Orbiter - No 14 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #14
Date: December 1988
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report

Commentary: "Kill The Messenger" by John Schuessler

John Schuessler's commentary addresses the persistent mystery of UFOs and the struggles within the ufology community. He notes that while scientists and military agencies have tried to solve the mystery, many statements have been brilliant, while others are nonsensical. Debunkers have also failed to make UFOs a non-subject. Schuessler draws a parallel between successful endeavors in industry and government, such as the space program, which relied on teamwork and a project-type approach. He argues that ufology lacks this unified approach and is plagued by a "devisive thrust" from individuals who seek to control opinions, limit investigation, insert bias, and censor reports. This behavior has led many qualified investigators to leave the field. Schuessler lists several unacceptable practices within ufology, including a lack of respect for volunteer workers and individual work, censorship, holding back information, failure to publish reports, name-calling, hoaxing, ridicule, aloofness, abusive behavior, ignoring or changing facts, defamation of character, power struggles, ego problems, and a general lack of ethics. He concludes that investigators often spend countless hours on cases only to have their work ignored or disparaged by "high-minded individuals" who "kill the messenger with words."

Schuessler suggests that a simple answer to this problem doesn't exist, but emphasizes the power of unity, like-mindedness, and resolve. He urges investigators to refuse the aforementioned behavior, demanding openness, honesty, and ethical conduct. He advises against communicating with individuals who do not adhere to these principles and to support grass-roots cooperative organizations. He advocates for forming project-type teams to address specific problems like propulsion, medical effects, and abductions, and to share information openly.

He concludes by referencing Dr. Hynek's vision of 21st-century science and the potential for working together to achieve it.

Article Log

• This section lists articles from other publications:
• Mayfair - vol. #323 no.11 1988 p.#23 (Night of the UFOs)
• Ladies Home Journal Oct. 1988 (article on Strieber's "Transformation")

Article: "Flying Saucers: Are They Us?" by Donald A. White

This article, the second part of a series, explores the hypothesis that UFOs might be visitors from Earth's future.

Synopsis

The author posits that Earth is a satellite in a galaxy with billions of suns, and while life might exist elsewhere, the chances of it occurring on other planets are slim. He notes the lack of radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations and the immense travel times involved. Therefore, he suggests that Earthlings are the most likely candidates for developing advanced spacecraft.

Conclusion

Donald White explains that when a viewer sees a flying saucer, they are actually seeing the craft itself, but not the invisible "bubble" of future time and space surrounding it. This bubble can cause an ionizing effect on the atmosphere, leading to glowing or shimmering phenomena, and reducing the ability to take clear photographs. The effect can resemble a glowing globe of light.

He suggests that as future humans develop time travel, their craft will evolve in size, shape, and purpose. Some may be controlled by robots, while others might be for dependents. "Mysterious balls of light or fire" could be byproducts of experiments or unobserved flights through time, leaving behind ionized air.

White notes that flying saucers could come from centuries apart, explaining the observed "periods of very light UFO activity" contrasted with "very high activity of reliable UFO sightings." He questions whether communication with future visitors is likely, citing Einstein's paradox and the lack of any attempted communication. He suggests that future humans might travel back in time out of curiosity or to explore their past, similar to how archaeologists explore ancient cultures.

He discusses the nature of time, explaining that as one approaches the speed of light, time slows down. A four-year trip at near light speed would result in only a few physical and mental years passing for the traveler, while thousands of years would have passed on Earth.

White revisits the legend of Atlantis, suggesting that a highly advanced civilization there, facing environmental doom, might have used their science to relocate to Earth's past. This theory requires the assumption of permanent time travel and that the civilization ultimately destroyed itself, leaving behind legends and artifacts.

He also touches upon the mystery of ancient knowledge, such as the use of pitchblende for cancer treatment or digitalis for heart trouble, suggesting that someone with advanced knowledge must have shared it. He proposes that Atlantis, with its advanced science and medicine, might have shared such knowledge. He speculates that this advanced civilization, facing a "dirty" Earth due to pollution and potential atomic conflicts, might have used their technology to travel permanently into the past to a cleaner Earth, possibly before it was contaminated.

He concludes by stating that this future civilization, though advanced, might still face problems, including a poisoned Earth, environmental decay, extinction of life forms, and radioactive waste from atomic wars, making it a neighborhood they would want to leave permanently.

He then considers the possibility that this civilization, in its advanced state, might have made a miscalculation leading to its own destruction, leaving only legends behind.

Article: "Updates From The States" by Jim Melesciuc

This section provides various news items related to ufology.

• Face on Mars: The images from the Viking 1 orbiter of the "Face on Mars" and an accompanying "City" are discussed as potential proof of extraterrestrial visitation, though the scientific community remains divided.
• Alien Implant Device: A microscopic object, initially baffling to medical genetics professionals, has been identified as a common Diatom skeleton.
• Fund for UFO Research: A $16,000 fundraising effort is underway to research the activities and associations of MJ-12 members.
• Congressional Hearings Petition: A petition is being circulated by MUFON to call for congressional hearings on UFOs, with Betty Cash assisting.
• Donald Keyhoe's Death: The former director of NICAP, Donald Keyhoe, a notable figure against alleged UFO cover-ups, passed away on November 29, 1988.
• Rumor Department: An alleged conversation between a CAUS investigator and a general associated with "Project Aquarius" is dismissed as a tall-tale.

