UFO Newsclipping Service - 2001 09 - no 386

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated September 2001, features the cover headline "The truth is out there..." and focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and related theories. The publication delves into both recent and historical accounts of sightings, potential extraterrestrial contact, and government secrecy surrounding the topic.

Recent Sightings and Investigations

The lead story highlights Joshua Estudillo, a self-described sky watcher, and his girlfriend Rae Gonzales, who reported seeing a "glowing copper-colored disc with a blue, iridescent, comma-shaped tail" near Buckley Air Force Base before dawn on July 20, 2001. Estudillo, who has been skywatching since childhood, is passionate about the subject. The article also mentions John Schuessler, Director of Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) International, who notes that while the disc shape and copper color are common in sightings, the iridescent tail is unusual. Schuessler, a former NASA life support systems manager, discusses the increasing UFO consciousness over the past two decades, attributing it to a greater willingness to discuss the topic and the influence of the internet.

Schuessler's group often collaborates with the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), run by Peter Davenport. The article touches on the historical Project Blue Book, an Air Force investigation into UFOs discontinued in the late 1960s.

Historical UFO Events of 1952

The issue revisits the "Summer of Saucers" in 1952, detailing a wave of UFO sightings that swept Iredell County and beyond. On July 17, airline pilots reported seeing eight "glowing like red hot coals" objects over the Chesapeake Bay. The summer saw numerous reports, including a "bright red glowing cylindrical object" over Goldsboro, North Carolina, and "three speedy saucers" over central Indiana. Elizabeth City, North Carolina, reported sightings with radio interference, and Washington National Airport saw "unidentified aerial objects" visually and on radar. Local authorities in Iredell County were advised to report sightings to Civil Defence, and residents reported seeing saucers with orange streamers.

The Arecibo Message and Crop Circles

Page 6 discusses the 1974 Arecibo Message, a radio transmission sent by scientists from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, containing information about humanity, directed at the M13 star cluster 25,000 light years away. The article then presents a crop circle that appeared near Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire, England, which is described as an "almost exact facsimile" of the Arecibo Message but with key differences, such as silicon instead of carbon in its biochemical composition and a modified DNA helix. Michael Glickman, a crop circle enthusiast, believes this is an attempt at contact, while Dr. H. Paul Shuch, executive director of SETI League, views it as a "delightful spoof, done with great art and humour."

UFOs and Government Secrecy

Several articles touch upon the theme of government secrecy and the efforts to uncover information about UFOs. The "Disclosure Project," led by Dr. Steven Greer, is featured, with former military and government personnel testifying about their encounters and advocating for open hearings. Rush Limbaugh is mentioned for his commentary on the Disclosure Project's claims regarding UFO declassification attempts by the Carter administration being allegedly thwarted by then-CIA director George Bush. The article "Was that the Giffords' android over Carteret?" explores witness accounts of strange lights and discusses the difficulty in explaining such phenomena, referencing research insights from "Dr. UFO" Pat Marcattilio.

Canadian UFO Research

Articles from Canadian publications highlight UFO research in Canada. Gord Kijek, founder of the Alberta UFO Study Group (AUFOSG), discusses their investigations into sightings in Alberta. Chris Rutkowski, who coordinates the Canadian Annual UFO Survey for Ufology Research of Manitoba (UFOROM), notes that while most sightings have prosaic explanations, a small percentage remain puzzling. He mentions notable Canadian cases like the 1967 Shag Harbour incident and the Falcon Lake event. The article "Is anybody out there?!" from the Sunday Sun in Edmonton interviews Kijek and Rutkowski about the ongoing search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Specific Incidents and Theories

The "Sunday Mystery" section on page 8 details the 1967 Shag Harbour incident in Nova Scotia, where residents reported a "dark object" landing in the harbor. Lawrence Smith, a fisherman involved in the initial search, recounts the event and the subsequent mystery. The article also mentions Chris Styles, co-author of "Dark Object," and the local post office releasing a commemorative stamp depicting a flying saucer.

Another piece from the Daily Star discusses "TOP SECRET documents" that allegedly "could prove that aliens have LANDED on Earth," relating to a sighting of a "metallic in appearance and triangular in shape" craft by high-ranking RAF officers near a Suffolk forest in December 1980. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt, Commander of the US Air Force Bentwaters base, is quoted describing the object.

UFOs and Public Perception

Governor Jesse Ventura is quoted stating his belief in the possibility of extraterrestrial life, suggesting the government should disclose what it knows. The articles also touch on how UFOs have become part of popular culture, with people becoming more comfortable discussing sightings and less likely to be dismissed as 'mad'. The idea of UFOs being a "liberal agenda" is also mentioned in the context of political commentary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFOs, the search for evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, the role of government secrecy and potential cover-ups, and the public's fascination with the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the possibility that "the truth is out there."

This issue of the Daily Mail, dated August 28, 2001, features a prominent cover story on intricate crop patterns that some believe are a reply to a radio message beamed into space in 1974. The magazine also includes articles on UFO sightings, paranormal investigations, and theoretical physics related to time travel and anti-gravity.

Crop Circles: A Message from Space?

The lead article, "Returning your call," by James Chapman and James Mills, discusses two extraordinary crop patterns discovered in a Hampshire wheat field. One pattern is described as a brooding face, while the other is an intricate copy of a binary radio message transmitted into space by NASA in the 1970s. Crop circle enthusiasts, like Lucy Pringle, hail these formations as a message from outer space, with Pringle suggesting an intelligence is using these glyphs for communication. However, circle investigator Andy Thomas expresses skepticism, noting the vast distance the original message would need to travel. The formations appeared near an observatory, prompting speculation about a connection to astronomical observation.

