Saucer Scoop - Best of

Magazine Overview

This document is a compilation titled "THE BEST OF SAUCER SCOOP", Volume I, published in June 1975 by The New Atlantean Research Society. It serves as an introduction to and collection of articles from the original "Saucer Scoop" magazine, which ran from nine years prior to the publication date and ceased printing in August 1969. The introduction by Thomas Stone highlights the magazine's history, its editor Joan Whritenour's tenacity, and its growth from a mimeographed publication to one with nearly 300 subscribers. Stone emphasizes Whritenour's commitment to printing both sides of the UFO enigma and names notable authors who contributed, including John A. Keel, Brad Steiger, Kenneth Larson, and George Fawcett.

Introduction to "The Best of Saucer Scoop"

Thomas Stone recounts the origins of "Saucer Scoop" magazine, created by a husband and wife team. He praises Joan Whritenour's dedication in making the magazine successful. Stone notes that he worked on several early issues and witnessed its growth. He states that the current volume, "THE BEST OF SAUCER SCOOP!", is dedicated to showcasing the best of these contributions. He concludes by printing the magazine's policy: to publish all relevant UFO data regardless of organizational affiliation, to present both sides of controversial subjects, and to give full credit for sources, datelines, and witnesses whenever possible, while maintaining high research standards.

Mystery Men Flash Government Credentials by John A. Keel

This article discusses mysterious individuals, often dressed in Air Force uniforms or bearing government credentials, who have been silencing UFO witnesses. Colonel George P. Freeman, a Pentagon spokesman for Project Bluebook, states that these individuals are not connected with the Air Force. The article cites cases in Wanaque, New Jersey, where witnesses were told they hadn't seen anything. It also mentions an incident where a man with North American Air Defense (NORAD) credentials demanded original UFO photos from Rex Heflin in California, with NORAD later denying involvement. Similar encounters are reported in Washington, Texas, Connecticut, and Long Island, New York. The article also touches upon unmarked planes seen over areas of recent UFO activity, which Freeman states is a federal offense, and questions the origin of these unmarked craft and potential AF helicopters.

Brooksville --- The Third Time Around! by J.W.

This piece details a UFO landing event that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 4, 1966, near Brooksville, Florida. John Reeves reported seeing a craft on the ground, which then rose and flew straight up. Upon arrival, investigators found four indentation holes and 'Robot-style' tracks. The tracks led across sandy soil and fields, around a building, and towards Mr. Reeves' home, then towards a trailer before returning to the landing site. Soil samples were taken, and two reports indicated the presence of an unidentified substance. The article also mentions a truck driver who reported seeing a 'saucer type' object the Friday before, and students at St. Leo's College who observed a UFO for several hours on the Tuesday after the landing. A Florida Highway patrolman also reported a brightly colored object swooping down over his patrol car. The investigation noted the landing site was in full view of a highway, with no large trees, and the ground was unblemished except for the holes and tracks, with one curious track molded across a sand ridge.

Editorial Comments: PSYWAR I by J.W.

J.W. introduces the concept of 'PSYWAR' as a psychological duel and argues that the UFO field is in danger of losing the war between truth and untruth. He expresses alarm at recent reports, noting they are moving beyond simple sightings to more disturbing 'Mental Contact' cases, described as a 'voice in the head' encounter. J.W. posits that these mental messages are not sought after but are imposed upon individuals, leading them to change their lives drastically, as if reciting learned 'ROTE'. He asserts that individuals have free will to make their own decisions and that being told what to do by an external voice is 'MENTAL RAPE'. He references Theodore Gordon's prediction of psychological techniques to control behavior by the year 2000, including drugs to destroy will and trigger pleasure centers, and states his belief that this is already happening.

Editorial Comments: PSYWAR II by J.W.

This editorial presents a fictionalized scene of a 'contact' with 'spacepeople' in a desert setting, involving a sleek spacecraft and individuals in blue ski suits. The narrator is welcomed aboard, shown wonders of an alien society, and experiences a simulated trip to Washington D.C. and other landmarks. The experience concludes with a spacewoman offering nectar and the narrator being escorted out. J.W. then questions the reality of this experience, suggesting it could be a 'front' or a movie set, and that the 'spacepeople' might just be ordinary people. He raises the possibility that not all 'contacts' are extraterrestrial and could be 'manufactured' as a conditioning process to prepare the populace for actual contact. The central question posed is: Who are 'THEY'?

Editorial Comments: PSYWAR III by J.W.

