CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 08 No 06 - 1987 - Nov-Dec

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 8 No.6
Date: November-December, 1987
Publisher: Canadian U.F.O. Research Network (CUFORN)
Country: Canada
Price: $3.25

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, published bi-monthly by the Canadian U.F.O. Research Network, focuses on several key areas of UFO research, including government knowledge of UFOs, the nature of abduction experiences, and the cataloging of UFO reports.

"What Does Our Government Know About UFOs?" by William L. Moore

This article presents a research update based on information gathered over six years through contacts within the American intelligence community. The author, William L. Moore, states that he and his associates have obtained documentation, filmed copies, and videotaped interviews that appear to pertain to the government's ongoing involvement with the UFO phenomenon. He notes that this information corroborates verbal accounts received during meetings and suggests that further information may become available. Moore also addresses rumors of an imminent major release of UFO information, confirming that a careful effort is underway, though specifics cannot be revealed at this time due to the project's delicate juncture. The article is presented in retrospect, explaining the context leading up to the public sharing of the MJ-12 documents at the MUFON Symposium in June 1987.

"Is abduction experience psychological or real?" by Terence Dickinson

Terence Dickinson, a former CUFORN member, recounts his experience participating in a segment for the television series 'Man Alive' concerning UFO abduction experiences. Initially skeptical, Dickinson was surprised by the detailed and consistent accounts from individuals claiming to have been abducted and examined by alien creatures. He notes that abductees describe beings about four feet tall with grayish skin, large heads, and huge black eyes, undergoing similar physical examinations. While Budd Hopkins, a UFO researcher, suggests these accounts either represent a new psychological phenomenon or honest reports of real events, Dickinson remains unconvinced of an extraterrestrial explanation. He states that until an alien implant is retrieved, he believes the phenomenon is earthbound and psychological, not physical or alien in origin. He concludes by returning to traditional astronomical observation.

Editorial Comment: Abductee's Implant Found By Machine

This editorial comment addresses Terence Dickinson's article on abduction experiences. It criticizes Dickinson for making judgments about abduction cases without fully participating in the research, noting he left the 'Man Alive' filming early due to prior commitments. The editorial questions why an abductee would want an implant removed if it causes no harm, suggesting it might be to satisfy scientists. It then introduces Betty Stewart Dagenais, a CUFORN member and abductee, who is trying to identify an implanted object. She is hesitant to have it permanently removed, wanting it reimplanted if studied. A heat-seeking scan of her left ear shows an oblong shape with four prong-like spokes, with cartilage grown over it, measuring 1-1.5 mm. Editor Larry Fenwick's compass test indicated magnetism in her left ear. Further investigation, including an X-ray, is planned.

"Portuguese UFO Reports Put Into Computer Catalogue" by Victor Lourenco

This article describes PORTUCAT, a computerized catalog of UFO reports from Portugal, developed using an IBM XT with a 6.66 Mhz CPU and specialized database software. The system allows for detailed definitions of reports, with each report having up to 3,200 fields and a maximum size of 61,000 bytes. PORTUCAT stores basic headings such as date, type of object, number of witnesses, and source of information, without performing final analyses or classifications. The database is flexible and has undergone design changes in 1987, aiming to create a structure similar to the standardized 'MAYBECAT' created by Dr. Hynek and Dr. Willy Smith. The project facilitates tracking of cases and patterns through graphs. Key collaborators include Larry Fenwick (CUFORN), Joaquim Fernandes (CNIFO), and Dr. Willy Smith (UNICAT Project). The article notes that samples of PORTUCAT files and a famous 1913 case appear on pages 8-11.

"Why reports are filed, unpublished"

This section explains CUFORN's current editorial policy, stating a backlog of reports, mostly IFOS (Identified Flying Objects) and NLs (Nocturnal Lights), are not being published. The bulletin will now focus on CE (Close Encounters) and crash-retrieval reports, as well as government secrecy, MJ-12, CE4's, and Project Aquarius, as these are considered to hold the most promise for hard and meaningful data for ufologists.

UFOLETTERS

Andy Roberts, an English Ufologist researching WW11 'Foo-Fighter' UFOs, requests information from CUFORN and its members. He is seeking any articles, book extracts, first-hand reports, theories, or photographs on the subject, particularly those from Canadian sources, and asks for his research and address to be mentioned in the bulletin.

Letter from W.B. Smith

This is a copy of a letter sent to CUFORN, originally from an unknown sender interested in Wilbert Smith. The letter, dated February 23, 1959, is from W.B. Smith to a Mr. Caswell. Smith advises caution in bringing flying saucer facts to the public, stating that many steps are needed before general acceptance. He grants permission for his articles to be published but requests that biographical material be omitted. Smith asserts that every nation has been informed of extraterrestrial spacecraft and occupants, and that nations must accept responsibility for their actions or positions. He also suggests Mr. Richard H. Frampton in North Bay as a contact.

