Potpourri News No 262

Magazine Overview

This issue of POTPOURRI NEWS, dated July 4, 1983, with the cover date of July 2, 1983, from Pasadena, CA STAR-NEWS, focuses heavily on the 14th annual Mutual Unidentified Flying Objects Network (MUFON) Symposium held in Pasadena. The main cover headline, "UFO experts pool facts at conference," highlights the event, which aimed to present the latest developments in UFO research to the public.

UFO Experts Pool Facts at Conference

The lead article, "UFO experts pool facts at conference" by Dick Lloyd, details the MUFON symposium held at the Huntington Sheraton Hotel. Jerry Hiers, a spokesman for MUFON, is quoted as saying that UFOs are a reality and that evidence is too convincing to discount, despite skepticism. He notes that witnesses often describe physical and psychological effects from encounters, such as radiation damage, leukemia, hair loss, weight loss, and disorientation, leading to a different level of consciousness.

The conference featured 15 speakers, including prominent figures in the UFO field. J. Allen Hynek, former chairman of astronomy at Northwestern University, and Allen Holt, a scientist with NASA, were among the experts. Richard E. Haines, Ph.D., author of "Observing UFOs," and Thomas M. Gates, director of the Space Science Center at Foothill College, also presented. The topics covered included government suppression of UFO evidence, possible propulsion methods of UFOs, psychological and physical effects on humans, witness accounts, and photographic evidence.

The article also mentions that while reported sightings have decreased since a 1973 flurry, reports still come in. Hiers emphasizes that UFOs are not an aircraft, helicopter, or balloon, based on witness testimonies.

UFOs and TV Ads

Another article, "Are TV ads keeping real ETs away?" by Paul Cerny, presents a different perspective. Cerny, a speaker at the symposium, suggests that extraterrestrials might be observing human behavior through TV commercials and are deterred by human ailments like headaches and colds. He also criticized what he termed the "far-out faction" of UFO enthusiasts who make money from sensational claims and also critiqued "debunkers" for their dismissive attitudes.

Cerny also charged the federal government, particularly the U.S. Air Force, with withholding information and confiscating photos as part of Project Bluebook, suggesting a potential financial connection between government and debunkers.

Other speakers at the symposium included Ann Druffel, who discussed Southern California's "Straight Line Mystery" in UFO sightings, noting associations with four American Indian sacred places. Joanne Cusack, a Kirlian photography specialist, is interviewing individuals who claim to have been psychologically regressed to UFO encounter experiences, correlating Kirlian film patterns with mental and emotional states.

Lockheed's Research Available to Small Firms

A separate section reports that Lockheed-California Co. is making its aerospace testing laboratories available to small businesses. The Kelly Johnson Research and Development Center at Rye Canyon will offer services like macro-photography, static and fatigue testing, and technical consultation on a "cash-and-carry" basis, with fees starting at $75 per hour. The center has a history of working on Federal contracts and research programs, including determining crack growth rates in metal parts and analyzing the composition of pigments.

Meteor Lights Up Skies Over St. Louis

A brief report from the St. Louis Globe on June 15, 1983, describes a meteor that flashed across the sky above the St. Louis area around 1:10 a.m. Ronald R. Sutherland, director of the McDonnell Planetarium, described it as a "bright fireball" that burned through the atmosphere and illuminated the sky. He suggested it might be part of the meteor shower from the constellation Hercules. The meteor gave off a green color, indicating it was composed of a mostly metallic substance and was estimated to weigh several pounds.

Other Mentions

There is a mention of Mexican UFO enthusiasts Jose Maria Echeveria and Emilio Bustamante Ortiz in Agua Prieta, Mexico, who are stringing up colored lights for a mountain airstrip and soliciting donations for a hotel for "space tourists," believing that "spacemen have already come to Mexico to help feed us all."

An informational section by John F. Schuessler from Houston, Texas, is also included, labeled as "Information, Data, Commentary and Speculation."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to have a strong interest in UFO phenomena, presenting various aspects from scientific investigation to witness accounts and potential government involvement. The editorial stance seems to be open to the reality of UFOs, as evidenced by the focus on the MUFON conference and the reporting of expert opinions. However, it also includes a range of perspectives, from those who believe in the reality of UFOs to those who are more skeptical or critical of certain claims. The inclusion of the meteor sighting and the Lockheed research article suggests a broader scope that touches on science and technology, but the central theme remains UFOs and related mysteries.