien encounters and UFO phenomena, the skepticism of the scientific establishment, and the potential for government cover-ups. The magazine appears to lean towards validating personal experiences and anecdotal evidence, particularly those of authors like Whitley Strieber, while critically examining the dismissive stance of mainstream science. There's an underlying narrative that UFO phenomena represent a significant, perhaps even dominant, reality that humanity is only beginning to comprehend, and that established institutions are slow or unwilling to accept it. The editorial stance seems to be one of advocating for open-mindedness, investigation, and giving credence to witness accounts, even in the face of scientific skepticism.

Title: Critique: A Journal of Conspiracies & Metaphysics
Issue: 24
Date: April 1, 1987
Publisher: Critique
Country: USA
Price: $4.95

This issue of Critique magazine delves into the realm of UFOs, alien encounters, and government secrecy, featuring a book review and an article on a researcher's findings.

Book Review: The Uninvited 3 (The Abduction) by Frank Taylor

The review, penned by W. Ritchie Benedict of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, examines Frank Taylor's third book in a series dealing with UFO close encounters. Benedict notes that the book follows a pattern of terror and upheaval caused by UFOs, with the previous book, 'The Visitation,' detailing encounters with 'Men in Black' and household intrusions. While acknowledging that peculiar events do happen to ordinary people, Benedict stresses the importance of meticulous documentation, which he finds lacking in Taylor's work. He questions whether the book is a novel or a factual account.

Benedict references a newsletter from British UFO expert Jenny Randles, who expressed displeasure with 'The Uninvited' series. Randles feels that while the events in the second book might have a basis in fact, as some places and people mentioned do exist, she is less kind to the third book. She contacted the police and local residents, who had no knowledge of the events. Inspector Donald Lambley of Matlock is quoted as saying, "We have no record of any such thing having occurred... At the time of the supposed events I was here. This is a very small station. I do not recall any of those things having happened. Frankly I think this is all nonsense."

Benedict expresses doubt about the author, Frank Taylor, questioning if he is a real person or a fictional character created to sell books, as no one in British Ufological circles has heard of him. He inspects the book to determine what caused the controversy, noting it is a more low-key book than the first two. The events in 'The Uninvited 3' are depicted as occurring between February 22nd and February 23rd, 1983, involving a police constable, Colin Reg27, his wife Lynn, and a series of strange occurrences including radio disruptions, a mutilated pet cat, and a humanoid attempting to break into their house. The climax involves Colin being taken aboard a UFO and having sex with an alien.

Benedict finds the book's description as 'low-key' an understatement but notes that the other books in the series appear to involve unique events. He sympathizes with the skepticism of British UFO experts, suggesting that the author may have dramatized portions of past UFO incidents. While acknowledging that past events don't preclude new ones, he finds the familiar factors in the book make it less believable. He points to the abduction matching the Villa-Boas case of 1957 and a railway track landing similar to those reported in Mexico and Italy as examples of reused elements. The humanoid approaching the back door is also noted as being duplicated in other accounts.

Furthermore, Benedict mentions that the symbol on the craft in the second book is the same as one spotted by New Mexico Policeman Lonnie Zamore in 1964. He notes that radio interruptions and facial burns have occurred in many cases and were used in the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' Taylor claims knowledge of these events in the epilogue and mentions the Villa Boas case. While understanding the reluctance of the Buckinghamshire couple to use their real names, Benedict cannot recommend the book as a factual account, stating it has the feel of a set-up and works better as science fiction. He advises readers to take it with a large dose of salt and suggests more important books on abduction phenomena, such as Budd Hopkins's 'The Intruders' or 'Can-union,' which are also controversial.

UFOs are 'Serious Business,' Researcher Tells ASU Students

This article by David Schwartz of The Arizona Republic reports on a presentation by Robert Hastings at Arizona State University. Hastings, a 17-year-old when he first witnessed UFOs in 1967 at a military air base near Great Falls, Montana, claims to have seen five UFOs tracked on military radar hovering over ICBM silos at an estimated speed of 5,000 mph.

Since 1973, Hastings has interviewed military personnel about their UFO experiences and, since 1981, has toured the country presenting his findings, supported by government documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. He is convinced of UFO existence, stating they have appeared over nuclear missile silos and power plants and have been hushed up by government officials. Hastings asserts that his claims are not wacky and are supported by documentation, with time and more documents expected to prove him right.

He presented his findings to an audience of about 150 students, receiving $750 for his two-hour appearance. Hastings stated that documents indicate "beyond a reasonable doubt" that UFOs exist and are of "greatest concern to the highest levels of the U.S. Air Force and the intelligence community," despite public denials.

His presentation included tales of UFO sightings since the 1940s, citing a 1947 wave of sightings of "flying saucers" moving at tremendous speeds. He mentioned government explanations like solar reflections and small meteors. Hastings displayed a 1950 FBI memorandum reporting the secret recovery of three crashed UFOs by the Air Force in New Mexico, containing "bodies of human shape but only 3 feet tall." The memo also noted that radar interferes with the saucers' controlling mechanism.

He recounted an incident over the White House in 1952 where flying objects were tracked, and fighter planes were dispatched but could not intercept the speedy UFOs. The article also mentions the famed incident of Betty and Barney Hill, who claimed to have been abducted by aliens in New Hampshire. Sightings increased by 1965, and Hastings claims commercial airline pilots were instructed by the government not to report their UFO encounters.

A bizarre incident in 1976 involving UFOs and a U.S. Air Force F-4 fighter near Tehran, Iran, is also mentioned, detailing mechanical problems the fighter experienced. Hastings noted that a lack of information has stymied researchers.

Despite the challenges, Hastings remains confident, stating, "Ultimately, whether it's tomorrow or 20 years from now, this is going to be a universally acknowledged fact." He aims to provide the available information.

Other Content

The magazine also includes a segment discussing "The E.T. Hypothesis" from a show called "Man Alive," which explores the potential impact of extraterrestrials on human culture, religion, and self-perception. It touches on hypnotized individuals recalling abductions and ova being taken for interplanetary mating. The segment is described as thought-provoking but not particularly exciting.

A prominent advertisement for "Critique: A Journal of Conspiracies & Metaphysics" is featured, listing numerous subjects covered, including conspiracies, UFOs, CIA, cover-ups, international banking, secret societies, assassinations, mind control, and more. It invites readers to subscribe for "dangerous, unusual, disturbing, and challenging" information and highlights testimonials praising the magazine's provocative and insightful content. Subscription options and contact information for the journal are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the themes of UFOs, alien encounters, government secrecy, and conspiracy theories. The editorial stance, as reflected in the advertisement for "Critique" magazine, is to provide "genuine alternative information" that challenges the "establishment fog" and "prevalent Reality Orthodoxy." The magazine positions itself as a source for controversial and provocative material that dares to explore subjects others avoid, aiming to provoke thought and encourage research into what it terms "fringe viewpoints."