UFO Commentary - vol 2 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO COMMENTARY
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 2
Date: Summer 1971
Publisher: Patrick A. Huyghe
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: POLEMICS

This issue of UFO Commentary marks a significant transition as editor Patrick A. Huyghe announces his departure from active involvement, passing the reins to Assistant Editor Allen Benz. Huyghe reflects on the magazine's two-and-a-half-year journey, expressing hope that it will continue to maintain its quality. He outlines various ways editors can leave the field and emphasizes that UFO Commentary has achieved a high standard, though not perfection, attributing any shortcomings to himself.

Editorial

Patrick A. Huyghe, the editor, states that after two and a half years, he is stepping down. He likens the experience to a mother losing a child or a captain leaving a sinking ship, but hopes the magazine, unlike a ship, will be unsinkable. He discusses common methods of departure from the UFO field, such as disappearing, claiming to be silenced by Men-in-Black, or having the magazine incorporated into another. Huyghe asserts that UFO Commentary has reached a high standard of quality and should continue. He takes full responsibility for the magazine's current state and expresses his belief that it is good enough to be continued. Allen Benz will gradually take over the editorial responsibilities, with Huyghe offering support during the transition. All submissions and editorial matters should be sent to Allen Benz at his address in Tipton, Missouri. Huyghe will continue to handle orders for a while.

Articles

A Few Appropriate Quotes on Polemics

By John A. Keel, this article explores different viewpoints on ufology. Zoologist Ivan T. Sanderson is quoted defining ufology as an 'intellectual exercise' and proposing a theory of UFOs as 'space-time-continua' conceived as material holograms. Keel notes that this concept is foundational to many religious beliefs and spiritualist practices. He contrasts this with the 'minority viewpoint' of fringe UFO believers who favor 'advanced technology' from other planets, which he finds completely unsupportable and leading to endless polemics and fanatical behavior. Dr. John C. Lilly is cited for his views on intellectual conflict and the necessity of creating an 'intellectual moat' around one's field of activity, which can lead to demeaning other areas of knowledge. Lilly also discusses the problems of communicating with extraterrestrial life, stating that group acceptance of undemonstrated theorems does not add validity.

Keel further categorizes ufology into two 'anaclitic groups': the majority group of 'percipients' (contactees) with subjective experiences, and the minority group who have had little personal involvement but have developed 'safe' assumptions to explain the phenomenon. He criticizes the minority group for failing to examine the claims of the majority and for attempting to fit manifestations into their pre-existing models, thus excluding contradictory evidence. He argues that while subjective experiences aren't proof, they can be medically and psychologically examined. The minority group's focus on the percipient's character rather than the experience itself is seen as a way to verify their own beliefs. Keel concludes that the essential problem is to discard all assumptions and beliefs for total objectivity, and that the extraterrestrial hypothesis has been a handicap.

Public Libraries and UFOs

By Allen Benz, this installment focuses on the UFO holdings in the San Diego, California, Public Library, described as one of the most extensive collections of published UFO material in the United States. Benz encourages readers to utilize the interlibrary loan system to access these materials through their local libraries. A comprehensive list of books and periodicals held by the library is provided, including titles such as "The Case for the UFO," "Flying Saucers: Top Secret," "The UFO Evidence," and "Flying Saucer Review."

Lost or Misplaced

Richard E. Walton recounts his experience with the Condon Committee. On June 23, 1967, he took a star trail photograph that revealed an 's' shaped green line amidst the stars. After examining the slide and finding no apparent cause, he sent it to the Condon project. Despite confirmation of receipt in March 1968, the slide and other materials were never returned. Correspondence with project secretary Mrs. Shapley indicated difficulty in locating the materials due to the project's chaotic filing system and hasty clearance. Dr. Condon's eventual reply to a threat of public disclosure was dismissive, stating they could absorb more abuse and would stop looking for the missing material.

The Angels Lost Their Hair!