Article: "Observers report strange aerial lights over county" by ALLANA PIKE

This article details multiple sightings of unusual aerial lights in the Pike Press area.

• Griswold, Connecticut: Several people reported seeing lights in the sky on November 8, 1988, described as yellow, red, and white, moving in a horizontal line and then disappearing.
• Tom Coulson's Sighting: Coulson reported seeing five yellow lights in a formation that hovered and then moved rapidly.
• Pike County Sightings: Lights were observed by multiple individuals, appearing as yellow, red, and white spheres that hovered at tree-top level and moved horizontally.
• Boxboro/Harvard Case: The article references a case where orange pulsating spheres were seen hovering at tree-top level and blinking out or reappearing elsewhere.
• Pike Press Report: A report in the Pike Press mentioned similar sightings, with lights described as "red" and "yellow," and a "red light" that moved in a horizontal line.
• Lt. L. E. Johnson's Sighting: Lt. Johnson reported seeing two yellow lights that moved in a horizontal line and then disappeared.
• Mrs. Lapenman's Sighting: Mrs. Lapenman reported seeing a bright light that moved from west to east and then disappeared.
• Mr. and Mrs. Scott's Sighting: They reported seeing two flashing lights that moved in a horizontal line.
• Troutman's Sighting: Mrs. Troutman reported seeing two flashing lights that moved in a horizontal line.

Article: "A REPORT OF A HYPNOTIC EPISODE WITH A UFO IN NEW ENGLAND" by JOHN C. FULLER

This article recounts the case of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Hill, who reported a UFO encounter in 1961 and underwent hypnoanalysis to recover memories of a two-hour period of amnesia.

• The Case: The Hills, a mixed-race couple, reported seeing a UFO land near their car. Under hypnosis, they recalled being taken aboard the craft and examined by humanoid creatures.
• Hypnoanalysis: The sessions, conducted by a leading psychiatrist, helped eliminate the nightmares and dreams they had suffered. However, the couple did not claim the hypnotic recall as factual truth, only as what had emerged from the tapes.
• Publicity and Prejudice: The story broke four years after the event, and the Hills were sensitive to publicity due to their mixed-race marriage and potential for prejudice.
• Air Force Involvement: Lt. Alan Brandt, a public information officer from Pease Air Force Base, was involved in arranging a church meeting where the Hills spoke, suggesting possible tacit Air Force approval or a test of public reaction.
• Hills' Testimony: The Hills spoke cautiously, stating they could only testify to their conscious sighting of the UFO, not the events under hypnosis.
• The Encounter: The object settled near their car, and Mr. Hill described it as a "huge pancake" with a band of light and visible figures inside. He attempted to drive away, but the craft followed.
• Amnesia: The experience concluded with the craft rising, circling the car, and disappearing. Both Hills heard a strange electronic beeping sound and felt a tingling sensation, leading to a two-hour period of complete amnesia.
• Professional Help: The couple sought professional psychiatric help to alleviate the traumatic neuroses resulting from the experience.

Article: "THE RETURN OF THE CONTACTEES" by Paolo Toselli

This article examines the evolving nature of abduction reports and their connection to mysticism.

• Modification of Abduction Reports: Abduction reports have become more mystical, resembling contactee tales from the past but with a new form of mystical contactee emerging in America.
• Parallel with Ecstatic Experiences: The author notes a parallel between abduction reports and ecstatic experiences, with a rise in religious apparitions in Catholic countries.
• "Amnesic Ictus": A psychological phenomenon called "amnesic ictus" is proposed as a cause for some time-lapse cases, where subjects experience a temporary memory disorder.
• Whitley Strieber and Budd Hopkins: The books "Communion" by Strieber and "Intruders" by Hopkins are seen as marking a new phase in the UFO phenomenon, blending ufology with elements of inner novels and reincarnation.
• Jacques Bordas Case: The case of Jacques Bordas is presented as an example of an alien intervention that led to a transformation in his life.
• Healing and Awakening: Abductees report healing from chronic diseases, developing healing abilities, and spiritual awakening.
• "Chosen One" Narrative: Abductees often feel they have been chosen by extraterrestrials, either to be spokesmen or victims.

Article: "THE NEW MYSTICISM" by Paolo Toselli

This section continues the discussion on the mystical aspects of abduction phenomena.

• Religious Experiences: Abduction phenomena are increasingly imbued with mysticism, appearing as religious experiences masked by a technological image acceptable to modern Western society.
• Ethical Issues: The author raises concerns about the ethical issues related to genetic manipulation and the potential for "hybrid breeds."
• Psychological Approach: Several abduction cases might be attributed to psychological disorders, such as imagination delirium, marked by fantastic and para-logical themes.
• "Amneic Ictus" Revisited: The phenomenon of "amnesic ictus" is explained as a temporary memory loss that can occur due to intense emotions, cold, psychic weariness, or anomalous body positions.
• False Memories: The author suggests that "ghost" or "false memories" can be created in suggestible individuals searching for value-bringing experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the evolving understanding of UFO phenomena, moving from purely technological explanations to incorporating psychological and mystical interpretations. The magazine appears to advocate for a more unified and ethical approach within ufology, encouraging open information sharing and collaboration. There's a critical stance towards debunking and internal conflicts that hinder progress. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, exploring various hypotheses, including time travel and the possibility of future humans as the source of UFO sightings, while also acknowledging the psychological and societal factors that may influence reports.