UFO Newsclipping Service - 1995 10 - no 315

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated October 1995, Number 315, published by the DAILY RECORD, focuses on the U.S. General Accounting Office's (GAO) findings regarding the destruction of RAAF messages related to the Roswell Incident. The cover headline boldly states, "GAO: RAAF messages destroyed."

GAO Report on Roswell Incident Records

The lead article by Bruce Brown details the GAO's investigation into the destruction of outgoing messages from the Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) between October 1946 and December 1949. The GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, was asked by Rep. Steve Schiff to identify government records concerning the July 1947 crash of an object near Roswell. The GAO's findings, presented in an 18-page document, revealed that numerous administrative records, including finance, accounting, supplies, buildings, and grounds, were also destroyed without proper authority.

Rep. Schiff commented that the discrepancy in official stories doesn't necessarily mean the officers in 1947 were trying to hide the truth, but rather that they may have been reporting what they were told. He clarified that he was sure the object was not a weather balloon, but did not offer further conclusions, aiming to let people form their own opinions based on the available documents. Clifford Stone, director of research at the UFO Enigma Museum, expressed anger and bitterness, believing the investigation was incomplete because it did not include Project Moon Dust and Operation Blue Fly. Stanton Freidman, a nuclear physicist, criticized the CIA, FBI, and Department of Defense for not conducting thorough searches, pointing out they overlooked key terms like "flying disk" and "Eighth Air Force."

The GAO report also noted that the chief archivist for the National Personnel Records Center found that many Air Force organizational records from that time were destroyed without authorization. The 509th Bomb Group's July 1947 History was one document that was not destroyed, noting that the "Office of Public Information was kept quite busy during the month of July 1947 answering inquiries on the 'flying disc.'" The history stated the object was a radar tracking device. The article lists various archives and centers where the GAO checked for references to Roswell, including the National Archives in Washington D.C. and College Park, Maryland, and the National Record Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Harvard Professor Criticized for UFO Work

Another article reports on the criticism faced by Harvard Medical School professor John E. Mack regarding his research methods, accounting procedures, and use of the Harvard name to promote his work with UFO "abductees." An official letter from Dean Daniel Tosteson cited "important questions about the quality and appropriateness of the clinical care" provided to patients. This contrasts with an earlier statement that reaffirmed Mack's academic freedom. Mack, a former chairman of Harvard's psychiatry departments, has spent five years investigating alleged alien abductions, discussing his findings on television and in his book "Abduction." A Special Faculty Committee conducted over 30 secret meetings to prepare a report on his activities. The committee's report questioned his use of consultants, billing procedures, research rigor, and the search for physical evidence. It urged him to publish in peer-reviewed journals and stated his research program was not associated with the school. Mack decried the "leaking of a highly confidential document" and called the letter "very one-sided."

UFOs in Adult Education

A piece from the Middletown Press highlights Dick Larke, a retired science teacher, who is teaching a course on Unidentified Flying Objects for Middletown Adult Education. Larke emphasizes that he is not trying to convince people of alien existence but rather to explore scientific concepts that might explain UFOs and interstellar travel. He demonstrates how magnets can hover using repulsion and centrifugal force, relating it to potential flight methods.

Local UFO Sightings and Discussions

Several other articles detail local UFO sightings and related discussions:

