CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 03 No 06 - 1982 - Dec-Jan

Magazine Overview

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, Volume 3, Number 6, dated December 1982-January 1983, is published by CUFORN, Inc. and distributed by Lawrence J. Fenwick. The cover features a detailed diagram of a UFO sighting sequence and views, along with the magazine title and contact information for the Canadian U.F.O. Research Network. The price is $2.50.

Key Articles and Reports

CE1 Sighting: Miami Beach, Florida

A detailed report describes a sighting on a winter evening in 1973 near Nautilus Jr. High School in Miami Beach, Florida. Mr. D.K., nephew of CUFORN Co-Director Larry Fenwick, observed a solid green, frisbee-shaped object, slightly smaller than a basketball, with fuzzy edges. It was silent and moved west behind a telephone pole, then east, vanishing instantly. The estimated speed was 40 mph, and the object appeared to be 50 feet above ground and 75 feet away. The observer was walking with a friend who did not see the object. The sighting was reported to CUFORN on February 1, 1981.

Where Is Paul Longstaff?

This article recounts the story of Paul Longstaff, a freelance writer and ufologist who rented a secluded cottage in upper New York State in 1969 to write a book about his theory that extraterrestrials were living among humans. He claimed to have received a visit from 'men in black' in a limousine who threatened him if he published his work. Longstaff completed his manuscript in 1974 and sent it to a publisher, but he subsequently vanished, and attempts to contact him for a contract signature were unsuccessful. The article is based on a Toronto Sun report from February 23, 1975, and was rewritten by CUFORN member Bill Sanderson.

NL at Uxbridge

Judy Bishop, aged 17, of Uxbridge, Ontario, reported seeing a light hovering above a nearby field on August 27, 1978. She estimated it was about 200 yards away and made no sound. After looking away briefly, she found it had disappeared. Her family dog barked towards the light but returned later. Judy described the light as very big and bright, possibly forming a shape. Her younger sister, Debbie, also witnessed it. The report is from the Stouffville Tribune, September 2, 1978, and contributed by Bill Sanderson.

Erratum from Previous Issue

This section provides corrections for the previous issue (Vol.3, No.5), including changes to dates, names, and text on various pages.

The Dangers of Intellectual Snobbery (Editorial)

Larry Fenwick, the editor, expresses his frustration with what he perceives as intellectual snobbery in the ufology field, particularly from scientists. He discusses a three-hour radio show on CJRN Radio featuring Robert Garrison (astronomy professor) and Stanton Friedman (ufologist/physicist), with CUFORN's Bill Moore also present. Fenwick criticizes Garrison and Friedman for suggesting that UFO research funding should only go to scientists, implying that non-scientists, like himself and Moore (a journalist), are incapable of proper research. He highlights his own research published in 'Flying Saucer Review' and questions why Friedman might not have read it, suggesting a bias against British publications.

Another Diner on the Road to Limbo

This article, by Lawrence O'Toole, discusses the film 'Endangered Species,' a drama about cattle mutilation and germ warfare experiments, which is struggling with distribution. The film, starring JoBeth Williams and Robert Urich, had a difficult shoot and opened slowly. The article notes that the film's life in the open market is short, and it seems to be facing an uphill battle.

CUFORN Gets Standard Form Letter from NOVA Producer

This piece criticizes the NOVA television show 'The Case of the UFOs' for its biased presentation against UFO reality. CUFORN alleges that CSICOP was behind the show and that its members are 'known liars' working for the U.S. intelligence community, following a policy to debunk UFOs. NOVA Executive Producer John Mansfield of WGBH-TV sent form letters stating the research was done in England. CUFORN has documentation, including a letter to Mansfield and a recording of the show.

Foundation for UFO Research Announcement

This section announces the establishment of the Foundation for UFO Research, a non-profit corporation chartered in Delaware, USA. Its purpose is to assist in the eventual solution of the mystery of UFOs, accepting J. Allen Hynek's definition. The Foundation plans to fund research, establish awards, cooperate with significant ufology groups, and seek funding alternatives, while not publishing a journal or supporting specific theories.

