UFO Newsclipping Service - 1992 07 - no 276

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated July 1992, with issue number 276, focuses on the prevalence of UFO sightings and abduction claims, particularly in Florida, and revisits the enduring mystery of the Roswell incident. The publication is from the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, based in Plumerville, Arkansas, and edited by Lucius Farish.

Florida: A UFO Mecca?

The lead article by Diane Lacey Allen explores whether Florida is a 'UFO mecca,' highlighting numerous sightings and abduction reports, especially in Polk County and Gulf Breeze. A Haines City police officer reported a UFO that shut down his patrol car, and other incidents include sightings of yellow-orange objects and bright circular objects. Walter Andrus, international director of MUFON, states that Gulf Breeze is the 'hottest place in the world' for repetitive sightings. He notes that while most sightings (80-90%) have mundane explanations, 10-20% remain unexplained. Andrus estimates that one in ten people may have been abducted by aliens. Fearon L. Hicks, a state section director for MUFON, believes a Haines City sighting was an extraterrestrial craft and shares his own UFO experiences dating back to childhood. The article also mentions the CBS miniseries 'Intruders' and MUFON's efforts to investigate and educate.

The Roswell Incident: A Lasting Mystery

An article by Fritz Thompson details efforts to establish the world's first UFO museum and research center in Roswell, New Mexico, spearheaded by Walter Haut, who was the public information officer at the Roswell Army Air Field in 1947. Haut distributed the original news release about the recovery of a 'flying disc.' The article recounts the events of July 8, 1947, when a rancher found wreckage and mysterious foil, leading to the initial announcement. It also mentions Glenn Dennis, a mortician who was contacted by military doctors about tissue preservation techniques for alien beings. The military later retracted the 'flying disc' story, attributing the wreckage to a weather balloon. The article notes that the Roswell incident was revived in public consciousness by the 1980 book 'The Roswell Incident' and subsequent research. The proposed museum aims to be non-partisan, focusing on research and education.

UFOs and Government Secrecy

Several articles touch upon the perceived government cover-up of UFO information. A News Tribune article by Mark Sauter discusses the public's appetite for tales of UFO encounters and Pentagon cover-ups, fueled by distrust in government. It mentions that Freedom of Information Act requests have yielded documents, but many remain classified. A Defense Intelligence Agency report titled 'Belgium and the UFO Issue' is cited, indicating the military's involvement in assuring Belgian authorities about American stealth fighters. The article also details an incident where six U.S. soldiers left their posts in Europe to rendezvous with flying saucers in Gulf Breeze, Florida, and were later arrested and dismissed. Despite Pentagon denials, military intelligence continues to collect UFO information.

Psychological and Scientific Perspectives

An article from The Globe by David L. Chandler explores the scrutiny of abduction tales as psychological phenomena. Psychiatrist John Mack, who organized a conference at MIT on the subject, believes abduction experiences are real psychological phenomena, possibly stemming from trauma, though the source is unclear. He notes the consistency of accounts from abductees, even those not using hypnosis. Skeptics like Robert Baker suggest these experiences might be 'waking dreams' or influenced by hypnosis. The article also discusses the lack of hard physical evidence for alien abductions, with purported 'implants' being inconclusive. Another piece from The Globe by Jef Raskin discusses UFO sightings and their potential explanations, including misidentification of fishing boats and their lights, and the natural phenomenon of a whale sighting.

UFOs in Popular Culture and Local Incidents

An article from The Capital Times discusses 'UFO trading cards' created by Wisconsin artists, offering a historical overview of UFO encounters. The project aims to explore the culture surrounding UFOs rather than proving their existence. Another article from The Robesonian reports on a mysterious craft observed in Lumberton, North Carolina, described as a 'discus or flying saucer' with lights and a humming sound. The Gaston Observer covers a strange circle of dead grass found in a Lincolnton, North Carolina lawn, with UFO investigators unable to explain it, considering possibilities from hoaxes to alien spacecraft. The Times & World-News reports on the lack of abduction claims in Wytheville, Virginia, despite a high number of UFO sightings in the area, and discusses the CBS miniseries 'Intruders.' The Mt. Hood Community College Advocate mentions a UFO club that meets to share stories and listen to speakers, with members expressing belief in extraterrestrial life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the persistent reports of UFO sightings and alleged alien abductions, the ongoing debate about their reality, and the role of government secrecy and public perception. The publication seems to present a range of perspectives, from those who firmly believe in UFOs and abductions to skeptics and those who focus on the psychological aspects. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these phenomena and the discussions surrounding them, rather than taking a definitive position, though the inclusion of articles on MUFON and UFO research suggests an openness to the subject matter. The overall tone is investigative, aiming to inform readers about the latest developments and perspectives in the UFO field.

