CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 05 No 03 - 1984 - May-Jun

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 5, No. 3
Date: May-June, 1984
Publisher: Canadian U.F.O. Research Network
Country: Canada
Price: $3.00

Articles and Content

UFOs & The Electronic Media by Lawrence J. Fenwick

This article critically examines how electronic media, specifically radio and television, cover UFO-related events. It begins by detailing Major Colman Von Keviczky's speech at Toronto's Hungarian Cultural Centre, which was given advance coverage by CKO-FM radio. Von Keviczky's main point was that 'mighty powers' should cease attacking UFOs to prevent a war with aliens. The article notes that Von Keviczky's speech was difficult to follow due to his accent and the number of slides used.

More significantly, the piece highlights the perceived bias of CBC-TV's 'Newshour' in their coverage of the event. Announcer Bill Harrington's commentary is described as editorializing, using terms like 'true believers' and 'religious fanatics' to characterize ufologists. The article suggests that CBC's approach was to frame the subject matter as something only children would believe in, pointing out that Von Keviczky, the main subject, received the least airtime. The author, Lawrence J. Fenwick, also mentions his own interview and appearance on the program.

Additionally, the article promotes the upcoming movie release of William L. Moore's book 'The Philadelphia Experiment,' noting that CUFORN aided in its research.

UFO & Psychic Events on TV Show

This section discusses Ontario's Global TV Network's hour-long series 'Strange But True,' which features psychic events and UFO reports. The show anonymizes participants' details to protect their privacy. A specific episode, 'Encounter,' is detailed, describing a multiple observer event from about 20 years prior. The account involves a man and his baby daughter witnessing pulsating red lights and round white lights moving over their house. The man experienced physical effects, including partial paralysis and a bruise healing, and later drew a detailed account. The article notes that the man and his daughter experienced recurring symptoms and marks related to the event.

The Toronto Star's TV magazine summarized the segment as a skeptic experiencing a UFO sighting with strange results.

More Details Released on College UFO Course

This brief section announces a UFO course to be taught at Seneca College from September 22 to October 20, 1984. The course will run on Saturday mornings and cost approximately $25-30 for the five-week semester. The main campus at 1750 Finch Avenue East in Willowdale, Metropolitan Toronto, will host the classes, with the editor/publisher of CUFORN serving as the instructor.

Ex-Football Czar Was Avid Ufologist

This piece profiles Jake Gaudaur, who retired as Commissioner of the Canadian Football League on June 1, 1984. Gaudaur, a former player and RCAF pilot, is revealed to have had a long-standing interest in UFOs. An article in The Toronto Star by Rick Matsumoto highlighted Gaudaur's past belief in UFOs, quoting him as saying, "Thirty years ago I believed in UFOs."

Humming Saucer Seen At Stayner

This is a detailed report of a UFO sighting that occurred on April 17, 1978, in Stayner, Ontario. Multiple observers, including Mr. T.K., Mrs. Annie K., and Barry Smith, reported seeing a dark, metallic object with reddish-orange and green lights. The object hovered, moved swiftly, and emitted a low hum. The observers described feeling frightened and drained. They contacted Collingwood Airport and CKCB radio to report the sighting. The report was submitted to CUFORN on May 2, 1978.

UFO Witnesses: Are They Public Property? by Harry Tokarz

This lengthy article explores the difficult position of UFO witnesses, who often become targets of skepticism, threats, and harassment. The author argues that witnesses, by contributing their experiences to research, are often treated as public property. The article details how witnesses can be traumatized not only by the encounter itself but also by the negative public reaction, including media sensationalism, curiosity seekers, and even violent individuals.

Negative Reaction: The piece highlights that many witnesses regret reporting their sightings due to the ensuing difficulties. The emotional impact is described as tremendous, often overshadowing the original UFO incident. Witnesses are frequently left to stand alone against public skepticism and hostility.

Death Threats: The article discusses individuals who threaten witnesses, suggesting a resurgence of a dormant group. These individuals aim to silence witnesses, possibly due to their own psychological inability to accept the reality of UFOs. The author notes that these threats are distinct from 'men-in-black' reports.

A Threat in Toronto: An incident is described where a publisher of UFO literature received threatening letters from a former subscriber, who was disturbed by the published UFO cases. The writer professed intimate knowledge of UFOs and was eventually reprimanded by local police, but continued his harassment.

John A. Keel's Conclusion: The article references John A. Keel's conclusion that many individuals are manipulated by unseen forces connected with the UFO phenomenon to carry out assignments they don't recall.

Carmen Cuneo's Caller: Carmen Cuneo, a worker at the Domtar Asbestos Mine, reported seeing three stationary UFOs and a landed cigar-shaped craft with small beings. Following his report, he received a threatening phone call from someone with a 'military-type voice,' warning him to stop discussing the case or face consequences for his family.

