Strange Daze - number 5

Magazine Overview

Title: STRANGE DAZE
Issue: Number 5
Date: April 1995
Publisher: Northern UFO Research & Investigation (NUFORI)
Country: UK
Price: £1.0

This issue of Strange Daze, a journal of extraordinary experiences and theories, has been renamed from 'Strange Days' due to the prevalence of that title elsewhere. The new title reflects the magazine's evolving focus on unexplained phenomena beyond just UFOs, incorporating paranormal cases and new facts. NUFORI is also initiating skywatch events.

Contents Overview

The magazine features a diverse range of articles and reports:

• Editorial: Explains the title change and the magazine's broader scope into unexplained phenomena. It also announces NUFORI's new skywatch initiative.
• News: Includes a report on the controversial Roswell UFO crash film footage, allegedly obtained by Ray Santilli and confirmed by Philip Mantle of BUFORA. The film, titled 'the field examination', purportedly shows an alien being examined. It is set to premiere at a BUFORA UFO Congress in Sheffield.
• Skywatch Dates: Lists upcoming skywatching sessions for April, May, and July.
• Faster Than Light Travel: Discusses a New Scientist article by Julian Brown on quantum tunneling and superluminal velocity, contrasting it with previous articles on spacetime distortions.
• Strange Encounters from the North East by Gloria Dixon:
• A Durham "Goblin"? Details the experience of Diana Logan, who reported seeing a small, leprechaun-like creature, approximately two feet tall with almond-shaped eyes, walking by the roadside on the A690 near Brancepeth Village on January 2nd, 1995. Investigators Dave Newton and Gloria Dixon visited Diana, who described the creature's puppet-like movement and its unusual appearance. Despite initial amusement, Diana was adamant it was not an animal or a child, but a unique life form. Her family corroborated her account, noting her pragmatic nature. Dave Newton's commentary suggests the sighting was not a hoax, but questions whether it was a dream or a genuine encounter, noting the creature's almond-shaped eye resembles other reported entities.
• Julia Daniels case: This section introduces the case of Julia Daniels, who contacted NUFORI after hearing a UFO report on Radio Cleveland. Julia, 44, suffers from Behcet's disease and has experienced a lifetime of bizarre events, including paranormal phenomena, Men in Black (MIB) encounters, strange mists, psychokinesis, and extreme heat. Her family history also shows unusual events. She recounts an incident from her birth where two oriental-looking men with artificial voices attempted to take her. MIB encounters, often involving black cars, occurred sporadically until her late teens, with witnesses describing them as 'not appearing to be human'. The issue includes a sketch of a 'Strange One' (MIB) described as 5'8", hostile, persistent, with an oriental appearance, well-dressed, and sometimes exhibiting glowing eyes in shadows.
• Other articles mentioned in the contents: 'Ninety Plus Percent' by D.A. Newton, 'Aliens and The Bible' by 'Ursula', 'UFOs: Prehistoric Origin?' by W.A. Joughin, 'Roswell: The pros and cons' by Craig C. Jackson, and 'Alarm Systems for Abductees' by 'A.N. Other'. Reviews and letters are also included.

NUFORI and Subscription Information

Strange Daze is published by Northern UFO Research & Investigation (NUFORI). Subscriptions cost £1 per issue, payable to 'D.A. Newton'. The editorial address is D.A. Newton, 9 Brodrick Close, Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3SG. The investigations address for UFO sightings and experiences is G.H. Dixon, 14 Longhirst Drive, Woodlands Park, Wideopen, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6JW.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance has shifted towards a broader investigation of unexplained and paranormal phenomena, moving beyond a sole focus on UFOs. The editorial emphasizes the interconnectedness of UFO cases with paranormal events. The publication encourages reader submissions of theories and experiences, provided they are interesting, well-researched, and lawful. The magazine also promotes active engagement through skywatch events, indicating a hands-on approach to research.