DC-8 Pilot Reports NL Observed in 1976

CUFORN received a report from a former military pilot, now a DC-8 passenger airliner pilot, about a sighting in 1976. While flying a DC-8 near the Lake of the Woods area in Northwestern Ontario at 35,000 feet, he observed a bright light with irregular motion. The light appeared to be burning out, moved rapidly, increased in brilliance, and repeated this sequence several times. The pilot provided sketches of the phenomenon.

UFO Report Mentioned in Astronaut Aldrin's Book

This article discusses a UFO sighting mentioned in Edwin E. 'Buzz' Aldrin's autobiography, 'Return to Earth.' Aldrin, along with Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins, reportedly spotted something 'brighter than any star' during the Apollo 11 mission. They estimated it was about 100 miles away and described it as occasionally forming a cylinder or an 'L' shape. They debated reporting it but decided against it, fearing a UFO flap. Aldrin stated it was likely a panel from the Saturn third stage and posed no danger. The article also notes Aldrin's mention of odd sound effects on the return trip and his denial in 1978 of seeing UFOs on the Moon.

Woman With Poor Vision Reports Cigar-Shaped Object

A woman in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, reported seeing a white, cigar-shaped object on January 28, 1983. She described it as having rounded edges, 'windows,' and being self-luminous and blinding. The object hovered at a 90-degree angle, then descended and sped west. The report is considered suspect by the editor due to the observer's poor vision and the possibility of it being a helicopter. The woman mentioned that a boy she spoke to had also seen a 'bright ship in the sky.' She speculated the object might have been gaining energy from the nearby Pickering Nuclear Power Plant.

Third and Last Report in Past Four Months: Said to Be Rare Meteor Shower

Claude Freeman reported seeing an object that oscillated up and down, was bright green with round ends, and lasted ten seconds. He confirmed with the airport that there were no aircraft. The observation was heading northeast at a 40-60 degree angle. Reports of the same object were heard on his car radio. Larry Fenwick followed up, and a graduate student from the University of Toronto identified it as part of the Delta Leonis meteor shower, known for its oddly colored meteors.

UFO Film Selected as Worst Movie Ever Made

This section notes that 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' has been selected as the worst film ever made by authors Michael and Harry Medved in their book, 'The Golden Turkey Awards.' The article agrees with this assessment, calling the film 'pure trash' and mentioning that there have been few fictional or documentary UFO films that have dealt properly with the subject.

UFOs and the Media

This article critically examines media coverage of UFOs, focusing on the NOVA television series 'The Case of the UFOs' which aired on October 12, 1982. The author argues that the show was heavily biased against UFO reality, despite descriptions in TV guides suggesting a scientific investigation. The article notes that Dr. J. Allen Hynek was not mentioned, and 80% of interviewees were anti-UFO. It also mentions a segment on the Global TV show 'That's Life' featuring the Stratford, Ontario UFO Research Team and a short interview on CBC Television's 'Take 30' with a planetarium film producer discussing E.T.s.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently adopts a pro-UFO stance, presenting sighting reports and analyses that lean towards the reality of UFO phenomena. The editorial by Larry Fenwick strongly criticizes what he terms 'intellectual snobbery' from scientists who dismiss non-scientific researchers in ufology. There is a clear skepticism towards mainstream media portrayals of UFOs, particularly the NOVA show, which is accused of bias and debunking. The publication also highlights the efforts of UFO research organizations like CUFORN and the newly formed Foundation for UFO Research, emphasizing the importance of continued investigation and the value of amateur contributions to the field. The overall tone suggests a dedication to exploring and validating UFO phenomena, often in opposition to official or scientific skepticism.

