Magonia - No 70 - 2000 03

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: 70
Date: March 2000
Price: £1.25
Theme: Interpreting Contemporary Vision and Belief

Editorial Notes: Unsettled Ufologists

The editorial opens by acknowledging the ongoing issues within British ufology, but notes encouraging signs of cooperation, particularly through the Internet, echoing Magonia's long-held advocacy for such methods. It references reviews of books by Peter Hough and Larry O'Hara, suggesting that O'Hara's arguments about infiltration and personality-driven conflicts within ufology are being validated by recent events.

The editorial highlights the formation of the 'National UFO Research Association' by Matthews, noting its mass membership model but lack of member say in its policies, drawing parallels to BUFORA and New Labo. It also discusses the controversy surrounding Peter Hough's book, 'Visitation,' and the debate it has sparked regarding the abduction phenomenon. A proposal to urge ufologists to drop the abduction subject and emphasize to the media that it's not a topic for 'jokey features' is mentioned, with the potential to ally with mental health professionals to dissuade amateurs from 'backyard psychotherapy.'

Howden Moor: Britain's Roswell?

This article by David Clarke critically examines the Howden Moor incident of March 24, 1997, comparing it to the Roswell incident and analyzing how it became a focal point for conspiracy theories. Clarke begins by referencing Jan Harold Brunvand's concept of 'The Secret Truth' in modern conspiracy theories, where suppressed information, if revealed, could cause panic. He notes that the 'landed Martians' claim, a seminal 'suppressed truth story,' involves the recovery of a UFO and its humanoid pilots by the US military at Roswell.

Clarke positions the Howden Moor case within this context, suggesting that the narrative surrounding it has become a 'myth in the making,' driven by the audience's needs rather than persuasive arguments. He cites Neil Nixon's observation that such cases are tenaciously supported by convoluted claims, evolving into myths that survive and reproduce like computer viruses.

The article notes that while the USA has isolated desert regions for 'pickled alien' stories, Britain lacks such settings. Nick Redfern's 'Cosmic Crashes' is mentioned for producing proto-'crashed saucer' stories in Britain. However, Clarke points out that investigations into British cases, like the Berwyn Mountains incident, often reveal mundane origins, such as an earth tremor and fireball meteors, which were later embellished into UFO crash rumors.

Clarke then focuses on Max Burns, who he describes as a proponent of extreme belief systems and a 'Walter Mitty character' attracted to the ufological stage. Burns' investigation into what he termed the 'Sheffield incident' linked symptoms of 'abductees' with chronic fatigue syndrome or ME. Burns' claims about the Sheffield incident, which he proclaimed as 'Britain's answer to the Roswell UFO crash,' are presented as a narrative lifted from 'The X-Files.' The incident involved reports of a 'glowing orange' UFO, military jets, and aerial explosions, leading to a massive search that found nothing. Burns attributed this to a government cover-up and claimed the MOD had changed its story multiple times regarding military aircraft activity.

The Howden Moor Incident: A Summary of the Known Facts

This section details the official account of the Howden Moor incident. Emergency services were alerted on March 24, 1997, following reports of a low-flying aircraft crash and an aerial explosion near Sheffield. A large-scale search involving police, volunteer teams, and a Sea King helicopter was conducted over 40 square miles of moorland. Despite the use of heat-seeking equipment, no trace of a crash or wreckage was found. Over 40 reports of low-flying aircraft were received, with two describing 'unidentified flying objects.'

South Yorkshire Police concluded the incident was caused by a combination of a low-flying aircraft and an aerial explosion. Checks with civil airports and the RAF confirmed no missing aircraft or military operations in the area at the time. The British Geological Survey recorded sonic booms, characteristic of military aircraft breaking the sound barrier, but supersonic flights over land are prohibited.