By Michael Hervey J.P., this article compiles several unusual and unexplained phenomena. It reports on stones showering from a clear sky in Western Australia, white marbles falling in East Brunswick, Victoria, and a shower of light-colored, whispy material described as 'angel hair' in Whitsett, USA. The article also details an incident in St. Louis, USA, where wads of foam fell from the sky, and a pink straw hat with a rose and a fried egg landing inexplicably in England.

Book Reviews

Paul Braczyk reviews several books:

• THE SHADOW OF THE UNKNOWN by Coral E. Lorenzen: Described as starting slowly but picking up pace, it contains a number of 'new' cases and is considered worthwhile.
• THE WRIGHT FIELD STORY by James W. Joseley: A collection of behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the 1950s and early 1960s. The reviewer suggests it might be tedious for those not already 'hard-core buffs' but notes that Moseley's reputation provides a certain 'aura'.
• FLYING SAUCERS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE AIR FORCE PROJECT BLUE BOOK SPECIAL REPORT NO. 14 by Dr. Leon Davidson (Saucerian Publications, Fourth Edition): This is a review of the Saucerian edition, not the original report. The reviewer notes additions to the third edition and recommends it for those who do not own Davidson's analysis, but advises against purchasing it if one already has the third edition.
• UFOS OVER THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE by Michael Hervey: Hailed as a worthwhile contribution, it compiles UFO sightings from Australia and New Zealand, described as a 'mini' UFO EVIDENCE, featuring many first-hand reports.
• GOD, LAN AND THE UFO'S by Ernest P. Boyer: This book is noted for exploring little-known material on Jonathan Swift, the author of "Gulliver's Travels," and his connection to the discovery of Mars' moons.

Other Content

• Contents Page: Lists the articles and their page numbers, including an Editorial, "A Few Appropriate Quotes on Polemics," "Public Libraries and UFOs," "Lost or Misplaced," "The Angels Lost Their Hairt," "Book Reviews," "The John Rimmer Column," and "Letters to the Editor."
• Subscription Information: Details the publication frequency (quarterly), subscription price ($2.00/year), single copy price (60¢), and addresses for submissions, exchanges, and subscriptions.
• Copyright Notice: UFO COMMENTARY is copyrighted 1971 by Patrick A. Huyghe.
• Advertisements: Includes information on "UFOS OVER THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE" and the "AUSTRALIAN BI-MONTHLY UFO REPORT."
• Editorial Continued: A brief note from Patrick Huyghe thanking supporters and expressing confidence in the new editorial team.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong emphasis on research and critical analysis within ufology, particularly in the editorial and John A. Keel's article. There's a concern about the polemical nature of UFO discourse and the tendency towards uncritical acceptance of beliefs. The magazine aims to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints and detailed reporting on sightings and research, as evidenced by the book reviews and the library holdings list. The editorial stance appears to be one of striving for quality and objectivity, even as the founding editor departs. The inclusion of unusual falling objects and lost evidence from official investigations suggests a broad interest in the unexplained aspects of the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of UFO COMMENTARY, Volume 1, Number 4, dated Spring 1971, is a magazine focused on UFO research and related phenomena. It features a variety of content including book reviews, a regular column, and letters to the editor, all contributing to the ongoing discourse within the ufological community.

Book Reviews

The magazine presents reviews of several books:

• BEHOLD...THE VENUS GARUDA by Robert Dickoff (1968, $5.00): This book is authored by Robert Ernst Dickoff, who holds multiple doctorates and titles. The review highlights the author's claims of being a contactee and his theories about Earth gods and extraterrestrial visitors. However, the reviewer points out several eccentricities in the book's production, such as misspellings, corrections in pencil, borrowed photos, a Sears plastic bag packaging, a cover with a 'Java Bird Man' glued on, and even upside-down pages, leading to a critical assessment of its content.

