MUFON NYC Newsletter - Vol 1 No 4 - 1993

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON-NYC NEWSLETTER, Volume I, Number 4, published in Spring 1993, features a cover story titled "LINDA CORTILE" An Interview, Part I, by Sal Amendola. The newsletter is published by MUFON-NYC (Mutual UFO Network/NYC) and costs $2.50. The cover includes a sketch of a woman's face and lists several articles: "BULLIES EDITORIAL" by Jack Greenfield, "The INDEPENDENT INQUIRER" by Eugenia Macer-Story, and "CROP CIRCLES UFOS AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER" by Rosemary Ellen Guiley and Dan Smith.

Editorial: Bullies

Jack Greenfield's editorial, "Bullies," addresses individuals who he believes prey on the perceived innocence and helplessness of others within the UFO community. He posits that the majority of people claiming UFO abduction experiences are not lying, estimating that only 5-10% might be hallucinating or influenced by hypnotic suggestion, and another 15% may be neurotic. Greenfield suggests that approximately 60% of claims involve genuine experiences, challenging the notion that all such claimants are fabricating their stories. He contrasts this with Phil Klass, who is presented as a counterpoint.

"Linda Cortile" An Interview - Part I

This section is an extensive interview conducted by Sal Amendola with Linda Cortile, a woman whose UFO abduction experiences have been extensively documented by researcher Budd Hopkins. The interview aims to counter premature and incomplete accounts of her case.

Background

Linda Cortile provides details about her background: she is a wife and mother of two sons, with a secretarial skill set. She denies being an actress and states her husband's background is similar to hers. She reports experiencing UFO-related incidents about once or twice a year. Her earliest known incident occurred between the ages of 6 and 8, involving a brightly lit object resembling a "toy" top. The latest incident, during Memorial Day weekend, involved her and her family experiencing mass nosebleeds, which they believe is UFO-related.

The "Linda Case" and Evidence

Cortile explains that Budd Hopkins coined the pseudonym "Linda Cortile" for her. She emphasizes that her story is unique due to the number of witnesses and "hard" evidence. While the hard evidence and witness names are not revealed in this part of the interview, it is stated that they are for Hopkins to reveal later. The interview aims to counter "third-hand hearsay" and "men of bad passions."

Personal History and Beliefs

Cortile states she does not believe the phenomenon begins or ends with anyone and may have existed from the beginning of time. Her parents also experienced similar phenomena without understanding them. She is concerned about how these experiences affect her sons but ensures they can talk about it if they wish. Her husband is supportive and has also experienced numbness and a "scoop mark" on his leg, suggesting he may be in denial about his own experiences. Initially, her family considered these experiences "spiritual" or "ghostly."

Extraterrestrial vs. Interdimensional

Cortile now sees the phenomenon as "Definitely Extraterrestrial," but "Interdimensional" also "keeps nagging" at her. She recalls consciously remembering seeing "The Greys" at the foot of her bed on November 30, 1989, at 3:15 AM, describing it as a "nightmare come true." She clarifies that most of what she "knows" beyond this direct experience comes from hypnosis sessions and witness accounts, and she does not "self-proclaim" as an abductee, only describing the symptoms she experienced.

Witnesses and Anonymity

Cortile mentions that only she and Budd Hopkins know the exact number of witnesses, suggesting many more are afraid to come forward. She explains that "Richard" and "Dan" were police officers who initially told Budd they were police to protect their anonymity. She refuses to reveal their identities or that of "The Third Man" to protect their privacy, citing her own need for anonymity and the potential danger to them and others.

The "Celebrated Incident"

Cortile describes being awake in bed and feeling a numbness, seeing "little figures" at the foot of her bed. She threw a pillow at one, fearing retaliation. Under hypnosis, she recalled being outside her window, twelve stories up. She states that the "entities" told Budd they were police officers to protect their anonymity. Richard and Dan claimed their UFO sighting occurred fourteen months prior to contacting Hopkins. Cortile waited over a year to come forward herself.

Interactions with Richard and Dan

Cortile recounts being interrogated for three hours by Richard and Dan in April 1991, with questions focusing on the November 1989 incident and her personal life. They removed her shoes to examine her feet. They claimed the interrogation was legal and related to "National Security." She also describes a "scarier story" from October 1991, where Dan dunked her head into water multiple times, causing him to have a "nervous collapse." Richard intervened, and later, Richard, Budd, and Linda became friends, though they no longer hear from Richard or Dan.

Skepticism and Methodology

Greenfield's editorial critically examines the use of regression hypnosis in UFO abduction cases. He argues that while Linda Cortile may genuinely believe her experiences, the most bizarre aspects of her story were derived from hypnosis, which he considers an "overvalued, misused and misunderstood methodology." He asserts that Budd Hopkins, not Linda, is obliged to supply corroborative evidence because her recalled experiences under hypnosis may not be reliable.

