SUFOG Newsletter No 137-138

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUFOG, Number 137 & 138, dated March/April 2002, is a newsletter from the Southampton UFO Group (SUFOG). It features articles on the group's activities, upcoming events, and in-depth discussions on historical UFO investigations, particularly the role of the CIA. The cover highlights the group's website and upcoming events, including lectures and conferences.

SUFOG Activities and Announcements

The newsletter begins with an update on SUFOG's web counter, which has reached 4,000 hits since 1999, indicating significant global interest. The group is actively involved in public outreach, with upcoming talks by Steve Rider and the author at the 21st Leeds conference, alongside Stanton T. Friedman. SUFOG has also given lectures, including a joint BUFORA/SPI lecture and a talk to the Holistic Experience group. They also plan to have a table at the Dorchester Conference to raise funds and recruit members.

SUFOG has been approached by three TV groups for documentaries on UFOs and Crop Circles, with hopes for positive outcomes. The group was also featured on Meridian News on March 10th, with an item concerning documents released in January about Winston Churchill's questions regarding UFOs in the 1950s. The newsletter also promotes the music of 'Janus' and hints at a future SUFOG video documenting their exploits over the past 10 years.

CIA's Role in the Study of UFO's, 1947 - 90 (Pt 2)

This extensive article delves into the CIA's involvement with UFO investigations from the mid-20th century. It details how the CIA's U-2 and OXCART high-altitude reconnaissance projects, developed with Lockheed's Skunk Works, led to a significant increase in reported UFO sightings. Commercial pilots and air traffic controllers reported seeing objects that were often explained away by the Air Force's BLUE BOOK project as natural phenomena or U-2 flights, with the CIA carefully concealing the true cause.

Over half of UFO reports from the late 1950s to the 1960s were attributed to these manned reconnaissance flights. This led the Air Force to issue misleading statements to the public to protect national security. The article discusses the pressure for the release of the Robertson panel report, which Edward Ruppelt revealed in 1956. Civilian UFO groups like NICAP and APRO pushed for the report's release. Despite pressure, the CIA, through Philip Strong, refused to declassify the report or reveal its sponsorship.

Donald Keyhoe and Dr. Leon Davidson continued to press for information, with Davidson claiming deep CIA involvement. The CIA maintained its policy of secrecy, preparing a sanitized version of the report that omitted CIA references and psychological warfare potential. The article highlights two specific UFO cases in the 1950s involving the Maier sisters' 'radio code' incident and photographs of a flying saucer, where the CIA's involvement and methods were questioned.

The 1960s: Declining CIA Involvement and Mounting Controversy

In the early 1960s, Keyhoe, Davidson, and other UFOlogists continued their efforts to obtain UFO information from the CIA, with Davidson claiming the CIA was responsible for the 'Flying Saucer furor' as a tool for cold war psychological warfare. Despite calls for congressional hearings, little changed. In 1964, DCI John McCone requested an updated CIA evaluation of UFOs, leading to the collection of recent sightings data from NICAP.

The article details the CIA's interactions with the Condon Committee, which was tasked with undertaking intensive UFO investigations. The CIA, through NPIC, provided technical advice and services to the committee, maintaining a low profile. The Condon report, released in 1969, concluded that little had come from UFO studies and recommended the discontinuation of Project BLUE BOOK, without mentioning CIA's participation.

The 1970s and 1980s: The UFO Issue Refuses To Die

Despite the Condon report, many UFOlogists viewed it as a cover-up. William Spaulding of Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) filed FOIA requests for UFO documents, convinced the Agency was withholding information. The CIA provided some documents, but GSW sued for the release of withheld materials, alleging a cover-up. The CIA maintained that it had no organized UFO project and that records were sporadic.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the CIA maintained a low-key interest in UFOs, keeping files to a minimum to avoid misleading the public. Renewed charges emerged that the Agency was withholding documents related to the 1947 Roswell incident. The article notes that the belief in extraterrestrial life and distrust of government contribute to the persistence of UFO conspiracy theories.

Boscovich's Theory connection to UFO Physics

This section explores the work of Jesuit mathematician Roger Boscovich and its connection to modern physics and UFO theories. Boscovich's theory, developed in the 18th century, is presented as a unified theory that combines Quantum ideas with Relativistic ideas, predating and influencing later theories by scientists like Faraday, Maxwell, and Einstein. The article suggests that some of Boscovich's original insights were lost in the development of modern physics due to complex human interactions. It highlights the links between Boscovich's work and electromagnetism, modern atomic physics (Thomson's Atom, Bohr's Atom), and the development of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity.

