The UFO Enigma - 1989 11 - Volume 10 no 3

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: Volume 10, Number 3
Date: November 1989
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Type: Newsletter

Upcoming Events and Meetings

The "Coming Up In November" section announces the next meeting of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis on Sunday, November 12, 1989, at 2:00 p.m. at the Boatman's Bank building. The meeting will feature a lecture by Dr. Peter Phillips, a professor of physics at Washington University, who will discuss his experiences with the paranormal in China. The December issue will cover the Show-Me UFO Conference, include an update from Joan Laurino, and conclude a series on "Close Encounter In Cambodia - 1971".

UFO Study Group's September Meeting: Computer Networks

This article details the UFO Study Group's meeting on October 8, 1989. President John Schroeder welcomed attendees and discussed the organization's history. The newsletter, "The UFO Enigma," was discussed, and John Roppolo presented information on the St. Charles UFO Research Committee. Walter Palmer, chairman of the Parapsychology Committee, explained its purpose and its relation to UFO phenomena. Palmer also mentioned a "TIME" magazine article about unexplained traces and markings in English grain fields. Ken and Mary Geest then spoke about computer bulletin boards, explaining how they operate and their potential reach, noting that "The UFO Enigma" newsletter can be accessed by an estimated 250,000 people through the Darkside Bulletin Board network. The article outlines the equipment needed for a bulletin board (personal computer, modem, telephone) and the associated costs.

Show-Me Conference: Great Success

The Show-Me UFO Conference, held on Saturday, October 21, in Earth City, St. Louis, is described as a world-class event and an unqualified success. Speakers included Stanton T. Friedman, Bob Oechsler, and John Schuessler. Stanton T. Friedman delivered an additional talk when the scheduled mystery guest, William Moore, canceled. Notable attendees included Walter Andrus, International Director of MUFON, George and Shirley Coyne, Leonard Stringfield, and Larry Bryant. Further coverage of the conference was deferred to the December issue due to publication deadlines.

UFO "Crop Rings", "Aliens" Shot and Cover-Ups

This section reports on the Parapsychology Committee's meeting on October 4th. Walter Palmer discussed an eight-year phenomenon of flattened, gently swirling rings in English fields, ranging from 30 to 50 feet in diameter, sometimes sculpted into geometric patterns. Dr. Terrence Meaden's theories involving "plasma vortex phenomena" and spinning balls of air are mentioned as possible explanations. The article references "TIME" magazine and other sources for theories on the causes of these crop circles. Warren Bartling shared an anecdote about a man in Missouri who shot an alien, but the alien survived and healed the farmer's wife.

Electromagnetic Fields and Health Hazards

This extensive section explores the potential health risks associated with electromagnetic fields (EMF). It begins with a member's question about phone taps and surveillance possibly being related to UFO research. The article then details research by Nancy Wertheimer and Ed Leeper, who investigated childhood leukemia clusters linked to high-voltage fields. They found that EMF from transformers and wires could transform to 13,000 volts and affect primary lines. A 1979 "American Journal of Epidemiology" article by Wertheimer and Leeper is cited, suggesting that exposure to 60 Hertz magnetic fields from environmental wiring could produce cancer by inhibiting the immune system. Adults frequently exposed to these fields developed cancer at a higher rate. The article notes the initial disbelief surrounding these findings due to the weak magnetic fields compared to static fields. Dr. Robert O. Becker's work on electrical growth stimulation and his conviction about the threat of EMF from power lines are discussed. Soviet research on pulsed electromagnetic energy affecting brain tissue and stress responses is also mentioned. The development of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) communication systems by the Navy, including the Project Sanguine antenna system, is described, along with environmental concerns and the Navy's sidestepping of impact studies. Becker, Marino, and others who testified against utilities lost their jobs, and the article criticizes the obfuscation by industry, the military, and compromised scientific communities.

Russian Siting Causes Media Earthquake

This article by Ken Hanke analyzes the media's reaction to a UFO sighting report by the Soviet news agency TASS on October 9, 1989. The significance lay in TASS being an official and conservative Soviet news source. The report caused a stir in Western media, leading to extensive coverage. The author focuses on the St. Louis media's response, detailing interviews with Bruce Widaman of MUFON. Local news channels NBC (channel 5), CBS (channel 4), and KTVI (channel 2) are reviewed. While NBC and CBS provided skeptical coverage, KTVI is commended for its more open-minded approach, extensive coverage, and for including a discussion on media objectivity in reporting UFO stories.

