POTPOURRI NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: POTPOURRI NEWS
Issue: No. 165
Date: April 10, 1978 (Cover date April 6, 1978)
Publisher: JOHN F. SCHUESSLER
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Cover Story: Cooper's UFO Encounters

The main headline on the cover of Potpourri News issue 165 announces that "FORMER ASTRONAUT COOPER HAS CHASED UFOS IN JETS." The article details former astronaut Gordon Cooper's assertion that he believes in UFOs because he has personally encountered them. Cooper, who was stationed at Neubiberg Air Base in West Germany in the early 1950s as a test pilot, claims to have seen several hundred UFOs in Europe.

Cooper also stated that he knows several "very qualified people" who have had "very real encounters," including NASA astronomers. He mentioned that some individuals have had direct contact with extraterrestrial beings, describing them as having come "closer than I have." Cooper advocates for a scientific program to analyze the nature, origin, and location of these phenomena, deeming it "good."

Discounting UFO Sightings

A secondary piece on the cover addresses the commonality of UFO claims. Dr. Willy Smith, an assistant physics professor at Lycoming College, suggests that approximately 90% of UFO claims he has researched can be explained by conventional means. However, he expresses concern about the remaining 10%, stating, "it's the other 10% that scare me."

While Dr. Smith did not specify the legitimacy of the 897 alleged personal contact cases he reviewed, he specifically supported claims made by two individuals from South America who reported being briefly transported in an alien spacecraft. The article notes that other UFO investigators concur with Smith's assessment regarding the high percentage of discountable sightings.

Opinionated Statement: NASA and Extraterrestrial Evidence

An editorial titled "An Opinionated Statement" critiques NASA's approach to investigating UFO reports. The author, identified as John F. Schuessler, expresses outrage at NASA's alleged stance that it will only investigate UFO reports if a citizen produces physical evidence of extraterrestrial life, such as a "little green man (LGM)" on a leash.

Schuessler humorously questions the practicality of such a demand, suggesting that if an LGM were available, NASA's assistance wouldn't be needed. He further speculates on the difficulty of apprehending an LGM, noting they might resemble humans and could potentially sue for false imprisonment. The author sarcastically remarks on the rights of LGMs.

The editorial then references a past discussion about a 1972 scientific conference that explored the possibility of detecting extraterrestrial life, including beings capable of learning human languages, using radio and TV interceptions, and infiltrating human institutions to gain positions of authority for worldwide conquest.

A question posed during that conference asked how such intergalactic spies could be detected. The response from the audience, "Look for sanity in government," is presented as a witty, possibly LGM-inspired, observation. Schuessler argues that if normal human conduct is often irrational, then any perceived sanity in government might indeed be of non-human origin.

He concludes by challenging NASA to investigate government leaders' actions if they are serious about seeking proof of extraterrestrial beings, suggesting that some government behaviors appear "suspiciously logical and sane." He posits that since LGMs are likely highly intelligent and rational, their rule could not possibly be worse than that of human politicians.

Publication Information

The publication details indicate that the content is "INFORMATION, DATA, COMMENTARY AND SPECULATION" by JOHN F. SCHUESSLER, with a mailing address at P. O. BOX 58485, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Potpourri News revolve around UFO sightings, the credibility of witnesses, and the role of government and scientific institutions like NASA in investigating phenomena. The editorial stance is critical of official bodies that appear dismissive or overly bureaucratic in their approach to potentially significant discoveries. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards governmental transparency and a belief that extraordinary claims, like those involving extraterrestrial contact, warrant serious, open-minded investigation, even if the evidence is not yet in a form that satisfies conventional scientific or bureaucratic requirements. The publication champions the idea that the unexplained should be explored, and that sometimes, the most logical approach is to question the established norms and authorities.