The UFO Enigma - 2000 04 - Volume 20 no 8

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: Volume 20, Number 8
Date: April 2000
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis

This issue of The UFO Enigma, a publication of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, covers local meeting information, significant UFO events, and in-depth case studies.

Meetings and Programs

The UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis has moved its meeting location to Alberto's restaurant at 8427 Gravois, St. Louis, MO 63123. The group thanks members Laura and Elaine Guenzler for finding this new, affordable venue. Meetings begin with introductions and an open discussion of UFO cases and related happenings. The program for the April meeting features Keith Preston, Public Relations Director for MUFON in Missouri. Preston will discuss current UFO events, the MUFON 2000 Symposium in St. Louis (July 14-16), the Missouri UFO Ballot Initiative spearheaded by Bruce Widaman, and sightings in Kansas City and Illinois. He will also touch upon NASA and Mars plans.

Arnold Pryor is credited with increasing meeting attendance through his efforts in securing speakers and placing announcements in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

NASA Shuttle Video Said To Show ET Craft

This article by Jeff Pickett reports on secret NASA space shuttle transmissions allegedly showing bizarre UFOs, broadcast on the internet. Canadian Martyn Stubbs downloaded 2,500 hours of video from the space agency's satellite link and edited 90 minutes of highlights. UFO enthusiasts believe the footage contains evidence of two types of extraterrestrial phenomena, describing it as historic. The video reportedly shows "weird shapes" massing on shuttle equipment while astronauts discuss a "spooky event" with mission control. Dr. Guido Nigro of the SETI observatory expressed impressment, noting it was not amateur footage. The footage was aired at the ninth International UFO conference in Nevada. Stubbs' discovery reportedly came when he watched a satellite cable snap, and a spherical phenomenon followed it. He claims the distance and size of the phenomena were huge. NASA's official explanation of ice specks is dismissed by Stubbs, who points to hundreds of examples and historical mentions, including astronaut John Glenn's 1962 sighting of "fireflies." The article also mentions an incident where astronauts on the STS-80 mission could not open a door because the phenomena was blocking it. The phenomena was described as "flashing coloured lights."

Stubbs painstakingly examined over 500 eight-hour video tapes. He stated, "It's not a matter of finding something, it's more about collecting, studying and analysing." The clips were recorded during NASA's Discovery missions since 1991. His research has reportedly been well-received, with the Canadian Space Agency and others discussing the findings. Graham Birdsall, Editor of the British UFO magazine, noted that scientists privy to the footage reacted with "astonishment and disbelief."

Patterns of UFO Abductions, Part 1

This section, by Budd Hopkins, begins an exploration of UFO abduction phenomena, focusing on the consistent lack of shame or embarrassment reported by abductees regarding their nudity during examinations. Hopkins posits that this unusual detail, contrary to human reactions in other traumatic situations (like Nazi concentration camps), suggests a tranquilizing factor at work, possibly quasi-hypnotic trance states or simple conditioning from repeated experiences. This observation, he argues, undermines debunkers' theories that abduction accounts are mere fantasies masking childhood trauma or are the product of "fantasy-prone personalities."

Hopkins introduces the Intruders Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by him a decade prior, with goals to provide help and research into abduction experiences, public education, and training professionals. His personal interest in UFOs began in 1964 with a daylight sighting, and his investigative work led to the publication of his findings on abduction phenomena.

Closure? A Candid Interview with Linda Cortile

This article by Oliver von Kemenczky presents an interview with Linda Cortile regarding the infamous Brooklyn Bridge abduction case of November 30, 1989. Cortile describes the experience as a "distressing ordeal" that has significantly impacted her life and marriage. She found reading Budd Hopkins' book "Witnessed" difficult, as it was like reliving the events. Her husband, Steve, has avoided the book due to the strain the ordeal has placed on him.

Cortile expresses uncertainty about the aliens' goals, speculating they were testing her or her nervous system, not digging for minerals. She feels the beings are not here to help or harm but believes their actions are illegal, akin to kidnapping. She questions why her abduction was made visible to some witnesses and suggests the aliens might make mistakes, indicating they are not in total control.

