UFO MENACE

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO MENACE" by John A. Keel focuses on the increasingly hostile and dangerous nature of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), detailing numerous incidents where these phenomena have caused physical harm, psychological distress, and even death to humans and animals. The cover boldly proclaims "INJURED, BURNED, BLINDED-BY FLYING SAUCERS," setting a tone of alarm and warning.

UFOs Becoming More Hostile and Deadly

The lead article, "INJURED, BURNED, BLINDED-BY FLYING SAUCERS," by John A. Keel, highlights that strange spacecraft, previously thought to be merely 'observing' Earth, are now exhibiting more aggressive and deadly behavior. These objects are described as swooping down on lovers' lanes, fields, backyards, and city streets.

Documented Cases of UFO Injuries

The issue presents a series of documented cases illustrating the harmful effects of UFO encounters:

The Ravenswood, West Virginia Incident (Spring 1967)

A young couple in a parked car experienced a blinding bluish light that poured into their vehicle. They reported a strange tingling sensation that scared them half out of their wits. The light was described as a big ball of bluish fire hovering off the ground. The experience caused them to feel frozen, and they later discovered they were sunburned from head to foot, with the young man's eyes being particularly affected for two weeks.

The Key West, Florida Incident (January 1, 1969)

Manuel Lopez and Kay Russell were parked when they heard an eerie sound and felt something like hail pounding on their windshield. They experienced a strange tingling sensation, felt 'frozen' in their seats, and a force tugged at their brains, causing a mental 'blankness' and the feeling of staring into a tunnel. The windshield of their station wagon was covered with small pits, despite there being no hailstorm.

Jacksonville, Florida Power Failures (January 5, 1969)

Hundreds of residents in the Jacksonville area witnessed strange lights and glowing disk-shaped objects. Shortly after, widespread power failures blacked out several surrounding communities, a phenomenon that frequently seems to accompany UFO activities.

The Mahomet, Illinois Incident (October 1967)

A family in Mahomet, Illinois, had an encounter that resulted in their electric bill skyrocketing from a normal $14 to $72 the following month, suggesting the UFO may have affected their electric meter.

The Illinois Incident (December 19, 1967)

Mrs. Maryellen Kelly looked outside at 4 a.m. to see a great glowing, orange-yellowish 'thing' hovering above nearby trees. It rose and zipped away. The next day, her face, eyes, hands, and exposed skin turned red, her left ear hurt, and she bled when she blew her nose. This is attributed to ultraviolet rays from the object.

The Pirassununga, Brazil Incident (February 7, 1969)

Tiago Machado, 19, was injured by a UFO. He described a circular machine with a spinning rim and a stationary center. A bright beam of light shot from the disk, striking him in the legs, causing him to fall, partially stunned and paralyzed. His legs turned bright red and became painfully swollen, with injuries compared to electrical burns. He was hospitalized, and doctors noted no visible wounds or marks, initially suspecting snakebite.

The Amarillo, Texas Incident (April 1950)

A 12-year-old boy, David Lightfoot, touched a flying object about the size of an automobile tire. The object released a gas or spray that turned his arms and face bright red, raising welts.

The Hamilton, Ontario Incident (March 1966)

Charles Cozzens, 13, allegedly touched an 'electrode' on a UFO and received a curved burn on his hand. He described the object as having red, blue, and green lights and an 'antenna'.

The Pilar de Goias, Brazil Incident (August 13, 1967)

Inacio de Souza and his wife saw a strange 'aircraft' hovering on their plantation. When Inacio raised his rifle, a beam of green light shot out, striking him about the head and shoulders, knocking him unconscious. He later died from what was diagnosed as leukemia, with doctors noting burns in the form of a perfect circle. This case is reviewed by ufologists Willi Wirz and Nigel Rimes.

The Michalak Case (May 20, 1967)

Steve Michalak, 52, encountered a large circular object on his plantation near Falcon Lake, Manitoba. The object spewed out gas or flame, catching him on the chest and causing a checkerboard burn pattern. Michalak became extremely ill, suffering blackouts, nausea, and weight loss. The burns recurred periodically, and he was hospitalized. The case was investigated by American and Canadian doctors, but the Air Force study subtly hinted he was not telling the truth.

UFO Phenomenon Characteristics

The article details several characteristics of the UFO phenomenon:

• Physical Effects: UFOs can blind, burn, and cause physical injuries to humans and animals. They can also produce peculiar mental aberrations, amnesia, and distortions of the time sense.
• Electromagnetic Effects: Blinding lights, tingling sensations, mental blankness, and a feeling of being pulled into a tunnel have been reported.
• Time Distortion: Witnesses have reported experiencing a significant discrepancy between the perceived duration of an event and the actual elapsed time.
• Radiation: The document suggests that UFOs emit ultraviolet radiation, similar to the sun's rays, which can cause sunburn and damage to the eyes and skin.
• Gas Emissions: Some UFOs have been reported to emit nasty-smelling gases, described as being like 'rotten eggs,' which can cause throat and lung irritation, nausea, and stomach pains.
• Power Failures: UFO activities are frequently accompanied by power failures in surrounding areas.
• Psychological Impact: Beyond physical effects, UFOs can induce fear, hysteria, and a sense of being 'dazed' or in a 'trance-like state.'

UFO Amnesia and Fainting Spells

UFO amnesia can occur, as seen with Tony Moracco, who was found stumbling along a highway in a dazed condition, unable to remember what had happened during a three-hour period.

Additionally, the issue mentions a 'weird malady associated with UFOs that causes fainting spells.' Examples include five people fainting on the island of Barra de Tijuca, Brazil, and 60 children at an elementary school in Norfolk, Virginia, passing out suddenly.

Potential Censorship and Secrecy

The article questions why these reports are not more widely circulated, noting that while local newspapers often carry the details, wire services rarely do. It suggests that while there might not be overt UFO censorship, there is a 'now-routine suppression of official Air Force reports,' and that particularly startling cases seem to 'disappear under official wraps.' The Michalak case, despite being a 'cause celebre' in Canada, received little publicity in the US, and requests to make the reports public were denied.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the tangible dangers posed by UFOs, moving beyond mere sightings to direct physical harm. The editorial stance is one of alarm, urging caution and highlighting the need for governments and the scientific establishment to acknowledge the reality of these phenomena rather than dismissing them as 'swamp gas.' The article advocates for a responsible position in facing the UFO enigma, emphasizing that more 'medical statistics' are not needed, but rather a serious investigation into the nature and intent of these 'enigmatic visitors.'