CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 14 No 04 - 1993 - Jul-Aug

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 19, No. 4
Date: July-August, 1993
Publisher: Canadian U.F.O. Research Network, Inc. (CUFORN)
Country: Canada
Price: $5.00

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, published bi-monthly by the Canadian UFO Research Network, Inc., presents a diverse range of topics within the UFOlogy field. The cover features a line drawing by Donald B. Cowper, titled "The Dream of the Visitor," and highlights several key articles in this issue, including a skeptical artist's change of opinion after a CE3 in Hungary, a lawsuit concerning U.S. military UFO censorship, the departure of Betty Hill and Whitley Strieber from UFOlogy, and the initiation of a project to create an abduction computer database.

Articles and Features

Skeptical Artist Changes Opinion After CE3 in Hungary

This article by Gabor Tarcali details the experience of Gabor Molnar, a painter from Hungary who was previously uninterested in UFOs. In December 1990, while driving home late at night near Bodaszolo, his car stopped inexplicably. He recalls seeing a "little green being" with disproportionately large eyes. What followed is fragmented memory, but he remembers being in a room with windows and green beings examining him. Upon regaining full consciousness, he found his car at an angle in the middle of the road. This encounter drastically changed his perspective, leading him to believe in UFOs without doubt. He reported experiencing frequent headaches since the event and has had recurring dreams of the same green beings. His painting style has also shifted from landscapes and portraits to cosmic scenes.

Letter To The Editor

John III, a student at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, recounts a trip with his father, Peter, to southwestern Wisconsin, revisiting sites related to a 1988 "close encounter" with ETs. They describe experiencing periods of amnesia and a sense of the ETs adjusting their "physiological frequencies." The letter also mentions a stretch of Highway 14 where their amnesia lifted, serving as a geographical and time reference.

Review and Excerpts From New Canadian UFOlogy Quote Book

This section reviews "The Little Blue Book of UFOs: The Extra-Terrestrial in Canada," compiled by John Robert Colombo. The book is a small, 91-page compilation of quotes from various individuals regarding UFOs, all with a Canadian connection. Notable quotes include J. Allen Hynek stating that Canadians report UFO sightings more than people of any other country, and Chris Rutkowski describing Canadian UFOlogy as independent due to the "loneliness of the long-distance UFOlogist." Lester B. Pearson is quoted suggesting that interplanetary activity might lead to planetary peace, and Lawrence J. Fenwick posits that if aliens landed in major cities, it would likely be in Canada, where they would face a Royal Commission of Enquiry rather than hostile action.

If Bill Refuses to Spill the Beans, Maybe Perot Has Some Answers

This article by Rachel Kessler, from The Wall Street Journal, reports on a planned protest by the "Operation Right to Know" group at the White House. The group aims to pressure President Bill Clinton to acknowledge the existence of UFOs and release government data. Elaine Douglass, a spokeswoman, stated their goal is to "end UFO secrecy" and "disinformation regarding government contact with other worlds." The group claims the U.S. government has possessed information on visitors since 1947. The article also mentions a protest outside the Washington Post offices and a statement from David D. Wippel of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, who sees no reason for the government to withhold information if it exists.

Strieber Ends Communion With UFO Subculture

This piece reports that Whitley Strieber, author of "Communion," has become disillusioned with the UFO subculture. In a letter to subscribers of his "Communion Letter," Strieber described UFOlogists as "cruellest, nastiest and craziest people." He suggested that abduction reports are "artifacts of hypnosis and cultural conditioning" and a "human thing." The article also mentions Strieber's financial dealings related to his book and the film adaptation of "Communion."

Betty Hill Leaves UFology: Too Many "Flakes"

Betty Hill, known for her abduction experience with her husband Barney Hill in the 1960s, is retiring from public UFO-related appearances. She expressed concern that "too many 'flakes' are now reporting UFOs," leading her to distance herself from the subculture.

Fund for UFO Research

This section details a proposal by Dan Wright, supported by the Fund for UFO Research and MUFON, to establish a national computer database for UFO abduction cases. The project aims to transcribe and encode hundreds of audiotaped interviews and hypnotic regression sessions. The goal is to create a comprehensive database to analyze the numbers, substance, frequency, and trends of abduction reports, addressing the current lack of knowledge in these areas. The article outlines the process, including transcription by MUFON members and the need for computer equipment for data input and analysis. The Fund is seeking $3,000-$4,000 to complete the project.

