UFO Potpourri No 338

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: No. 338
Date: Saturday, October 14, 1989
Publisher: Houston Chronicle

This issue of UFO Potpourri delves into various UFO and unexplained phenomena reports from late 1989, featuring a mix of serious incidents, local curiosities, and international accounts.

Oklahoma Woman Hurt While UFO-Watching

The lead story details an incident in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, where a woman, Brenda Hogan, was seriously injured in a car wreck while participating in a roadside watch party for mysterious lights. The lights, described as large red, white, and blue, had been observed for three consecutive nights. The accident occurred when their car was struck from behind, injuring the Hogans. Highway Patrol Trooper Danny Miller reported that approximately 25 to 30 cars were parked on the roadside at the time, with many people drinking beer. Ottawa County Sheriff Therl Whittle expressed frustration with the ongoing reports. The local Civil Defense attempted a four-hour vigil to explain the sightings but deemed it inconclusive, receiving 12 phone calls during that period.

Astronomer's Explanation for Oklahoma Lights

Don Lind, an astronomy instructor at Coffeyville Community College, offered a natural explanation for the mysterious lights. He stated that the sightings were real but caused by natural phenomena, likely large, bright objects in the night sky. Lind suggested that the lights could be explained by two planets (Jupiter in the west-northwest and Venus in the southwest), a bright star (Arkturus), and a turbulent atmosphere. He noted that Jupiter appears about 10 p.m. and can flicker due to atmospheric conditions, while Venus is bright after sundown. Lind attributed the apparent movement to Earth's rotation and the flashing to dust and pollen in the warm air. He also mentioned that these sightings are common in hilly areas like northeastern Oklahoma and its borders with Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, where they have been identified as light refractions.

Psychics Saw Jail Cell in Their Future

This section reports on the cancellation of a psychic convention in Hutchinson, Kansas, due to an obscure 1909 ordinance that prohibits psychics from practicing their craft. Ian Bliss, the organizer from Colorado Springs, Colo., called the ordinance a violation of civil liberties. Judy Haynes Williams, a psychic who had moved to the area, complained that the ordinance prevented her from advertising her business. The cancellation prompted city officials to consider repealing the law, with City Commissioner Ron Leslie questioning the necessity of such an ordinance.

Moscow 'Welcomes' Aliens

The Soviet army newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda sarcastically expressed disappointment that aliens did not land in Moscow, suggesting the capital had better airports. The newspaper criticized scientists for failing to expose the alleged farce, mocked newspapers for increased circulation due to the stories, and chided the public for believing in space visitors, charlatans, and mystics. The article, titled 'The threats of outer space,' also appeared in The Sunday Times.

Soviet Union: The UFO Went Thataway

This article details a reported landing of a spaceship in Voronezh, Russia, involving 10ft creatures with three eyes and a robot. Soviet investigators opened a commission to verify the claims, though most children who reported the incident were not allowed to testify. Genrykh Silanov, head of the commission, used a copper rod for 'biolocation' to try and detect alien traces. The incident, which allegedly occurred on September 27, involved an alien firing a gun that temporarily vaporized a 16-year-old boy. Tests on mysterious rocks found at the site indicated they were of earthly origin. The incident had provoked widespread public interest, overshadowing daily concerns like meat and soap shortages.

No UFOs (Houston Anecdote)

This humorous piece debunks a reported UFO sighting in Houston on September 15. After a Channel 11 story mentioned a close encounter of the third kind, it was revealed that the 'UFO' was actually Steve Smith shopping for pants at the Big 'n' Tall Shop. This was described as 'tongue-in-cheek reporting style seen in many newspapers.'

Yeti Breaks Free After Getting Boot

A brief report from The Sunday Express (October 15, 1985) describes an abominable snowman captured by three Russians in the community of Garatov, Volga province. The Yeti was reportedly captured in an apple orchard, tied up, and placed in the boot of a car. However, it broke free and escaped into the night. One of the men described the Yeti as 'very ugly with large yellow teeth.'

The Threats of Outer Space (Soviet Article)

A Soviet military journal, The Soviet Military Review, cited unidentified flying objects (UFOs) as a reason for the United States to halt development of its Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), or 'Star Wars' system. Authors Aleksandr Kuzovin and Aleksandr Semyonov argued that the SDI's computer systems might mistake a UFO for an enemy missile and trigger a retaliatory strike. They stated that a lack of information on UFO characteristics and influence increases the threat of incorrect identifications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers reports of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, presenting both the phenomena and attempts to explain them, whether through scientific or natural means. There's a clear interest in international reports, particularly from the Soviet Union. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events, with a tendency to include skeptical or humorous counterpoints, as seen in the Houston anecdote and the Moscow newspaper's commentary. The inclusion of the Soviet article on UFOs and Star Wars suggests a broader interest in the geopolitical implications of UFO phenomena. The magazine also touches upon the role of psychics and local ordinances related to them, indicating a wider scope of unusual or unexplained topics.