Lettre d'Information Ufologique - Vol 1 No 3 - mars 1990

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Lettre d'Information Ufologique', Volume 1, Number 3, dated March 1990, is published by LIUFO and focuses on UFO reports and the methodologies used in their investigation. The cover headline highlights a 'RAPPORT D'OBSERVATION' by Jean Ferguson.

Dagna's Experience: September 3, 1989

The issue begins with a detailed account from Dagna, who, along with her sister, witnessed a UFO on September 3, 1989, near Quebec City. While driving, they noticed a black, round object with very distinct contours partially obscuring the rising moon. The object was described as being like a giant football, with well-defined edges. Initially, it was seen against the moon, and then it moved south in a straight line at a constant speed of approximately 100 km/h. The observation lasted until 20:20 H, and the witness's sister was driving at the time.

Events of the Quarter

Jean Ferguson continues to collect UFO accounts and is working on a book. Claude Mac Duff is seeking information for a book project about censorship faced by creators and artists due to their work's message or content, citing religious, political, moral, or social reasons. He requests contact from anyone aware of such situations.

Richard Bastien found a report from November 28, 1990, detailing lights observed at low altitude, a 'motor' sound, and flattened grass. Paul Davidson and Philippe Blaquière are investigating this report, which occurred in Saint-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu on November 20, 1989.

The editorial section urges ufologists to be polite and considerate when interacting with witnesses, suggesting that a simple phone call to those already in contact with a witness can prevent harm and improve collaboration.

Jean-Pierre Plouffe has submitted press clippings.

Television, Cinema, and Press Coverage

Under the 'Television' section, Jean-Pierre was contacted by Radio-Canada to participate in news bulletins on November 14 and 15, 1989, discussing UFOs. The segment was edited down to a few minutes.

The film 'COMMUNION' had a limited run in Montreal, with Huguette Roberge reviewing it in 'La Presse' on November 25, 1989. Her review is described as treating the supposed facts similarly to Shirley MacLaine's mystical declarations, suggesting extraterrestrials are 'best friends' and classifying the film as horror.

In the 'Press' section, Don Donderi was featured in an article by Paul Wells in 'The Gazette' on November 12, 1989, which presented arguments for and against UFOs. Don is noted as an editor of the 'Journal of UFO Study'.

Several catchy headlines from recent months are listed, referencing the USSR, Cape Canaveral, Belgium, Spain, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec. These include articles like "It's getting weird out there: More Quebecers than you think believe in UFOs" (The Gazette, November 12, 1989) and "Au-dessus de Québec, peut-être à la recherche... de Décomeuble!" (Journal de Québec, January 19, 1990).

Other UFO Observation Reports

This section compiles various newspaper headlines related to UFO sightings in Quebec, including "Décomeuble est EXTRA... on vient de loin!" (Journal de Québec, December 1989), "Alerte aux ovnis à Québec" (Le Soleil, January 17, 1990), "L'alerte aux ovnis ne confond pas les sceptiques" (Journal de Québec, January 18, 1990), "Les mystérieuses apparitions demeurent inexpliquées" (La Presse, January 18, 1990), "Les ovnis à Québec, le mystère demeure entier" (Le Journal de Montréal, January 18, 1990), and "Strange sightings but no jets scrambled to check UFOs" (The Gazette, January 1990), and "Des OUNIS à Mirabel et Québec?" (La Presse, January 17, 1990).

It is noted that these headlines, along with popular radio emissions where the public participated, have drawn attention to UFO events in Quebec. The efforts of François Bourbeau, particularly his statements on the 'Fusion' broadcast on January 29, 1998, are also mentioned.

• Key points from these reports include:
• Nine round objects, or points of light, were reported on January 16, 1990.
• Police officers communicated about these reports via patrol car radios.
• No detection was made by the radars of the Ancienne Lorette airport.
• There was a detection at Mirabel.
• Other observers reported fifteen lights in the sky.

Hypnotic Regression and Abduction Accounts

This section critically examines the phenomenon of human abduction accounts obtained through hypnotic regression. It notes the abundance of such reports, particularly from American authors like Hopkins, Druffel, and Strieber, as well as older accounts by Fuller and Fowler. While most reports originate from the United States, some come from South America, Europe, and Quebec.

The core issue is the reliability of these accounts, especially when obtained through hypnosis. The article contrasts cases where the memory is conscious before hypnosis with those primarily recalled under hypnosis. It questions whether conscious recall without hypnosis is more credible and whether certain hypnotic regressions are more reliable than others.

Thomas E. Bullard's five criteria for judging the reliability of hypnotists and their methods are presented:
1. Possession of official qualifications and professional titles.
2. Absence of prior convictions regarding the narrative's content and origin.
3. Admission of free recall of events before specific interrogation.
4. Avoidance of directive questions that might lead to preconceived ideas.
5. Ensuring a silent environment, with at least one other person present for legal reasons.
6. Preventing conscious recall of answers before the end of all hypnotic regression sessions.

A table illustrates how various hypnotists measure up against these criteria, including two Quebec cases: the 'Michelin' humanoids near Drummondville in 1974 (obtained through interviews and later hypnosis) and the case of 'Monsieur X' in 1984 (primarily known through hypnotic regression, with only a vague conscious memory of a UFO and an abduction dream).

The analysis of the two Quebec cases reveals shortcomings:
1. The hypnotists lacked official qualifications; UFO-Québec's hypnotist was an amateur, and the Gagnon brothers, while naturopaths, lacked university training in psychology.
2. The hypnotists did not seem to have systematic preconceived ideas.
3. UFO-Québec had a complete narrative before hypnosis, while the Gagnon brothers had a 'dream' prior to the session.
4. Oriented questions were used in both cases (e.g., "Were there other lights?", "Do you see characters?").
5. Other people were present and active in the room, with Leduc and Bourbeau posing direct questions to the hypnotized individuals.
6. The precaution of erasing recalled answers between sessions was not taken in the Gagnon brothers' experience.

Only Benjamin Simon's experience in the 'Hiוו' case met all criteria perfectly. The article emphasizes that conscious memory prior to hypnosis is a strong indicator of credibility, and other factors like physical traces and independent observers are also important.

Conclusion

The article concludes that hypnotic regression is not a trivial matter and can border on charlatanism when used by amateurs. While hypnosis can confirm accounts in police investigations, its primary purpose is psychological and psychiatric care, not necessarily establishing the truth of unconscious memories. Furthermore, abduction accounts known exclusively through hypnosis (RR4) are considered to belong to a different phenomenon than other types of sightings (DD, LN, RR1, RR2, RR3) due to their distinct psychological nature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, particularly those occurring in Quebec. It also critically examines the methods used in UFO investigations, with a strong focus on the reliability and potential pitfalls of hypnotic regression. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, emphasizing the need for rigorous methodology and critical evaluation of evidence, while acknowledging the public's fascination with the phenomenon. There is a clear distinction made between different types of UFO experiences, particularly those obtained through hypnosis versus direct observation.