SUFOG Diary - 2002

The diary section lists upcoming SUFOG group meetings and events for 2002, including video evenings, lectures, and an Avebury trip. It also provides contact information and a note to check with the editor before attending events due to potential cancellations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG are the historical involvement of government agencies, particularly the CIA, in UFO investigations, the persistent issue of government secrecy and alleged cover-ups, and the enduring public fascination with UFOs. The editorial stance, as expressed by the Chairman/Founder Steve Gerrard, is one of urgency for SUFOG members to unite and support the group to prevent it from folding, emphasizing that 'it is certainly time for change'. The article on Boscovich's theory suggests a deeper, underlying connection between physics and UFO phenomena, hinting at a more complex reality than conventionally accepted.

SUFOG, Issue 13, dated April 2002, is a publication focused on UFOs, paranormal phenomena, and related scientific and historical investigations. The magazine features a mix of theoretical discussions, news updates, and reviews of books and media.

Physics and Theoretical Approaches

The issue begins with a detailed discussion contrasting Albert Einstein's approach to physics with that of the mainstream physics community. The author argues that Einstein was willing to abandon assumptions when they proved inconsistent, leading to theories like General Relativity. This is contrasted with modern physicists who, it is claimed, rigidly adhere to existing assumptions and require experimental proof to consider changes. The text suggests that Einstein's next step after General Relativity would have been to construct a Unified Theory, potentially drawing from Boscovich's work, a path largely abandoned by the mainstream. The article posits that modern physics, by focusing on experimental proof over mathematical consistency, has failed to achieve unification, a concept that has been 'lost'.

UFO Sightings and Related News

The magazine includes extensive newspaper reviews, compiled by Ernie Sears, covering a wide range of UFO and paranormal-related news from various publications. These include:

• The Daily Telegraph (February 15th): A review of an obituary for Group Captain Mike Shaw, a WWII pilot who became interested in spiritualism and claimed contact with deceased comrades.
• The Daily Telegraph (December 29th, 2001): An obituary for Air Marshall Sir Peter Horsley, who was fascinated by the paranormal after being shot down and investigated UFO reports, concluding most could be explained naturally but some RAF and BOAC sightings defied explanation.
• The Daily Telegraph (February 16th): An article discussing a NASA spokesman's views on leaving behind a portion of the human race and a 'solar sail' concept for interstellar travel, with a note that UFOs were not mentioned.
• Daily Mail (February 16th): An article based on a prediction of an attack on the World Trade Center, linking it to experiments at Princetown University and Colin Wilson's views on time and UFOlogy.
• Daily Mail (continued): An article on Einstein's Guide to Time Travel, with anecdotal evidence of 'time slips' and the possibility of changing the future.
• The Daily Telegraph (February 20th): A report on discoveries at Silbury Hill, suggesting a spiral path as a way to access the site and noting that 'experts' ignore psychic experiences.
• The Daily Mail (February 20th): Coverage of the ET film and an article by James Chapman discussing the possibility of extraterrestrial signals and a perceived 'upsurge campaign' related to ET and UFOs.
• The Daily Mail 'Night and Day' (February 24th): A feature on the ET film, noting changes in the remake and questioning what might be hidden.
• The Sunday Times: An article about a UFO incident that changed a writer's life, including a visit to Roswell and an interview with Whitley Strieber, who suggested the Roswell craft might be from the future.
• The Sunday Telegraph (March 17th): A review of a Fortean Times article on 'One Eyed Giants' and anomalies, including a skull found in the Philippines.
• The Daily Mail (March 11th): A review of the film 'The Mothman Prophecies', referencing John Keel's original book and the alleged UFO link to Mothman sightings.
• The Sunday Telegraph (March 10th): A 'Close Encounters' section discussing a 'UFO flap' in South America and various frightening entities, with a preference expressed for 'greys' over chucabaras.

Further Media and Events

• The Daily Telegraph (March 20th): Coverage of the re-issued ET film and other extraterrestrial-themed media, noting the increase in UFO content in cinemas and on television.
• The Daily Mail Weekend Magazine (March 23rd): An article on the ET film, detailing its production history and a reputed comment by President Ronald Reagan about the film's truthfulness.
• The Daily Telegraph (April 3rd): An article about the Mars probe Beagle 2 and the possibility of life on Mars, referencing past observations of ice on the moon and Mars.
• The Daily Mail (April 6th): A provocative statement from Fortean Times Editor Bob Rickard declaring 'UFOLOGY IS DEAD', arguing that convincing UFO footage would be obtained by camcorders if Earth were being visited.
• The Daily Telegraph (April 3rd): Another article on 'Is There Life on Mars?', reiterating points about the Mars probe and past ice discoveries.
• The Daily Mail (April 6th): An article by Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees titled 'We May Not Be Alone', with a skeptical note from the reviewer about the astronomer's past predictions.

