Mass. MUFON NEWS LETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: Mass. MUFON NEWS LETTER
Issue: #2
Date: October 1982
Publisher: Mass. MUFON
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Mass. MUFON NEWS LETTER provides updates on organizational activities, upcoming events, and commentary on media coverage of UFO topics.

Videotape Project

Emerson College students David Schwartz and Eric Osipow are producing a 30-minute television program about MUFON and the UFO phenomenon. The program will be structured similarly to "60 Minutes," featuring three segments that will cover MUFON, government documents related to UFOs, and potentially the Andreasson case. The film will be reviewed by Barry Greenwood and Marge Christensen before its release to television stations.

Magazine Drive

The annual magazine subscription drive has successfully raised $291.00. This profit will be allocated towards paying off the remaining debt from the 1981 Symposium. The newsletter expresses gratitude to Phyllis Brandt and Linda Seal for serving as co-chairpersons for the drive, and commends Marion and Bob Taylor for securing the largest number of subscriptions.

Dues Reminder

MUFON treasurer Fred Chaffee reminds members that their annual dues for 1983 are due by December 31st. Membership fees are $10 for single members and $15 for couples. Checks should be made payable to Mass. MUFON and submitted to Fred Chaffee.

Ideas Exchange Fair

Mass. MUFON will be exhibiting at the 2nd Ideas Exchange Fair, held on Saturday, October 30th, at Beverly High School. The fair aims to inform teachers, parents, and the public about community resources. MUFON's participation will include exhibits and demonstrations. A special event highlighted is the "MAKE YOUR OWN E.T. CONTEST," sponsored by MUFON for students in grades 4-12. Participants must create a model of an extraterrestrial being and provide a written description of its biology, communication, and home planet environment. Scientists from MUFON will serve as judges, with prizes awarded in three age groups.

"Nova" Program Critique

The newsletter strongly criticizes a "Nova" program on UFOs that aired on Channel 2. The article asserts that the program was heavily biased in favor of UFO skeptics, particularly Phil Klass. Based on the program's synopsis, the newsletter suggests the intent was to debunk the UFO topic through "baseless sweeping generalizations." It quotes the program's perspective that "We need UFO's more than they need us" and that UFOs are a fantasy to cope with the possibility of nuclear holocaust. The article also mentions that the program claimed US government-funded studies concluded UFOs do not warrant serious scientific study and that government requests for information yield no documented evidence. Dr. J. Allen Hynek reportedly expressed extreme displeasure with the program's treatment of the subject. MUFON's International Director, Walt Andrus, has urged chapters to contact local PBS stations to advocate for air time to present the other side of the story, aiming for a balanced perspective.

State Section Directors & Case Investigations

Joe Santangelo, State Section Director, requests summaries of 1982 UFO cases from each county for his annual report. The newsletter also announces that following Budd Hopkins' appearance on a WBCN radio talk show, Mass. MUFON received 15 new cases via telephone. Joe Nyman provided a summary of these cases at the September meeting, and they have been distributed to state section directors for investigation. Individuals interested in assisting with investigations or seeking more information are directed to contact their respective county's State Section Director: Jules Vaillancourt (Worcester), Barry Greenwood (Middlesex), Marge Christensen (Essex), and Paul Smythe (Norfolk).

Typists Needed

Barry Greenwood is seeking volunteer typists with professional-quality typewriters to help with the proposal for a book he and Larry Fawcett are writing about the 1975 UFO intrusions on military bases. Eventually, chapters of the book will also need typing. Interested typists can contact Barry at 438-5187.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's activities, encourages member participation in drives and investigations, and advocates for accurate and balanced public information on UFOs. There is a clear editorial stance against media outlets that present a biased or skeptical view of the UFO phenomenon, as exemplified by the critique of the "Nova" program. The organization actively seeks to counter such narratives by promoting its own educational efforts and encouraging members to contribute to the body of knowledge and investigation.