Archive Alcove

Peggy Roppolo's column announces Ken Hanke as the winner of the "Name the Archive Column" contest. She mentions working with articles from the 1980s and requests that donations of archival material be held until the new year. The Library Committee raffled off two books: "Encounters With UFO Occupants" by Lorenzen and "Project Blue Book" by Brad Steiger. Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and other titles have been added to the collection. The next Library/Archive meeting is scheduled for November 19th at the Roppolo residence.

Communion: A Movie Preview

Ken Hanke reviews the movie "Communion," based on Whitley Strieber's book. Strieber co-wrote the screenplay and was a producer. The film stars Christopher Walken and Lindsay Crouse and depicts Strieber's family's experiences with alien abductions. Hanke praises Walken's performance and Eric Clapton's music but finds the portrayal of the "psychological" experiences increasingly bizarre, particularly a scene involving a "high five" from a four-foot creature. He notes that the movie vividly presents Strieber's terror and the realization of repeated abductions. Hanke concludes that while not the best movie, it is worth seeing for those interested in UFOs.

A Letter from William Moore

William Moore writes to Ken Hanke of "The UFO Enigma" to express his dissatisfaction with an article by John Schroeder and Walter Palmer in the latest issue. Moore claims the article misrepresented his role in the "Bennewitz affair" and incorrectly stated Paul Bennewitz's academic credentials (M.S. in physics, not PhD). Moore disputes Schroeder's interpretation of his involvement, particularly regarding "disinformation" and the "Queen Bee" analogy, stating he was providing information, not spreading disinformation. He demands a formal retraction and apology.

Editor's Response and John Schroeder's Response

Ken Hanke, as editor, apologizes for any inaccuracies in John Schroeder's article and reprints Moore's letter. John Schroeder responds to Moore's accusations, explaining his statements were based on four points of data from a FOCUS special issue and his interpretation of Moore's role. He apologizes if his assumption was wrong but defends his summary of Moore's positions. Schroeder suggests interested readers consult the FOCUS issue for their own opinions.

Close Encounter in Cambodia - 1971

This is part 2 of a 3-part series by Peter A. Bostrom, recounting an incident from 1971. The narrator, a platoon commander, describes an encounter with small, proportioned beings, approximately five feet tall or less. One being intervened when another member, George, was about to use a weapon, striking George and causing him to collapse. The narrator describes his terror and confusion, fearing the beings might be hostile. After George recovered, the beings packed up their equipment and left in a spheroid craft with no visible means of propulsion. The narrator and his team returned to base, with the local Thai personnel claiming to have seen and heard nothing. The encounter left them shaken.

Discussion on the Way Back and MJ-12

Following the Cambodia incident, the group decided not to discuss what they had seen or heard. Upon returning to base, the narrator was summoned by a captain and informed that he had to report to a meeting involving high-ranking officials, including a colonel and some civilians associated with "the firm." He learned that they were dealing with "MJ-12" (Majestic 12), an entity concerned with reporting enemy aircraft and unusual sightings. The narrator notes that they were frequently asked to examine photographs and identify aircraft, including Russian gun ships.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and related topics. There is a strong emphasis on reporting on local UFO group activities, conferences, and personal accounts. The issue highlights a debate about disinformation within the UFO community and the media's role in reporting on UFO events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and encouraging readers to form their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the importance of accurate reporting and journalistic integrity.

This document is the November 1989 issue of a newsletter published by the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. The cover prominently features a calendar of events for November 1989, listing various parapsychology meetings, UFO lectures, and study group gatherings in the St. Louis area. The primary content is an extensive interview with an individual identified only as 'JOE', who recounts a deeply unsettling experience involving a military debriefing and suspected psychological manipulation.

Interview with 'JOE'

JOE describes an encounter with a 'cold-blooded' man who was exceptionally stoic and wore a black suit or dark gray flannel suit, even in extreme heat and humidity, which he found highly unusual. The debriefing process for JOE and his colleagues lasted for several weeks, during which they were sequestered, not allowed outside activities, and meals were brought to them. They were instructed not to speak to unauthorized personnel.

