The UFO Enigma

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: Volume 8, Number 9
Date: May 1988
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Type: Monthly newsletter (except summer), nonprofit organization.

Society in Space Lecture

This issue features a report on a UFO Study Group meeting where John Schroeder delivered a lecture titled "Society in Space." Despite the planned video presentation being canceled due to the birth of John Roppolo's daughter, Kristen Kelly, Schroeder stepped in to discuss speculative theories about life on future space platforms. He posited that such societies would likely mirror Earth's, but with a more administered, military-like structure. Schroeder theorized that probes would discover diverse environments and alien creatures with unique societal structures, drawing on descriptions from Willie Ley. He provided examples of potential alien societies adapted to different planetary conditions: an arid planet might host two-armed, two-legged creatures living underground; a planet with high gravity and a dense atmosphere could harbor thin, birdlike creatures; and a temperate planet with a thin atmosphere might produce bull-like beings.

Psionics, Radionics, and Other Devices

Another significant article details a presentation by Norma Parker on psionic and radionic devices. These devices, some based on designs attributed to Nicolai Tesla, are claimed to operate on alternating or direct current, or natural energies, to analyze and adjust the body's energy field. The demonstrated device included a "Receptor" for personal items, a "Control Board" with numerous settings for health, energy, and psychological adjustments, and a "Stick Plate." Two members were tested, with responses noted as not always accurate but offering higher-than-average results. The article also mentions other researchers in this field, such as Abrams and Hieronymus, and recommends two books: "The Black Box and Other Psychic Generators" by W. E. Davis and "Psychotronics: Variable Capacitor Tuning" by Interdemensional Sciences.

UFO History and Government Projects

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to the history of U.S. government UFO investigations, particularly Project Sign, Project Grudge, and Project Blue Book. Ken Hanke reports on a conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, featuring speakers involved in these early projects. Major Dewey Fournet, USAF (Ret.), discussed Project Sign (1947-1949), stating its purpose was solely to assess national security threats. He noted that many early sightings were unexplained, though this figure was later reduced. Fournet claimed that Project Sign concluded UFOs were "intelligently controlled and from an extraterrestrial source." Due to publicity, Project Grudge went underground, concluding there was no national security threat and that public disclosure could garner support, with only 15% of cases remaining unidentified. This led to the public Project Blue Book.

Jennie Zeidman, a former research assistant to Dr. J. Allen Hynek, shared her experiences, revealing that Hynek was initially a disbeliever. Zeidman discovered that the funding for their research came from the Batel Memorial Institute, which she traced back to the CIA. She believed Hynek felt used and frustrated, describing the "Robertson Panel" as a farce. Max Futch, an Airman First Class associated with Captain Edward Ruppelt, also shared his experiences, supporting the idea that the primary focus was national security, not necessarily solving the UFO puzzle itself. Futch suggested that if there was a cover-up, everyone involved might have been duped.

UFO Museum Proposal

George Fawcett presents the second part of his proposal for a UFO Museum. He outlines numerous ways to finance and promote such an institution, including donations from individuals who claim to have seen UFOs, seeking grants, and utilizing various promotional channels like media appearances, lectures, and community outreach. He also suggests income generation through admission fees, merchandise sales, workshops, and potentially amusement rides in the future. Fawcett has a collection of over 14,000 UFO items and is seeking investors, having previously been turned down by the National Enquirer and Walt Disney World.

Upcoming Events and Other Items

The issue also announces an "Abduction Interest Group" forming to investigate UFO abduction cases, with its first meeting scheduled for May 17th. The Annual UFO Study Group Picnic is set for June 12th. The MUFON 1988 Symposium, themed "Abductions and the E. T. Hypothesis," is scheduled for June 24-26 in Lincoln, Nebraska, featuring speakers like Marge Christensen and Walter Webb. A "Letter to the Editor" from Bruce Widaman urges the removal of secrecy surrounding ufology. The "Calender" section lists upcoming meetings and events for May and June 1988, including the Mother's Day Meeting on May 8th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and related topics such as psionics and historical investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, with a critical eye towards government secrecy and a desire for greater transparency. The articles often present speculative theories alongside historical accounts and personal experiences, encouraging readers to consider various possibilities and engage in the discussion.