• RADIX by Bill Looney (1971, $5.95): This book details Looney's encounter with "angels of Light" in Israel in 1967. These beings are described as vibrating at the speed of light and capable of controlling radiant energy and regulating light rays to alter their visibility. The review notes that Looney connects these beings to biblical angels and explores this idea through biblical quotations. The reviewer suggests that while such concepts might have been dismissed in the past, the current ufological interest in "ultraterrestrial" concepts makes this book potentially relevant.

• UFO'S AND DIAMAGNETISM by Eugene H. Burt (1970, $5.00): The review focuses on Burt's unorthodox theoretical approach to magnetism, specifically diamagnetism. The reviewer, lacking a physics background, cannot fully assess the theory's feasibility but confirms the book's adherence to accepted physics laws. Burt's theory posits an "inverted' magnetic field, distinct from the common one, which he believes is used in UFO propulsion systems. The reviewer recommends the book for those interested in science and mathematics.

• GODS FROM OUTER SPACE by Erich von Daniken (1971, $5.95): This is a follow-up to von Daniken's previous work, 'Chariots of the Gods?'. It covers archaeological sites like Easter Island and the Nazca Lines, reiterating the theory of early extraterrestrial contact. The review notes that this book is more engaging due to von Daniken's personal on-site investigations and his use of analogies to modern technology to explain ancient artifacts. It also mentions von Daniken's rebuttal to Thor Heyerdahl's theories.

• INTERCEPT - BUT DON'T SHOOT: THE TRUE STORY OF THE FLYING SAUCERS by Renato Vesco (1971, $8.50): Following an earlier article, Vesco proposes that UFOs are Earth-made flying machines launched from secret bases in the Canadian wilderness. The review anticipates controversy within the ufological community for challenging more exotic hypotheses. Despite potential skepticism about Vesco's claims, the review acknowledges the feasibility of man-made flying saucers from an engineering perspective, noting the book's details on German secret weapons development from World War II.

• PASSPORT TO ETERNITY by Laurence W. Foreman (1970, $7.00): This book is described as a "real beauty" in the contactee genre, reminiscent of earlier works. It features benevolent spacemen, beautiful spacewomen, spacecraft, and profound philosophy. The reviewer praises Foreman's warmth and amiable personality, recommending it to fans of 1950s contactee literature.

• INVISIBLE RESIDENTS: A DISQUISITION UPON CERTAIN MATTERS MARITIME, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INTELLIGENT LIFE UNDER THE WATERS OF THIS EARTH by Ivan T. Sanderson (1970, $7.50): The review notes the book's eclectic nature, covering topics like the 'gold "airplane"' and UFO sightings connected to bodies of water. While the reviewer finds the book a useful compendium of forteana, they express disappointment that the book fails to provide a concrete link-up for the disparate phenomena it presents, despite hinting at one.

• WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT FLYING SAUCERS by Rev. David F. Webber (1970, $1.50): This is presented as another book attempting to correlate biblical passages with modern UFO sightings, described as well-put-together and worth the price.

Lost or Misplaced Correspondence

A section discusses correspondence related to the Dyke-Condon project, raising questions about the project's ability to conduct an objective study due to apparent disorganization and lack of accountability regarding materials.

The John Rimmer Column

John Rimmer offers his opinions on various topics, including ufology. He notes that in Liverpool, the scarcity of UFOs allows him to pursue more "constructive pursuits," such as reading unsolicited publications. He critiques a new publication that offers 'accurate recomi-tion' of friendly and hostile UFOs, detailing how to destroy them, and satirizes its broad target audience. Rimmer also comments on a recent electricity blackout in Britain, noting the absence of unusual phenomena and attributing it to a strike. He then delves into the political leanings of American ufologists, suggesting a tendency towards right-wing politics and paranoia in some extremist magazines, while more moderate attitudes align with liberalism. He contrasts this with British ufomags, noting that some are edited by Liberals, while others, like 'ufowise', exhibit fascist and anti-semitic attitudes.

