Klipprunden - 1985 03 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of "PROBLEMET" is dated March 10, 1985, and is published by Norske Argus A-S. The cover features a cartoon titled "EN RASK TITT PÅ EN IKKE-RØKERS DILEMMA" (A Quick Look at a Non-Smoker's Dilemma), illustrating the challenges faced by someone trying to quit smoking.

Editorial and Financial Notes

The editorial section begins with a lighthearted remark about a boxing match and then transitions into the magazine's operational details. The editor, "O-G," explains the practice of printing on both sides of the paper to save costs, given the high volume of clippings and postal charges. A significant announcement is the increase in the subscription price for the "klipprunden" (clipping round) from 75 to 80 kroner per quarter, effective April 1st, which is explicitly stated not to be an April Fool's joke. The editor also notes that three subscribers have not paid their February fees and urges them to settle their accounts. The magazine's copier is out of toner, requiring a trip to town for supplies, leading to a 24-hour pause in operations. A piece of news is the financial difficulties of "F.I. (Fremmedvitenskapelig Informasjon)" (Foreign Scientific Information), with Einar Larsen starting a business in Spain. F.I. has offered to transfer its membership registry to "PROBLEMET" in exchange for financial compensation, which could be significant for the magazine.

A committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 24th, and the organizers are seeking input. The delay in scheduling is attributed to the work involved with Project Hessdalen and Hynek's visit. The issue also mentions receiving a copy of "Teknisk Ukeblad" which features an article on P.H. by Arne Wisth, including information on ordering the Hessdalen report for 70 kroner.

An upcoming meeting in Tønsberg is announced for Thursday, March 21st, at 19:30. The editor encourages people in the Tønsberg area to attend and offers to coordinate with any "our people" who might be in the district on that day.

UFO Reports and Investigations

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO phenomena, with several articles and clippings from various Norwegian newspapers.

The Aure UFO Photo Hoax

One of the main stories, originating from "Arbeidets Rett" (February 20, 1985) and "Aftenposten" (February 21, 1985), details the debunking of a famous UFO photograph taken by Pål Kristian Vaag from Aure. The photo, which had been published on the front page of "Verdens Gang" (VG) on August 7, 1984, was claimed to show a UFO at a distance of 150-250 meters. However, an analysis by NIVFO (Norsk Institutt for Vitenskapelig Forskning og Opplysning) using computer analysis from Ground Saucer Watch in the USA revealed the object to be a wooden model suspended by a thread. Vaag admitted to the hoax, stating he was surprised by how many people were fooled and hoped it would lead to greater skepticism towards UFO images. The article notes that even the Norwegian Air Force's image analysts found the photo interesting and did not detect any flaws initially. The "UFO-blad" (UFO magazine) had also reported on the photo, speculating about a 'force field' around the object. The debunking highlights how easily UFO enthusiasts can be deceived.

Tynset UFO Sighting

An article from "Arbeidets Rett" (February 20, 1985) reports on a sighting by Lisa Moxness Vestli and three children in Tynset. They observed a large, green, red, and orange object resembling a cigar or a "drops" hovering in the sky for nearly half an hour before disappearing towards Folldal. The object emitted thin, straight rays of light. Lisa Moxness Vestli plans to report her observations to the UFO association.

Other Sightings and Phenomena

Several other brief reports mention UFO sightings:

• An anonymous couple observed a flying object near Orvos, which flew alongside their car before disappearing into the terrain.
• A "lemon-shaped" object was seen for three-quarters of an hour over Hessdalen, emitting a dim yellow light.
• A report from "Østlands Posten" (February 18, 1985) describes a luminous object seen in the eastern sky near Tønsberg, which remained stationary and blinked. Rygge Air Station reported no unusual activity, and the object was speculated to be a large star.
• "Finnmark Dagblad" (February 19, 1985) discusses increased UFO activity in Finnmark, with the UFO department in Alta planning to increase its efforts and seeking more observers. They mention that the military often dismisses radar-undetected phenomena as hallucinations.
• "Aftenposten" (February 21, 1985) reports on a mysterious ice hole and light phenomenon on a small Finnish lake, Vähä-Ruokjärvi, with theories ranging from meteorites to "space junk."