Sample of Database Record: PORTUCAT

This section provides a detailed sample record from the PORTUCAT database, describing an event known as "The Miracle of the Sun" witnessed in Cova da Iria-Fatima, Portugal, on October 13, 1913 (date likely a transcription error, as context suggests 1913). The record includes weather conditions (pressure, temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, visibility of the sun), details about the event before, during, and after the "miracle," and secondary effects. Approximately 50,000 people witnessed the event, which involved a "dark cloud," a "small white smoke cloud," and a "bright silver disk" spinning and shining like the sun. The disk stayed for 8-10 minutes before becoming dark, then appeared to crash, causing fear, before moving away irregularly. Sick people reportedly recovered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, with a particular emphasis on the potential for government involvement and secrecy. The editorial stance, as indicated by the "Why reports are filed, unpublished" section, is to prioritize hard data and focus on specific, high-impact areas such as crash retrievals and government cover-ups, moving away from less substantial reports like IFOS and NLs. The issue also highlights the ongoing debate about the nature of abduction experiences, whether they are psychological or indicative of real extraterrestrial encounters, and explores the use of technology and data cataloging in UFO research.

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, dated November-December 1987, covers significant UFO and unexplained phenomena reports. The main focus is a close encounter with a triangular UFO near Toronto and a revisit to the historical 1917 Fatima miracle.

Graphic Artist's Close Encounter With Triangular UFO Near Toronto

The lead story details an encounter by Jackie Cosford, a 32-year-old amateur astronomer and full-time graphic artist from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. On December 26, 1987, at 12:45 a.m., she observed a mysterious, low-flying triangular object heading towards her house from the northwest. The object was at a roof-top elevation, approximately 50 feet high, and moving at an estimated 30 mph. Cosford observed it for one to two minutes. It came within a few feet of her house's roof and was completely silent. She estimated its diameter at 15 feet, noting that street lights reflected off its middle, sides, and lower surface. The object appeared brown and was a perfect triangle.

The conditions were clear with a few wispy clouds and a visible moon. The temperature was -3 degrees Celsius (31°F). Cosford reported that time seemed to stand still during the sighting. She became frightened upon realizing it could not be a kite or aircraft. She went inside and told her husband, David, about the experience. She recounted her husband's reaction and her own puzzlement over the object's slow movement and silence. She noted that the evening was perfect for stargazing and that everything seemed to turn quiet outside during the sighting. She was further puzzled by the lack of wind or sound as the object approached.

Cosford mentioned that no neighbors were out at that hour, and CUFORN had not questioned them, deeming it unlikely they would have observed anything. The area is described as entirely residential with fairly new houses. Her friends had mixed reactions to her story, with some laughing and one suggesting it might be a Stealth weapon test, which she considered unlikely in a metropolitan area. Cosford had read UFO books, including those about Betty Andreasson Luca, and had collected newspaper clippings about UFOs for ten years, which she reviewed after her sighting.

Mrs. Cosford (Jackie) was described as having high intellect and being genuinely mystified. She was interviewed by telephone on January 5, 1988, by CUFORN's Larry Fenwick. Sighting report forms were sent to her, including a request for her husband to describe his part in the event. CUFORN was awaiting the return of the form and asked Cosford to inform them if any other observers came forward.

Upon questioning, Cosford noted the object seemed solid with sharp edges, no appendages or openings, and a smooth surface, with one major exception: eight or ten round bulges, described as eye-shaped, were visible on the underside as it passed overhead.

Larry Fenwick contacted Downsview Air Force Base, which reported no calls about the sighting. Jackie's initial contact with a ufologist was through a newspaper clipping mentioning David Haisell of Mississauga. Haisell then called Fenwick, who subsequently called Cosford.

CUFORN hopes to obtain a drawing of the object from Jackie and her completed report form for publication in a future issue. They also plan to interview her husband and possibly their neighbors.

The 1917 Fatima Miracle Phenomenon

The bulletin also includes a section on the 1917 Fatima event, detailing an investigation by A. Ribera. The crowd gathered in Fatima, Portugal, on October 13, 1917, for a miracle promised by three children who had been visited by an "Entity" from the sky. The witnesses included shepherds Lucia (aged 10) and her cousins Francisco Marto (aged 9) and Jacinta Marto (aged 7).

Professor Almeida Garrett of Coimbra University, who was present, described the phenomenon. He stated that it was raining hard, but the sun suddenly shone through the dense cloud. The phenomenon was not dazzling but possessed a clear, changing brightness, comparable to a pearl. He described it as a polished wheel that suddenly began turning and rotated with increasing speed. He emphasized that this was not poetry but what his eyes had seen.

Environmental Effects and Witness Demographics

The bulletin lists some environmental effects reported in relation to a sighting: rising temperature drying clothes, a sensation of fear, commotion, and anguish, and the environment being covered by several colors. A vacuum effect was noted over an oak tree when a beam of light returned to its source. The witness demographics for an unspecified event are also provided: 22% farmers, 22% housewives, 6% lawyers, 6% journalists, and 1% engineers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin focuses on detailed witness accounts of UFO sightings and historical unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation, encouraging detailed reporting from witnesses and promising further analysis and publication of findings. The magazine aims to collect and disseminate information on UFO phenomena, including personal encounters and historical cases, with a commitment to interviewing witnesses and their associates.