The Independent Inquirer

Eugenia Macer-Story's article, "The Independent Inquirer," discusses the challenges faced by reporters investigating supernatural and UFO experiences. She critiques UFO skeptic Philip Klass for his aggressive reaction to Travis Walton's claims on Larry King Live. Macer-Story also references Jerome Clark's implication that Gerald Anderson, a witness in Stanton T. Friedman's book "CRASH AT CORONA," might be deceptive because he contacted a UFO hotline. Friedman is quoted as stating that many witnesses were unknown until he investigated their stories. The article touches upon the idea of "class stereotyping" in how UFO witnesses are treated, noting that Friedman has interviewed blue-collar security personnel, while other "experts" focus on physicists and psychologists. Macer-Story asks Friedman about the code name "Majestic" and whether it refers to a secret project, suggesting "Magic" or "White Rabbit" as possible code names. Friedman believes "Operation Majestic 12" was a TOP SECRET intelligence operation from 1947. The article contrasts Friedman's literal replies with Howard Blum's speculative connections in his book "OUT THERE."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently explores UFO sightings, abduction claims, and the investigation of these phenomena. There is a clear focus on presenting witness testimony and challenging skepticism. The editorial stance, particularly from Jack Greenfield, is critical of certain methodologies (like hypnosis) and individuals within the UFO community who he perceives as "bullies." However, the overall tone supports the idea that genuine experiences are occurring and that those who report them deserve serious consideration, while also cautioning against unsubstantiated claims and questionable investigative techniques. The newsletter also emphasizes the importance of witness anonymity and the potential dangers faced by those who come forward with extraordinary claims.

This issue of the MUFON-NYC NEWSLETTER, Volume I, No. 4, published in Spring 1993, features an article titled "CROP CIRCLES, UFOs AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER" by Rosemary Ellen Guiley and Dan Smith, directors of the Center for North American Crop Circle Studies. The newsletter is from MUFON-NYC, located in Brooklyn, New York.

CROP CIRCLES, UFOs AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER

The article posits that the increasing number of "signs and wonders," including paranormal experiences, alien craft sightings, and crop circles, coupled with the approaching new millennium and doomsday prophecies, suggests an imminent end times scenario. However, the authors propose a different interpretation of the "new world order." They believe it is not a monolithic dictatorship or a catastrophic earth devastation, but rather a period of significant physical and spiritual upheaval – a "global spiritual emergency." The ability to navigate this period hinges on a collective awakening of consciousness to realms beyond the material.

The authors argue that the current scientific paradigm, which separates mind and matter and considers only the material world as real, has created a "dike" around human consciousness. This damming of awareness of non-ordinary realities and multidimensional selves leads to paranormal experiences and spiritual emergencies when the pressure builds and the dike breaks. They believe this dike can no longer hold back the collective consciousness, leading to "forcible openings" and increased spiritual exploration.

This "rough ride" is attributed to the collapse of the current scientific worldview. The authors assert that humans are multidimensional beings and that mind, not matter, forms the basis of all realities. They warn that if individuals do not actively expand their consciousness, they risk "drowning in the flood" of the unconscious, which could manifest as the earth changes prophesied around the millennium. By collectively raising consciousness to higher levels, they believe the physical stresses of this material reality realignment can be reduced.

How to Accomplish This: Networking and Consciousness Expansion

Networking is presented as a key method for achieving this collective consciousness shift. The authors believe many people are ready to move beyond materialism and embrace higher consciousness. They identify fear as the root cause of problems in the material world, leading to hatred, greed, anger, and destructive behaviors. Through networking, individuals can connect with like-minded people to raise their collective consciousness and foster unconditional love, thereby creating positive thoughtforms that counteract fear-based negativism.

The article highlights the role of crop circles and UFO experiences in opening up consciousness, referring to this as a "consciousness revolution." Crop circles, especially pictograms, are seen as consciousness expanders that can affect individuals even through photographs. These experiences often bring people into contact with something "numinous" or spiritual, and the symbols within the circles may contain messages, though their meaning is not yet fully deciphered.

Spiritual Connections and the 'Aquarium' Effort

The connection to the spiritual can manifest in various ways, such as feeling an affinity for the planet and interpreting circles as messages about the environmental crisis, or feeling connections to angelic or extraterrestrial beings involved in their creation. The authors acknowledge that there may not be a single explanation for crop circles, suggesting they likely involve multiple intelligent agencies and our collective consciousness.

The authors' own networking initiative is called the "Aquarium," designed to help people navigate the "unknown waters of consciousness." They distinguish it from other networking efforts by focusing on "front-line activists" ready to assist in the transition to higher consciousness, rather than those seeking personal safety in "safe" areas.

Call to Action and Contact Information

The article concludes by emphasizing personal responsibility for the "greater good" and the creation of a new world order based on expanded consciousness and unconditional love. Readers interested in the authors' work are invited to contact them via mail at P.O. Box 4766, Lutherville, MD 21904, or by calling Dan Smith at (410) 628-1442. The newsletter also includes contact information for NYC-MUFON and a mailing address for Lawrence Fenwick of CUFORN in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the concept of a paradigm shift in human consciousness, the interpretation of unusual phenomena like crop circles and UFOs as catalysts for this shift, and the urgent need for collective spiritual awakening to navigate future global challenges. The editorial stance is one of advocating for proactive spiritual growth, networking, and the cultivation of positive emotions like unconditional love as essential tools for societal transformation and survival in the face of impending change.