CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 12 No 05 - 1991 - Sep-Oct

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 12, No. 5
Date: September-October, 1991
Publisher: Canadian U.F.O. Research Network, Inc.
Country: Canada
Price: $5.00

Main Cover Story: Fan-Shaped Light Reported in Japan

The cover of this issue prominently features an oil painting titled "Vincent and the Visitor" by Donald Cowper, depicting an alien and a UFO. The main headline, "Fan-Shaped Light Reported in Japan," introduces a detailed account of a UFO sighting that occurred on October 18, 1989, in Taragi, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. The report, submitted by CUFORN's member in Japan, Miaki Komatsu, highlights the case of Masahisa Kameda, a 39-year-old manager of a food shop.

Kameda observed a shining object hovering in the northeastern sky while making a delivery. He described the object as resembling an upside-down fan with bright yellow lights on the corners and an orange center, outlined in a mist of blue and yellow. The object approached his car, hovering at an angle of 45 degrees at a distance of 500 meters (1,500 feet) and 70 meters (210 feet) above the ground. Its shape was described as a cone with a cap's peak, and a small round section was visible on the bottom. The top and bottom featured dazzling orange lights, with the lower part sometimes as bright as a fluorescent lamp, and the upper side had a blue light. A circular part in the center displayed a rotating and blinking orange and red belt of light.

Upon starting his car's engine, Kameda heard a vibrating noise. He also felt a chill on his back, leading him to suspect abduction, a fear amplified by having recently seen a TV program on the subject. The object's outline was clear, and its shape was a cone with a cap's peak and a small round section on the bottom. The report notes that the object's outline was clear and its shape was a cone with a cap's peak. A small round section was visible on the bottom.

Following the sighting, Kameda returned to the location and observed a ring of hazy light where the object had hovered, which dissipated after 20 to 30 minutes. He estimated the object's width to be 60 meters (180 feet), making its diameter approximately 30 meters (90 feet).

Significantly, two or three days later, Kameda discovered that his car's battery fluid was low, despite the car's lights and engine functioning normally during the sighting. This unexplained battery fluid drain is reported as the first case of its type in Japan.

The issue also mentions other related sightings on the same day: a woman in the same town saw an orange disk-shaped object moving eastward, and in a neighboring prefecture, Mr. Yoshi Tanaka also reported seeing a disk-shaped object. Tanaka described his sighting as being five times larger than the Moon and similar in shape to the object seen in Kumamoto.

The editor's note suggests that the coincidence and media influence might lead observers to exaggerate sightings, pointing out that the object was a distant nocturnal light and that battery effects are unusual.

Book Review: UFOs Over Canada by John Robert Colombo

Lawrence J. Fenwick provides a critical review of John Robert Colombo's book, "UFOs Over Canada," which presents personal accounts of sightings and close encounters. Fenwick argues that the book promotes the skeptical stance of the Committee For the Scientific Investigation of Claims for the Paranormal (CSICOP) and contains numerous inaccuracies and misrepresentations.

Fenwick disputes Colombo's claim that hard evidence of UFOs does not exist, asserting that CUFORN possesses such evidence. He points out several misspelled names in the book, including "Sufferin" for Robert Suffern and "Wallace" for Dorothy Wallis. Colombo's assertion that UFO evidence does not exist is countered by Fenwick, who states that CUFORN has scientifically examined and proclaimed extraterrestrial evidence.

The review criticizes Colombo's use of statistics to highlight the prevalence of UFO reports in Canada but faults him for not providing examples of how editors and reporters prior to the mid-1980s considered UFOs to be real. Fenwick suggests that Colombo misunderstands how newspapers report news and that CSICOP influences the media to slant its coverage against UFOs.

Fenwick also challenges Colombo's claims about specific individuals and cases. He disputes Colombo's portrayal of Henry Gordon, a magician, stating his books were not popular and lost money. James Randi, a former CSICOP member, is described as a charlatan whose books also lost money. Colombo's claims about the locations of "Hush, Flash and Midnight-Globe" are also questioned.

The review highlights Colombo's inaccurate information regarding the formation of NATO, stating that he claims a "NATO document" from 1947 mentioned UFOs being extraterrestrial, despite NATO being formed in 1949. Fenwick also criticizes Colombo's reliance on David Gower, who allegedly posed as a reporter while being a founder of the Ontario Skeptics.

Colombo's assertion that community newspapers investigate UFO sightings is dismissed as inaccurate, with Fenwick stating they typically just interview people without verification. The review also addresses Colombo's claim that witnesses seldom report sightings to the RCMP or government agencies, suggesting this is because no crime has been committed.

Fenwick refutes Colombo's statement about Wilbert Smith being in the psychic field, noting Smith's work on superstring theory. He also criticizes Colombo's use of sources like John Magor's "Canadian UFO Report" magazine, which is defunct and did not investigate reports, and the "Brotherhood of Faithists." The review points out 12 spelling errors and misspelled names in Colombo's book.

Furthermore, Fenwick challenges Colombo's interpretation of Carl Jung's work, stating that Jung acknowledged not having studied enough UFO reports to form definitive theories. The review concludes that Colombo's book is not accurate and relies on old or uninvestigated cases, possibly to avoid presenting stronger evidence of UFO reality.

Letters to the Editor

This section includes correspondence from readers, offering diverse perspectives.

Eduard "Billy” Meier: A letter from Switzerland addresses claims about models used in photos attributed to Billy Meier. The writer states that two models were made by students for films and scientific tests, which showed Meier's pictures could not be falsified. A metallic model of Semjase's craft was also brought, but the photographs were destroyed.

