The UFO Enigma

Magazine Overview

The UFO Enigma, Volume 13, Number 8, published in April 1993 by the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, is a monthly publication dedicated to the investigation and reporting of UFO sightings and related phenomena. This issue covers a range of topics including a movie review, UFO sighting reports, space exploration, and claims of government secrecy regarding extraterrestrials.

Meeting Report: RAPP "RAPS" ON MISSOURI UFO'S

The issue opens with a report from the March 14th meeting of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis. The meeting, chaired by Spencer Wolling, featured a lively discussion about the movie "Fire In The Sky," based on the Travis Walton incident. While reviews were mixed, the acting and the movie's portrayal of the event were generally well-received. A footnote mentioned that Travis Walton and his friends had successfully passed another lie detector test in January of that year. Frank Brown updated members on UFO-related articles in popular media, noting that some occasionally contain a kernel of truth. During sharing time, a guest described seeing an elongated red/orange light in the sky over the Pontoon Beach area, which moved in a step-like pattern before disappearing. Another witness reported friends seeing a triangular-shaped object with windows between Dallas and San Antonio. David Rapp, Chief Field Investigator for MUFON in Missouri, presented recent reports, noting an increase in sightings from the Springfield, MO area.

UFO Sightings and Cases

Page 2 continues the report on UFO sightings. A woman in Northview, Missouri, reported seeing various craft shapes in 1992, including football-shaped and boomerang-shaped objects, some of which followed cars. One woman described a rectangular craft that made her feel exposed, stating that 'they' knew her thoughts. In the same area, 11 cattle mutilations were reported in 1992, accompanied by sightings of unmarked black helicopters. In July 1992, witnesses in Marshfield, Missouri, saw a large ball of light that separated into twelve smaller lights. A February 1993 case involved a pilot and his wife in Webster County who reported a disc hovering over their yard. Another report details a woman driving near Marshfield who saw a large red light that resolved into an oval-shaped object about 60 feet long. A skywatch event with 20-30 people was also mentioned for May or June 1992. A salesman and two saleswomen reported seeing a hovering disc with a beam of light on I-44 between Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri, on September 20, 1992. This sighting was notable for the witnesses experiencing temporary memory loss about the event, which returned later. The report also mentions a case where three investigators interviewed two men who claimed to see UFOs, but the investigators themselves saw nothing.

Movie Review: FIRE IN THE SKY

Page 3 features a review of the Paramount movie "Fire In The Sky" by John Roppolo. The reviewer notes that the film is the most well-publicized and high-budget cinematic story of alien abduction released to date, made with the cooperation of Travis Walton. The acting, particularly by D.B. Sweeney as Travis Walton, Robert Patrick as Mike, and James Garner as the investigating lawman, is praised. However, the review points out that the story is not a completely accurate account, with screenwriter Tracy Torme admitting to embellishments and fictional characters from other abduction cases to create a more dramatic effect. The reviewer criticizes the addition of two inept UFO investigator characters. The scenes aboard the alien craft are described as embellished and graphic, earning the film a PG-13 rating. The ship's interior is depicted as dark and drippy, with membranes suggesting living tissue. Despite the liberties taken, the film is considered better written and acted than many UFO-related stories. The reviewer recommends viewing it as modern Hollywood entertainment.

Mir Space Station Celebrates Seventh Anniversary

An Associated Press report from February 20, 1993, details the seventh anniversary of Russia's Mir space station. The 130-ton station has provided Russian cosmonauts with extensive experience in long-duration space flights. James Oberg, an American specialist, notes that no other country has comparable experience. The current crew is the 13th to serve aboard the Mir, which was launched in February 1986 and is expected to operate until 1996. A replacement, Mir-2, is being designed, and a joint Russian-U.S. mission is tentatively scheduled for 1995. The record stay aboard the Mir was 366 days by cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Musa Manarov.