J.W. identifies the 'Men In Black' (MIB) issue as the most significant problem facing UFO researchers. He describes the MIB's actions as 'brainwashing', which includes silencing witnesses, suppressing data, and deliberately planting false UFO information. The article details an experience where Saucer Scoop staff were involved with a case concerning a photo of an alleged 'saucer' that was later proven to be a fake. The person who submitted the photo had recently moved into the area and was fabricating sightings. The staff's investigation revealed the individual's instability, leading them to believe the photo and report were part of a deliberate attempt to expose the publication as careless. J.W. also discusses another tactic where witnesses to genuine UFO events are persuaded to change their stories, discrediting the publication that printed the original report. He concludes that while the identity of the MIB is unknown, their presence is sometimes discernible.

International Dateline: by Robert Stiff, IUFOB - Saucer Scoop Okla. Branch

This column aims to inform readers about the global scope of the UFO enigma, with a focus on strange cases within the U.S. Robert Stiff maintains that the Air Force knows more about UFOs than they admit and uses 'ridiculous circumstances' to explain sightings. He presents a case from Oklahoma involving a UFO that allegedly caused tragedy for a family. A 11-year-old girl, Mary, was injured after seeing a 'round, glowing object'. The incident involved unusual circumstances, including the arrival of police and an ambulance not typically servicing the area, and the child being transferred to a hospital near Tinker AFB. Three witnesses reported the family's belongings being packed into 'Air Force Blue colored' vans. Stiff notes that hospital records for the child's injuries are missing, and a special plane left Tinker AFB weeks after the incident. He also mentions a nurse's account of the girl's severe burns, with her clothes remaining unsinged, suggesting the burns might be caused by powerful magnetic fields or high-frequency waves from UFOs.

International Dateline: by Robert Stiff

This follow-up to the Oklahoma case reports that Tinker AFB officials admit to having a file but refuse to release it without Pentagon orders, which contradicts previous USAF disavowals of such actions. Senator Mike Monroney, heading a powerful Senate committee, stated the release order came from the Pentagon. The article expresses frustration as the Senator will not reply to pleas for an investigation, and the witness has reportedly changed their story, raising the possibility of Air Force attempts to quiet UFO claims or that the witness is lying. Stiff describes being confronted with a 'bureaucratic brick-wall' when attempting further investigation. He questions the $300,000 allocated to Dr. Condon and the deliberate cover-up of facts by UFO organizations. Stiff suggests that UFOs might be here to claim Earth as their own, citing that cases of outright hostility by UFOs outweigh those of friendly contact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this compilation include the persistent mystery of UFOs, alleged government cover-ups and disinformation campaigns (particularly involving the 'Men In Black'), the potential for manufactured contacts, and the question of UFO intentions towards Earth. The editorial stance, primarily through J.W.'s 'PSYWAR' columns and Robert Stiff's 'International Dateline', is one of skepticism towards official explanations, a belief that authorities possess more information than they disclose, and a concern that the UFO field is being manipulated. The publication's stated policy is to present all sides of the UFO enigma, encouraging critical thinking and investigation.

This issue of "Open Letter to All UFO Researchers" is dated April 1968 and focuses on the perceived threats and harassment faced by UFO researchers and contactees, particularly from a group referred to as the "Men in Black" (MIB). The magazine explores various facets of UFO phenomena, including alleged government suppression, unusual communication incidents, and theoretical frameworks for understanding these events.

The Men in Black (MIB)

John A. Keel's open letter introduces the MIB as the intelligence arm of a large, possibly hostile group. Their primary objective is to dissuade individuals who have been contacted by other UFO groups from continuing these contacts. The MIB employ tactics ranging from stern warnings and threats, including those directed at the well-being of children, to more severe actions. These can escalate from apparent "hoaxes" to deliberate, unsuccessful attempts on a contactee's life, such as staged auto accidents or gas leaks. For those who persist, the MIB may resort to kidnapping and "brainwashing" using special drugs or hypnotic techniques, often leaving victims with amnesia, confusion, and physical marks like a black eye. The letter notes that many "contactees" break off contact due to fear, while others who remain involved face severe repercussions, including disappearance or being framed in legal entanglements. Keel emphasizes that the MIB also harass UFO researchers who investigate cases that might reveal too much truth, and they work to suppress evidence like photos or metal fragments from well-publicized sightings. Their ultimate goal is to minimize large-scale contact efforts by UFO groups, which they perceive as a threat.

