UFO Intelligence Newsletter - 1992 08 August

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Intelligence Newsletter
Issue: August 1992
Publisher: The UFO FILTER CENTER
Date: August 1992

This issue of the UFO Intelligence Newsletter delves into significant UFO cases, with a primary focus on events from November 1957, questioning 'WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GOOD CASES?'. The publication is produced and published by The UFO FILTER CENTER, with Francis L. Ridge serving as Director, Writer, and Editor.

What Happened to the Good Cases?

The lead article highlights a series of UFO sightings that occurred in November 1957, particularly in the Midwest. It notes that this period marked an 'up-tempo' phase for UFO activity, with many sightings involving more than just lights, and some even involving police officers. The newsletter presents a table of cases from November 1957, detailing the date, time, location, duration, source, and a brief description of the object or event. Locations mentioned include Indianapolis, Covington, Murphysboro, Valparaiso, Campbellsville, Elmwood Park, Ringwood, East St. Louis, Galesburg, Wabash, Richmond, Danville, Merom, Bloomington, Marion, Western Springs, Hammond, and Tamaroa. The article emphasizes that this list represents only a six-state area and that more comprehensive databases like UFOCAT and Eberhart Geo-Bibliography have not been fully researched.

A specific case detailed is the 'Close Encounter Of The Second Kind' involving Rene Gilham on November 6, 1957, in Merom, Indiana. Gilham, an ironworker, witnessed a circular object, estimated to be 30-40 feet in diameter, hanging motionless about 200-300 feet overhead. The object projected beams of bright blue light. Following the encounter, Gilham experienced physical symptoms, including eye inflammation, facial swelling, and itching, which led him to seek medical attention. Dr. Joseph Dukes treated him and noted the burns were similar to those from overexposure to rays or an electric welding torch, though Gilham denied any such exposure. He later reported that Gilham fully recovered but was advised to return for annual blood tests.

Roswell Debris Under Analysis?

This section discusses a rumor that the CUFOS investigation team, which re-examined the Roswell UFO crash site, found original debris that had been buried in concrete. The rumor suggests this debris is now being examined at a lab, and a high official from CUFOS declined to comment. The author expresses awareness of actual crash material embedded in concrete and questions why funds weren't spent to retrieve it, noting that the Fund for UFO Research spent $50,000 for an investigation and video. The author believes that with the location known, retrieving perfectly preserved artifacts should be relatively easy.

My Thoughts on Roswell

The author shares reflections after viewing the video 'RECOLLECTIONS OF ROSWELL, Part II'. While impressed with most of the 28 witnesses, the author still has some reservations but believes it remains 'the greatest story of the century'. The author discusses the conflicting accounts regarding who was first at the crash site, specifically mentioning Barney Barnett and an 'Anderson' group. The author questions the reliability of a 5-year-old's detailed recall, even under hypnosis, and notes that Anderson's story is 'riddled with contradictions'. The possibility that rock hunters may have posed as university archaeologists to explain their presence is also raised.

More on Gulf Breeze

The newsletter addresses the ongoing controversy surrounding the Gulf Breeze sightings in Florida. The author states that their stance is based on computer data logged according to the Hynek classification system. While acknowledging a potential genuine UFO situation, the data suggests a predominance of 'Nocturnal Lights' (NLs) rather than 'Close Encounters' (CEs). To further investigate, the Research Team plans to deploy a 'Small Laser Remote Object Detection System' (SLRODS), with equipment provided by Dr. Bruce Maccabee, to illuminate the object with a red light beam for photographic analysis.

The author notes a trend in UFO history where sightings have become bolder over the last decade, with witnesses seeing objects up close. However, in the context of Gulf Breeze, the preparation for 'overt contact' seems to have regressed, with a return to distant objects or lights. Critics' theories of 'advertizing airplanes' or 'top secret stealth helicopters' are mentioned, but witnesses strongly reject the 'emergency flares' explanation. The MUFON team's use of a diffraction lens for photography and spectrum analysis of a flare is noted as indicating no match.

Crop Circle News

This section briefly mentions a 'weak case' for a UFO connection to crop circles, citing a report from John Carpenter about a 'second silvery disk' videotaped darting through crops. The report also mentions the confirmation of 'unusual radioactive isotopes' by Michael Chorost and Marshall Dudley.

Letter to Editor on Event Density Log

A reader expresses confusion about the 'Event Density Log graph' for 1991-1992, questioning the meaning of the number '4' and how reports are categorized (e.g., CE1, CE2, CE4). The reader suspects a particular case (XXX) was a CE4, involving a family member.

The response clarifies that '4' means one CE4 case per number and apologizes for the confusion caused by the elimination of the source for reduction and the limited geographical scope of the listings (six-state region). The response also notes that the 'XXX' case, listed as a Nocturnal Light due to distance, is suspected by the author to be an abduction or attempted abduction.

On Short Durations

This section acknowledges a paper by Willy Smith, head of the UNICAT computer project, titled 'ON SHORT DURATIONS'. The author reiterates their criteria for close encounters and nocturnal lights, emphasizing the importance of detailed observations and stereoscopic vision for providing depth and structure. The author agrees with Dr. Smith that life-threatening decisions are often made based on brief observations, such as when changing lanes. While acknowledging that short duration sightings might be meteors, the author stresses that the value of a sighting depends on what the witness saw and their proximity, not just the duration. An example of a satellite re-entry observed nationwide is mentioned, with some witnesses in Posey County reporting it directly overhead.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO intelligence and analysis, presenting case studies, investigative updates, and reader feedback. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to verify and understand UFO phenomena through data analysis and witness testimony, while also acknowledging contradictions and the need for further research. There is a clear interest in detailed, high-quality evidence (like stereoscopic vision) over mere quantity of reports. The publication also engages with ongoing controversies like Roswell and Gulf Breeze, offering a platform for discussion and presenting new investigative tools and methodologies.