This issue of THE DISTRICT LINE, dated June 5, 1992, is primarily concerned with the enduring mysteries of UFOs, alien abductions, and other unexplained phenomena. The cover story, "It Came Out of the Sky," by Alex Heard, focuses on Don Berliner, a freelance writer and UFO researcher, and his views on the television movie "Intruders," which dramatized alien abductions. The magazine also touches upon other intriguing topics such as crop circles, Bigfoot sightings, and the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle, presenting a mix of witness accounts, expert opinions, and journalistic investigations.

Cover Story: "It Came Out of the Sky"

The main article delves into Don Berliner's perspective on "Intruders," a two-part docudrama about alien abductions. Berliner, affiliated with the Fund for UFO Research, discusses how the film, despite its Hollywood ending, serves a purpose in informing the public about abduction experiences and reassuring victims that they are "not alone." He notes that the film's dramatizations are based on case histories from Budd Hopkins' "Missing Time" and "Intruders." Berliner offers minor critiques, such as the depiction of the alien's neck and the resemblance of the actor playing Budd Hopkins.

The article highlights the film's portrayal of government cover-ups and the psychological aspects of abduction memories, often emerging under hypnosis. It mentions a poll suggesting that one in 50 American adults believe they have been abducted. Berliner expresses a strong conviction in the reality of abductions, stating, "I believe the chances of abduction being what it appears to be... are approaching 100 percent."

Berliner is also discussed in relation to his upcoming book, "Crash at Corona," co-authored with Stanton T. Friedman, which details alleged saucer crashes in New Mexico in July 1947, including a second crash at the Plains of San Agustin. A key witness, Gerald Anderson, recounts seeing three dead ETs and one survivor at this second crash site.

The article contrasts Berliner's views with those of "Skeptical Inquirer," which dismisses abduction phenomena as psychological abnormalities. It also touches upon the "two cultures" within UFO research: the "folk culture of belief-oriented people" and a "smaller elite of more skeptical, critically minded people."

UFO Sightings and Related Phenomena

Several other articles and columns in the issue report on UFO sightings and related topics:

• "UFO Sightings" by Kenneth Lloyd Larson: This piece counters Professor Laurence Goldstein's commentary suggesting UFOs are psychic disturbances. Larson cites extensive UFO activity in France (1990), Belgium (over 3,500 sightings since 1989), and Gulf Breeze, Florida (since 1987), arguing for the "phenomenal worldwide extent" of sightings.

• "'I Know This Sounds Crazy;' Was It A Flying Saucer?" by Larry Bingham: This article recounts a sighting by Diane Messing and her mother in Raeford, North Carolina. They described a round, orange object, the size of a swimming pool, landing in a hay field, emitting noise like a "freight train," and causing outdoor lights to go out before disappearing. Sheriff's deputies found a flattened circle of grass.

• "'Nobody Believes Us,' Woman Says" by Larry Bingham: A follow-up to the previous article, this piece introduces Wanda Locklear, who saw a similar orange and yellow "balloon" that landed nearby. However, Mrs. Messing and her mother, Jackie Rijfkogel, dismiss the balloon theory, citing the noise and the lights going out. The article also mentions a blimp that escaped from Richard Bryan's supermarket, but the timing doesn't match.

• "UFO Back From Vacation" by Bland Pugh: This report details sightings of the "Gulf Breeze UFO" in Florida, described as white, then ruby red, then white again. A July 4th sighting involved the object hovering over Pensacola Bay for eight minutes during fireworks, observed by thousands.

• "UFO probe of Goulburn Valley sightings to continue" by Paul Norman: UFO researcher Paul Norman is investigating reports of unusual lights in Australia's Goulburn Valley, characterized by a lack of noise and erratic movement. The Joneses reported seeing two ribbons of solid orange light over Waranga Basin.

• "UFO spotters recipients of 'strange calls'" by T. Good: Two men in Bridport, England, who filmed three unidentified objects, claim to have received anonymous phone calls warning them not to investigate further. BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) is investigating.