FROM "FIRE IN THE SKY" TO GHOSTS ON THE GROUND

Page 4 presents an article by John Schroeder discussing the movie "Fire In The Sky" and its relation to UFO abduction phenomena. The Parapsychology Committee met on March 17 to discuss the film, focusing on cinematic changes and psychological effects, finding the producer's response of 'not a documentary' unacceptable. The discussion also touched on "Group UFO Abductions" from over 10 years prior, involving individuals being taken aboard extraterrestrial vehicles for mind-controlled meetings. The article mentions "The Search for SETI" by Frank Drake, posing questions about advanced extraterrestrials achieving immortality. Video clips from the "Sightings" series were shown, including a segment on "Monsters" suggesting President Teddy Roosevelt chased a "Big Foot." Other segments covered the exhumation of tuberculosis victims in Griswold, CT, whose bodies were mutilated by relatives who believed they were vampires, and a lighter side of "Ghost Busting" involving a tavern owner. A future meeting was announced to feature a report on Major Donald Keyhoe and a video on "The Group Abductions."

NEAR COLLISION

A report from UFO Newsfile (BUFORA) details a near-collision incident over southeast England where a commercial Boeing 707 narrowly missed colliding with a UFO. The co-pilot of the 707 spotted a "black, lozenge-like object" 500 meters ahead at the same level. The object passed very close, less than 100 yards away and only 30 feet above the wing. Air traffic controllers spotted a radar target behind the airliner. No impact or disturbance was felt on the aircraft.

UFOS OVER TOPANGA: THE SIXTH ENCOUNTER

Page 5 features an article by Colin Penno detailing multiple UFO sightings in Topanga Canyon, California, on Sunday, June 14. The article recounts several calls to the sheriff's station from witnesses describing bright lights and hovering objects. One couple reported losing control of their car and being lifted off the ground by a light. Another report involved three "flying discs" observed in the canyon. A resident reported a very bright light above his home with a "high-pitched hum." Dr. Murray Clarke described seeing an intense white/yellow light traveling rapidly north. A witness preferring anonymity also saw a brilliant ray of light. The article notes that Preston Dennett, author of "UFOs Over Topanga," considers these events to be at least the sixth encounter in the canyon.

U.S. probing E.T.s on the Q.T.

Page 6 presents a story from The Examiner detailing claims by ex-NASA scientist Bob Oechsler. Oechsler asserts he saw official government proof of captured extraterrestrials and UFOs, including photos of an alien body at the Pentagon and details of government programs to exploit alien technologies. He described the alien as being about 4 feet tall with a human-like skull, three-fingered hands, and large, black eyes with a covering. Oechsler also claims the U.S. military has been conducting long-term research on captured E.T. spacecraft at a remote Nevada test site (Area 51). He also claims to have seen videos of UFOs in flight that violated known physics.

First Andrew, now BLOBS!

An Associated Press report describes mysterious jellyfish-like blobs found in Elwood Guillot's farm pond in Independence, Louisiana, after Hurricane Andrew. The nature of these blobs was uncertain, and a neighbor planned to take a specimen to Southeastern Louisiana University for analysis.

EXPLORING UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA #5

Page 7 details the schedule for "Exploring Unexplained Phenomena #5," a conference held from April 30th to May 2nd, 1993, at The Nebraska Center in Lincoln, NE. The conference featured pre-conference workshops on topics like Jungian Dream Analysis, UFO Contact, and Dowsing. The main schedule included presentations on NASA UFO Images, UFO Abductions by Budd Hopkins, a banquet with John Carpenter, a "Close Encounters Panel," and talks on "The Men-In-Black," the Roswell Incident, "Crash At Corona," and "Aliens, Abductions & Scientific Findings on Crop Circles" by Linda Moulton Howe. The conference also included a guided ghost tour and a buffet dinner. Registration details and contact information were provided.

CALENDAR

Page 8 provides a calendar of upcoming events in April 1993. The UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis was scheduled to meet on April 18th to explore "Earth Vs. the Flying Saucers." The St. Charles UFO Research Committee had a meeting on April 20th. The Parapsychology Committee was scheduled to meet on April 21st. The Mutual UFO Network of Southern Illinois was also holding a meeting on April 18th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The UFO Enigma revolve around UFO sightings, alien abductions, and the investigation of unexplained phenomena. The publication appears to maintain an open stance towards these topics, reporting on various incidents, witness testimonies, and related media such as movies and documentaries. There is a clear dedication to exploring UFOlogy, evident in the detailed meeting reports, case studies, and event announcements. The editorial stance seems to be one of serious inquiry and information dissemination within the UFO community, encouraging members to share experiences and stay informed about ongoing research and events.