Public Opinion on UFOs

"Norske Argus" (February 22, 1985) includes a section called "på gaten" (on the street) featuring brief interviews with individuals about their views on UFOs following the debunking of the Aure photo. Most express skepticism about UFOs, believing many photos are hoaxes, but some still believe in the possibility of life on other planets.

Other Items

• Vern paddene (Protect the Toads): A short piece from "Fredriksstad Blad" mentions environmental concerns for amphibians in Østfold, Norway.
• Tjassa..? (Tickle..?): A humorous column by Morten M. appears on pages 2 and 3.
• Sticksdal: A brief report about Dominic Resalu from Galats, Romania, being fined for insulting a police officer after drinking coffee.
• Lättad stad (Relieved City): A report about a town where the mayor successfully encouraged residents to lose weight.
• Uheldig (Unlucky): A short anecdote about a man caught driving without a license.
• Dyna som ble vekk (The Duvet That Disappeared): A humorous story from Bodø about a missing duvet.
• 3-delte kvinnfolk (3-Part Women): A quote from Erling Hognestad, director of Vestfold-Buskerud Slakteri, categorizing women.
• Skatt er GØY (Tax is FUN): A sarcastic comment about humor in Nord-Møre.
• To halve Tranøy-leger blir hele (Two Halves of Tranøy Doctors Become Whole): A medical sensation from Tranøy.
• Snakker ikke rent (Doesn't Speak Cleanly): A report on the changing dialect in Bergen, with young people mixing 'kj' and 'sj' sounds.
• Lensmann skal ikke være busemann i bygda (The Sheriff Should Not Be a Bogeyman in the Village): A quote from "Laagendalsposten."
• Opptrapping ved trappefabrikken (Escalation at the Stair Factory): A caption from "Stavanger Aftenblad."
• A Quick Look at a Non-Smoker's Dilemma: A comic strip on page 4 depicts a man struggling with smoking.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on skepticism and the debunking of hoaxes, exemplified by the detailed coverage of the Pål Kristian Vaag case. The magazine appears to be critical of sensationalism surrounding UFOs, encouraging a more rational and evidence-based approach. The editorial stance also reflects a pragmatic approach to publication, focusing on cost-saving measures and financial sustainability. There's a blend of serious reporting on UFOs and lighter, humorous content, including anecdotes and cartoons, suggesting an aim to engage a broad readership.

This issue of 'Norsk UFO' (Norwegian UFO) from February 25, 1985, features several articles related to UFO sightings and a notable hoax. The magazine includes clippings from various Norwegian newspapers, indicating a focus on local and international UFO phenomena.

Norsk UFO - i en tråd (Norwegian UFO - on a thread)

This article exposes a UFO photograph that had circulated widely in UFO publications and newspapers as a hoax. The institution Ground Saucer Watch in the USA identified the object as being hung on a thread. The photographer, a 21-year-old man from Aure, Norway, admitted to VG that he had manipulated the image by attaching the UFO-like object to a thread hanging from a ceiling fixture.

Fleire har sett lyset (More have seen the light)

This article, from 'Hallingdolen' dated February 26, 1985, reports on multiple sightings of blinking lights on a Thursday evening the previous week. A man from Oslo reported seeing a blinking light over Skurdalen, moving west towards Geilo and disappearing behind a hill. He and others concluded it was not an aircraft or helicopter. Similar sightings were reported by others in the valley, with the lights moving towards Nesbyen and also not resembling typical aircraft signals.