UFOs and Politics

Rimmer further explores the question of what kind of people become interested in UFOs. He categorizes British ufologists into several groups: the genuine scientist (boring), sentimental individuals who are sentimental about "space brothers," the "crank" who builds strange devices, and the "organisation men" who are focused on titles and administration rather than ufology itself. He strongly criticizes the "organisation men," calling them "parasites" feeding on genuine research and advocating for their "extermination."

(THE ANGELS LOST THEIR HAIR! continued from page 10)

This section continues a report on unusual phenomena. It describes sausages festooning trees and bushes near Stuttgart, Germany, since April 1970. German sausage experts have examined them and found them to be of excellent quality. The report also mentions other strange precipitation events worldwide, such as ink, fishes, frogs, and worms, referencing Charles Fort's "The Book of the Damned." It recounts the capture of a strange creature by Mrs. Leon Eaves in Houston, described as having a monkey's face, rat's ears, chicken wings, and a scorpion's tail, which died shortly after being captured.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters are included:

• Terry W. Colvin comments on an article about the Air Force and UFOs, appreciating the journal's diverse subject matter and objective analysis. He defends the USAF against accusations of conspiracy with the CIA, suggesting that while charges are unprovable, misleading statements do indicate some form of deception.

• Guillermo Aldunati congratulates the publication on its recent issue and encourages them to continue their work.

• Richard E. Walton responds to an article titled "A Theory on UFO Operation." He corrects a statement about atomic particles, clarifying that they are pieces of matter carrying electrical charge, not "small charges of energy." He also questions the author's use of "made no sound" and wonders if it refers to audible sound or sound beyond human hearing.

• Frank M. Mobley replies to Richard E. Walton's letter. Mobley defends the concept of mass and energy being interchangeable (E=mc²) and discusses the possibility of amplifying psychokinetic forces for transportation. He questions why more developed beings might not already be using such methods.

• Gray Barker compliments the Spring 1971 Special Issue, particularly its bibliography on US UFO literature.

• Ted Phillips expresses his strong impression of the Spring 1971 Special Research Issue, highlighting articles by various authors and ranking UFO Commentary among the best US publications. He notes his specialization in landing trace cases.

• Gerald Lovell congratulates the publication on its first anniversary special research issue and hopes for a repeat in the following year.

RE: "The Mysterious Cohoke Light," UFO COMMENTARY, Vol.1 No.4.

This section contains a letter from George Massinger responding to an article by Jay Mundy about the "Mysterious Cohoke Light." Massinger critiques Mundy's solution, questioning the number of trips taken and the conclusion that car lights were the cause, especially given the lights were observed before widespread automobile use. He also discusses the skepticism of local residents and suggests that the lights may have moved on, possibly due to interference from "juvenile firebugs."

Massinger also recounts a personal experience at Sweet Hall in October 1963, describing observations of white lights, a bluish light, and a pale green light with a shimmering effect. He dismisses the "swamp gas" explanation, noting the lights' colors, movement, and flashing patterns differ from ignis fatuus. He also describes finding crude "props" like foil-covered disks and charred beer cans, which he believes could not have produced the observed lights. He concludes that the lights were not car lights and that the greenish light, in particular, would require elaborate equipment to fake.

(A Few Appropriate Quotes on Polemics, continued from page 6)

This concluding section critiques the approach of "scientific ufologists," arguing that they have followed the wrong course, amplified ridicule, and ultimately undermined their own goals by focusing on emotionalism and evangelism rather than objective analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the nature of contactee experiences, the interpretation of ancient texts and artifacts in relation to extraterrestrial visitation, and the technical aspects of UFOs. There is a critical examination of the production and content of UFO-related books and a discussion on the socio-political leanings of individuals involved in ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging detailed analysis and questioning conventional explanations, while also acknowledging the potential for genuine phenomena and the need for rigorous investigation. The publication seems to value diverse perspectives, as evidenced by the inclusion of various book reviews and letters from different individuals within the UFO community.