UFO Newsclipping Service - 1995 09 - no 314

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated September 1995, is published by Lucius Farish and features a cover story about a missing trucker in Arizona who may have encountered UFOs. The publication delves into various UFO-related incidents, research, and cultural phenomena.

Key Articles and Features

Missing Trucker Case in Arizona

The lead story by Max Foster details the mysterious disappearance of Devin Williams, a Kansas truck driver, near Payson, Arizona. After his truck became stuck on a remote Forest Service road, Williams was reportedly disoriented and spoke of aliens. Law enforcement is investigating, and the UFO organization MUFON has taken an interest, with a member suggesting aliens might be responsible. Witnesses reported seeing Williams barefoot and talking to a tree. A detective noted that Williams' statement, "I didn't do it, they did it," is perplexing. The case has attracted attention from UFO organizations, with one caller claiming Williams was abducted into a spaceship.

UFO Sightings and Research

Several articles report on UFO sightings across the United States. In Federal Way, Washington, David Chace, a UFO artist and member of MUFON, illustrates alien descriptions and discusses the growing interest in UFO phenomena. He emphasizes the importance of intellectual humility and listening to others' experiences. In Tacoma, Washington, David Bailey reported seeing strange lights in the sky, which he believes were UFOs. The National UFO Reporting Center in Seattle has been inundated with calls, indicating a recent spate of sightings along the West Coast. In Scottsdale, Arizona, an editor notes ongoing UFO activity in the valley, with witnesses reporting strange orange lights.

In the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, several sightings are documented, including an incident in 1952 with eight "visitors" appearing on radar, and a 1964 sighting of an oval spaceship landing. More recent reports from 1965 describe swift, silent vehicles. A 1977 sighting in Nelson County involved two UFOs photographed. A 1988 sighting near Rockbridge Baths described a large, luminous object. Wytheville, Virginia, is noted as a UFO capital with over 3000 sightings since 1987. A 1992 sighting near Greenville involved a large, glowing object. In Titusville, Pennsylvania, a green light was seen in the sky, described as steady, large, and eventually disappearing.

In Pensacola, Florida, multiple reports of mysterious orange lights over Garcon Point were received in July 1995. Witnesses described patterns of lights appearing and disappearing. In Vista, California, residents reported strange lights in the sky, accompanied by military-style helicopters, baffling experts. The local UFO research group Orion is investigating.

Academic and Legal Debates

A significant portion of the issue addresses the controversy surrounding Dr. John Mack, a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist researching alien abductions. An article from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Harvard decided not to censure Mack after a year-long investigation, despite preliminary findings that he was in violation of faculty conduct standards. The committee examined his professional behavior and whether he was dealing with patients in a suitable academic way. Mack's lawyer, Eric MacLeish, defended him, comparing him to Galileo. The issue also touches on academic freedom, with Alan M. Dershowitz arguing that universities should not investigate faculty ideas, especially those outside the mainstream.

Another article from the Journal in Alexandria, Virginia, discusses a dispute over a CIA records search fee related to a UFO contactee, George Adamski, highlighting potential government obstruction of information requests.

UFOs in Popular Culture and Online

The issue notes the increasing presence of UFOs in popular culture, with references to movies like "Species" and TV shows like "The X-Files." The "Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction?" broadcast on Fox is highlighted for its high ratings, with the network planning a repeat. The internet is also becoming a hub for UFO discussions, with Usenet newsgroups and websites dedicated to the topic, including alleged alien autopsy photos from Roswell.

UFO Organizations and Conferences

Several UFO organizations are mentioned, including MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), MICAP (Multinational Investigative Cooperative of Aerial Phenomena), UFO Institute of Denver, and the Denver UFO Society. These groups are involved in investigating sightings, collecting data, and holding conferences. A MUFON conference in SeaTac, Washington, drew approximately 900 attendees to discuss abduction stories, government cover-ups, and research. The article notes that MUFON has nearly 5000 members worldwide and aims to lend scientific credibility to UFO study.