A year later, the Ministry of Defence admitted to a low-flying exercise involving Tornado GR1a aircraft from RAF Marham on the night of March 24, but stated it concluded before the 'incident.' The MOD stated no UFO reports were received and that the aircraft involved were identified as 'low flying aircraft.' An RAF Police investigation into the sonic booms concluded once it was established that military activity was not involved.

Max Burns and 'the Sheffield incident'

This section details Max Burns' narrative of the Howden Moor incident. Burns claimed a 30-50ft triangular craft, likely of extraterrestrial origin and built with recovered ET technology, was being test-flown. He asserted these craft were controlled by 'Greys' and that the British Government was involved in a cover-up. Burns' claims divided ufologists, highlighting the dichotomy between 'scientific and belief-driven approaches.'

Burns' narrative incorporated elements like 'Flying Triangles,' 'greys,' implants, and crossbreeding, reflecting a more advanced and psychologically disturbed storytelling approach. He claimed a Tornado jet was 'lost' with the death of its crew during an encounter with an extraterrestrial spaceship. Burns' theory was based on witness reports, including sightings of a 'glowing orange' UFO and military jets, and sonic booms which he interpreted as the Tornado jet exploding due to hostile action by the UFO.

The 'Tornado pilot' case on the Internet

This section debunks a key piece of 'evidence' used by Max Burns: the story of a young man who claimed to have encountered a pilot soaked in aviation fuel near the Ladybower Reservoir. Burns presented this as a co-pilot of the crashed Tornado, seeking help. However, the article reveals that the man was an Asian motorist covered in petrol or diesel fuel, and the case had no connection to an air crash. The witness later retracted his statement after being pressured by Burns, who then used this retraction as 'proof' of a cover-up.

Fantasy and fact: a Howden Moor checklist

This section systematically debunks the claims made by Max Burns regarding the Howden Moor incident. It addresses five key points of Burns' case:

1. Witnesses to a 'huge triangle': Burns claimed five witnesses saw a triangle, with three seeing it escorted by military jets. The article states only two witnesses described a triangle, and only one reported it to the police. The sightings were distant and not directly related to the incident's core timing.
2. 'Glowing orange' UFO and military jets: Six witnesses reported seeing a 'glowing orange' UFO, military jets, and 'unmarked helicopters.' The article explains that RAF jets were involved in a low-flying exercise, and an unidentified light aircraft was operating in the area, accounting for most sightings.
3. The first air explosion: Burns claimed the first explosion was not a sonic boom but the Tornado jet exploding. The article cites the British Geological Survey, which identified the recordings as characteristic 'N-waves' produced by a military aircraft breaking the sound barrier.
4. The stricken Tornado jet: Burns claimed the Tornado crashed into the moors or reservoirs. The article states that extensive ground and air searches found no trace of wreckage, crater, or debris.
5. The co-pilot's story: Burns used the story of a man soaked in fuel as evidence of a crashed Tornado pilot. The article clarifies this was an Asian motorist covered in petrol or diesel fuel, investigated as a possible suicide attempt, with no connection to an air crash.

The Media and the Paranormal: A Sceptic's View by Dr Christopher French

Dr. Christopher French, head of the Psychology Department at Goldsmiths College, presents his perspective on the media's portrayal of paranormal phenomena. He begins by referencing a Society for Psychical Research (SPR) study day on 'The Paranormal and the Media,' noting the media's ambivalent role: providing education and anecdotal material on one hand, and sensationalizing claims for entertainment on the other.

French, a self-described moderate skeptic, states that while he is generally unconvinced by paranormal claims, he acknowledges that many people believe in them. As a psychologist, he seeks to understand the underlying reasons for these beliefs and experiences, exploring plausible non-paranormal explanations.

He argues that the best way to decide whether paranormal forces exist is through rigorous scientific research under tightly controlled conditions, which helps to mitigate inherent biases. He supports mainstream parapsychological research.