Magazine Reviews

• Rapport: Reviewed as a London-based Witness Support Group publication, now with a new editor, Mike Rutter. It features articles on crop patterns, an abduction experience, Freemasonry, and a Mars probe exhibition.
• UFO Magazine: Described as containing a wide range of UFO-related information, including underwater cities, crop formations, Japanese UFO films, and lunar artifacts.
• OVNI: Omar Fowler's publication, noted for its coverage of flying triangles, UFO cases, and near-miss asteroids. It also mentions a classic Adamski era saucer sighting and a UFO museum opening in Turkey.
• The Australian UFO Bulletin: Covers UFO sightings from Australia and worldwide, including crop circles, implants, and the Mothman movie.

Book Review: Borley PostScript

A detailed review of Peter Underwood's book, 'Borley PostScript', which focuses on the haunted Borley Rectory. The review highlights Underwood's extensive research, his membership in prominent psychical research societies, and the book's inclusion of unpublished material. It recounts the history of the Rectory, the paranormal occurrences reported by various witnesses, including the 'Blue Nun', and the investigations by Harry Price. The review also critiques Louis Mayerling's book, 'We Faked The Ghosts Of Borley Rectory', calling it inaccurate and a 'hoax'. The book is praised for presenting numerous eyewitness testimonies for the first time and for its engaging narrative style.

UFO Sightings Recorded Information Line

An advertisement for a telephone hotline providing information on the latest UFO sightings 24 hours a day, produced by UFOMEK.

Film Reviews

• Still Crying After 20 Years!!!: A personal reflection on the 20th anniversary re-release of the film E.T., noting that the emotional impact remains the same.
• Star Wars Episode 2: Trailers for the film are described as stunning, with anticipation for its release.

SUFOG Expenses

A note from SUFOG Chairman Steve Gerrard regarding expenses incurred for PC and video recorder repairs, and the impact on the group's bank account.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG include the nature of scientific inquiry, the persistent interest in UFOs and paranormal phenomena, and the critical examination of media portrayals of these subjects. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, valuing firsthand accounts and historical research, while also engaging in critical analysis of both scientific theories and popular media. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of mathematical consistency in theoretical physics, as championed by Einstein, and a skepticism towards purely experimental approaches that may overlook deeper theoretical truths. The magazine also demonstrates a commitment to documenting and sharing information on UFO sightings and paranormal events through various reviews and reports.

Title: SUFOG
Issue: PAGE 21
Date: April 2002
Publisher: SUFOG
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of SUFOG, a publication likely related to UFOlogy, contains several articles and reports.

A Wonderful Day in Dorchester..

This personal account by Steve Gerrard, SUFOG Chairman, details a day spent at a SUFOG table at a conference in Dorchester on Sunday, April 7th, 2002. Gerrard traveled alone, having been unable to secure help from other members. He set up the table at 8:10 a.m. and the doors opened at 9:30 a.m. Despite efforts, sales were very poor, with only £14 worth of goods sold by 2 p.m. Chris Martin, another attendee, reportedly sold over £350 worth of videotapes. By 5 p.m., only two people had subscribed to SUFOG, bringing the total takings to a disappointing £30. Gerrard packed up at 7 p.m. and arrived home at 8:30 p.m. The net result for SUFOG from this venture was a loss of £11.00 after accounting for petrol costs and a contribution to a draw. Gerrard reflects on the poor sales, even for cheap magazines, and plans to review future ventures. He states that if invited to another event and no one offers to help, he will not attend alone again.

Sky Watch: Saturday 20th April 2002

This report describes a SUFOG sky watch event held on April 20th, 2002. After some initial phone calls, a group consisting of Bill, Jean, Mark, Andy, and the reporter decided to proceed despite a hazy moon. While walking towards their observation point, they witnessed a very bright white light approaching at a low altitude, which then suddenly disappeared. The group then set up at their usual site and observed satellites, strange lights, and the planetary alignment. The event was described as enjoyable and sociable, concluding around 00:30 a.m. The report mentions that SUFOG secretary and sky watch organizer, Steve Rider, is preparing a questionnaire for future sky watch suggestions. The next sky watch was planned for April 26th.

"With Friends Like These..."