This issue of Strange Daze, identified as issue number 15, delves into various facets of the unexplained, with a particular focus on UFOlogy, its scientific standing, and potential connections to ancient history and religious texts. The magazine features witness testimonies, philosophical discussions on the nature of science, and speculative theories about extraterrestrial influence.

Case Study: Julia's Experiences

The issue begins by detailing the experiences of a woman named Julia, who believes she and her family are targets of an "extremely hostile" phenomenon. This phenomenon reportedly causes animals to become upset around her, moves objects in rooms, and has prevented her from having children. Julia's mother was aware of this phenomenon but never revealed details to Julia. Her Uncle Steven has also experienced hostile events, including being pushed under a truck by unseen forces. Steven, as a child, also described and drew a demonic-looking entity peering through his window.

Julia has been married twice. Her first husband, who lives in London, confirmed events during their marriage in 1976, including sudden, unexplained drops in temperature in their home and an encounter with a strange mist containing a shape outside their front door. He also noted that Julia sometimes emanated an "enormous amount of heat." Her second husband, Bryan, also finds it difficult to sit next to her at times due to heat. A chilling incident occurred in 1990 when Julia's first husband received a threatening phone call after Julia married Bryan, stating, "She's changed her name. Where is she? She can't hide from us, we'll find her."

UFOlogy, Science, and Philosophy

An article by D.A. Newton, titled "UFOS, UFOLOGY AND SCIENCE," critically examines the field of UFOlogy. Newton describes UFOlogy as a subject populated by individuals who believe strange theories and investigate paranormal phenomena. He notes that UFOlogists often become involved because witnesses have nowhere else to turn. While acknowledging that witnesses are often sane and intelligent, Newton points out the existence of eccentrics and paranoids within the field. He questions whether UFOlogy can be considered a science, contrasting it with established scientific disciplines.

Newton explores the philosophy of science, referencing Karl Popper's falsificationist view, where theories are tested and potentially refuted by observation. He also discusses Thomas Kuhn's model of scientific progression, involving pre-science, normal science, crisis, and revolution. Newton concludes that UFOlogy does not fit these models, lacking a governing paradigm and coherence, and suggests it might be best described as "pre-science." He highlights the rarity of genuine UFO sightings as a major obstacle to scientific study, as UFOlogists primarily rely on witness reports rather than direct experimentation or laboratory analysis.

The article also addresses the common claim that "ninety percent or more" of UFO reports are misperceptions. Newton argues this statistic is misleading and potentially damaging, implying that those who report UFOs are liars or hallucinating. He suggests a more accurate statement would be that a high percentage are explicable, but emphasizes the difficulty for UFOlogists to definitively solve cases without being present at the time of the sighting. He advocates for focusing on high-quality reports rather than trying to solve every case.

Aliens and the Bible

An article titled "Aliens and the Bible" by "Ursula" proposes that biblical narratives could be interpreted as evidence of extraterrestrial contact. The author suggests that figures like Christ might have been sent from an advanced race. Specific biblical passages are cited and reinterpreted:

• Exodus 24: The Covenant Confirmed: "And the Lord was like a devouring fire on top of the mountain, and Moses entered the cloud" is questioned as potentially referring to a spacecraft.
• Exodus 34: The Covenant is renewed: Moses' face being red and shining after being on the mountain is suggested as possibly being skin burn from radiation.
• Genesis: Jacob's vision: The ladder reaching to Heaven with angels ascending is interpreted as a possible spacecraft.

The author reflects on the differences between ancient and modern humans, the vanishing of Neanderthals, and the search for the missing link. Having transitioned from Roman Catholicism to Spiritualism, the author expresses a belief in a "supreme Power" governing life.

UFOs: Prehistoric Origin?

In "UFOs: Prehistoric Origin?" by W.A. Joughin, the author speculates on the possibility of an advanced ancient civilization on Earth that might have predicted and planned for a catastrophic event, such as an asteroid impact, 66 million years ago. Joughin suggests that such a civilization could have developed personal transporters (flying saucers) to preserve their history and species. He posits that these transporters, programmed to return at intervals, could be the source of modern UFO sightings.

