Journal of the Fortean Research Center - Vol 2 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: JOURNAL of the FORTEAN RESEARCH CENTER
Issue: VOLUME II NO. 4
Date: DECEMBER, 1987
Publisher: FORTEAN RESEARCH CENTER
Country: USA
Price: $3.50

This issue of the Journal of the Fortean Research Center, dated December 1987, presents a collection of articles and documents related to unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on UFOs and unusual occurrences. The cover features an engraving of a man with a lightbulb helmet and the headline "MORE BRIGHT IDEAS!"

Director's Note

In his "Note from the Director," Ray W. Boeche welcomes readers to the final 1987 issue, apologizing for a 30-day delay. He announces that the Fortean Research Center has officially become a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, making donations tax-deductible. He encourages readers to consider donating when renewing their subscriptions. Boeche also mentions the upcoming 1988 MUFON Symposium in Lincoln, Nebraska, from June 24-26, 1988, and encourages attendance. He highlights that the current issue contains interesting items on "aquatic buddies" and government documents from the FBI and CIA concerning timely topics. Looking ahead to the next issue, he promises reviews of Timothy Good's "Above Top Secret" and Roy Mackal's "A Living Dinosaur?", an update on the MJ-12 situation, and preliminary results of a survey on public reaction to an alien contact announcement.

Table of Contents

The issue includes a "Director's Note," "Weird Water Wonders," "FBI Missing Time Memo," "FBI Men-in-Black Memos & Replies," "UFO Coverup Letter from FBI Files," "CIA Memo-Covert UFO Investigations," and "CIA Memo-Covert UFO Research."

Weird Water Wonders

This section presents several unusual stories related to water phenomena:

• PYTHON IN THE SEWER LINE: In Mountain View, California, police lassoed a 13-foot python found in a sewer line by a waste water worker.
• PIRANHA CAUGHT IN NEBRASKA LAKE: An angler caught a piranha weighing 14 pounds and measuring 12 inches long in Harlan County Lake, Nebraska. The fish was identified as a non-ferocious variety.
• NOT THE AVERAGE FISH STORY: Tim DeMatteis found a knapsack belonging to his father, Butch, which had been lost two years prior in a boating accident in Ontario, Canada. The knapsack contained shoes, candy bars, and a wallet with $225 and credit cards.
• AUSSIES CAPTURE ALBINO CROCODILE: Wildlife rangers in Australia captured a cream-colored crocodile, the first-known albino crocodile found in the wild.
• BLUEFISH TRY TO EAT SWIMMERS: Hungry migrating bluefish with sharp teeth reportedly bit at least five swimmers in an incident attributed to a feeding frenzy.

Declassified Government Documents

The issue includes several declassified documents related to UFO investigations:

• FBI Memo - January 18, 1967: An unidentified flying object was allegedly sighted in Chesapeake, Virginia. The witness described a large, oblong, transparent craft manned by undersized creatures (around 4 feet tall) wearing trousers and T-shirts. The witness believed they were transported by the craft for an hour.
• Letter to FBI - May 14, 1969: A letter from Del City, Oklahoma, inquired about rumors of men with oriental features wearing dark clothes who were terrorizing UFO witnesses, impersonating officials, and engaging in disturbing activities. The writer sought information or sources to answer these questions.
• FBI Letter - May 21, 1969: Helen W. Gandy, Secretary, responded to the May 14th letter, stating that the FBI had no information to send regarding the rumors and furnished enclosed publications concerning their organization. A copy of the correspondent's letter was forwarded to the Office of Special Investigations, Department of the Air Force.
• Memorandum to Acting Director, FBI - March 20, 1973: This memorandum from San Antonio, Texas, enclosed four copies of an LHM reflecting information provided by Sgt. of the United States Air Force, Recruiting Depot, Waco, Texas, concerning the subject's request for UFO information. The information was being disseminated to the military due to the subject's particular request.
• FBI Letter - March 20, 1973: A letter from San Antonio, Texas, detailed an interview with Sergeant of the United States Air Force in Waco, Texas, on March 9, 1973. The Sergeant had identified himself as a Captain and inquired about unidentified flying objects. He presented a "Top Secret" folder with pictures of military installations. The individual did not act strangely and was only seeking information from the newspaper. The information was furnished to proper authorities for informational purposes.

Membership and Publications

The Fortean Research Center offers membership for $15.00 per year, which includes a Journal subscription, discounts on publications, and reduced conference fees. The Center also promotes "STRANGE MAGAZINE," an 84-page publication covering various aspects of strange phenomena, available for $14.95 for four issues (or $18.95 for international orders).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, with a strong emphasis on UFO sightings and government involvement (or lack thereof) in investigating them. The "Weird Water Wonders" section highlights unusual animal and environmental encounters, suggesting a broad scope for "fortean" phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and dissemination of information on these topics, as evidenced by the publication of declassified documents and the Center's mission statement to provide accurate, reliable information to the public. The inclusion of FBI and CIA documents suggests an interest in official records and potential cover-ups or withheld information regarding UFOs.

