UFO Newsclipping Service - 1987 08 - no 217

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated August 1987, focuses on the resurgence of interest in UFOs and related phenomena. The cover story, "UFO? Four women sight strange light that follows their car," details an encounter near Springfield, Kentucky, where four women reported seeing a bright light that behaved unlike any known aircraft. The newsletter also includes articles from various newspapers across the United States, covering a range of UFO-related topics from sightings and investigations to the psychology of belief and government secrecy.

Key Articles and Reports

"UFO? Four women sight strange light that follows their car" by Ninie Glasscock: This article recounts the experience of four women in Kentucky who witnessed a bright, glowing light that followed their car. They described it as mesmerizing and unlike an airplane or helicopter, noting the absence of sound. Police dispatchers confirmed the women appeared genuinely frightened.

"Interest in UFOs rises: Earthlings' belief in aliens renewed by outer limits tales" by Dave Ferman: This piece explores the reasons behind the increased public interest in UFOs, citing best-selling books like Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins' "Intruders." It notes that organizations like MUFON and the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies are seeing more reports of alleged alien abductions. Experts suggest a societal shift towards accepting the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

"Glenwood UFOs have the whole county buzzing" by Lynn Burton: This article covers UFO sightings in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where a saucer-shaped object with Christmas lights was photographed. Police lieutenant Don Williams, despite being interviewed extensively, stated he had not seen one himself but expressed a desire to.

"Caller reports UFO" (Daily Journal, Franklin, IN): A brief report about Franklin, Indiana police responding to a call about a flying object near the Village Pantry store. The object was gone upon the officer's arrival.

"UFOs to be subject of discussion in BSEC" by Dan Freeman: This article previews a presentation by Dale Goudie, a researcher with the UFO network of Puget Sound, who uses the Freedom of Information Act to collect government documents related to UFOs. Goudie believes the government possesses more information than it reveals.

"State Town Swept Up In 'UFO Fever'" (Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam, WI): This report from Belleville, Wisconsin, details how residents have become engrossed in UFO sightings, with signs and T-shirts promoting "UFO landing site." The National Center for UFO Studies is investigating related reports.

"Happy 40th birthday, UFOs!" by Keay Davidson: This article marks the 40th anniversary of the first "modern" saucer sighting by Kenneth Arnold. It discusses the resurgence of UFOlogy, driven by books on alien abductions, and the ongoing debate between skeptics like Philip Klass and believers.

"THE UFO THAT CAN'T BE EXPLAINED" by Marguerite Del Giudice: This extensive report details the baffling incident involving Japan Air Lines Flight No. 1628, which was followed by a large, unidentified object over Alaska for nearly an hour. Veteran pilots and radar scopes tracked the object, which performed maneuvers beyond conventional aircraft capabilities. The article explores the investigation and the lack of definitive conclusions.

"Skeptics don't sway UFO guru: 60,000 sightings can't be wrong, Seattleite insists" by Peter Lewis: This profile of Dale Goudie, a Seattle-based UFO researcher, highlights his extensive collection of documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, which he believes prove the existence of UFOs. Goudie contends that the government is reluctant to admit the reality of UFOs due to fears of mass hysteria.

"Resident recalls sighting of an UFO" by David Campbell: Roy L. Norman of Mount Pleasant, Texas, recounts a sighting of a UFO in the mid-1970s, describing a craft with a flat base and raised dome that emitted red light.

"Marion residents report seeing UFO" by Bryanna Latoof: This article covers reports from Marion County, Florida, where residents and a sheriff's deputy observed a strange, brightly lighted aircraft hovering at treetop level and emitting sparks.

"Time travelers" (Letter to the Editor): A letter suggesting that UFO sightings might be advanced military "craft" from Earth's future, involved in historical research and interphasing into our dimension.

"Downed-plane search: Meteor theory on flash of light" by James W. Siehl: This report discusses a search for a downed aircraft near Seward, Pennsylvania, after campers reported a loud explosion and a flash of light. The meteor theory is considered, as no flight plans were filed for aircraft in the area.

"The Victims Of U.F.O.'s Try Therapy" by William E. Geist: This piece focuses on the growing trend of UFO abductees seeking therapy, often facilitated by authors like Budd Hopkins. It explores the psychological impact of these experiences and the social dynamics among abductees.