Escalation and Risk of Discovery

Keel posits that as contacting groups intensify their activities, the MIB must also intensify theirs, a phenomenon he likens to "escalation." He states that at least twelve UFO groups are caught in this escalation, all running the risk of discovery. The MIB's activities increase proportionally to the risks of discovery. He notes that no UFO groups currently desire open contact, describing the situation as a "vicious merry-go-round" where contacts are made and then suppressed on a large scale. Information is gained and lost rapidly. Ironically, law enforcement agencies often fail to associate phenomena like black cars, kidnappings, and black eyes with UFOs, and such cases rarely filter down from local police departments. Neither the FBI nor other central government agencies are collecting information on these aspects, and even local newspapers tend to ignore them, especially when children are involved. Because official law enforcement agencies are unwilling or unable to handle the situation, the responsibility falls on private civilian investigators to collect and collate details, despite the obvious hazards. Keel urges a shift in focus from the vehicles to their occupants, stating the menace is "on the ground" and spreading.

Unusual Telephone Incidents

Another article, "Is Outer Space Calling?" by John A. Keel, explores a series of unusual telephone incidents occurring across the country in relation to key UFO incidents. While some may be hoaxes or malfunctions, the author suggests tracking them for patterns. Examples include:

• January-April 1967 (W. Virginia): UFO witnesses received phone calls with steady beeping sounds.
• W. Virginia: Police and witnesses reported strange voices cutting in on channels, speaking in an undecipherable language, described by Point Pleasant police as sounding like "speeded-up phonograph records."
• 1966 (Long Island): Similar voices were heard on CB radios during UFO sightings, speaking rapidly in Spanish or Puerto Rican.
• August 1966: A voice interrupted commercial radio channels announcing, "Stand by for a message from outer space..." but no message followed.
• December (New Jersey): A voice claimed to be a spaceman's during a long-distance call, described as mechanical.
• Pt. Pleasant, W. Va.: The Lilley family reported TV interference during UFO sightings, and Mrs. Lilley heard a baby cry when none was present. Their teen-aged daughter heard an unknown language on the phone. Their car also stalled.
• February 12, 1967 (W. Frankfort, Ill.): A reporter received a call from an anonymous caller with eerie sounds, ordering him to a mine pond.
• May 15, 1963 (Hawaii): Astronaut Gordon Cooper's transmission during the Faith 7 flight was interrupted by "unintelligible" foreign language, recorded by NASA but never translated.

These incidents are presented as weird interruptions occurring in connection with close UFO encounters.

What Price Silence? by Brad Steiger

Brad Steiger recounts a disturbing experience involving a skeptical salesman friend who became entangled in a local UFO flap. The friend, initially dismissive of UFOs, began investigating reports of UFO landings in a small town. After spending two days interviewing townspeople and farmers, he became convinced of the reality of the sightings. He then encountered "Men in Black" who demanded a specimen of a metal he had obtained from a farmer who had seen a UFO fall from the sky. The MIB's threats were specific and terrifying, emphasizing the good of "my family, my country, and my world." The friend was left trembling and confused. Steiger notes that he and the magazine have received numerous reports of MIB activity since a previous article, with a consistent pattern of men, a "pep talk," and terrifying pronouncements of doom. The outcome for the contactee is complete terror. Steiger stresses that this account is fact, not fiction or scare tactics.

Tenets of the Alternate Reality Theory by Allen H. Greenfield

Allen H. Greenfield proposes a working theory about "Alternate Realities." Key tenets include:

1. Our universe is only a portion of a larger "True Reality" composed of an unknown number of realities, each with potentially different scientific laws.
2. These realities are generally separate but can overlap or be accessed through artificial means.
3. Transition between realities can be achieved through mechanical or psychic means.
4. Inhabitants of alternate realities have interacted with humans throughout history, some friendly, others hostile, with hostile entities seeking domination.
5. Contact is ubiquitous, with some humans in covert cooperative relationships.
6. There are malevolent forces, possibly a degenerate sub-group or beings from non-humanoid alternate worlds, and entities that combat these malevolent forces, possibly descendants of an ancient Earth civilization.
7. A historical reconstruction suggests an advanced ancient Earth civilization was destroyed by enemies, with remnants influencing subsequent civilizations.
8. A malevolent force outside of space and time attempts to manipulate human history.

Greenfield suggests that humanity is destined to triumph, but an external force has been manipulating events for aeons.

Electromagnetic Effects and the Contactee by Brad Steiger

Brad Steiger discusses the potential role of electromagnetic effects in UFO phenomena and contactee experiences. He references a correspondent who questioned if intense electromagnetic fields from undersea "unidentifieds" could cause hallucinations, speech changes, and disorientation, similar to their aerial counterparts. Evidence suggests that strong magnetic fields can cause severe mental disturbance. Professor Hans Nauberger believes that electromagnetic radiation from modern electronics contributes to general unrest. Dr. C.E. Ingalls claims to hear electromagnetic waves directly. Steiger connects these ideas to cases where individuals experienced severe mental distress, hallucinations, or expanded ESP powers after UFO encounters. Examples include a young woman hospitalized after approaching a UFO, a serviceman hearing "beeps" after a low UFO overflight, and a law enforcement officer experiencing increased IQ and ESP powers after a UFO encounter.