Zechariah Sitchin: Ruth A.L. Sider from Crystal Beach, Ontario, expresses concern about the description of Zechariah Sitchin's speech as a "carefully-thought-out and researched theory and validation." She argues that Sitchin's theory, using terms like "Nefilim," is based on myth and that UFOs should be studied on an "as it happens" basis. The editor's comment clarifies that Sitchin is a biblical scholar and against myths, suggesting Sider may have misread the article.

Russian Ufology: A new research entity, the RUSSIAN UFOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER, is introduced. This organization aims to study current Russian ufology, review related news and literature, and foster ties between American and Russian researchers. They also intend to combat the proliferation of "tabloid ufology" in the USSR. Their address is provided: Paul Stonehill, Coordinator, 5700 Etiwanda Avenue, Suite 215, Tarzana, CA 91356, U.S.A.

UFO Service and Special Offers

The "UFO SERVICE" section lists 162 sources of worldwide UFO information, available for a $5 cheque or money order to George D. Fawcett. Special offers include collector's items: the April 1977 and June 1977 issues of the Bulletin, available for $6.00 each. A complete index for Leonard Stringfield's "Situation Red-The UFO Siege" is also offered for $8.00 (Canadian residents) or $10.00 (other countries).

Have You Seen a UFO?

The National UFO Museum is conducting a research project to gather information on UFO sightings and alien encounters. They request detailed descriptions, including time, date, location, incident details, drawings, photos, physical evidence, and witness accounts. Submissions should be sent to the National UFO Museum, P.O. Box 20593, Sun Valley, NV 89433, U.S.A.

CUFORN Staff and Consultants

The bulletin lists the CUFORN staff, including President Joseph Muskat, Secretary/Editor Lawrence J. Fenwick, and Treasurer Harry Tokarz. A list of consultants is also provided, covering various scientific and academic fields.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently promotes a pro-UFO investigation stance, often critically examining skeptical viewpoints and debunking efforts. The publication appears to favor the hypothesis that UFOs are extraterrestrial in origin and encourages rigorous, yet open-minded, investigation. The editorial stance is evident in the critical review of Colombo's book, the defense of researchers like Stanton Friedman, and the promotion of international UFO research collaboration, particularly with Russia. The bulletin aims to provide factual reporting and analysis, distinguishing itself from what it terms "tabloid ufology."

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1991
Volume: 1991
Publisher: CUFORN
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin features a critical review of John Magor's book, "Aliens Above, Always," and a detailed account of a UFO sighting in Israel.

Review of John Magor's Book "Aliens Above, Always"

The review begins by dissecting John Magor's use of the term "evidence," contrasting his reliance on witness testimony with direct contradiction in legal terminology. The reviewer points out that Magor suggests alien abductions are more likely to occur in the U.S. than in other countries, attributing this to media concentration in the U.S. rather than a higher incidence. The reviewer also notes that Magor overlooks CUFORN's own more comprehensive investigation of the Robert Suffern affair, which was published in 1977 in the UFO Pulse Analyzer.

Further criticisms include Magor's misnaming of Ero Talvila's former magazine as "Inner Voice" instead of "Inner Life." The reviewer also corrects Magor's book title to "Aliens Above, Always" and points out an omission on page 216 regarding the phrase "Above Top Secret."

The reviewer concludes by quoting Magor's comment upon receiving the book: "I would have a field day," implying that the book was full of flaws that would be easy to identify. The reviewer agrees that this was the case.

Saucer With Spotlights Terrifies Israeli Motorists

This section presents a translated UFO report from the Israeli Russian newspaper "Krug," authored by Hadassa Arbel. The eyewitnesses are Jacob and Natasha Wenger, and their friend Ypim Roseman, all recent immigrants from Russia living in Tiberias.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 10th, 1991, around 11 p.m., as they were driving towards Tiberias near Kephar Khitim. Jacob Wenger recounts how the sky suddenly lit up with an "unworldly glow." Initially dazzled, he then saw a large, elongated object resembling a cigar. The glow stopped momentarily, plunging everything into darkness, then reappeared. Four columns of blue light emerged from the object.

The object descended and grew larger, revealing itself to be saucer-shaped. Its lower part displayed 14 greenish lights. Two powerful spotlights then activated, emitting an orange beam that scanned the area, including the road where their car was.

Terrified, the occupants of the car felt the scanning beam touch them. Suddenly, all lights went out, and a shrill, humming sound was heard, followed by a distant thud, suggesting the saucer had landed nearby. Ypim Roseman quickly started the car, and they drove away at high speed.

The following morning, Jacob Wenger discussed the event with friends, who took his report seriously. Two friends, Levim and Kastilowsky, reported seeing a large, illuminated, unexplained object heading northwest over the Sea of Tiberias prior to midnight on the same night. They advised Wenger to report the incident to a newspaper.

Abductee Lecturing in Toronto Area

This brief note mentions that Betty Stewart Dagenais, who has had five CE4 experiences and an implant removed, has been giving lectures on ufology in the Toronto area for about a year. CUFORN possesses a videotape of her implant removal surgery.

Probes of Possible Abduction Reports Delayed

CUFORN has received several reports, including about ten that may be abductions. However, these cases have not been fully investigated because the individuals involved are reluctant to undergo hypnosis, despite assurances that it would be helpful. The article states that CUFORN cannot force anyone to be investigated and asks readers for patience. A new qualified hypnotherapist will be working with CUFORN on abduction reports, and the doctor's name will remain confidential until they begin working together.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO literature and the reporting of UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the detailed critique of John Magor's book. Simultaneously, the Bulletin actively documents and investigates UFO phenomena, as shown by the detailed report of the Israeli sighting and the ongoing efforts to probe abduction cases, albeit with challenges related to witness cooperation. The publication also serves to inform its readership about ufological activities, such as lectures by prominent figures in the field.