"UFO grabs Hoosier believe it or not" by Mary Abel: This review of Budd Hopkins' book "Intruders" discusses the case of "Kathie Davis," who claims to have been abducted and subjected to genetic experimentation by aliens.

"Outta this world: No one laughing about UFOs" (Journal, Milwaukee, WI): This article reports on UFO sightings in Belleville, Wisconsin, where residents, including a police officer and a state employee, have reported seeing unusual objects. The Center for UFO Studies is investigating these reports.

"UFO topic merits better coverage" (Sun Herald, Biloxi, MS): A letter to the editor criticizing media coverage of UFOs, arguing for more in-depth reporting and questioning government credibility regarding UFO photos.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the persistent and, in some cases, growing public fascination with UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The articles highlight a dichotomy between those who believe in UFOs and alien encounters, often citing witness testimony and alleged government cover-ups, and skeptics who attribute sightings to mundane explanations or psychological factors. There is a clear emphasis on the role of media in shaping public perception, with discussions on how books, news reports, and even Hollywood films contribute to the UFO phenomenon's visibility. The editorial stance, as represented by the collection of articles, appears to be one of presenting various perspectives on UFOs, from eyewitness accounts and investigative efforts to critical analysis and debunking attempts, without definitively taking a side but rather documenting the ongoing discourse.

This issue of the SUN newspaper, dated June 27, 1987, features a prominent article titled "UFOs 'buzzed bases'" by Geoffrey Barker, detailing government documents released by UFO researchers. The issue also includes articles on other UFO-related topics and sightings from various international sources.

UFOs 'buzzed bases'

The main article reports on government documents that suggest UFOs have been observed 'swooping' over US military bases, causing concern within the Defence Department. These documents were released by UFO researchers, including Dale Goudie, president of the Unidentified Flying Object Information Service, under the Freedom of Information Act. One specific US Air Force document from 1980 details a sighting of an "unidentified light in the air" by three guards at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. The article notes that ufologists from around the world are attending a conference on UFOs at the American University.

International Sightings and Claims

Cynthia Hind, a delegate at the conference, shared a story learned from tribesmen in eastern Zimbabwe about aliens reaching Earth, described as seeing "big balls of fire rolling across the ground" and "men in shiny suits." Paul Norman, an expatriate American, expressed his conviction that the disappearance of Australian pilot Fred Valentich over Bass Strait in October 1978 was the work of extraterrestrials.

Jaime Shandera presented a purportedly secret briefing prepared for President-elect Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, which claimed a UFO crashed in a remote part of New Mexico in June 1947. The briefing allegedly described a "secret operation" to recover the wreckage for scientific study and mentioned that "four small beings had apparently ejected from the craft" before it exploded. These beings were described as "human-like" but quite different from Homo sapiens.

Bud Hopkins, author of "The Intruders," is mentioned for interviewing people who claim to have been repeatedly abducted and examined by aliens. These individuals described their captors as small, grey-complexioned people with big heads and cat-like eyes.

Donald Johnson's Perspective

The article also references Donald Johnson, identified in a separate Courier Review article as the Washington State Director of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network). Johnson, a psychologist and statistical analyst, is interested in the social science aspects of UFO sightings. He believes that while some UFO reports may stem from delusions, many witnesses genuinely see something they cannot explain. Johnson acknowledges that UFOs "do leave physical evidence," citing instances where car engines have stalled or nearly stalled when UFOs passed overhead, suggesting interference from high-intensity fluctuating magnetic fields. He has found statistical correlations between the object's distance, duration, and size, and the intensity of the effect on automobiles. Johnson advocates for a comprehensive UFO research program, estimating it would cost about $6 million, and believes the public would support federal government involvement. He suggests a satellite surveillance system and the assignment of physicists and engineers to investigate physical evidence. Johnson also calls for random surveys of the general population to gather a representative sampling of reports and compensate for the reluctance factor in reporting. He states that he does not believe UFOs are necessarily compelling evidence of extraterrestrial origin, but rather that they are "unexplained."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alleged government cover-ups, and the scientific community's reluctance to fully investigate the phenomenon. The articles present various accounts, from military base sightings to personal encounters and alleged alien abductions, often highlighting the mysterious nature of these events and the lack of definitive explanations. The editorial stance, as suggested by the inclusion of diverse reports and the emphasis on government documents, appears to be one of presenting information and encouraging further investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena.