New Hampshire MUFON Newsletter - 1988 06 - No 07

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON NEWSLETTER, dated June 1988, is primarily focused on a critical examination of the Gulf Breeze UFO case. The publication is from the Mutual UFO Network, Inc. (MUFON), with its New Hampshire chapter prominently featured. The newsletter includes a director's message, welcomes new members, and highlights news items related to MUFON's activities.

Director's Message

The Director's Message addresses the ongoing discussion surrounding the Gulf Breeze UFO photos, emphasizing the importance of considering all points of view. The director notes the controversy between MUFON and the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) regarding the case, stating that MUFON investigators in Florida are doing what is necessary and that CUFOS has been too quick with its criticism. The director expresses that this infighting is unfortunate. The message also reports on a successful slide lecture in Claremont, NH, on May 11th, which uncovered several sightings and stories about Bigfoot. A training session for investigator trainees is also in the planning stages, with an invitation for members to provide input on scheduling.

Welcome to New Members

The newsletter welcomes several new members to the New Hampshire MUFON chapter: Mr. Ken Foster (Derry, NH), Ms. Caron Banta Goode (Center Harbor, NH), Mr. Tony O'Neil (Manchester, NH), Mr. Paul E. Bergeron (Keene, NH), Mr. Justin C. Dupont (Londonderry, NH), Mr. Jean L. Pellerin (Manchester, NH), and Mr. Randy Hanser (Bristol, NH).

In the News

Two news items are highlighted: the April issue of NH. Profiles features a story about MUFON in NH titled 'In Search of UFOs,' and the June issue of Yankee magazine has a story about Mr. Ray Fowler, covering the Andreas- son abduction and more.

The return of the CUFOS Bulletin

This section announces the reinstatement of the CUFOS Bulletin, which was first published in 1973. After a hiatus of nearly seven years, the Bulletin is being reissued to provide timely information on ufology developments and CUFOS activities. The primary impetus for its return is the ongoing events in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The article notes that the story has gained local publicity and has been discussed in other UFO publications. CUFOS investigator coordinator Robert Boyd has been assisting the MUFON investigative team on the Gulf Breeze case, and his report is presented as a special report to state CUFOS's position and caution against excessive enthusiasm. The Gulf Breeze case involves numerous photographs and sightings, which raise red flags for those familiar with historical cases like those of Billy Meier or George Adamski. The Bulletin will be published irregularly when events warrant. The editor is Mark Rodeghier.

Don Schmitt featured at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

CUFOS co-director and IUR art director Don Schmitt was the featured speaker at a UFO symposium at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on April 16. He provided an overview of UFO physical evidence and investigative techniques to an audience of approximately 200 attendees. Other speakers included UW-River Falls professors Jack Bostrack and Earl Blodgett, who discussed evolution, communication physics, and SETI. Organizers from the UFO Site Center Corporation presented plans to attract UFOs to their community.

Gulf Breeze, Florida: The Other Side of the Coin

This is the main article, authored by Mark Rodeghier and Robert D. Boyd of CUFOS. It presents a critical analysis of the Gulf Breeze UFO case, concluding that the photographs are 'most probably a hoax.'

Background

The article details how on November 16, 1987, a businessman known as 'Mr. X' or 'Ed' delivered five Polaroid UFO photos and a letter to the Gulf Breeze Sentinel. The letter claimed the object was the size of a house and was photographed on November 11th. Other witnesses reportedly saw similar objects.

The Witness and His Claims

Mutual UFO Network investigator Donald M. Ware investigated the case. The witness, 'Mr. X,' described the object changing direction, casting light, hovering, descending, ascending, wobbling, and glowing. He claimed to be paralyzed by a 'blue beam' from the UFO, levitated, and shown images telepathically. He also reported hearing a humming sound and seeing the UFO on later occasions, obtaining more photos. He also produced a videotape, described aliens with shields, a glowing rod, a black dog, and a baldheaded human, and claimed two civilians with pistols attempted to seize the photos with a 'material seizure warrant.'

Photographic Analysis

CUFOS states that experienced ufologists found the photos 'hokey' and likely fake. Robert Nathan of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is quoted as saying, 'I have the feeling that somebody is perpetrating a hoax.' The photos exhibit a waviness suggesting reflections in water, despite being taken inland. The UFO's shape is described as non-symmetrical with a flaw in its bottom rim. Possible hoax methods include reflections in water or off a pane of glass, or creating double exposures. The article notes that Mr. X's film had an ASA rating of 80, which is slow, making sharp images of a moving object unlikely without a long shutter exposure, which Mr. X did not use.

The Investigation

CUFOS criticizes the MUFON investigation for being less than competent. They point out that the MUFON team had not canvassed 'Mr. X's' neighborhood for witnesses, despite the sightings being publicized in November 1987. The lack of numerous sightings from neighbors, given 'Mr. X's' claim of a UFO hovering low over the area, raises doubts. While 'Mr. X' passed a lie detector test on February 18 and 23, CUFOS notes that sociopathic personalities can pass such tests even when lying.

Parallels and Concerns

The article highlights curious parallels between 'Mr. X's' account and Whitley Strieber's book, 'Communion,' particularly the mention of a cinnamon smell. It also notes that 'Mr. X' is known as a practical joker and allegedly told friends he was going to pull off 'the Ultimate Prank.' The claim of men with pistols and a 'material seizure warrant' is dismissed as a 'men-in-black' trope, as such warrants do not exist, and the government does not typically seize already published photos. The investigators are also disturbed by 'Mr. X's' personality, with reporter Dave Barry describing him as 'agitated, manic' and 'a little crazy.'

The 'Investigation' Section

CUFOS reiterates that while thousands saw the boomerang UFO in New York, only 'Mr. X' seems to have seen the Gulf Breeze UFO repeatedly around his home. Most investigators find the photos fake. The article mentions that the National Enquirer declined to publish the photos, which CUFOS finds significant. The authors believe that the evidence gathered suggests the case is likely a hoax.

Conclusion on Gulf Breeze

CUFOS believes that certain leads were furnished to Boyd by concerned citizens who wanted the truth. They emphasize that witness reliability is crucial in UFO investigations, and facts that weaken confidence in testimony are important. Unlike many UFO reports relying solely on testimony, the Gulf Breeze case will stand or fall on the authenticity of the photographs. CUFOS states this will be their first and last statement on the Gulf Breeze case, urging ufologists to focus on more valuable pursuits. They believe the UFO community should quickly expose hoaxes, as they did with the Billy Meier case.

The Spectrum of UFO Research

This section announces the availability of 'The Spectrum of UFO Research,' a 232-page monograph published by the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. It contains papers from the 1981 CUFOS Conference, including contributions on acoustic analysis of UFO sounds, analysis of the McMinnville photos, investigating abductions, standards in UFO report evaluation, hypnagogic imagery, medical injuries in the Cash/Landrum case, a survey of contactees, UFO maneuverability, the psychic connection, ignition interference, vehicle interference reports, birth trauma imagery, and early Italian cases. The book can be ordered from CUFOS Publication Sales for $11.00.

Recommended Reading

A list of recommended books is provided, categorized into 'UFOs General,' 'UFO History,' 'UFOs & Government,' 'UFO Occupants,' 'UFO Landing/Physical Traces,' and 'UFO Handbooks/Manuals.' Notable authors and works include Richard A. Nicap's 'The UFO Evidence,' J. Allen Hynek's 'The UFO Experience,' John G. Fuller's 'Incident at Exeter,' Ronald Story's 'The Encyclopedia of UFOs,' Budd Hopkins' 'Missing Time' and 'Intruders,' and Edward J. Ruppelt's 'The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme of this issue is the critical evaluation of UFO evidence, particularly photographic evidence, and the importance of rigorous, unbiased investigation. CUFOS, through this publication, adopts a stance of skepticism towards sensational claims that lack robust, verifiable evidence. The editorial stance emphasizes scientific methodology, healthy criticism within the UFO community, and the need to expose hoaxes promptly to maintain the credibility of ufology. The Gulf Breeze case serves as a prime example of a case that, in the opinion of CUFOS, has been mishandled and likely fabricated, diverting resources and attention from more substantive investigations.