Title: FORTEAN RESEARCH JOURNAL
Issue: 11
Date: June 1972

This issue of the Fortean Research Journal delves into various aspects of unexplained phenomena, with a significant focus on UFOs and government involvement, alongside cryptozoological research.

Pentagon UFO Involvement

The journal includes correspondence from an anonymous source within The Pentagon, dated June 2, 1972. This letter claims that within seven months, top-secret documents would be sent to The New York Times and two other newspapers. These documents were intended to reveal the Pentagon's involvement in the controversial "Unidentified Flying Objects" or "Flying Saucer" subject, indicating that not only the U.S. Air Force but also other military branches were involved in UFO research. The letter further states that an analysis and the actual conclusions of classic UFO cases would be revealed, supported by xeroxed documents and photographs reviewed by General Wolfe when he headed the Army's UFO support program during the Eisenhower years. The writer concludes that this is the best course of action, drawing a parallel to the Times-Pentagon Vietnam controversy.

Further internal documents from the DCD (Defense Communications Directorate) dated April 26, 1976, discuss a UFO research case. A request was made for analytical guidance on a UFO subject. The A/DDS&T (Assistant Deputy Director for Science and Technology), identified as Dr. [redacted], was contacted. Dr. [redacted] expressed interest and reviewed some material, advising that he would personally look into the matter. He later contacted the sender and relayed information indicating that there does not appear to be any apparent government program in progress for the identification or solution of UFO phenomena. However, Dr. [redacted] feels that the efforts of independent researchers are vital for progress. He noted that while offices and personnel within the agency monitor UFO phenomena, it is not on an official basis. Dr. [redacted] believes the best approach is to maintain contact and develop reporting channels to keep the agency/community informed of new developments, particularly information indicating a threat potential or specific indications of foreign developments or applications of UFO-related research. He also agreed to evaluate any additional information received and disseminate significant developments. The document stresses that there does not appear to be any special program on UFOs within the intelligence community.

A memo dated July 14, 1976, from DCD/ to Deputy Chief, ODSE, Attn: Mr. [redacted], discusses a recent meeting to evaluate some material. The sender noted the recipient's personal interest in UFO phenomena and mentioned that DCD had been receiving UFO-related material from SET (Science and Technology) sources, including scientists with agency associations whose credentials removed them from the "nut" variety. The attached material came to the sender's attention through these sources and appears to have legitimate FI (Foreign Intelligence) or community interest potential. The work being carried out by Dr. [redacted] should, in the view of the S&T sources, be evaluated by the agency or community. The sender felt the recipient might like to see the material due to their office's expertise and interest. The memo concludes by offering to discuss the material further if additional information or potential is identified, otherwise suggesting it be destroyed.

Forthcoming Publications and Research

The journal also highlights upcoming and ongoing research. "Disneyland of the Gods" by John A. Keel is announced for Spring 1988. Keel is described as a foremost investigator into the unexplained and paranormal, with this book being an addition to his best-selling works like "The Mothman Prophecies" and "The Eighth Tower." The book is said to shed new light on alternative realities such as extraterrestrial visitations, astral projection, ley lines, strange archeological phenomena, abominable snowmen, Sasquatch, and sea serpents.

Loren Coleman is noted to be conducting extensive and exhaustive research for a scholarly article on the early cryptozoological contributions of Tom Slick and the Slick-Johnson expeditions to the Himalayas and the Pacific Northwest from 1957-1962. He is seeking personal information, archival material, photographic records, and/or technical data on the Slick field searches, assuring confidentiality. This retrospective treatment aims to be scientific and will focus on the scope and importance of Tom Slick's legacy.

Help Our Friends

The issue includes a section titled "Help Our Friends," listing numerous organizations involved in the study of the unexplained. These organizations include MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, FORTEAN TIMES, ARCTURUS BOOKS, THE GATE, FAIR WITNESS PROJECT, COMPUTER UFO NEWSLETTER, YORKSHIRE UFO SOCIETY, ODYSSEY/BULLETIN, INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER, CENTER FOR UFO STUDIES, UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, PROJECT STIGMA/CRUX, NORTHERN UFO NEWS, CITIZENS AGAINST UFO SECRECY, LAKE CHAMPLAIN PHENOMENA INVESTIGATION, UFO CONTACT CENTER INTERNATIONAL, and GHOST RESEARCH SOCIETY. The journal encourages readers to support these organizations financially and in spirit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena, the analysis of historical UFO cases, the role of independent researchers, and the broader field of cryptozoology. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained phenomena, advocating for transparency and rigorous research, while also acknowledging the contributions of various organizations in the field.