Written by Ernie Sears, this article critiques a brief UFO segment on the Richard and Judy Show on April 9th, 2002, which followed a negative article about UFOs in the Daily Mail. Sears expresses disappointment with the performance of Georgina Bruni and Judith Jafaar from BUFORA, whom he describes as having done their "best (or worst?)" in the limited time. He questions Judith Jafaar's position in BUFORA, calling her skepticism almost unbelievable and suggesting she might be better suited to Fortean Times. Sears recounts a positive personal experience with Judith and her partner Male Robinson in the past but feels she did a disservice to those who have had UFO experiences. He notes that Georgina Bruni was lost for words and could only shake her head, despite making points linking the Rendlesham affair to the Cash-Landrum incident. Sears criticizes the program planners for a poor job, suggesting the Royal funeral coverage may have contributed to the time limitations. He also mentions sending communication to Channel Four and potentially BUFORA Bulletin Magazine.

"Scepticism as Mystique"

This section introduces an eight-page screed by Colin Bennett, which is presented as Appendix One of his forthcoming book on Charles Fort. The article describes Bennett's talk at a Fortean Times Unconvention on April 6th, 2002. The author praises Bennett's "hard hitting and factual arguments" that challenge individual and total skepticism. The piece highlights Bennett's view that skepticism often allies itself with authority and that "chronic cultural skepticism is a dangerous intellectual allergy," which aims to dismiss the paranormal as illusion. In contrast, 'local' skepticism is deemed healthy. Bennett provides details about how British-born genius was suppressed during the last war if individuals were homosexual or heterosexual. He asserts that skeptical forces can destroy lives, intellectual life, restrict knowledge, and cause national decline, posing the question, "Can we not see this currently? Denial of THE TRUTH?" The author recalls acquaintance with Leonard Cramp, an aerodynamicist who wrote a piece that "proved" George Adamski's UFO encounters to be true.

Odds and Ends... But Not Always!

This column by Ernie Sears presents a collection of brief items. "Aliens and Marketing" by Steward Edwards is mentioned as an overview of how companies use the UFO phenomenon for marketing, referencing recent SUFOG items and noting a Mars bar with a "grey" and "Zero Gravity" theme, and an alien-motif Easter egg. Sears questions if this is "Brainwashing a future generation?" He also mentions the movie "ET The Extraterrestrial," "The Mothman Prophecies" (linking it to John Keel), a repeat viewing of "Riddle of the Skies," and the upcoming movie "Signs" about crop circles. He also notes a potential Spielberg TV series titled "Sightings."

Stewart Edwards also provided a four-page paper on "British Alien Abduction Research," discussing solutions to weaknesses in the UK abduction support field. Sears agrees that most UFO organizations are run by dedicated individuals who deal with the enigma in their spare time, describing them as amateurs due to their experience and knowledge. He shares his personal journey into UFO investigation since 1960, especially in the seventies, after being made redundant from his job at 55, which allowed him free time to investigate. He considers himself a "fully professional UFO investigator" and an author, noting that he doesn't get paid but receives services for free through TV and radio appearances. He contrasts the situation in the USA, where paid professionals exist, with the UK, where UFOlogists face opposition from salaried officials and politicians who deny the phenomenon.

Sears encourages readers to "sit down and THINK" and reflect on "coincidences." He also references a paper titled "Probability Theory and the UFO Reality" by Donald R. Burleson, Ph.D., which argues that the probability of UFOs being extraterrestrial is supported by the Roerich sighting in 1926. Burleson suggests that skeptics face an uphill battle when probability supports the notion that the universe is full of life and that we are being visited by UFOs.

What Is?

This section, by Steve Gerrard, addresses the question "What is a professional UFOlogist?" Gerrard states that he is not a professional UFOlogist and believes no such person exists. He argues that to be professional, one requires formal qualifications, mentioning BUFORA's investigator training and a course at Totton College. However, he emphasizes that most people enter the subject due to general interest. Gerrard warns against those with "big ego's" who claim to be top dogs and states that genuine UFO researchers have no formal qualifications but are "good at heart and wanting to find out the truth."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG include the challenges faced by UFO organizations in fundraising and public engagement, as exemplified by the Dorchester event. There is a strong focus on the debate between belief and skepticism, with critical commentary on media portrayals and the arguments of prominent skeptics like Judith Jafaar. The role of UFOs in popular culture and marketing is also explored. The editorial stance, particularly from Ernie Sears and Steve Gerrard, appears to be one of advocating for genuine research, questioning official narratives, and challenging what they perceive as undue skepticism or attempts to suppress the UFO phenomenon. There is a clear emphasis on personal experience and the pursuit of truth.