During the debriefing, which spanned 3 to 3.5 weeks, they were subjected to various psychological assessments, including ink blot tests. JOE notes that if the tests indicated a 'sexual nature' or if the subject seemed 'fine', they were often left alone. However, the process intensified, leading to the use of narcohypnosis.

Narcohypnosis and Memory Alteration

JOE explains that narcohypnosis involved being seated in a chair, made comfortable, and hooked up to a sphygmomanometer. Soothing music was sometimes used, followed by an injection of a hypnotic drug, such as seconal or scopolamine. These drugs are described as tending to reduce 'psychic resistance,' making the subject relaxed and susceptible to hypnosis, thereby losing their will. JOE believes this process was a combination of drugs and hypnosis.

He states that they were trained in their unit to withstand torture and pass polygraph tests, even lying about personal details. JOE's primary concern is that during this process, their memories were altered. He is unsure if they were made to say something else or if they were given a different memory, or if they simply saw something much worse and toned it down. He mentions that everyone involved still experiences occasional nightmares and flashes of what seemed like an 'incredible blood bath'.

The 'George' Incident

Following these events, an individual named George was reassigned from JOE's unit after everyone had cleared medical and psychological evaluations. Weeks later, JOE was called into the captain's office to identify a body they claimed was George. JOE had seen George on base just a few days prior. However, the body presented to him was far decomposed, even for a jungle environment, and he could not positively identify it. He stated, 'I couldn't identify it as George. The flesh was all liquefied.'

JOE speculates that it could have been someone else. He observed that the tissue seemed to have suffered extreme disruption, with cell walls broken, likening it to a condition caused by a virus or a 'bacteriological agent' which he termed 'lisodumine'. He believes whatever happened to the body was not a later event but related to the initial incident.

Identification and Dog Tags

BOSTROM questions why JOE would be shown a body he couldn't identify. JOE responds that the people involved were 'very very careful about covering all avenues' and never left a thread hanging. He lost track of events after that point and assumed George was dead. He was called in to identify the body and sign papers. The only means of identification available were the individual's dog tags. He explains the military practice of retrieving dog tags during combat and returning them upon return to base. He mentions a specific tag, 'T8407 --?-- T101', which was also referred to as a 'get-out-of-jail-free card'. This card, with a department logo on one side, permitted the bearer to carry strange or unusual weapons, possibly not be in uniform, and not be detained. The instructions were that if this card was found on a body, it was to be burned with the body and reported to a specific telephone number and contact group.

Calendar of Events

The calendar section lists several events for November 1989:

• Wed, Nov. 1: Parapsychology Committee Meeting at the Schroeder home, 4991 Miami St., St. Louis, MO (7:30 p.m.).
• Thur, Nov. 9: "Facts To Know About UFOs" MUFON lecture at Lake St. Louis Branch Library, Lake St. Louis, MO (7:30 - 9:00 p.m.).
• Sun, Nov. 12: UFO Study Group Meeting at the BOATMAN'S NATIONAL BANK, 75 West Lockwood (corner of Lockwood and Gore), Webster Grove, MO (2:00 p.m.).
• Sun, Nov. 19: Library / Archive Committee meeting at the Roppolo home, 2032 Santa Monica, St. Charles, MO (1:30 - 4:00).
• Tues, Nov. 21: St. Charles UFO Committee meeting at the Bonanza Sirloin Pit, 1215 South Duchesne, St. Charles, MO (7:30 p.m.).

Organization Information

The newsletter identifies itself as 'A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFOs)'. The contact address is UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc., P. O. Box 31544, St. Louis, MO 63131. A mailing label with the name RAYMOND T NELKE and an address in Jennings, MO, is also visible, along with a postmark from St. Louis dated October 27, 1989.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO investigation, parapsychology, and the potential for government or military cover-ups and psychological manipulation related to unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance, as indicated by the organization's mission statement, is one of dedicated research and investigation into UFOs. The interview with JOE strongly suggests a belief in the existence of clandestine operations aimed at controlling information and potentially altering individuals' experiences and memories concerning UFO-related events.