CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 08 No 02 -1987 - Mar-Apr

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 8, No. 2
Date: March-April, 1987
Publisher: CUFORN (Canadian U.F.O. Research Network)
Country: Canada
Price: $3.00

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin delves into several key areas of ufology, with a strong emphasis on the growing media attention surrounding UFO abduction phenomena. It features a personal narrative of a severe health crisis, and explores the complex relationship between the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and public fascination with UFOs.

Major Media Turn Spotlight On "Communion" and "Intruders"

The lead story highlights the significant media promotion received by two books: Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins' "Intruders: The Incredible Visitations at Copley Woods." Both books, dealing with alleged alien abductions, have garnered extensive media coverage. "Communion," published by William Morrow, details Strieber's personal abduction experiences. "Intruders," published by Random House, examines abduction cases, including those in the Kitley Woods area near Indianapolis, Indiana, with the author, Budd Hopkins, a painter and sculptor, acting as a meticulous investigator.

The article notes that Strieber was a guest on "The Phil Donahue Show" and WRKO radio, and that "Intruders" was featured on CBC-TV's "Man Alive," which discussed UFOs and included CUFORN abduction cases. The show reportedly achieved high ratings. The bulletin expresses caution regarding some individuals mentioned in relation to UFOs, distinguishing between genuine abductees and those it labels as "contactees or phoneys."

Personal Narrative: Peter Mazzola's Health Crisis

A significant portion of the bulletin is dedicated to a detailed account by Peter Mazzola, Director of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI), chronicling his severe health struggles over the preceding 1.5 years. The narrative begins with a November 1985 auto accident that resulted in leg nerve damage. Following a suggested operation, Mazzola experienced a complete deadening of his leg and numbness in his arm. This led to a lawsuit against the hospital and doctors.

More critically, in January 1987, Mazzola began experiencing dizziness, headaches, and vomiting, which escalated into an inability to keep food down and severe disorientation. He was diagnosed with brain cancer, a tumor measuring 8 centimeters on the right side of his head. He underwent radio-therapy treatments, which, surprisingly, reduced the tumor significantly. Despite a grim prognosis from his doctor, Mazzola attributes his recovery and positive outlook to "positive thinking," a belief that his body could heal itself. He describes the challenges of managing SBI's affairs during his illness, including financial difficulties and the cancellation of their bulk mail permit due to inactivity.

SETI Without Saucers?

This article, reprinted from "Cosmic Search" magazine, explores the challenges faced by scientists searching for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The author, David W. Swift, a professor of sociology, highlights the difficulty in securing public and government support for SETI, especially when compared to more sensational topics like UFOs. Swift notes that while laymen often lump UFOs and SETI together, scientists maintain a clear distinction, viewing UFOs as misperceptions or hoaxes while considering SETI a legitimate scientific pursuit.

The article presents data from a Gallup poll indicating a strong correlation between belief in intelligent life on other planets and belief in the reality of UFOs. It suggests that NASA should consider integrating the public's interest in UFOs with the scientifically sound search for ETI to gain broader support.

Other Content

This issue also includes "UFOLetters," brief mentions of MUFON UFO Symposiums in '87 and '88, and a report on a UFO captured on videotape in Newburgh, Ontario. The bulletin also announces an increase in membership dues for CUFORN, citing rising postal rates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO sightings, abductions, and related phenomena, often presenting detailed case studies and investigations. There is a clear editorial stance that distinguishes between genuine UFO experiences and what it perceives as hoaxes or sensationalism. The publication also seems to support the scientific investigation of UFOs, as evidenced by its coverage of books like "Communion" and "Intruders" and its discussion of SETI. The personal narrative of Peter Mazzola underscores the human element within the UFO community, highlighting resilience and the impact of personal challenges on organizational activities. The bulletin appears to be a platform for sharing information, fostering discussion, and maintaining a record of UFO-related events and research within its community.

The CUFORN Bulletin, March-April 1987 issue, delves into the complex relationship between belief in UFOs and Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI), exploring its implications for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). The publication also features a detailed report on a UFO sighting videotaped in Newburgh, Canada, and announces an upcoming MUFON symposium.