Praise for the Project

This section includes endorsements for Dan Wright's data base project from prominent figures in ufology: Dr. David M. Jacobs (Temple University), Dr. Eddie Bullard (University of Indiana), and Dr. David E. Pritchard (M.I.T.). They highlight the project's potential to create a valuable research tool, standardize methodology, and bring together researchers to study abduction phenomena more systematically.

Premiums

This section outlines premium offers for contributors to the Fund for UFO Research's abduction data base project. Donations of $25 or more receive a copy of the report "Testing Reality: A Research Guide for the UFO Abduction Experience." Donations of $50 or more include the report and a VHS videotape "UFO Round Table." Donations of $100 or more receive both, plus a $25 gift certificate for future purchases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO sightings, encounters, and the broader implications of the phenomenon. This issue highlights a shift in perspective among some individuals, moving from skepticism to belief (Gabor Molnar) or from active participation to disillusionment (Whitley Strieber, Betty Hill). There is a strong emphasis on the need for organized research and data collection, as evidenced by the detailed coverage of the proposed abduction database project. The publication also touches upon issues of government secrecy and censorship related to UFOs, reflecting a critical stance towards official transparency. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting investigation, sharing information, and encouraging a deeper understanding of UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the challenges and complexities within the field, including the presence of "flakes" and the need for rigorous methodology.

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, dated July-August 1993, features an article detailing a lawsuit filed by Larry W. Bryant, an official with Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), against the Secretary of the Army. The lawsuit aims to combat alleged censorship of UFO-related content in military publications.

Researcher Battles Military UFO Censorship with First-Amendment Lawsuit

The lead article, "Researcher Battles Military UFO Censorship with First-Amendment Lawsuit," highlights Larry W. Bryant's legal challenge. Bryant, a researcher and CAUS official, had previously succeeded in opening up advertising pages of military newspapers for "UFO-coverup whistleblower ads" through a lawsuit against Weinberger et al. This victory, achieved via a "consent judgment," allowed advertisers access to the ad pages of publications like the Pentagram.

However, Bryant encountered a new obstacle when attempting to submit his views in the format of letters-to-the-editor. He claims that while his ads could be printed, his letters were subject to censorship by the Military District of Washington (MDW) public affairs office. Bryant argues that this censorship violates his First Amendment rights to free speech and press, particularly concerning the Pentagram's letters column, which he considers a "designated public forum."

The lawsuit, officially titled Larry W. Bryant v. Secretary of the Army, also names the Walter Reed Army Medical Center as a defendant. Specifically, the article mentions that the center's newspaper, the Stripe, refused to publish Bryant's letter seeking "whistleblower testimony and 'UForensic' evidence" related to the alleged retrieval and autopsy of occupants from two "flying discs" that crash-landed near Roswell, New Mexico, in July 1947.

Bryant has retained Washington, D.C. attorney James A. Heller, who filed the suit on June 23, 1993, as Civil Action No. 93-1289 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Bryant hopes this legal action will not only counter the "prior-restraint censorship" but also encourage current and former government officials to support greater freedom of UFO information and discussion.

A footnote references a previous lawsuit, Civil Action No. 86-1323-A, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division.

CUFORN T-SHIRTS

The second page of the document is an advertisement for CUFORN T-shirts. It details that the shirts are 100% preshrunk cotton and available with either silver lettering on turquoise (limited quantities) or white lettering on royal blue. The prices are listed as $15.00 in Canada, $18.00 for U.S. orders, and $20.00 for other countries. Shipping costs are an additional $3.50 for the first item and $0.50 for each additional item. Sizes range from Small to Extra Large (S, M, L, XL).

Notably, the first 10 members who order a T-shirt in Canada will receive a reduced price of $10. An order form is provided, requesting the number of T-shirts, size, color, and shipping details (Name, Street Address, City/Town, Province/State, Country, Postal/Zip Code). Payment is to be made via check or money order to CUFORN, Inc., with a mailing address provided: P.O. Box 77547, 592 Sheppard Ave.W.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the struggle for transparency and freedom of information regarding UFO phenomena, specifically through the lens of First Amendment rights and legal challenges against government censorship. The editorial stance, as represented by CAUS and Larry W. Bryant, is clearly in favor of open discussion and the release of information, opposing what they perceive as undue suppression by military and governmental bodies. The inclusion of the T-shirt advertisement suggests an effort to fund the organization's activities and promote its identity within the UFO research community.