• Del Norte Triplicate: Residents of Fort Dick, California, reported spotting "gravitating lights" that performed "U-turns" and moved in unusual patterns. A deputy confirmed seeing "lights in the Eastern sky... hovering and then moving east to west." The incident was reported to the UFO Hotline, which received calls about sightings along the West Coast.
• Tribune-Review: A commentary discusses Dr. Cyril Wecht's televised commentary on an "Alien Autopsy" film, questioning its authenticity and raising the possibility of a hoax. The article notes the film's high ratings and Wecht's cautious stance, stating he was "on intellectual tenterhooks" and found the being "significantly unlike any body I have ever seen or heard about."
• Grand Rapids Press: A rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, kicked off West Michigan's UFO Awareness Week, featuring speakers, poetry, and skits. Organizers sold UFO-themed merchandise. Dan Wright of MUFON spoke about "gross observations" from 195 sightings, suggesting abductions are often for reproductive purposes and involve electromagnetic disturbances.
• Argus Observer: Residents in Ontario, Oregon, reported seeing a bright object in the sky that split into two and disappeared. Ike Bishop, a UFO analyst with MUFON, stated the sighting was being investigated and was likely one of the "1 percent that can't be explained." Reports indicated the object was large, fast-moving, and made no noise, unlike a meteor or aircraft.
• Daily Camera: A conference on "The UFO Phenomenon" in Boulder, Colorado, featured Leah Haley, who shared stories of alleged alien abductions. Skeptics like Kendrick Frazier questioned the lack of irrefutable physical evidence. Haley claimed military officials also abducted her and used electric shock.
• Bristol Herald Courier: Authorities in Bristol, Tennessee, had no explanations for unusual sightings of red lights hovering near the Virginia/Tennessee line, captured on video by Jeff Scott. Dispatchers confirmed multiple calls about the lights, but no aircraft were reported in the area.
• Salida Mail: Tim Edwards of Salida, Colorado, reported seeing a large, disk-shaped object with revolving lights hovering for an hour. He captured footage on video and believes it was "not from this world."
• Islander: A UFO study group in Santa Cruz, California, coordinated by Merriam Kathaleen and Ron Lampi, meets monthly to discuss UFOs, alien contact, and alleged government cover-ups. Kathaleen, a self-proclaimed "contactee," shared her experiences of being taken aboard a craft as a child.
• Pensacola Beach Islander: Multiple sightings of unidentified lights over Pensacola Beach were reported, including an orb of amber/red lights and a bright light that progressed across the sky. The sightings are being investigated by the MUFON Research Team.
• Sun: A caller reported seeing "odd lights" in the sky near Bremerton, Washington, described as bright yellow, green, and violet, unlike any aircraft. The report was linked to a similar sighting mentioned by an editor.

Kodak and the Roswell Autopsy Film

The Democrat & Chronicle reports on the resurfacing mystery of the 1947 Roswell crash, focusing on a film purporting to show alien autopsies. The George Eastman House and Eastman Kodak Co. examined footage. Paolo Cherchi Usai, senior curator at the Eastman House, found the bodies "astonishing" and not likely a fake reconstruction, but could not confirm if they were extraterrestrial or deformed humans. Kodak could not authenticate the film strip, stating the coding suggested it could have been manufactured in 1927, 1947, or 1967. Robert Kiviat, the film's producer, called it either "the most extraordinary evidence of space alien visitation ever, or the most grandiose hoax." William McDonald, a concept designer, believes it is a "well performed and very expensive hoax."

Investigator Profiles and Media Bias

An article from the Times-News profiles Ike Bishop, a UFO investigator for MUFON, who investigates UFO sightings in Idaho. He emphasizes his job is to disprove rather than prove and notes that 99.9 percent of sightings can be explained, but the remaining 1 percent are "so interesting."

A letter to the Daily Camera criticizes media bias in UFO reporting, specifically the use of the term "UFO buff" which trivializes researchers. The writer argues that the media's use of ridicule hinders objective reporting on the UFO phenomenon, which they consider a significant event.