Joughin outlines a theory where 50 million transporters were launched into orbit, carrying historical data. He anticipates significant losses over millions of years and a delay before their reappearance. He raises questions about the propulsion systems, control mechanisms, and the potential for understanding the technology and language of these craft if discovered. The author also poses questions about the possibility of advanced reptilian lifeforms and genetic engineering as explanations for the diversity of human populations.

Editor's Comments and Recommended Reading

The editor provides comments on the "Aliens and the Bible" article, noting that other researchers have explored similar extraterrestrial interpretations of biblical passages and lists several books on the topic. The editor also proposes three points for W.A. Joughin to consider regarding his prehistoric UFO theory, including the feasibility of advanced reptilian lifeforms.

The issue concludes with a list of sources and recommended reading, covering UFO handbooks, scientific studies, and philosophical works on science and psychology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the nature of unexplained phenomena, the scientific methodology applied to subjects like UFOlogy, and speculative interpretations of ancient texts and history. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question established norms and explore alternative explanations, while maintaining a degree of skepticism and a commitment to rigorous analysis, particularly concerning the scientific validity of UFOlogy. The magazine aims to present a platform for diverse theories and witness accounts, fostering open-mindedness among its readership.

This document is a collection of articles, reviews, and letters from a UFO-themed publication, likely a magazine or newsletter, with a strong focus on the 8th International UFO Congress held in Sheffield on August 19th-20th, 1995. The content delves into various aspects of ufology, including alleged extraterrestrial encounters, government cover-ups, and speculative theories about alien technology and civilization.

The 8th International UFO Congress '95

The central event highlighted is the 8th International UFO Congress, organized by the British UFO research Association (BUFORA). The congress took place at the Pennine Theatre, University of Hallam, Sheffield. It honored Walt Andrus, International Director of the Mutual UFO Network, who gave the opening and closing addresses. The event was notable for being the first British UFO conference to feature a Russian delegation. A provisional program is detailed, with presentations on Saturday, August 18th, including "Scottish Ufology, What's Going On" by Malcolm Robinson, "The Evidence Through Management of UFO-Related Data: The Italian Example" by Maurizio Verga, "Multiple Participant Abductions" by John Carpenter, and "Double Moons - And Other Recent Phenomena Over Denmark" by Per Andersen. Sunday, August 20th, featured talks such as "Atmospheric Evolution on Mars and the Consequence for the Cyodonian Hypothesis" by Dr. Helmut Lammer, "The Bentwaters-Woodbridge Incidents: An American Perspective" by Peter Robbins, and "The Results of Research of the Physical Nature of Anomalous Phenomena Received by The Academy of Sciences in Russia" by Dr. Yulii Platov. A "Meet the Speakers' Buffet" was also arranged for Saturday evening.

Articles and Discussions

Several articles explore different facets of the UFO phenomenon. One piece discusses the possibility of ancient mammalian civilizations and the lack of fossil evidence, questioning the visibility of advanced alien transporters in space and their relation to abduction phenomena. The author suggests potential hiding places for UFOs, such as the hidden side of the moon or the ocean floor.

Another significant section is dedicated to the "Roswell: The Pros and Cons" by Craig Carl Jackson. It reflects on the year 1994, which saw a T.V. movie, government documents, and a new book related to the Roswell UFO case. Despite these developments, the incident remains ambiguous, with newly released government papers describing the wreckage as being from a "top secret spy balloon." A new witness has come forward claiming to own a piece of the wreckage, though it cannot be found, and only a photograph exists for evaluation. The author notes a resemblance between Roswell artifacts and ancient hieroglyphics and Northumbrian cup and ring markings.

A "Direct alarm systems for people having repeated Abduction Experiences" is proposed. The editor's comment notes this article was anonymously received and is seeking the author. The article suggests creating a reverse alarm system where a constant signal is activated, and failure to work alerts an outside source. This could be used to monitor abductees, with electronic tagging similar to wildlife tracking being a potential method. The article mentions that 4 million Americans claim to have been abducted by aliens and that Dr. John Mack received around 700 calls on a TV program from people sharing abduction stories.