• "UFO near-miss scare baffles the scientists" by Ian Herbert: A Britannia Airways Boeing 737 had a dramatic close encounter with a "black lozenge-like object" 14,000 ft over southern England. Experts from BUFORA, the Meteorological Office, Jodrell Bank Observatory, and NASA were baffled, ruling out conventional explanations like balloons or aircraft.

• "My encounter with midnight UFO" by Elsie Bassett-Burr: A grandmother in Rainham, England, reported seeing a "giant craft," the size of an aeroplane, hovering over her street at midnight, which she believed contained aliens.

• "Circle hoax pair own up" by Debra K. Minor: In Ashburton, New Zealand, two agricultural contractors confessed to creating crop circles as a hoax, using a ski pole and boards. They admit to making three circles and claim a fourth was a copycat.

• "On a wild goose chase for Russian 'Bigfoot'?" by Holger Jensen: This article discusses the hunt for the "almasty," the Russian version of Bigfoot, in the Caucasus Mountains, led by Marie-Jeanne Koffmann. The creature is described as apelike, hairy, and shy.

• "Sasquatch sage suggests man-beast may make last stand in B.C." by Larry Pynn: David George Gordon, a biologist and nature writer, suggests that British Columbia might be the last stronghold for the Sasquatch due to human impact on its habitat.

• "Lost at sea in the Bermuda Triangle" by Debra K. Minor: This piece describes the mysterious disappearances of vessels and aircraft in the Bermuda Triangle, highlighting the Sea World attraction "Mission: Bermuda Triangle" which simulates a research dive.

Academic and Theoretical Perspectives

• "Are we all hooked on hi-tech fairytales?" by Peter Rhodes: David Morris, author of "The Masks of Lucifer," argues that UFOs and crop circles are modern interpretations of ancient occult beliefs and fairy tales, reflecting human fears and desires for salvation. He traces this "techno-occult" interpretation back to 19th-century spiritualism.

• "Earth moves in an extra-terrestrial way" by Charles Bremner: This article discusses academics, including Harvard psychiatrist John Mack, who are giving credence to alien abduction accounts. It highlights the similar descriptions of aliens and abduction experiences, and the theory that aliens are engaged in "systematic exploitation" of humans.

• "New theory amid aliens' corn circles" by Jenny Randles: Jenny Randles, a leading UFO investigator, suggests that phenomena like corn circles could be part of a "giant intelligence test" by aliens to study human reactions, and that people might be having their minds probed.

• "Why We Love a Mystery" by Donna Larcen and Colin McEnroe: This piece explores the human need for mysteries and the quest for answers, citing Dr. Bruce Greyson on how mysteries provide an escape from a frightening world. It discusses the fascination with shows like "Unsolved Mysteries" and the psychological aspects of believing or debunking paranormal claims, referencing Joe Nickell's investigations and Kenneth L. Feder's work on debunking myths.

• "Modern man's origin in doubt after skulls found" by Reuter: This article reports on the discovery of 350,000-year-old skulls in China that challenge the "Out of Africa" theory of human evolution, suggesting modern humans may have evolved simultaneously in different locations.

• "Hueytown buzzes with new theories on infamous hum" by Nancy Bereckis: Residents of Hueytown, Alabama, are bothered by a persistent "hum." Theories range from a ventilation fan at a mining company to an electromagnetic field, with reporters flocking to the town.

• "Whatcom County a 'refuge' for Bigfoot" by G. Conway: The Whatcom County Council passed a resolution recognizing Bigfoot as a protected creature, prompted by the Foothills Chamber of Commerce.

• "Life on Mars? Former NASA staffer thinks so" by Natasha Kroeger: Former NASA consultant Richard Hoagland believes the space agency is covering up evidence of artificial shapes on Mars, suggesting President Bush's "We will go to Mars" statement is linked to this knowledge.

• "'Something' is out there, haunting Sawyer County" by Kathy Olson: This article details a photograph taken by fishing guide Al Denninger of a white, ghost-like object over the Chippewa Flowage in Wisconsin, which he believes is not a hoax or natural phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained and the human fascination with mysteries. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from those who firmly believe in UFOs, alien abductions, and cryptids like Bigfoot, to those who seek rational or scientific explanations. There's a clear interest in the intersection of science, belief, and popular culture, as evidenced by the discussion of media portrayals of these phenomena and the academic research into them. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various viewpoints and encouraging readers to consider the evidence, while also acknowledging the psychological and cultural factors that drive belief in the extraordinary. The inclusion of hoaxes and debunking efforts suggests a balanced approach to the subject matter.