UFO Potpourri No ---

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue Date: March 1974 (with a cover date of November 2, 1974, and a related article dated September 22, 1974)
Publisher: John F. Schuessler
Country: USA
Purpose: To foster interest in the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena through an exchange of information and ideas.

Contents

This issue of UFO POTPOURRI, edited by John F. Schuessler and published in Houston, Texas, is presented in cooperation with The Mutual UFO Network, Inc. (MUFON) and The UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. The publication is for exchange only and aims to promote scientific investigation of UFO phenomena.

Circle of lights attracting UFOs, group reports

This article, by Andrew A. Vemma, reports on a photograph taken by members of "Project Starlight International" in the Texas hill country on October 2, 1973. The photograph allegedly shows a colorful circle of lights attracting an alien aircraft traveling at an estimated 10,000 miles per hour. Ray Stanford, director of the group, stated that the craft made two sharp turns within 2 to 4 seconds, maneuvers that would tear a manmade object to shreds. The UFO reportedly shut down its lights before the camera's shutter closed. Stanford described the maneuver as typical for UFOs, suggesting they possess some control over gravity and inertia. The group also reported an incident on October 22, 1973, where four observers spotted two oval-shaped white objects that disappeared after dimming their lights. Stanford noted that the U.S. Air Force, the official investigatory agency for UFOs, does not take data from civilians, leading him to share information with other UFO research groups. He believes that UFO pilots might be highly intelligent creatures, potentially 10 years ahead of current human technology. Stanford expressed a strong desire to solve the UFO mystery, focusing on collecting scientific data rather than just UFO 'stuff'.

UFO group announces film

This brief article from The Herald-Whig (October 13, 1974) announces that "The Primal Factor," a television film on UFOs, will feature motion picture film of a UFO photograph by William Fisher. The film, produced by Alan Landsburg Productions, is scheduled for release between November 1 and 15. It will also include color photos of the Delphos, Kansas UFO landing site. WGEM-TV will air a documentary, "UFO's Over Mid-America," featuring Quincy members of MUFON on December 15. The Tri State UFO Study Group also announced their meeting schedule.

Multiple Witness Report UFO Humanoid

This article by David Branch details an incident that occurred on March 1, 1974, in Vesta, Virginia. Billy Wayne Plasters, 27, reported seeing a strange yellow glow illuminating a hillside, which he described as the 'color of a Coleman lantern.' He and his brother-in-law, Richard N. Clifton, 35, drove to investigate. They witnessed a red oval object, larger than a Volkswagen, hovering about 300 feet above the ground. The object made a series of right-angle turns before heading south. The ground glow remained, and upon investigation, Plasters and Clifton found no animals in a nearby shed, but discovered burning debris, the object, and a 'man' had disappeared. The 'man' was described as 'a big, tall, heavy-set man.' Subsequent investigation by independent civilian investigators revealed randomly blackened and charred bushes, fence posts, ground, and twigs, along with broken tree limbs, suggesting that a normal brushfire could not have caused the damage. George W. Fawcett, a veteran UFO researcher and North Carolina state director for MUFON, concluded that the report was consistent with other sightings globally. The sheriff's department, however, did not investigate, replying to a plea for help with 'What have you folks been drinking up there?' Fawcett writes in "Skylook" that the incident was not investigated by the sheriff's department.

UFO Lands at White House! Scares Nixon Into Quitting!

This article, from NATIONAL NEWS EXTRA (September 22, 1974), claims that a flying saucer landed on the White House lawn and scared President Nixon so much that he quit. A "trusted aide" is quoted as saying, "That was the reason he stepped down. It was the last straw." The report suggests that Nixon had resolved to deal with the Watergate storm but the UFO visitation was too much for him. He reportedly said, "This is just too much for a man to face. How can I tell the American people?" The article states that this incident is reportedly behind a shift in governmental policies towards UFOs. It claims Nixon personally called for the Defense Department to release its top secret UFO files. The incident, occurring in mid-July, allegedly triggered a full alert of all U.S. Air Force installations. A United Airlines pilot reportedly spotted the UFO flashing toward Washington from the west, and it was tracked by both military and civilian radar. A White House source described Nixon working late when he noticed a glowing red light outside the Oval Office window. He was reportedly scared, dropped to the floor, and crawled to call the Secret Service. However, White House guards had already spotted the object. A guard described the UFO as being about 30 feet in diameter and 10 feet thick, silver in color, emitting a bright red glow from its portholes. It made no sound until it took off, emitting a loud whining sound and whoosh before ascending rapidly. Jet fighters tracking the UFO lost contact before it landed. UFO experts, including L.J. Lorenzen of APRO, believe such incidents are part of an effort by extraterrestrials to force the U.S. government to admit their existence. Lorenzen suggested that a White House landing could be an "overt act" to gain official recognition. He also noted that international political competition might prompt the government to reveal its findings. Lorenzen predicted that the government has already decided to admit the existence of UFOs and that new evidence shows they mean no harm. He stated that the government has 'hard evidence' that flying saucers exist and are studying Earth. The article also references a book, "Beyond Earth: Man's Contact With UFOs," by Ralph and his wife, who predicted the government would admit to UFOs being real and from outer space. Blum added that visitors from space mean no harm and that their acknowledgment will usher in a 'Golden Age.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance is clearly in favor of the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena. It presents reports of sightings and encounters with a serious tone, suggesting that these events are not mere fantasies but warrant serious study. The editorial emphasizes the exchange of information and ideas to foster this investigation. The inclusion of the "UFO Lands at White House!" article, despite its sensational claim, indicates a willingness to explore even the most extraordinary possibilities within the UFO field, particularly those that might pressure governments into acknowledging the phenomenon. The magazine appears to align with organizations like MUFON that are dedicated to collecting data and promoting research.