French discusses the media's influence on belief levels, focusing on television and radio programs. He categorizes programs into audience participation shows (like Kilroy, Vanessa) and serious documentaries (like Equinox, Horizon). While acknowledging that documentaries can offer better treatment of paranormal topics, he notes that many recent British series (e.g., 'Strange but True?', 'Schofield's Quest,' 'The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna') are criticized by skeptics for their uncritical approach.

He contrasts this with the rarity of skeptical programs, citing James Randi: Psychic Investigator as an example. French then outlines the advantages and disadvantages of being presented as a 'believer' versus a 'disbeliever' in the media. He notes that informed skeptics are rare, giving them a unique platform, and that their research into paranormal claims can reveal much about the human mind, even if paranormal forces are not found to exist.

French concludes by stating that while he has moved from unquestioning belief to extreme skepticism and back again, his research is driven by the desire to understand how beliefs influence interpretations of paranormal phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFOlogy and paranormal claims, particularly through the lens of media influence and skeptical analysis. Magonia consistently advocates for rigorous, evidence-based research and challenges sensationalized narratives that lack substantiation. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, aiming to separate fact from myth and to understand the psychological and social factors that contribute to belief in the paranormal. The magazine appears to champion a rationalist approach, while acknowledging the complexities and enduring appeal of unexplained phenomena.

This issue of Magonia, identified as issue 67, delves into various aspects of ufology and paranormal claims, with a strong emphasis on critical analysis and skepticism. The publication features articles, book reviews, and a 'Hold the Back Page' section covering a range of topics from media representation of paranormal phenomena to political controversies within the UFO community.

Scepticism and Media Representation

The lead article, "A problem faced by both the sceptic and the believer is one that might be referred to as the 'with-friends-like-these' syndrome," by Peter Rogerson, discusses the challenges faced by sceptics when appearing on television programmes. Rogerson highlights the tendency for programmes to feature 'token sceptics' and the ways in which presenters can influence the perceived validity of claims. He criticizes instances where sceptics are portrayed as arrogant or dismissive, and where programmes prioritize entertainment value over critical evaluation. The article also touches upon the emotional appeal of belief systems versus sceptical viewpoints, noting that while believers often have a more positive outlook, sceptics focus on truth, even if it's uncomfortable.

Specific examples are given from 'The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna' series, where Rogerson participated. He details how demonstrations, such as Albert Ignatenko's 'psychic punch' and psychokinesis experiments, were presented in a way that appeared convincing to the audience but were potentially misleading due to editing or biased setup. The article also critiques the handling of cases involving psychic detectives like Dorothy Allison and Nella Jones, where criticisms were edited out, and claims were presented uncritically.

Witness Testimony and Case Analysis

"The Pelican writes..." section examines the difficulty in reconciling different accounts of the same UFO incident, using the 1966 Dale Spaur and Barney Neff UFO chase as a prime example. The article contrasts the interpretations of ufologist J. Allen Hynek and sceptic Robert Sheaffer, noting how both accounts leave significant questions unanswered, particularly regarding the officers' decision to chase the object in their car and the potential misidentification of Venus. The section also discusses the case of Pam Smart and her dog Jaytee, where a televised test was presented with errors that exaggerated the claim of paranormal ability, and later controlled tests found no evidence of such powers.

Another part of this section addresses the reliability of eyewitness testimony, particularly in the context of the Farmborough Air Show crash. It argues that the speed and unexpected nature of events can make accurate recall difficult, challenging Sheaffer's technique of dismissing testimony when it leads to unexplained sightings.

Book Reviews

Several book reviews offer critical perspectives on recent publications in the ufology field.

'Visitation: the certainty of alien activity' by Peter Hough

Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this book is described as a bleak account of alien abduction, portraying aliens as controlling beings who invade thoughts and dreams. Rogerson criticizes Hough's approach, calling it "bloody sadistic abuse, mental rape" and expressing concern that it could lead vulnerable individuals to despair or worse. He urges the ufology community to condemn the book and its author's methods.