Janet Kimball, a witness who observed Cortile's abduction from the Brooklyn Bridge, is mentioned. Cortile has avoided meeting Kimball, finding confirmation too emotionally disturbing. Cortile also discusses her limited contact with security agents Richard and Dan, expressing anger over a broken promise by Richard to speak with Budd Hopkins. She understands Richard's reluctance to go public due to privacy concerns.

Cortile recounts her harrowing experience with Special Agent Dan, describing his breakdown and "half-breed" comments. A breakthrough came when she identified Dan in a United Nations video, providing her with a "life insurance policy." She classifies Dan as the most negative element of her ordeal but harbors no ill will.

A significant part of the interview addresses a possible nasal implant. An X-ray taken by Dr. Lisa Bayer showed a foreign metallic object, which later disappeared. Cortile's specialist confirmed a nasal surgery scar, though she has no conscious memory of it. The relief that it wasn't a tumor was dominant for her.

Linda expresses a mix of helplessness, confusion, logic, anger, and bitterness regarding her situation. She felt caught in a "catch-22" when trying to report the abductions by Richard and Dan, fearing disbelief or arrest. She felt overwhelmed as the situation "mushroomed." She believes that if an abduction hasn't happened to someone, they shouldn't dismiss it, and if seeing is believing, then perhaps it should happen to others.

Cortile regrets going public, stating it was a "fluke" and an "accident" after her name was put on an electronic bulletin board, leading to her family being questioned. She views debunkers critically, stating that skepticism should be objective. She acknowledges Philip Klass as a significant debunker but expresses frustration with others who she feels have harassed her family. She believes debunkers are "prisoners of their own way of thinking."

The Nasal Implant

This section details the frightening aspect of physiological evidence in suspected UFO abductions. Linda Cortile's experience with a possible nasal implant, confirmed by an X-ray from Dr. Lisa Bayer, raised concerns about her health. Later X-rays showed the object was gone, and her specialist confirmed a scar from surgery, though Cortile has no memory of it. The relief that it wasn't a tumor was paramount.

Stopping Alien Abductions?

This letter to the editor discusses a project by Kentucky MUFON and Missouri MUFON to stop abductions. The author, Michael Menkin, describes a "telepathic war" waged by aliens using mind control and telepathy. He has invented a "thought screen helmet" designed to block alien mental control and telepathy. The third model of this helmet is reported to be 100% effective, with no abductee being taken while wearing it. Menkin is seeking eight more abductees to test the helmet and plans to make a video and brochure for its construction. He provides contact information for those interested.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, abduction experiences, and the investigation of these phenomena. There is a clear stance supporting the reality of UFOs and abductions, often contrasting investigative findings with the skepticism of debunkers. The publication provides a platform for detailed case studies, personal testimonies, and discussions of potential alien motives and technologies. The UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis positions itself as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to investigation and reporting.

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: April 2000
Volume: 11
Publisher: MUFON
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The UFO Enigma focuses on recent UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings and investigations, alongside information on local UFO study groups.

Colorado UFO Chases Witness

This section, compiled by George A. Filer, MUFON Eastern Director, details several unusual aerial sightings reported in Colorado. Christopher O'Brien forwarded eight such reports to the investigator.

One sighting occurred on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, 2000, around 3:00 PM, near Alamosa County. A resident named "Chuck" was driving southbound on Hwy 285, north of Antonito, when he witnessed a "metallic sphere" at approximately 30 degrees elevation. He noted that it did not move in extraordinary ways but did not resemble any known aircraft. Davina Ryszka, an investigator from Montrose, CO, is reportedly looking into a similar case from the same area that occurred a few months prior.