Strange Encounters in Scotland

Ron Halliday's "Strange encounters that won't go away" in the Evening Times (March 17, 2001) profiles Derek Lauder, who has experienced repeated UFO sightings across Scotland. Lauder recounts seeing UFOs near Roslin Castle, including a multi-colored object and a formation of five separate objects. He also describes witnessing a beam of light and signaling to UFOs with his torch, receiving a response. His experiences are presented as supporting the belief that sites like Roslin Chapel are mystic centers.

UFOs Hit Screens in Derbyshire

The Matlock Mercury (May 31, 2001) reports that a spate of UFO sightings in the Dales will be the subject of a TV documentary commissioned by Carlton Television, with filmmaker Owen Gaffney seeking to speak with witnesses.

Nick Redfern: Space Detective

An "Observer feature" from the Observer (May 4, 2001) profiles author Nick Redfern, who investigates UFOs and paranormal phenomena. Written by Janet Lee, the article explores Redfern's down-to-earth approach and his fascination with the subject, sparked by his father's RAF experience with unidentified radar contacts and disc-shaped objects. Redfern believes in extraterrestrial visitation and government cover-ups, particularly after the release of 30-year-old government files. He has written several books on the topic, including 'Cosmic Crashes'.

Sharon Captures UFO on Video

The West Cumberland Times (April 6, 2001) reports that paranormal investigator Sharon Larkin claims to have captured an unidentified aerial object on video during a skywatch at Broughton Moor. Larkin describes an orange object that rose and moved towards her, displaying lights in a triangular formation. She has ruled out conventional aircraft and is sending the footage for analysis, believing West Cumbria to be a hotbed of UFO activity.

Stamp Design is Out of This World

The Press & Journal (April 7, 2001) discusses a proposed postage stamp design featuring a UFO beaming down on the moors of Bonnybridge, Scotland, a known area for UFO sightings. Local councillor Billy Buchanan created the design, aiming to boost tourism and highlight the area as the "UFO Capital of the World."

Did This Nazi Killer Teach America How to Build UFOs?

Nick Cook's investigation in the Mail on Sunday (August 12, 2001) explores the possibility that Nazi Germany's secret weapons program, particularly the work of SS General Hans Kammler, may have led to the development of anti-gravity technology and influenced American aviation. Cook links the crash of an F-117A Stealth fighter in California to the military's extreme measures to guard secrets and suggests that Kammler's knowledge of advanced propulsion systems, possibly including "The Bell" experiment, was appropriated by the Americans after World War II. This technology, he posits, could explain the existence of flying saucers and UFO sightings.

What Anti-Gravity Is – and What It Does

This article from the Guardian (August 21, 2001) delves into the concept of anti-gravity, explaining it as a force field that counteracts gravity. It references H.G. Wells's concept of 'Cavorite' and modern theories involving atomic forces and superconducting magnets. The article also touches upon experimental devices, such as Sandy Kidd's anti-gravity machine using gyroscopes, and the potential for such technology to enable futuristic aircraft and space travel.

Close Encounters of the Weirdest Kind

The Advertiser (July 13, 2001) features Mark Harwood's account of capturing what he believes to be a UFO on video over New Addington. Harwood describes an eerie, ball-shaped light that moved erratically, changed shape, and appeared to circle another similar object. His footage is being analyzed by UFO experts, and the sighting has convinced his previously skeptical brother-in-law.

Ever Increasing Circles

John Vidal's article in the Guardian (August 21, 2001) examines the phenomenon of crop circles, noting their increasing complexity and sophistication. Vidal suggests that while some circles are undoubtedly made by pranksters or artists like Rod Dickinson and John Lundberg, the sheer volume and intricacy of others lead believers to attribute them to non-human intelligence. The article highlights the symbiotic relationship between circle makers and believers, with makers adept at creating patterns that challenge believers' explanations.

The Fouke Monster: 30 Years Later

The Texarkana Gazette (June 24, 2001) dedicates a significant portion to the legend of the Fouke Monster. Ex-journalists Jim Powell and Dave Hall recall their initial investigation into the 1971 sighting by the Bobby Ford family, which became a national story and inspired the cult film 'The Legend of Boggy Creek.' The article explores the impact of the legend on the town, the movie's production, and the enduring interest in the creature, with various websites and organizations dedicated to Bigfoot and monster sightings.

Slowing Down Time Travel

An article in the National Post (August 8, 2001) by Jason Chow discusses theoretical physicist Ronald Mallett's work on time travel. Mallett proposes that by slowing down light, it might be possible to create closed time-like loops, enabling travel at an atomic level. The article contrasts this with faster-than-light theories and notes the skepticism within the physics community regarding the feasibility of such concepts.

Monstermania: 30 Years Hence

This section from the Texarkana Gazette (June 24, 2001) revisits the legacy of "The Legend of Boggy Creek." It details the film's production, its cult classic status, and its impact on the town of Fouke, Arkansas. It also mentions Charles Pierce's filmography and the enduring interest in the Fouke Monster, with a dedicated "Monster Mart" selling souvenirs. The article also highlights J.E. Smokey Crabtree's book, "Smokey and the Fouke Monster: A True Story," which aims to set the record straight about the events.

Maddening Buzz

A brief report in the Sun (August 25, 2001) mentions a strange, nighttime buzzing sound irritating residents in southwestern Germany, baffling experts who are investigating its cause.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The articles collectively reflect a fascination with unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, crop circles, and cryptids like the Fouke Monster. There is a recurring theme of government secrecy and cover-ups, particularly concerning advanced technology and potential extraterrestrial contact. The issue also explores the intersection of science, folklore, and media, examining how these phenomena are investigated, reported, and mythologized. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives from believers, skeptics, and researchers, while also highlighting the enduring public interest in these mysteries.