Nye UFO-observasjonar på Voss (New UFO observations at Voss)

This article, likely from 'Hordaland Tidend', details numerous UFO observations made by Gunnar Pedersen in Voss, Norway, over the past two months, primarily between January 14 and February 21. Pedersen reported 17-18 sightings of 'unidentified flying objects' (UFOs). Most of these sightings involved a cabin-like craft with a white light and a red blinking light on top. Using binoculars, he described it as a cabin with a white light field and a red blinking light. The direction of flight was consistent. On a recent Thursday evening, the object was observed between 22:33 and 22:45, and remarkably, it intermittently extinguished and relit its lights 3-4 times while in flight. Pedersen dismissed the possibility of it being an airplane or helicopter due to its complete silence and lack of vibration. He also mentioned that on February 7, a British military helicopter appeared to be following the object towards Mønsberget around 18:35. Pedersen is seeking information from others who may have had similar experiences.

Mysterium i Japan-navet (Mystery in the Japan Sea)

This article, dated March 4, 1985, and attributed to The New York Times, reports on a mysterious phenomenon observed on April 9 of the previous year off the northeast coast of Japan. Four pilots witnessed a mushroom-shaped cloud, similar to a nuclear explosion, rapidly expand to a height of 60,000 feet and a diameter of over 300 kilometers within two minutes before disappearing. Despite the startling nature of the event, US government agencies, including the Department of Defense, the National Aviation Administration, and the Department of Energy, showed little interest in investigating, stating only superficial inquiries had been made. The CIA also reported no interest, as there was no indication of a threat to national security.

Captain Charles McDade of Japan Airlines, who observed the cloud through his left cockpit window on a flight from Tokyo to Anchorage, contacted the US aviation administration center in Anchorage, fearing a threat to the US. He described the object as a 'round skyball... looks like a nuclear explosion, but there was no fireball.' He noted its rapid expansion and the potential for a shockwave, causing him to turn the plane's tail towards it to reduce the impact. Upon landing in Anchorage, the plane was directed to a restricted area for examination for radioactivity, which was not detected. A KLM passenger plane that also observed the cloud underwent a similar inspection. The Japanese Air Force sent an F4 Phantom jet to collect dust samples, which were found to be radiation-free.

Speculation arose about a possible Soviet nuclear submarine explosion, but this was dismissed due to the lack of registered radioactivity and shockwaves. An American expert in nuclear physics, Thomas E. Bearden, proposed that the phenomenon was caused by an advanced Soviet weapon utilizing electromagnetic rays and 'negative energy' to create a sudden condensation on the ocean surface, forming a large mushroom cloud. This theory was supported by satellite images of mysterious cloud formations over Soviet territory. However, Dr. Kosta Tsipis, a professor of physics at MIT, rejected Bearden's theory as being contrary to the laws of physics. Daniel Walker, a professor of geophysics at the University of Hawaii, expressed skepticism, stating that after nearly a year, he had no belief that the event could be explained.

UFO i sukker (UFO in sugar)

This section contains two letters to the editor. The first, from Leif A. Sleveland of Egersund, expresses skepticism about UFOs, calling them 'nonsense' and suggesting they only exist in dreams. He believes he has 'fooled the whole world' with his statement. The second letter, from Berit of Oslo, strongly disagrees with Sleveland. Berit argues that given the vastness of the universe, it is naive to disbelieve in UFOs and extraterrestrial life. She uses the analogy of a sugar sack representing the universe, with Earth being a single grain, to illustrate the possibility of other intelligent life. Berit also recommends reading Erik von Däniken's books. She agrees with Sleveland, however, that there is no point in fabricating artificial UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine presents a mixed perspective on UFO phenomena. While it reports on alleged sightings and mysterious events, it also highlights a debunked hoax, indicating a critical approach. The inclusion of skeptical viewpoints alongside those of believers suggests an editorial stance that aims to present various facets of the UFO topic, rather than strictly advocating for one side. The magazine appears to be a platform for reporting on UFO news and fostering discussion within the Norwegian UFO community.