Steiger outlines a common pattern in "mental contact" cases: the contactee sees a UFO, experiences a warm ray of light, loses time (20 minutes to an hour), suffers restlessness and nightmares, and then begins to spread a "message" about saving humanity, stopping nuclear testing, and living in brotherhood. These contactees often have no prior interest in UFOs, do not fear the "saucer people," and are described as being "controlled" or "possessed."

Editorial Comments: Saucer Scoop

The editorial section addresses the "mental rape syndrome," defining it as an alien intervention that invades a person's senses and thoughts, leading to a loss of free will and a feeling of being a "robot." While acknowledging that "voices" whispering destruction have been reported in various fields, the author stresses the urgency of recognizing this phenomenon in Ufology. The section also notes "good" side effects of contact, such as healing from a liver condition and increased intelligence (IQ) and ESP, citing the Key West incident and Nebraska policemen as examples. However, it questions whether these are two types of "Saucernauts" or one capricious type. The editorial suggests that telepathic messages might be induced through mechanical means ("machine to mind") using technology like strobe lights for instant hypnosis. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of knowledge for researchers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the perceived threat and harassment posed by the "Men in Black" to UFO researchers and contactees, the psychological and physical effects of UFO encounters (including the concept of "mental rape"), and the exploration of theoretical frameworks like "alternate realities" and "electromagnetic effects." The editorial stance is one of alarm and urgency, urging researchers to confront these phenomena directly, gather knowledge, and understand the ground-level menace rather than focusing solely on aerial sightings. There is a strong emphasis on the reality and danger of the MIB's actions and the profound implications of mental contact experiences.

This document is a special edition of "The Best of Saucer Scoop," dated June 1975, published by The New Atlantean Journal. The primary content is an editorial titled "International Dateline" by Robert Stiff, along with an editor's note from Joan O'Connell.

International Dateline: A Call for a Firm Stand in Ufology

Robert Stiff's editorial argues that the time has come for organizations involved in ufology to abandon neutrality and take a definitive public stance on the UFO enigma. He criticizes the tendency of these organizations to be overly concerned with their public image rather than fulfilling their responsibilities to their members and subscribers. Stiff points out that neither ufologists nor government debunkers have presented conclusive proof for their claims, yet debunkers often receive significant media attention for their theories presented as facts.

He highlights the growing concern over reports indicating hostility from UFO occupants. Stiff commends the few American groups that have actively taken a forward step in addressing this issue. He also references scientists, notably Professor Hermann Oberth, who have publicly stated that UFOs exist and pose a significant threat. Stiff suggests that if ufology organizations cannot match such courage, they should stop seeking "scientific aid."

Stiff asserts that it is evident to anyone reviewing the facts that Earth is being visited by non-terrestrial inhabitants. He embraces the potential label of a "dubious character" for holding this view, aligning himself with others who share it. For those who prioritize their "public image," he dismisses the utility of official titles and publicity stunts, suggesting that the public will eventually tire of fence-sitting.

Subscribers, according to Stiff, desire genuine information and insights, not platitudes or debates about right and wrong. What is ultimately needed is the courage to stand up for one's beliefs.

Editors Note: Reflections on the Past

Joan O'Connell's note, dated June 1975, provides context for the special edition, stating that the included cases and articles are from the late 1960s. She reflects on that period with mixed emotions, emphasizing the profound dedication of all UFO organizations and private researchers. O'Connell recalls the collective effort to write, investigate, and explore as they believed they should, regardless of whether they were right or wrong, stressing that they were true to themselves.

She shares a personal lesson learned: the difficulty of facing "brick walls" and trying to introduce new ideas and discoveries. However, the most significant lesson was realizing she was not alone, finding friends within the field. O'Connell expresses gratitude for being accepted by her colleagues and extends a heartfelt "God Bless you each and everyone" to the "old Scoopers."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme of this issue is the urgent need for a clear, courageous, and definitive stance within the ufology community. Robert Stiff's editorial champions transparency, directness, and a commitment to truth over public image. The editorial stance is one of advocacy for acknowledging the reality of UFOs and the potential implications of alien visitation, urging organizations to move beyond passive observation and engage actively with the subject matter. The editor's note reinforces a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among early UFO researchers, highlighting the passion and dedication that characterized the field in the late 1960s.