This document is an issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, dated December 1982-January 1983. It focuses on reviews of television programs and documentaries related to UFOs, ancient astronauts, and the Bermuda Triangle, as well as a sales offer for past publications.

Editor's Introduction

The editor begins by stating that due to a full-time job and family commitments, readers should not expect detailed reviews of daytime TV or radio shows unless they are repeated in evening slots. He also mentions that some shows are broadcast on stations not accessible via his cable TV in the Toronto area, and that he uses a 20-year-old black and white television set, lacking a color set or a video cassette recorder.

Television Program Reviews

The Outer Space Connection

This ancient astronaut-style documentary, narrated by Rod Serling, was shown on Channel 9, CFTO-TV on November 14, 1982. It was made in either 1974 or 1975, and The Globe noted it as a follow-up to 'Chariots of the Gods?'.

The Disappearance of Flight 412

This made-for-television movie, which fictionalized events involving U.S. military pilots reporting UFOs before 1980, aired on Global TV on November 15, 1982. Starring Glenn Ford, it was preceded by genuine motion picture sequences of UFOs. The Globe and Mail described it as a story where two jets disappear while pursuing UFOs, the FBI ignores the incident, and an Air Force Colonel uncovers a cover-up. The Star's synopsis focused on jets vanishing from radar while tracking a UFO, leading to a government cover-up.

Live It Up

On November 18, the CTV Television Network show 'Live It Up' featured a segment promoting the work of a young freelance photographer who published a book of pictures of unusual items related to UFOs or psychic matters. The segment included an unflattering close-up of Dr. J. Allen Hynek.

Alien Encounters

Also on November 18, CBLT, Channel 5, aired 'Alien Encounters' at 11:55 p.m. This fictional story, described as badly written and poorly acted, begins with a UFO-caused power failure in Alaska, followed by an earthquake and an encounter with an alien creature. The Star suggested it was made in 1975 and was speculative, while The Globe and Mail stated it was made in 1976 and was an adventure-documentary about scientifically documented alien encounters.

Mysteries from Beyond Earth

On November 28, CITY-TV, Toronto, broadcast 'Mysteries from Beyond Earth', an American National Enterprises film. The Star did not list this film.

UFO Journals

CBLT presented 'UFO Journals' on December 2, 1982. The Star called it speculation and a documentary, but the reviewer found it to be poorly acted fiction. It examined reports of extraterrestrial spacecraft sightings. The Globe and Mail simply labeled it a documentary made in 1975, and its TV magazine summarized it as an examination of explanations for unidentified flying objects.

Mysteries From Beyond The Triangle

Filmed in 1977, 'Mysteries From Beyond The Triangle' was shown on CBLT on December 9, 1982. The Star described it as documentary-speculation and the 'Devil's Triangle', calling it one of the better Bermuda Triangle films.

The Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

This film, produced by Alan Landsburg Productions in 1977, was aired by WGR-TV, Channel 2, NBC-TV's Buffalo affiliate, on New Year's Eve, 1982. The Star's description mentioned the disappearance of navy flights and sightings of 'floating coffins' (derelict ships), calling it an exploration of strange events in the Bermuda Triangle area.

Upcoming Articles and Publications

The column will continue to appear regularly in the Bulletin. The next issue will feature an article by Steve Boucher, a new member from Ontario, which was submitted too late for this issue.

Rare Magazines for Sale

The CUFORN Bulletin is offering back issues of 'The UFO Pulse Analyzer', published and edited by CUFORN Co-Director Harry Tokarz in 1977. Four issues were published in total. The April, June, and July issues are available for $6.00, with the May issue sold out. Interested buyers are instructed to send a cheque or money order made out to CUFORN, Inc.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, ancient astronaut theories, and the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle, primarily explored through reviews of television documentaries and fictionalized accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical review, noting discrepancies in reporting between different publications (The Globe and Mail vs. The Star) and acknowledging the speculative nature of many of the programs discussed. The editor also expresses a personal perspective on the limitations of media access and technology.