UFO Newsclipping Service - 2002 02 - no 391

Magazine Overview

This issue of FOREIGN NEWS, published by the NEW BRUNSWICK READER on November 17, 2001, under the title "Who's out there?", explores the persistent fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life. The cover features a dramatic juxtaposition of a human face and an alien face, with the headline posing the central question of the issue. The publication highlights reports from New Brunswick and other locations, featuring interviews with experts, witness accounts, and discussions on related phenomena.

New Brunswickers and the Cosmic Kindergarten

The lead article, "New Brunswickers are among those waiting and hoping maybe there are aliens out there who will welcome us into the 'cosmic kindergarten'" by Michelle Porter, delves into the personal experience of Anna Borden. Borden, who witnessed a cone-shaped object with "lights as big as dinner plates" hover or land on a small Fredericton farm in 1964, still avoids UFO-themed media. The article notes that Canada reports between 200 and 250 UFO sightings annually, with New Brunswick averaging 3.5. UFO researcher Chris Rutkowski suggests that only about 10 percent of sightings are reported, and that "ufology is marketed more aggressively" in places like British Columbia, which accounts for a significant percentage of Canadian sightings.

Rutkowski also points out anomalies, such as higher-than-expected sightings in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, dubbing it "the UFO hot spot is the cold spot." He reports a 2000 increase in Canadian UFO sightings, with 13 percent remaining unexplained after accounting for potential causes. Notably, UFO sightings did not cease after planes were grounded following the September 11th attacks, with some even suggesting a slight increase.

Stanton T. Friedman: The Man Behind Roswell

The issue features UFO expert Stanton T. Friedman, who has never seen a UFO himself but famously stated, "I've never seen Tokyo either, and it's there." Filmmaker Paul Kimball's documentary, "Stanton T. Friedman IS Real," is mentioned, exploring the life of the physicist who became a leading proponent of UFO research. Friedman discusses the Roswell incident, believing the initial military press release about a "flying disc" was accurate and has spent his life proving it. He suggests governments may intentionally obscure the truth about UFOs to maintain nationalism, fearing that widespread knowledge of alien life could lead citizens to identify as "earthlings" rather than by their nationality. Friedman also speculates on alien motives, ranging from research on primitive societies to punishment for intergalactic crimes.

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

The article "Couple saw night-time UFO lights over town" touches upon the broader search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Thomas Boleyn, a New Brunswick resident, is highlighted as a user of SETI@home, a project that utilizes public computing power to analyze radio frequencies for alien signals. The project has millions of users worldwide, and Boleyn emphasizes the desire to know that humanity is not alone in the universe. However, he cautions that advanced alien life might not find humans interesting, comparing it to humans observing ants.

Other Sightings and Phenomena

Several other articles report on UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• "Red sky at night gave duo a fright" details Andrew Garlick's capture of mysterious lights on film in Derby, England, including an oval-shaped white light and a teardrop-shaped object falling from it.
• "Calling Mulder and Scully" reports on sightings of large orange balls of light over West Yorkshire, England, with witness Karl Eastwood describing one as hovering for 20 minutes.
• "The truth is out there" by Kay Moon interviews Anne Harvey, who has recorded strange lights and their movements near her home in South Derbyshire, England, and believes "they are there" and aware of her observation.
• "My cod! Chip shop trip is really alien" recounts a Telford man's sighting of a brightly lit apparition over The Wrekin, described as two planes joined by scaffolding.
• "Couple saw night-time UFO lights over town" describes an Ipswich couple witnessing a bright, flashing object on Christmas Day, emitting a blue hue and diagonal protrusions.
• "UFO park no pie in the sky" discusses plans for a multi-million pound UFO theme park in Bonnybridge, Scotland, dubbed the "UFO capital of the world."

Cattle Mutilations and Other Mysteries

"Cattle mutilations back" by Katie Oyan reports on a wave of baffling cattle mutilations in Conrad, Montana, where ranchers and lawmen are perplexed by the precise nature of the injuries, the lack of predators feeding on the carcasses, and the absence of tracks. The phenomenon, which previously occurred in the late '70s and resurfaced in 2001, has led to speculation involving UFOs, cults, and government conspiracies. Investigators are seeking answers from a Nevada laboratory.

"Geologist's ice age Atlantis" by Guy Gugliotta explores the theory that the legendary island kingdom of Atlantis may have been a real place, a small mid-channel island in the Strait of Gibraltar that was submerged 11,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. This theory is presented as a geological explanation for ancient flood myths.

"Bigfoot kit's key ingredients: bait, repellant" by an AP writer details a company marketing a "BigFoot Tracking Kit" containing "fur," bait, repellent, and a tracking guide, playing on the legend of Bigfoot.

"Meet the legal father of radio communication" by Deana Stokes Sullivan discusses Nikola Tesla's contributions to radio technology, arguing that he, rather than Marconi, should be considered the father of radio, citing his patents and inventions predating Marconi's.

"Lakeland Speaker In Demand" highlights Fern Belzil, an "expert" on cattle mutilations, who has been sought after for interviews and speaking engagements across Alberta and beyond. Belzil investigates sightings, crop circles, and other phenomena, noting the seriousness with which these matters are treated by those affected.

"'Mothman' sightings will continue" by Stephen Schaefer discusses the film "The Mothman Prophecies" and the paranormal events that inspired it, including sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966-67, and the subsequent collapse of a bridge.

"Bigfoot hunt" by Vance Orchard reviews the novel "Where Legends Roam" by Lee Murphy, which is set in the Olympic Mountains and explores cryptozoology from a scientific perspective.

"Bigfoot seen in Jefferson!" by Leslie Bailey reports on the First Annual Texas Bigfoot Conference in Jefferson, where the Texas Bigfoot Research Center aims to spread awareness and gain scientific acceptance for the existence of Bigfoot.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent human curiosity about the unknown, particularly concerning UFOs, aliens, and cryptids like Bigfoot. There's a clear editorial stance that these phenomena, while often dismissed by mainstream science and society, warrant serious investigation and discussion. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and expert opinions to scientific research and even fictionalized explorations of these topics. The underlying message is that "not all reports can be dismissed," encouraging readers to consider the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional understanding. The issue also touches upon the role of media and government in shaping public perception of these subjects.