IUFOPRA Newsletter - 1995 02-03

Magazine Overview

This document is the February/March 1995 issue (Issue 9) of the IUFOPRA Newsletter, a publication for members of the International UFO Photographers and Researchers Association. It provides organizational updates, reviews of UFO-related media, and information on upcoming events.

Committee and Membership

The newsletter lists the Executive Council and Committee Members of IUFOPRA, including Pat Delaney (C/Director, ACI), Jenny Randles (Director & DOI), Anne Griffin (Director, ACI), Karl Morris (ACI, Director & PRO), and Aongus De Barra (Director, ACI, & Assist, PRO). Committee members include Tom Gardiner (Astro Advisor), Denis Harper (Regional Officer, NI), Bill Moore (Regional Officer for USA), Roy Andersen (Regional Officer, Denmark), Miles Johnston (Regional Officer, for all UK), and Barbara O'Hara (CM).

A special welcome is extended to Miles Johnston, a newly appointed Member to the Committee, who works with Sky TV in London and is credited with facilitating the screening of UFO and Paranormal Documentaries.

A Mobile Phone Service is now available for members and other UFO organizations, with specific service times listed (Mondays-Fridays, 2:30 PM - 4 PM; Saturdays, 10 AM - 11 AM). An answering service is also available. A note clarifies that this facility is strictly for IUFOPRA members and exchange organizations only.

A gentle reminder is given about the next Committee Meeting, scheduled for Monday, May 29th, at 8:15 PM in the Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra. The meeting location within the hotel may change due to renovations.

Members are requested to notify the organization immediately of any change of address.

Director's Comments

Karl Morris, PRO, invites members and other UFO organizations to submit articles, comments, and suggestions for publication in the Monthly Newsletter or Journal. Maximum line limits are specified: 25 lines for the Newsletter and 60 lines or 3 pages for the Journal. Correspondence should be sent to IUFOPRA's address: Box No 3070, Whitehall, Dublin.

Articles and Reviews

The Challenge

This section refers back to a competition introduced in the January 1995 Newsletter, asking members to write about an argument posed by the C/Director and inquires about early entries.

IUFOPRA Members Meeting

It is proposed that IUFOPRA Members Meetings will be held twice a year, with the second meeting being the IUFOPRA AGM. This proposal will be presented to the Executive Council.

Roswell the Movie

The newsletter mentions that the 'Roswell' documentary, previously screened on Larry King Live in America, is expected to be screened by British TV this year. Further details will be provided as they become available. Additionally, a second series of 'The X-Files' is set to air on Sky TV from February 21st. The Director comments that while some stories in 'The X-Files' may be fictional, 70% are based on true facts.

Members who watched the 'INTRUDERS' mini-series on January 18th/19th, 1995, on Sky are encouraged to submit their comments. A review of 'INTRUDERS' is featured on page 3.

A Fireman's Guide to UFOs

This section reviews a recently published article titled 'A Fireman's Guide to UFOs'. It discusses the unlikelihood of firemen being equipped to handle a Close Encounter scenario. However, the new second edition of the 'Fire Officer's Guide to Disaster Control' in America now includes a special section on coping with UFOs. This manual covers the ABCs of dealing with UFOs in practical language, addressing issues such as disruption of transportation and communications, psychological and physical impacts, and government secrecy. The booklet was inspired by the late Charles.W.Bahme, who researched the UFO phenomenon and was interested in UFOs since the 'L.A. Air Raid' of August 26th, 1942, where he observed 20 objects.

The guide advises firefighters that it would be 'unwise to approach them' unless the person concerned agrees to be quarantined. It also suggests that approaching benign occupants might be safe, but caution is advised if they display advanced weapons. The article was compiled and researched by Anne Griffin, sourced from 'Omni Magazine', which the Director strongly recommends for its excellent UFO and Paranormal data.

"INTRUDERS" - Mini Series (CBS)

This is a review of the four-hour mini-series 'INTRUDERS', screened by Sky TV on January 17th/18th. The video is described as 'Based on facts too real to be called fiction' and deals with the Abduction Phenomena, focusing on the experiences of two women, Mary Wilkes and Leslie Hahn, who suffer recurring nightmares about alien abductions.

The review details the disturbing events, including flashbacks, anxiety attacks, nosebleeds, and a strange scar. It mentions the concept of 'missing time' and the process of Regressive Hypnosis used to uncover childhood experiences. The review contrasts the alien encounters with the 'magic and wonder of E.T.', describing traumatic medical examinations aboard spaceships.

Tracy Torme, the producer, believes aliens are 'obscenely neutral' and treat humans like animals in an experiment. The review highlights the involvement of Doctor Neil Chase, a Los Angeles psychiatrist, who eventually becomes convinced of a physical, government-related element to the abductions, finding it a challenge to psychiatry.

The film also examines the possibility of a secret group of civilians, military, and intelligence personnel covering up incidents of alien activity. A scene is noted where an Air Force Security Guard tries to save dying aliens after a UFO crash but is pressured into believing it was a figment of his imagination, ending up in a mental hospital. The reviewer concludes that the movie is gripping, terrifying, and well-made, doing justice to the Abduction Phenomena. It is noted that John Mack was a consultant on the movie, and the Dr Chase character may be based on him. The reviewer highly recommends the video.

Events

1995 One Day UFO Conference

An advertisement for a UFO Conference to be held on April 22nd, 1995, at Warblington Secondary School, Portsmouth, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Guest speakers include Busty Taylor, Gordon Millington (SIGAP), Roy Lake (London UFO Studies), and Malcolm Terry (Andover Group). Contact details for Steve Gerrard are provided for more information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes IUFOPRA's activities and encourages member participation through article submissions and attendance at meetings. There is a strong focus on UFO sightings, alien abductions, and the media's portrayal of these phenomena, as evidenced by the reviews of 'Roswell' and 'Intruders'. The publication also touches upon the idea of a UFO conspiracy and cover-up, suggesting that official explanations for events are often misleading. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging members to share their experiences and perspectives, while also recommending resources like 'Omni Magazine' and the 'Intruders' video for further study.