Dentist's UFO Sighting

A letter to the Daily Herald recounts a dentist's experience of seeing a UFO at approximately 50 yards while camping in Canada. The dentist observed the object on the ground and later saw it follow their boat.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation into the Roswell Incident and the destruction of related government records, suggesting a potential cover-up. Numerous local UFO sightings are reported, highlighting the public's fascination and the challenges in explaining these phenomena. The issue also touches upon the scientific and psychological aspects of UFO research, with discussions on theories of abduction and the credibility of witness testimony. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the public's interest while also considering the possibility of hoaxes and the need for verifiable evidence. The publication seems to lean towards presenting information from various sources, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also subtly questioning official explanations and highlighting the persistence of the UFO mystery.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated September 27, 1995, focuses on a variety of unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, alien encounters, crop circles, and the Bigfoot phenomenon. The cover headline, "Imagine: UFO? or photo glitch?", sets the tone for an exploration of evidence and belief.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The magazine features several reports of UFO sightings. A basketball-sized red ball of light was observed near Pensacola, Florida, performing unusual maneuvers. In Woodland, Washington, a photograph captured a hovering object near power lines. The "This Week in UFO History" section compiles reports from September 24-30, 1995, detailing sightings in Farmingdale, NY; Raeon, NC; Gastonia, NC; and Tillamook Bay, Oregon, including descriptions of lights, circular patches of dead grass, and magnetized lampposts.

Ed Walters, in his article "UFO's? Too Good To Be True", discusses the persistent skepticism surrounding UFO evidence, suggesting a psychological tendency to dismiss phenomena that are "too good" to be real. He recounts his own experiences and photographs, emphasizing that evidence like shadows cast by UFOs proves their reality. Walters argues that the overwhelming evidence is too significant to ignore.

'Experiencers' and Alien Contact

A staff writer article, "The voice of 'experiencers'", highlights the rising interest in individuals who report alien abductions and contact. It notes that these individuals often feel traumatized but are finding more comfort in coming forward due to increased validation from therapists and researchers. John Carpenter, a therapist and researcher, and Dr. Richard J. Boylan, a clinical psychologist, are mentioned as figures supporting this growing field. The article contrasts the past mockery of UFO witnesses with the current, more sober treatment of the subject.

Crop Circles and UFO Links

Several articles touch upon the mystery of crop circles. A report from Brighton and Hove suggests that rising pollution levels might be attracting aliens who want to help solve the problem, with Larry Dean of Skysearch linking UFO activity to environmental concerns. Another piece discusses a large crop circle found near Lewes, England, and the debate over whether it's a genuine phenomenon or a hoax. Michael Hesemann's new book, "The Cosmic Connection", is highlighted for proposing a direct link between crop circles and UFO activity, suggesting that crop circles are almost always preceded by UFO sightings.

Bigfoot Phenomenon

The magazine includes extensive coverage of the Bigfoot (Sasquatch) phenomenon. An article from the Post, Yorkshire, England, discusses experts like Debbie Martyr and researchers who are actively seeking evidence of the ape-like creature in Sumatra, potentially man's closest relative. Another section details the ongoing debate about Bigfoot's classification as ape or human, with a mock trial planned in Skamania County, Washington. Articles from the Daily News in Moscow, Idaho, and the Post-Intelligencer in Seattle feature anthropologist Grover S. Krantz, who believes in Bigfoot's existence based on footprint evidence, and reports on recent sightings and hair samples collected by Paul Freeman.

Scientific Research and Atmospheric Phenomena

Research into atmospheric phenomena is also presented. An article from the Post, Denver, CO, discusses "sprites", electrical discharges above thunderstorms, and their potential impact on travel and space exploration. Walter Lyons is cited as a leading researcher in this area, noting that these phenomena, once dismissed, are now being studied more seriously.

UFO Conference and Historical Context

The issue mentions an upcoming UFO and Alien Abduction Research Conference in Greenville, SC, and the Roswell UFO Encounter '95 event. It also references historical UFO events and the ongoing efforts of various UFO research organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained phenomena, the challenges of evidence and belief, and the increasing societal acceptance of UFO-related topics. There's a clear emphasis on presenting eyewitness accounts, expert opinions, and scientific research, while also acknowledging the psychological and societal factors that influence how these phenomena are perceived. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and possibilities, rather than dismissing them outright.