A more detailed account comes from Olathe, Colorado, on Tuesday, March 7th, 2000, at 9:30 PM. A mother driving on a back road encountered a low-flying aerial craft described as having a "very bright white light and had a red and green lights on its sides." The witness felt the object's approach was "confrontational." When the object approached her car head-on, she slammed on the brakes, believing a crash was imminent. The craft stopped directly in front of her car. When she attempted to move, the craft also moved. When she tried to turn around, the object moved in front of her again. The witness, who had a small baby in a car seat, became "really frightened." Eventually, she managed to get in front of the object, which then moved behind her. After a period of invisibility, a bright light illuminated her car from directly above, prompting her to drive quickly to Olathe, understandably shaken.

This report is attributed to CAUS/Skywatch and references the author's books, "The Mysterious Valley" (1996) and "Enter The Valley" (1999).

UFO Shoots Object At Indiana UFO Researcher Taping 'Huge Disks'

This article, written by Lynn Taylor and based on information from Steven L. Wilson Sr. and UFO UpDates-Toronto, details an incident involving UFO researcher John Tosti near Smithville, Indiana.

On Sunday, March 12, 2000, around 8:30 PM, John Tosti observed two illuminated objects hovering silently just above a nearby tree line outside his home. While he was videotaping these objects, two more appeared suddenly without sound. These second objects were observed less than a quarter-mile away, and Tosti described them as "huge disks" with what appeared to be "headlights."

As Tosti turned his attention and camera to the new arrivals, a small yellowish object "shot out" of one of the disks directly toward him, which he stated "kind of scared me." Immediately after, the large disks "blinked out" and vanished. The initial two objects were also no longer visible.

Following the sighting, Tosti noted the presence of helicopters and interceptor jets in the area. A review of the videotape revealed the smaller object appearing in three frames as it was being expelled from a disk. The videotape is currently undergoing analysis, and copies have been secured for security reasons. The article notes that March is historically an active month for UFOs in South-central Indiana. Smithville is located about eight miles south of Bloomington and sixty-five miles south of Indianapolis.

Local Meetings

This section provides information on upcoming meetings for various UFO study and research organizations:

• UFO STUDY GROUP OF GREATER ST. LOUIS: Meets regularly on the second Sunday of the month at 2:00 PM at Schnucks Station Rest., 8650 Big Bend, Webster Groves, MO 63119. Contact Spence Wolling (966-4955) or Walter Palmer (771-0173).
• MUFON MISSOURI-ST. CHARLES, MO.: Normal meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Select, 4221 South Outer Rd., St. Peters, MO. Contact Bruce Widaman (946-1394).
• MUFON OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Regular meetings are held at 2:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month at the Ponderosa Steak House in Collinsville. Directions are provided from St. Louis, involving taking 55-70 east to Illinois 157, turning north, and looking for an overhead sign indicating "Police left." Contact Forest Crawford at (618)-345-0554.

UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. - 1999-2000 Officers and Board of Directors

The issue also lists the officers and board of directors for the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. for the 1999-2000 period. Officers include President Spence Wolling, Vice-President Walter Palmer, Treasurer Margaret Myers, Secretary Walter Palmer, and Librarian Frank Brown. David Rapp is listed as Chief Field Investigator, and Spencer Wolling as Editor Enigma. The Board of Directors includes Spencer Wolling, Walter Palmer, Margaret Myers, Frank Brown, John Schroeder, Walter Rogers, and Arnold Pryor.

The organization's mailing address is P.O. Box 31544, St. Louis, Missouri 63131. A stamp indicates a mailing date of April 3, 2000.

Fund for UFO Research, Inc.

An address is provided for the Fund for UFO Research, Inc.: P.O. Box 277, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. It is identified as a nonprofit organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of direct UFO/UAP sightings with witness testimony and the documentation of these events, particularly through photography and videography. The magazine also actively promotes and lists local meetings for UFO research groups, indicating a stance that encourages public participation and investigation within the field. The inclusion of contact information for investigators and organizations suggests an editorial focus on connecting researchers and witnesses. The emphasis on specific dates and locations for sightings, along with details about the objects' characteristics and behaviors, points to a methodical approach to documenting phenomena. The mention of "Filer's Files" and specific investigators like Christopher O'Brien and Davina Ryszka highlights a commitment to ongoing investigative work in the UFO field.