MUFON Newsletter

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Newsletter, Volume 1.5, dated November 1994, is published by MUFON Ontario and priced at $3.50. The cover prominently features the headline "ABDUCTIONS" with a subtitle "From MUFON Ontario Case Reports" by Tom Theofanous, accompanied by an illustration of alien figures and a craft. The issue delves into various UFO-related topics, including abduction experiences, historical sightings, research methodologies, and organizational matters within MUFON.

Abductions: Anne H. Case Report

The lead article on the cover details an abduction report from Anne H. of Port Perry, Ontario. In the spring of 1992, while walking with her eight-year-old daughter, they witnessed a craft hovering over a tree, emitting an intense blue beam of light. Both experienced a feeling of heat and later developed identical, triangular, red-dotted rash-like marks on their shoulders, which a dermatologist could not explain. Anne H. had prior sightings of unusual flying craft in Toronto, including one in the early 1970s.

Prima Donna Syndrome

An editorial by Victor Lourenco, MUFON Ontario Provincial Director, addresses the "Prima Donna Syndrome" within the ufology field. Lourenco expresses concern over "armchair ufologists" who engage in character assassination rather than genuine investigation. He emphasizes MUFON's focus on UFOs within scientific parameters and calls for a return to the "grass roots" spirit to consolidate and reinforce the organization's work. He also touches upon the MUFON Florida involvement with the Gulf Breeze photos and MUFON New York's handling of the Linda Cortile case.

In Memory of John Magor

This section pays tribute to John Magor, a Canadian ufologist and author, who passed away on September 3, 1994. Magor was British Columbia's first MUFON Provincial Director and authored books on UFOs. The article recounts his observations from the 1967-68 'ufo-flap' in the Western Mountains and Rocky Mountain Trench. It notes that after the publication of his book in 1977, UFO reports became more numerous, leading science to take notice, with approximately 5% of reports remaining unexplained even 18 years later. The section also details several reports from the "Invasion Year" of 1967 in Caribou country, Alberta, including a sighting by residents at McLeese Lake of a glowing red object. Brian Grattan, a rancher, is featured with multiple sightings, including a triangular formation of five objects and a sixth disk-shaped object. Grattan also reported a glowing red object at a dance hall and an incident where a bright light landed behind trees, emitting lightning flashes. A memorable event for Grattan was observing a disk-shaped object with a dome and faint lights over his corral.

The Hills and Gammie Reports

John Magor was put in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Hills, who reported seeing red lights and a larger object moving between them over Green Lake. Mr. Gammie of the Flying U Ranch also witnessed objects moving towards his ranch. Emie Hills described the objects' speed and sudden stops as "mind boggling." The Hills estimated an object's size to be comparable to the B.C. Hydro-Electric Building and observed rows of windows. They also saw smaller craft enter a beam of light from a larger one. Mr. Gammie also reported a 1964 sighting to an RCAF Senior Officer, who advised him to deny knowledge if the report went public.

Historical Pictographs and Legends

Magor's research extended to ancient Indian pictographs found at Christina Lake, dating back approximately 300 years, which depicted flying objects. He argued that these were unlikely to be hoaxes given the time period. The article also references ancient Indian legends and the Dogon tribe's depictions of fish-like beings and their knowledge of Sirius B's orbit, which predated astronomical confirmation by centuries, suggesting advanced knowledge.

The Carp Case - Part V

This section, by Tom Theofanous and Errol Bruce-Knapp, continues the investigation into "The Carp Case." It details attempts to interview Bobby (Guardian) Charlebois and subsequent meetings involving Gary Osterbrook, a polygrapher. The article raises questions about the use of funds for UFO research and mentions Bruce Maccabee's involvement in photographic analysis and his relationship with Robert Oechsler, who is described as having made questionable claims and potentially fraudulent material. The validity of the 'Guardian' video is discussed, with Maccabee supporting its authenticity. The section also notes that Commander Gene Cernan stated Oechsler never held the claimed NASA position.

Susan Gill's Account and Controversy

Susan Gill is introduced as an External Affairs 'witness' to the Labanek's field event. Her account of seeing peculiar red and colored lights, and later a swirling object with lights, is presented. However, discrepancies arise regarding the timing of rain and the visibility of the object through trees. Gill's claims are contrasted with the 'Guardian' video, which shows no rain and only one dog barking. The article questions whether Gill is a confabulator or if the tests were flawed. Diane Labanek also canceled a polygraph test. A third party's letter to Susan Gill suggests a misunderstanding, acknowledging her potential experience as an abduction victim but also noting her research for a fiction book.

Flying Saucers Re-Viewed: Across the Great White North

Michael Strainic, MUFON Canadian National Director, discusses the salvage and indexing of historical UFO material. This includes audiotaped interviews from the Bill Allan Collection and reel-to-reel tapes from the Vancouver Area Flying Saucer Club (VAFSC), which was active from the early 1950s to the early 1970s. The importance of preserving such material is highlighted, with examples of irreplaceable data being lost due to neglect or unfortunate circumstances. The section mentions lecturers like George Adamski and Daniel W. Fry associated with the VAFSC. Strainic also notes the lack of a comprehensive history of Canadian ufology and recommends a paper on Australian ufology.