ETI-UFO Beliefs and Public Support for SETI

The lead article, "The high levels of education, income, and occupation place ETI-UFO believers in the most influential stratum of the population," analyzes survey data from the Gallup Opinion Index. The data, presented in Table T-2, shows a clear correlation: as education, income, and occupation levels increase, so does the likelihood of believing in both ETI and UFOs. For instance, 62% of college-educated respondents believed in ETI, compared to 24% of grade school respondents. Similarly, 66% of college-educated individuals believed UFOs were real, versus 36% of grade school respondents. The article argues that these ETI-UFO believers, being well-informed and influential, are crucial for generating public support for initiatives like SETI. It posits that ignoring this demographic would be a strategic error.

The author questions why SETI scientists have historically avoided the UFO phenomenon. Several reasons are suggested: the perceived lack of relevance to SETI research, the difficulty in applying rigorous scientific methods to UFO studies, the potential for unwanted public interaction, and the fear of being associated with the "ludicrous, zany aura" surrounding flying saucers. SETI itself has only recently begun to gain scientific credibility, and involvement with UFOs could jeopardize this hard-won respectability, especially given past criticisms like Senator Proxmire's Golden Fleece Award.

However, the article contends that this cautious approach may be misguided. Evidence from public interest in occult phenomena, "Star Wars," and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" suggests a significant potential for public support for topics like UFOs and SETI. The author suggests that NASA could benefit from a more open policy, potentially educating the public about the distinction between UFOs and SETI, and possibly attracting more funding. Given NASA's current challenges with the Space Shuttle program, an increased public interest in UFOs could be a valuable asset. The article concludes that while there's no guarantee, a more flexible approach presents little undue risk and much potential gain for SETI.

Newburgh Resident Videotapes UFO

A prominent article, "Newburgh resident says he videotaped early-morning UFO," details an encounter by Scott Lloyd of Newburgh, Canada. On January 3, 1987, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Lloyd observed a light moving erratically in the sky. He recorded a 50-second video of the object using a Panasonic video camera. The tape, viewed by Whig-Standard staff, shows the object zig-zagging, stopping, hovering, and then accelerating rapidly before disappearing. The object displayed a large white light, a smaller white light, and a red light, with a dark, oval-shaped object visible behind the lights.

Investigations into potential explanations yielded no results. A spokesperson from Canadian Forces Base, Trenton, confirmed no military flights occurred during that time. A Transport Canada spokesperson at Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston stated there was no civilian flight activity in the area, and the airport was closed until 8 a.m. The Kingston Weather Office reported no weather balloon releases in the Newburgh area, and noted that weather balloons would not appear as clearly on tape.

Lloyd, who identifies as a skeptic of UFOs, stated the object's flight pattern was unlike any aircraft he had ever seen, describing it as looping, twisting, and turning quickly. He concluded that, lacking any logical explanation, it must be a UFO.

His father, Jim Lloyd, also viewed the tape and, while skeptical of UFOs, found the object's behavior intriguing and impossible for conventional aircraft or balloons to replicate. He expressed that while it didn't make him a believer, there seemed to be something significant about the sighting.

UFOLETTERS

This section includes correspondence from readers. One letter, from Gordon Creighton, Publisher/Editor of FSR, expresses gratitude for a previous letter about two proposed Pentagon documentaries. Creighton suggests these documentaries might be intended to "slip in" information about UFOs to TV programs discreetly. He also mentions hearing similar information about these documentaries from other sources and speculates if the timing could be an April Fool's Day trick. The letter also touches upon theories regarding alien involvement in space programs and "Star Wars" techniques, suggesting a need for help against a hostile alien faction.

Another correspondent mentions being in touch with Bill Moore and Lawrence Fawcett, who have reportedly provided only "run-of-the-mill" information.

MUFON Symposium Announcement

The bulletin announces the MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) 1987 UFO Symposium, scheduled to be held at American University in Washington, D.C., from June 26-28. The 1988 Symposium is planned for Lincoln, Nebraska. The Washington event will feature seminars on abductions led by Whitley Streiber and Budd Hopkins, and a discussion on the UFO cover-up involving Bill Moore, Stanton Friedman, and Bruce Maccabee. Twelve speakers from a dozen countries are expected to participate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, ETI, and scientific inquiry. The editorial stance appears to advocate for a more open and integrated approach to studying UFOs, particularly within scientific and governmental bodies like NASA. The publication highlights the disconnect between public interest in UFOs and the reluctance of mainstream science to engage with the topic, suggesting that this engagement could be beneficial for both scientific research and public understanding. The issue emphasizes the importance of demographic factors in public opinion and the potential for mobilizing support for scientific endeavors through a broader acceptance of anomalous phenomena.