The UFO Enigma - 1990 01 - Volume 10 no 5

Magazine Overview

The UFO Enigma, Volume 10, Number 5, January 1990, is a monthly newsletter published by the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the investigation and reporting of unidentified flying objects (UPOs). Membership is $8.00 per year. The issue details the 1989-90 officers of the group, including John Schroeder (President), Margaret Myers (Recording Secretary), Peggy Roppolo (Historian), Forrest Crawford (Vice President), Helen Hanke (Corresponding Secretary/Assistant Editor), David Rapp (Chief Field Investigator), Spencer Wolling (Treasurer), John Roppolo (Librarian), and Frank Brown (Marshal). Ken Hanke is listed as the Enigma Editor.

Handling Physical Evidence - Subject of January Meeting

This article, by Ken Hanke, announces the upcoming meeting of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis on Sunday, January 14th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Boatmen's Bank Building in Webster Groves. Forrest Crawford, Vice President of the UFO Study Group and MUFON Assistant State Director for Illinois, will discuss handling physical evidence in UFO investigations. He will cover the general pattern of cases involving 'angel hair' sightings in northern Illinois and how the retrieved physical evidence has been handled. Crawford has promised to bring a sample of 'angel hair' for attendees to see. The article emphasizes the complexity of preserving such evidence to minimize contamination.

December Meeting Features Conference Video Highlights

By Margaret Myers, this article summarizes the December 10th meeting. After an introduction to the organization by President John Schroeder, the 1989-90 officers were presented. Frank Brown gave a review of UFO-related articles in 'supermarket rags'. Vice President Forrest Crawford discussed trace findings in Gulf Breeze, noting the identical diametric measurements of circular ground markings to those reported in England. He also mentioned a South Carolina sighting of mysterious orange lights on Halloween night.

The meeting also featured segments from a video tape made by Joe Palermo at the October 21st Show-Me UFO Conference. Palermo suggested that society is being prepared for the idea of alien visitation, citing examples from television commercials and statements by President Reagan. He postulated that overwhelming evidence points to alien visitation, possibly involving a 'Cosmic Watergate' known since 1947, with events at Roswell, New Mexico, being a key point. Palermo believes arguments against alien visitation are weak and that the subject is being suppressed. The article congratulates Palermo for his excellent work in producing and editing the tape, noting that these tapes will be available for purchase.

The Archive Alcove

By Peggy Roppolo, this section provides an update on the Library and Archive Committee. Meetings will resume in January on the third Sunday of each month. The committee's focus for the latter half of 1989-1990 will be organizing articles chronologically. Regular Sunday meetings will continue to offer a book raffle and an attendance drawing for the movie 'The Day The Earth Stood Still'.

Strieber's "Transformation" to Psychic Powers

By John Schroeder, this review discusses Whitley Strieber's book 'Transformation'. The Parapsychology Committee met on December 6th to review it. Walter Palmer recommended the book, highlighting its discussion of 'Cosmic Catastrophes' and geological evidence for abrupt environmental changes, going beyond Velikowski's theories. Marjorie Sherrill mentioned a psychic's prediction of multi-layered, simultaneous existence in parallel dimensions. Schroeder elaborates on Strieber's theme that the author was in a 'war for his life'.

Strieber's journey is described as moving from an initial lack of Christian doctrine to an 'New Age' theology influenced by Ouspenshy and Gurdjieff. He claims that painful experiences with aliens, demons, and angels helped him achieve a higher level of personhood. The review details his increased parapsychological potential, including hearing 'The Masters', practicing telepathy, and experiencing out-of-body phenomena like levitation. These experiences, though sometimes involving convoluted logic, convinced him he had a soul.

Strieber's struggles with behavior modification, such as giving up sweets, are recounted, with aliens appearing to a friend's mother who was dying of diabetes. When 'fright' methods fail, aliens reportedly lash him unmercifully in dreams. A false prophecy about his death leads him to confront his fear of death. The review mentions Strieber's vision of a 'Golden City' and a 'Magnificent City where truth is known', built on dead gray sand with a black cube library he cannot access.