Edmonton UFO Society and Research Material

The article touches upon the fate of records from the Edmonton UFO Society, which was active until the mid-1970s. Despite efforts by researchers, the whereabouts of their files are unknown, with former members indicating the material may have been discarded. This highlights a broader issue across Canada and other countries where valuable UFO-related material is languishing or disappearing due to inaction.

Sightings at Subway (Toronto)

This section by Sue Kovios details two sightings by Flora Clark of Toronto. The first, in late October 1992, involved two solid black disks observed near Pape Subway station. The second, in August 1993, described a triangular object with recessed lights moving low over a church tower. Flora, who is deaf, could not confirm if others saw the objects. She noted the object's speed (approximately 25 kmh) and its pewter-colored underside. She also mentioned that other deaf individuals have reported similar triangular sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the preservation of UFO-related data. There's a clear stance against unsubstantiated claims and sensationalism, advocating for a scientific approach. The "Prima Donna Syndrome" editorial highlights internal conflicts and a call for professionalism within the ufology community. The recurring theme of lost or endangered historical UFO material underscores the urgency of archival efforts. The publication aims to document and analyze UFO phenomena, encouraging local research and the sharing of credible information, while also acknowledging the challenges and controversies within the field.

This issue of MUFON ONTARIO, identified as volume 12 and issue 11, with a raw date of 'Happy 1995.', focuses heavily on the critical examination of UFO abduction phenomena. The cover headline, 'Abduction absurdities,' sets the tone for a deep dive into the alleged encounters and the scientific and logical challenges they present. The magazine emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and professional skepticism in the field of ufology.

Key Articles and Discussions

John Magor's Contributions

The issue features contributions from John Magor, who stresses the importance of recording precise details such as dates, times, and locations for UFO reports. He advocates for observing and describing phenomena rather than immediately diagnosing or explaining them, noting that the field is still in its early stages. Magor suggests that the Moon might serve as a primary base for alien operations, implying that humanity may already be interacting with another civilization. He also posits that if humans can explore other domains, other forms of existence might be visiting ours, potentially with plans for inhabiting other planets like Mars.

Abductions: A Critical Analysis

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to dissecting abduction claims, particularly in an article titled 'Abduction absurdities' by Dr. Willy Smith. Smith, a Harvard psychiatrist, critiques the work of prominent abduction researchers like Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, and John Mack. He points out the reliance on anecdotal evidence, often gathered through hypnosis, and the lack of corroborating physical evidence. Smith questions the scientific basis of abduction narratives, highlighting several 'absurdities' such as:

• Alien Origins and Motivation: The idea that aliens from a dying planet are collecting sperm and ova for hybridization is questioned, as is the assumption that they would choose Earth as a destination.
• Alien Physiology and Technology: The description of aliens as humanoid with specific physical characteristics and their ability to move freely in Earth's gravity without breathing apparatus is deemed improbable. The technological requirements for interstellar travel, including craft size and energy needs, are also scrutinized.
• Technical Contradictions: The ability of aliens to penetrate solid objects like walls is contrasted with descriptions of craft entry and exit through floors. The implication of a vast, risky operation to collect genetic material is compared to the ease of raiding sperm banks.
• Craft Size and Multiple Abductees: The assertion that large crafts with numerous abductees present simultaneously would go undetected by public and authorities is challenged.
• Scheduling and Logistics: The time required to collect and return multiple abductees from different locations is calculated to be logistically impossible within the reported durations.

Dr. Smith also discusses the 'familiar aliens' described by witnesses, suggesting that the similarities might stem from subconscious influence from previous books rather than independent observations. He notes the differing 'moral and ethical attributes' attributed to aliens by different researchers, which he sees as a reflection of the researchers' biases rather than objective reality.

Prima Donna Syndrome and Investigation Procedures

Another section, 'Prima Donna Syndrome,' urges UFO researchers to approach reports with skepticism and professionalism, emphasizing the need for documented cases and the use of MUFON forms. It addresses the claim that MUFON Journal does not publish local or Canadian cases, suggesting that secrecy might be a reason for cases not being submitted. The article encourages informing directors about investigated cases to facilitate publication.

Investigator Training

MUFON Ontario announces upcoming Investigator Training courses designed to equip trainees with essential investigative methods and procedures. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Drew Williamson or MUFON Ontario directly.

The Hybrid Question

This section explores the hypothesis that alien races in decline are visiting Earth to obtain human sperm and ova for hybridization. It questions the viability of such hybrids for long-term survival and considers alternative purposes, such as creating a workforce that can adapt and blend into human society. The absence of information about fully grown hybrids in published materials leads to speculation about the success or failure of the breeding program.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for a scientific and rational approach to ufology. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, urging members to move beyond anecdotal evidence and to focus on verifiable data and rigorous investigation. The magazine highlights the need for professionalism within MUFON, encouraging members to follow established procedures and to contribute to the body of documented evidence. There is a clear emphasis on separating factual reporting from speculation and personal bias, with a 'Devil's Advocate' persona used to challenge the more extraordinary claims within abduction literature. The overall tone suggests a commitment to advancing the understanding of the UFO phenomenon through methodical research and analysis, while acknowledging the entertainment value of the subject matter.