A conference called "The UFO Phenomenon" is scheduled, focusing on the origins of visitors and abduction experiences. The article also mentions a UFO museum in Roswell, New Mexico, and a planned bus trip to the site of the alleged 1947 crash.

Specific Sightings and Anecdotes

Stacey McGee, founder of the United States UFO Information and Research Center, hosted a Ufology Day Conference and Skywatch. She has been obsessed with UFOs since childhood and has 1,000 members in her organization. Guest speaker Leah Haley shared experiences of being abducted by aliens and the U.S. military, and discussed the emotional trauma faced by abductees. She also spoke of an electromagnetic pulse device used by the military against UFOs. Haley believes the O.J. Simpson trial is a government distraction from UFO news.

Walt Andrus Jr., a co-founder of MUFON, discusses his obsession with UFOs stemming from a 1948 sighting of four silver balloon-shaped objects. He hopes the government will provide answers regarding the infamous Roswell incident, with results of a government investigation expected soon. Andrus estimates that 80-90 percent of UFOs can be explained by mundane phenomena, but considers UFOs the most important scientific enigma of the Space Age.

In Kingman, Arizona, a legend of an alien crash site exists, though documentation is less robust than for Roswell. A MUFON report from 1980 details a pilot's claim of seeing three alien bodies retrieved from a crashed spacecraft in the Arizona desert.

A report from Sunbury, Pennsylvania, mentions a fireball lighting up the night sky, suspected to be a meteor that may have caused a trailer fire. However, investigations found no evidence of a meteor impact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, the growing public and academic interest in the subject, and the ongoing debate about government transparency and potential cover-ups. There is a clear effort to present these topics with a degree of seriousness, often highlighting the scientific investigations undertaken by organizations like MUFON, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the cultural impact of UFOs in media. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and form their own conclusions, rather than dismissing the phenomena outright. The publication seems to lean towards the belief that these events are real and warrant serious investigation, even if definitive proof remains elusive.

This issue of "FOREIGN NEWS," dated June 30, 1995, from the CITIZEN newspaper in Gloucester, England, focuses on "Glos' encounters of the third kind!" It investigates numerous claims of UFO sightings and alien encounters within Gloucestershire and across the UK.

Glos' Encounters of the Third Kind!

The lead article by Helen Blow details several accounts from Gloucestershire residents who claim to have experienced alien encounters. Tom and Sally, a couple in their mid-20s, report losing over an hour of time during a car journey, which they attribute to an alien abduction after witnessing bright lights. They sought help from the Cheltenham-based Psychic Research Group (PRG) for reassurance. Derek Newman of the PRG explains their role in taking such claims seriously, though acknowledging the existence of hoaxers. Chris Romer of the PRG advises caution regarding hypnosis for uncovering memories, fearing it could create false recollections.

Another significant case involves a leading city businessman who claims to have been abducted by extraterrestrials and subjected to physical examinations with sexual overtones. Additionally, a woman from the county claims she was forcibly taken into a flying saucer and sexually examined. The PRG is investigating these cases, with spokesman Derek Newman stating that while they don't automatically accept every claim, they look into experiences seriously.

The Roswell Incident and the Autopsy Film Controversy

A separate article by Vicky Ward delves into the enduring mystery of the Roswell incident of July 1947. It highlights the claims of rancher Mack Brazel and Roswell airbase commander Jesse Marcel regarding the recovery of unusual wreckage. The article discusses the subsequent government cover-up and the controversy ignited 31 years later when Jesse Marcel stated the debris shown to the press was not the same as what he collected.

The main point of contention is a film allegedly made by a former US military cameraman, showing an autopsy on aliens recovered from the Roswell wreckage. Philip Mantle of Bufora is promoting the film, planning to screen it at a conference and allowing Channel 4 to make a documentary. However, prominent ufologist Jenny Randles is highly skeptical, calling the film a fake that is sabotaging serious research and is being endorsed for commercial reasons. Ray Santilli, the video producer who acquired the film, admits to withholding it from the UFO community for commercial gain, fearing it would be copied and devalued.

