UFO Mail - No 031 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 31
Date: March 13, 2004

This issue of UFO-Mail, published by Danmarks UFO Forening, announces the upcoming release of UFO-Vision nr. 8 on March 16, 2004. UFO-Vision is described as SUFOI's specialized journal featuring book reviews and in-depth articles on UFOs and related phenomena. The primary theme of issue nr. 8 is alien abductions.

UFO-Vision Nr. 8: Focus on Alien Abductions

UFO-Vision nr. 8 is a 56-page A5-format publication, illustrated and priced at 19.00 DKK. It is being released in a limited edition, and this early notification aims to allow readers to secure a copy. The issue contains several articles and reviews related to alien abductions:

• "Bortført af aliens - fup eller fakta?" (Abducted by aliens - hoax or fact?) by Robert A. Baker is a 33-page article with extensive references for self-study.
• "Fakta og fantasier om ikke-jordisk liv" (Facts and fantasies about non-terrestrial life) by David Morrison is a review of the book "Captured by Aliens."
• "Bortførelsesgåden er løst" (The abduction mystery is solved) by Robert A. Baker is a review of the book "The Abduction Enigma: The Truth Behind the Mass Alien Abductions of the Late 20th Century."
• "Nye, falske MJ-12 dokumenter" (New, false MJ-12 documents) by Philip J. Klass.
• "Virkelighedens X-files" (Real-life X-files) by Kim Møller Hansen is a review of the book "Real-Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal."
• A brief mention of the book "MILABS: Military Mind Control and Alien Abductions."

"MILABS: Military Mind Control and Alien Abductions"

The article "Militære ufo-bortførelser?" (Military UFO Abductions?) highlights the book "MILABS: Military Mind Control and Alien Abductions" by Dr. Helmut Lammer. Published by Illuminet Press in April/May 1999, the book reportedly aims to prove that some UFO abductions are carried out by military personnel. Lammer suggests that many abductees, when recalling their experiences, realize they were surprised by the involvement of secret military organizations. He cites cases of individuals like Katharina Wilson, Leah Haley, Melinda Leslie, and Dr. Karla Turner, who allegedly had traumatic memories of being abducted by unknown military personnel. Lammer claims that such cases were previously only mentioned in self-written accounts by abductees, while known abduction researchers ignored them. The book is said to present evidence of secret military organizations being heavily involved in the abduction mystery, comparing alleged MILAB abductees to victims of top-secret American mind control projects like ARTICHOKE and MK-ULTRA. These individuals claim to have been kidnapped, examined, interrogated, and implanted with small foreign objects by military personnel or men in white lab coats or business suits. The book also discusses activities such as the sighting of black, anonymous helicopters associated with UFO abductions, alleged kidnappings by secret military or intelligence personnel, the creation of "imaginary abductions," and implantation.

"Real-Life X-Files" by Joe Nickell

The article "Virkelighedens X-files" (Real-Life X-files) by Kim Møller Hansen reviews Joe Nickell's book of the same title. Nickell, a former detective bureau leader and PhD in English, is a Senior Research Fellow at CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal). For over 30 years, Nickell has investigated alleged paranormal events by visiting sites, interviewing psychics, and conducting experiments, rather than relying solely on desk research.

Investigation of Paranormal Cases

In "Real-Life X-Files," Nickell examines 40 paranormal cases, including spontaneous human combustion (SHC), psychic abilities in crime solving, poltergeists, ghost photos, sea monsters, UFO cults, the Roswell autopsy video and legend, the Kennedy curse, the Devil's footprints, weeping madonnas, stigmata, aura photography, and the Shroud of Turin. The book is praised for its 47 well-written chapters, comprehensive scope, extensive bibliographies, and notes. Nickell is described as a clear writer who approaches each mystery with healthy skepticism and thoroughness. While not believing in supernatural abilities, he does not judge people prematurely, allowing them to present their case before scientifically attempting to verify their claims.

Case Studies and Skeptical Analysis

Nickell's investigative methods are illustrated through examples. He recounts attending a Mark Walberg Show in 1996 featuring two psychics, one of whom, Ron Bard, claimed to have helped police solve 110 murder cases and find 150 missing children. Bard highlighted a case involving two murdered girls found in black plastic bags in Harrison, New York. Nickell investigated this old murder case by reviewing newspaper archives and interviewing involved police officers. He discovered that Bard had not been involved; instead, Bard's mother, who was also described as "psychic," had been allowed by a police officer to offer advice on the girls' identities and the presumed murderers. However, her predictions were largely inaccurate, with the only vaguely correct detail being that the murderers lived behind a red door, a common feature in New York. The murder case was ultimately solved using conventional police investigation methods, not paranormal abilities.

Nickell argues that many mysteries are akin to urban legends or "a friend of a friend" stories. He traces these narratives back to their original sources, often revealing that time has embellished them, and they have natural explanations or are not even mysterious. He notes that many phenomena are simply fraud. In the case of a weeping icon in a Greek Orthodox church in Toronto, Nickell investigated the image and its "tears." He found that the icon was not genuine but a religious poster glued to a wooden board, adorned with jewelry and religious kitsch. The "tears" appeared to be oil that had been applied to the image, and an oil lamp hanging near the Madonna's head seemed to obscure the view. Despite not obtaining physical proof of the "miraculous tears," Nickell investigated the priest's past, discovering he had previously been associated with churches where similar weeping madonna images appeared when the church was in financial trouble. The priest had also been expelled from another congregation due to dishonesty and having worked at a brothel.

Nickell also addresses the concept of "after-rationalization" in paranormal belief and how reports of mysterious events, like UFO sightings or waves of monster sightings, are often expressions of "contagion" (social psychological phenomenon). He uses the example of a panda escaping a zoo in Rotterdam in 1978, which led to over 100 panda sightings across the Netherlands. The panda had actually been killed by a train near the zoo. Nickell explains that people's expectations can lead them to misinterpret what they see; a dark shadow seen out of the corner of the eye might be mistaken for a panda. He notes that subsequent fraud can further complicate these cases, making them difficult to resolve and preserving their mysterious nature.

Nickell's book demonstrates that seemingly inexplicable events often have natural explanations when one understands physics, chemistry, logic, and human psychology. His knowledge of magic tricks also aids his analysis. The book is described as entertaining and capable of spreading common sense in a world that prefers to be deceived.

Joe Nickell's Background

Joe Nickell is frequently consulted for TV shows and broadcasts dealing with mysterious subjects. He is a prolific writer for the newsletter "Skeptical Briefs" and the journal "Skeptical Inquirer." His books include "Looking for a Miracle - weeping icons, relics, stigmata, visions & healing," and "cures," published by Prometheus in 1998.

Call to Action

The issue concludes with an invitation to "Send ufo-mail til familie, venner og bekendte!" (Send ufo-mail to family, friends, and acquaintances!), encouraging readers to forward the UFO-Mail to others to receive free updates on Danish and international UFO observations, celestial phenomena, and special offers on UFO materials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a critical and skeptical approach to paranormal claims, particularly UFO sightings and alien abductions. While acknowledging the existence of these phenomena as subjects of interest and investigation, the editorial stance, as exemplified by the review of Joe Nickell's work, favors natural explanations, psychological factors, and rigorous scientific investigation over unsubstantiated beliefs. The publication aims to provide readers with serious information and analysis, distinguishing between factual evidence and speculation or hoaxes.