Jeff Greenhaw Case: The article details the case of Jeff Greenhaw, a former Police Chief of Falkville, Alabama, who encountered a six-foot metallic creature in 1973. Greenhaw photographed the entity, leading to severe harassment, including his car being blown up, his trailer destroyed, and his wife leaving him. He was pressured to resign his position. The article suggests that the town's reaction was emotionally rooted and that the incident was instigated by the very people he once protected.

Rocket Suit Rumour Squelched: The article briefly addresses and dismisses a rumour that the creature Greenhaw encountered could have been someone in a rocket suit, noting the proximity to NASA's Marshall Space Centre.

Suffern Suffered: Robert Suffern encountered a circular craft and a silver-suited figure near his farm. His report led to intense media attention, including a 'sky-watch post' on his roof and continuous phone calls. He received death threats from two men who threatened his family. The article notes that the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' rekindled public interest and led to his children being ridiculed at school. Suffern expressed regret about ever telling anyone about his experience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently adopts a stance of investigating and reporting on UFO phenomena with a critical eye towards mainstream media portrayals. The publication appears to champion the cause of UFO witnesses, highlighting the difficulties they face and advocating for a more serious consideration of their accounts. There is a clear theme of challenging skepticism and perceived biases from established media outlets. The editorial stance is one of support for ufological research and the individuals who come forward with their experiences, often portraying them as victims of societal misunderstanding and even persecution. The recurring theme is the struggle for credibility and the personal cost associated with reporting unusual aerial phenomena.

The CUFORN Bulletin, May-June 1984 issue, features a prominent article detailing the "HERB SCHIRMER'S ORDEAL." The magazine focuses on UFO sightings and the subsequent experiences of witnesses, particularly the harassment and disbelief they often face.

Herb Schirmer's Ordeal

The article recounts the experience of Herbert Schirmer, who was the youngest Police Chief in Nebraska in 1967. While on patrol in Ashland, Nebraska, Schirmer encountered a massive saucer-shaped craft resting on the side of the highway. He observed a "glowing humanoid being" approaching his car. Schirmer attempted to draw his gun but found himself immobilized. The being approached, opened the car door, and Schirmer blacked out after an instrument was applied to his neck, leaving an unusual welt that remains to this day.

During regressive hypnosis sessions conducted by Dr. Leo Sprinkle, it was revealed that Schirmer had been taken aboard the craft and communicated with the humanoid. This period of missing time yielded a wealth of information, though its veracity is not definitively stated. Physical landing traces were found at the site, and a piece of "shiny metal" was confiscated by military investigators. The tape of Schirmer's emergency radio transmission also disappeared.

Following his experience, Schirmer faced a severe campaign of malignment. This included threatening phone calls, the dynamiting of his car, and the public burning of his effigy. The article emphasizes that this occurred in 1967, not in a distant historical period. The ordeal led to further personal hardship: Schirmer's wife divorced him, and the Town Council fired him from his position as Chief of Police.

For the next seven years, Schirmer moved from state to state, struggling to rebuild his life and forget the experience. He was frequently recognized as "that UFO nut from Nebraska." Eventually, he accumulated enough money from menial jobs to form a business partnership in Washington state. Tragically, his partner, after seeing a news clipping about Schirmer's UFO experience, absconded with all the partnership's funds.

The Duality of Man's Nature

The article posits that humans often fear themselves more than any potential extraterrestrial threat. Skeptics question why UFOs don't contact everyone, but the author suggests they should consider the suffering of publicized UFO witnesses. Researchers are exploring complex questions about the UFO mystery, but objective thinking is often replaced by ridicule, ruining people's lives.

People who witness aerial intruders and their occupants are often victimized, with nowhere to turn. Even UFO organizations are not equipped to handle the psychological problems arising from harassment. The military establishment, which the public might expect to turn to, has itself become a symbol of terror and distrust in UFO-related matters.

The crux of the issue is identified as man's complex belief structures and the dual nature of human experience, leading to both positive and negative reactions, with choice always present. Accepting the inevitable is difficult; for some, documented evidence is insufficient, while for others, the proof is overwhelming. The article offers congratulations and sympathies to close encounter witnesses.

News Flash

A "News Flash" section announces that Tarry Fawcett and Barry Greenwood, authors of the new book "Clear Intent," would be autographing copies at a press conference in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 1984. This is noted as a first for any UFO book.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reality of UFO phenomena, the personal cost of witnessing such events, and the societal and governmental responses, which are often characterized by disbelief, ridicule, and cover-up. The editorial stance appears to be one of validation for witnesses and a critical view of the skepticism and prejudice they face. The article strongly implies that the human response to the unknown is a significant factor in the suffering of those who have had close encounters.