Reviews

The publication includes several reviews of UFO-related books and magazines:

• Skywatch No 1 (February 26th, 1995): A combined astronomy/UFO skywatch event near Edmundbyers. The observing session was affected by cloud cover, with only brief views of Mars and various aircraft observed. No UFOs were spotted.
• Underground Alien Bases by Commander X: Described as a "charming little book" by a supposed U.S. Intelligence Agent, covering aliens, fairies, pre-human civilizations, UFOs, Bigfoot, government agencies, and the Illuminati. It lacks references and bibliography.
• The Seventh Sword by Andrew Collins (1991): A book about the author's psychic quest for "the Seven Swords of Meonia and the Green Stone," involving Egyptology, Knights Templar, Aleister Crowley, and King Arthur. The reviewer found it intriguing, noting synchronicities and a chapter titled "Strange Days."
• Cosmic Top Secret by William F. Hamilton III (1991): This book is described as an example of the American "cover up" slant on the UFO phenomenon, discussing crashed saucers, alien bodies, and underground bases, with the CIA allegedly behind it all.
• International UFO Library Magazine (Vol 3 No 1 & 2): Vol 3 No 1 features articles on a "magic tea set" showing human history, Area 51, Nazi UFO secrets, the Billy Meier story, Russian ufology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Vol 3 No 2 includes topics like "Aliens and their black boxes," "The Symbol of Infinity," crop circles, Area 51, and the "Sea Shadow" CIA stealth ship, with an emphasis on alleged underwater alien operations.
• Promises and Disappointments Issue 2: A magazine covering spirit contacts, pixies, recovered memories, and Abductions & Hypochondria. It includes a review of Nexus magazine and is recommended for those doubting alien causation of abductions.
• Unsolved UFO Sightings - Special Report No 6, Winter 1995: This report revisits contactee stories and features articles by Brad Steiger, Scott Corrales, and Donald Ware, covering topics like contactees, space beings, Nazi saucers, the Bermuda Triangle, and the "Tesla Scope."
• UFO Times No 32: BUFORA's magazine, which has taken a more conspiratorial direction under editor Ken Phillips. It discusses the state of BUFORA, lists armaments scientists who died mysteriously, includes an audience with Alan Godfrey, and the final part of Colonel Tom Bearden's "The Final Secret of Free Energy."
• OMNI March 1995: An American science and technology magazine that launched "Project Open Book" on UFOs. This issue features the first installment of "The OMNI Open Book Field Investigator's Guide" and an investigation into a 1950 UFO crash at El Indio.
• FATE magazine: Contains occasional interesting articles but is not considered essential reading.
• Northern UFO News: Similar to FATE magazine.
• STRANGE magazine, No 14: An American magazine focusing on UFOs, Bigfoot, and other anomalous phenomena, with articles on time travel, "Goatman," Irish sea serpents, and crypozoology.

Letters to the Editor

Two letters are included. Mr. Fox Hall-Viva defends Dr. Maurice Traveller, asserting that extraterrestrial beings are the sole explanation for global events, citing U.S. military activities at Area 51, Nazi saucer technology, Bilderburgers' secret meetings, and the rise of world leaders as evidence of alien control. He believes aliens rule the world for their own evil ends.

Professor R.T. Fischall of Tipton University announces he has "cracked the secret of UFO propulsion," attributing it to advanced anti-gravitic technology based on "cosmic strings." He explains that these strings are topological anomalies in space-time that can be used to anchor spacecraft for landing on planets, thus explaining the observed movements of UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently explores themes of UFO sightings, extraterrestrial contact, government secrecy, and conspiracy theories. There's a clear interest in investigating alleged anomalies and providing a platform for various theories, from ancient civilizations to advanced alien technology. The reviews section indicates a broad engagement with the UFO literature and related phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting different viewpoints and evidence, while also acknowledging the speculative nature of many topics. The inclusion of letters to the editor allows for reader engagement and the expression of diverse opinions within the UFO community.