The review also touches upon Strieber's interpretation of aliens' motives, suggesting they came to Earth because they 'saw a glow' and would not 'dominate us sadistically'. A significant find is Dr. Keane's phonetic transliteration of Betty Andreason's alien comment in ancient Gaelic, which speaks of 'universal darkness' and impending 'distressing events'. The review notes Strieber's conclusion that the creatures he described exhibit demonic characteristics, akin to Satan, the 'Father of liars'.

Interview with Scott Air Force Base Captain

John Schroeder recounts an interview he had about 15 years ago with a Captain at Scott Air Force Base regarding alien technology. Schroeder explained how alien technology could mechanically induce molecular disorientation. The Captain, visibly frightened, stated that if such technology existed, it could 'imbed an eight ounce piece of metal in the moon and shake it to dust in thirty seconds'. Schroeder concluded that the creatures described by Strieber possessed demonic characteristics.

January Parapsychology Committee Meeting

The January Parapsychology Committee meeting is postponed to January 10th. Warren Bartling will review 'The Energy Machine', a book purportedly describing the utilization of electromagnetic energy for flying saucers. Marjorie Sherrill hopes to have a psychic demonstrate 'unknown tongues' and 'automatic symbolism'. The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Schroeder's home, 4991 Miami St. in St. Louis.

The Greenville Sightings

This letter by Forest Crawford reports on a significant case involving Gina Jones and her husband from Greenville, South Carolina. The story, aired on "CURRENT AFFAIR" on November 17, 1989, involved video taping five orange lights in the night sky on October 31st. During the taping, something moved past the bathroom window. The "CURRENT AFFAIR" program mentioned MUFON as the largest UFO organization. Crawford contacted the State Director of South Carolina, Richard Koffman, who had not heard of the case. It was discovered that the tape had not been sent to MUFON or Dr. Bruce Macabee. After attempts to get information, Crawford spoke with Merrill Pollick, producer of "CURRENT AFFAIR". Pollick explained that the segment was put together after the radio station WFBC in Greenville reported the story. Walt Andrus was informed, but the show aired before MUFON could examine the tape. Ms. Pollick provided Gina's phone number and asked Crawford to keep her informed for a potential follow-up. Crawford apologized to Gina for the delay and found her and her husband to be intelligent and articulate.

Crawford believes the characteristics reflected in the "CURRENT AFFAIR" segment, such as sincerity and believability, were commendable. He commends the "CURRENT AFFAIR" staff and Merrill Pollick for presenting the case objectively, with some theatrics. He notes that the breakdown in communication was an unfortunate circumstance and emphasizes the importance of open communication within MUFON. He stresses that UFO researchers are a team and should not hesitate to ask for help or advice from colleagues.

St. Charles Research Committee

By Ken Hanke, this article reports on the St. Charles Research Committee meeting on December 19th. The usual meeting location, Bonanza Sirloin Pit, was closed for remodeling, forcing the group to meet at Ken's Pizza. Bruce Widaman, Committee Chairman, worked to inform attendees of the change. As of the publication date, a new meeting location had not been secured, and all Bonanza restaurants in the area had reportedly shut down for remodeling. Information on future meetings could be obtained by calling Bruce Widaman or Alex Horvat.

Calendar

• The calendar lists upcoming events for January 1990:
• January 10: Parapsychology Committee Meeting at the Schroeder home, St. Louis (7:30 p.m.).
• January 14: UFO Study Group Meeting at Boatmen's National Bank, Webster Groves (2:00 p.m.).
• January 16: St. Charles UFO Committee meeting (7:30 p.m.), location to be announced.

Guest Editorial

Peggy and John Roppolo, in a guest editorial, discuss the progress of the UFO Study Group's Library. They are halfway to their goals, with the archive material organized two-thirds of the way. Their second goal is to establish a viable circulation department. They emphasize that a library needs circulation to thrive and ask members to request material to keep the collection from growing stale.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, emphasizing the importance of handling physical evidence and maintaining open communication within the research community. There is a strong focus on organizational activities and updates from the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis and its affiliated committees. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFOs, encouraging participation and collaboration among researchers. The review of Whitley Strieber's book suggests an openness to exploring controversial and esoteric aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including psychic powers and alien consciousness.