Other UFO Sightings and Related Phenomena

The issue also features several other reports of UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• Mystery Lights in the Sky: A report from Oxford details terrified witnesses seeing strange unexplainable lights over Oxfordshire, described as a constellation of white lights with blue and red hues, which rose, swivelled, and shot off rapidly.
• Crop Circles: An article from Shropshire reports the discovery of a crop circle in a wheat field near Shrewsbury, with experts investigating its authenticity. Another report from Anderdon Township, Canada, discusses a crop circle found in a wheat field, with a local resident convinced it was created by aliens.
• 'Laser' Theory for UFO Sighting: A report from Wrexham discusses a UFO sighting that investigators are meeting with the Ministry of Defence to study, with a possible explanation being a laser display.
• 'I Saw a UFO': A woman in Kent claims to have seen a UFO leaving 100-yard trails of light, describing bright yellow or white lights moving in a zig-zag pattern, accompanied by radio interference.
• Light Show Sparks UFO Alert: A sighting of revolving shapes in the sky over Hampshire was initially feared to be a UFO, but later attributed to a light show.
• Circles in Lawn Riddle: A report from Frinton details a woman finding four perfectly formed circles in her garden that appeared overnight.
• 'Burbage family's car was chased by UFO': A family claims their car was chased home by a glowing, flying object that made a loud crackling noise.
• Couple Claim UFO Chased Them Home: Reports from Hinckley describe sightings of a shimmering bright light and a hovering object with amber, green, and red lights.
• TV program lured to Surrey by strange, flying Sightings: Video footage of bright white triangles flying over Surrey has attracted a US television crew.
• More see UFO light: Reports from Scarborough detail sightings of an intense mass of light moving rapidly across the sky.
• Pair report UFO mystery light: A mother and daughter in Wigan reported seeing a mysterious shape in the night sky, described as a dull white light that turned bright orange.

Scientific Investigations and Theories

• That bright flash could be a sprite: An article discusses the scientific study of 'sprites,' mysterious pinkish-red lights flashing above thunderstorms, and their potential relevance to UFO reports.
• Ball lightning: A Q&A section explains ball lightning as a poorly understood phenomenon, a derivative of lightning that is rarely destructive and can travel through enclosed spaces.
• Astronomers trek to edge of theoretical speed limit: This article discusses a Royal Astronomical Society report predicting mankind's ability to travel faster than the speed of light, exploring theories like wormholes and warp drives, and the potential for contact with alien life.

Other Topics

• Who are sinister visitors?: This piece explores the phenomenon of 'Men In Black' (MIBs), individuals who allegedly intimidate UFO witnesses, questioning their origins and motives.
• 'Beast of Bodmin' and the need to believe: An article discusses the enduring belief in cryptids like the Beast of Bodmin, suggesting that in a society bored with the mundane, people seek out the extraordinary and unbelievable.
• Genesis linked to creation myths: This piece examines the proposed links between Mesopotamian creation epics and the biblical book of Genesis, discussing theories about the formation of the solar system and Earth.
• Gurdon light: An account of a mysterious luminous apparition seen on railroad tracks in Arkansas since 1931, believed to be the ghost of a murdered railroad employee.
• Mutilated cattle found on ranch: Reports of mutilated cattle and deer on a ranch in Douglas County, with speculation about satanic cult activity.
• Looking for Mr. Bigfoot?: An article about cryptozoologists exchanging secrets and discussing sightings of creatures like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other unknown animals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, the enduring public fascination with the unexplained, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena with a degree of open-mindedness, presenting various accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and the need for scientific investigation. The magazine highlights the human desire to believe in something beyond the ordinary, especially in a society perceived as stultifyingly mundane.