'Scientific Ufology: how the application of scientific methodology can analyse, illuminate and prove the reality of UFOs' by Kevin D. Randall

This review by Peter Rogerson questions Randall's methodology, noting that his list of 'scientific' UFO cases consists mostly of older, often debunked or misidentified incidents from the Blue Book files. Rogerson argues that many of these cases are not amenable to scientific investigation due to their past nature and lack of repeatability. He also criticizes Randall's reliance on terms like 'craft' and his tendency to dismiss mundane explanations, suggesting that the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) is presented as a default conclusion.

'Passport to the Cosmos: human transformation and alien encounters' by John E. Mack

Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this book is characterized as a neo-Pagan religious text rather than a scientific inquiry. Rogerson criticizes Mack's abandonment of scientific facade and his reliance on 'clinical experience' and the claims of 'tribal shamans'. The review highlights Mack's controversial venture into the politics of South Africa through his association with Credo Mutwa, denouncing it as condescending and naive.

'The UFO enigma: a new review of the physical evidence' by Peter A Sturrock

This review by John Harney (as noted by Peter Rogerson) critiques the commercial edition of the Sturrock Report. Harney finds the book padded with irrelevant articles and notes that the panel members were not greatly impressed by the presentations, often finding them poorly prepared. The report's conclusion is described as 'interesting if true, but where is the real evidence?', indicating a lack of definitive proof for UFOs or the ETH.

'Reaching for Reality: seven incredible true stories of alien abduction' by Constance Clear

This review by Peter Rogerson notes that the book presents abduction accounts influenced by folklore and hypnotic regression, often linked to sleep paralysis and psychological issues. The review highlights Maggie's story, which retains older motifs of alien encounters before the widespread 'alien abduction' scenario became prevalent.

Controversies and Political Undercurrents

"One of the biggest controversies to muddy the waters of British ufology in recent years" discusses Larry O'Hara's pamphlet exposing Tim Matthews (formerly Tim Hepple) and his alleged history in extremist political movements. The review details accusations of Hepple's involvement with neo-Nazi groups and his alleged role as an agent provocateur. The authors claim Hepple was often immune from prosecution while others were charged. The review also touches upon the complex rivalries within the far-left political scene and the role of organizations like Searchlight, suggesting that Hepple's alleged actions and affiliations raise serious questions about his credibility and motivations within ufology.

'Hold the Back Page'

This section covers several shorter news items:

• Down in Bracknell Forest: Something Stirred: Reports on a local government initiative in Bracknell promoting an "Aliens Have Landed" week, featuring a crashed space pod, which is seen as a way to draw tourists and money into the town.
• More Helicopter Antics: Mentions a phantom helicopter buzzing houses in the Hollands Estate, with authorities unable to identify it, despite speculation it might be a Metropolitan Police surveillance helicopter.
• Return of the Satan-Hunters: Discusses the re-emergence of claims about ritual Satanic abuse (SRA), citing Valerie Sinason's report and noting the lack of evidence for such operations. It also points out that media coverage of these claims has become more critical than in the past.
• Country Matters: Reports on claims of up to a hundred big cats wandering free in Britain, with animals allegedly released due to new laws. The article notes that gamekeepers are aware of these cats but feel they must remain quiet.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, particularly UFO sightings and alien abductions. There is a consistent emphasis on the need for rigorous scientific methodology, skepticism, and a cautious approach to evidence, especially concerning anecdotal accounts and media presentations. The editorial stance is clearly one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a concern for the potential harm caused by sensationalism and the promotion of unfounded beliefs. The magazine actively critiques the methods and conclusions of various ufologists and researchers, advocating for a rational and evidence-based approach to the subject. The issue also highlights the intersection of ufology with politics and social issues, as seen in the exposé of Tim Matthews/Hepple and the discussion of Satanic ritual abuse panics.