MUFON

Magazine Overview

This document is the MUFON Arizona Chapter Newsletter, Volume 4, Issue 4, dated April 1995. It serves as a communication channel for MUFON members in Arizona, providing updates on local activities, UFO news, research, and related topics.

Director's Message

Tom Taylor, State Director, opens the newsletter by addressing the renewed public interest in the Roswell Incident, citing its coverage on CNN and Art Bell's radio program. He mentions that Walt Andrus confirmed film was taken during the crash and autopsy, and that the BBC reportedly purchased this film. Taylor also highlights the upcoming National UFO Awareness Week (August 12-20) and solicits ideas from members for public displays. He commends Doris Barley, Yuma County Section Director, for her busy schedule of promoting MUFON and UFOs, including her involvement with a Stanton Friedman presentation that drew over 700 attendees. Taylor also notes a report from Tom Kuszelewicz, Pima County Section Director, about a witness to a sighting in Gila Bend. He expresses anticipation for viewing photographs related to Gila Bend sightings discussed in the previous newsletter.

Field Investigator Training Course

The newsletter announces the first MUFON Field Training Course, scheduled for April 26th at 7:30 p.m. at Richard Motzer's home in North Scottsdale. Interested individuals are asked to call 998-3966 to register for the 12-month course.

MUFON-AZ T-SHIRTS

Earlene Ford and Mary Hart have proposed creating MUFON-AZ t-shirts to generate revenue for the local chapter. Members are invited to submit design suggestions, including explanations or drawings, to Tom Taylor before the April 17th meeting. The shirts will initially be available in Large and Extra Large, with potential for other sizes if the first production run is successful. Members are encouraged to show support by purchasing the shirts.

Media Watch

By Tom Taylor, this section lists recent and upcoming television and radio programs related to UFOs. Programs mentioned include Art Bell's "Dreamland" on KFYI Radio, "UFO AZ UFO TALKS" on Phoenix Dimension Cable and TCI cable, and "Strauss' Place" featuring Selma Graves, a witness to the 1947 Paradise Valley Crash. The Imax Theater's "Destiny in Space" feature is also recommended. The section also notes the availability of a 4-hour videotape of the February 18th State MUFON meeting for $15.00.

Calendar

The calendar lists upcoming MUFON events and related conferences:

• Tucson MUFON Group: Messages for Tom Kuszelewicz can be left at (520) 881-1252 or (520) 398-2573.
• Yuma MUFON Group: Next meeting on May 7th with a guest speaker from Yuma Proving Grounds. Contact Doris Barley.
• June 22-24: 16th Annual Rocky Mountain Conference on UFO Investigation in Laramie, WY.
• July 7-9: MUFON 1995 International UFO Symposium in Seatac, Seattle, WA.
• August 12-20: National UFO Awareness Week.

The Earth Chronicles

This section features a multi-part book report by Dimitri "Jim" Ossipov on Zecharia Sitchin's "The Earth Chronicles" series. The report focuses on Sitchin's theories about the arrival of inhabitants from the 12th planet (Nibiru) and their activities on Earth, identifying them as Anunnaki in Sumerian texts and Nephilim in the Bible. Sitchin's work suggests that ancient myths are based on these extraterrestrial interactions.

An Objective View

By Ray Maurer, this section discusses the influence of media on people's claims of alien experiences. Maurer acknowledges that while media might shape perceptions, the experiences themselves are often perceived as real by those who have them. He notes the commonalities in descriptions of alien beings and their craft, and how these descriptions have evolved over time. Maurer suggests that the phenomenon is so different from our everyday reality that it's difficult to understand, and that a common ground is established through shared beliefs and outside influences.

Excuse Us - We Are Only Earthlings

This piece, also by Ray Maurer, adopts a more critical perspective on alleged alien interactions. The author uses an analogy of an uninvited guest to describe how aliens might be perceived by humans, despite potentially benign intentions. Maurer points out the technological superiority of aliens but questions their understanding and behavior, likening them to intruders. He notes that aliens sometimes create fear or deliver prophecies that don't materialize, and that their interactions can be perceived as lacking in genuine communication or respect for human autonomy.

News Around the Network

This section reports on a potential breakthrough in the Roswell Incident: a military person allegedly sold 16mm films of the crash debris and autopsy to a person in England, who plans to make a documentary. While the film footage is said to have been analyzed and found to be from the mid-1940s, and may even show President Truman, caution is advised due to potential red flags, including cancelled viewing appointments and the seller's reputation. Stanton Friedman is actively involved in validating this evidence. The section also mentions an "Operation Right to Know" demonstration in Washington D.C. supporting an inquiry into the Roswell case and a worldwide petition to the UN for UFO disclosure.

Easter/Passover Treats

A brief note encouraging members to bring enjoyable food leftovers to the meeting.

Tennessee Explosion Linked to UFOs

This report details a UFO sighting in Nashville, TN, minutes before an "immense" explosion. Peter Davenport of the National UFO Reporting Center received a hotline call from TEMA describing a bright cylinder object descending vertically before an explosion and scattering blue fragments. Federal investigators were reportedly present, advising authorities to say nothing.

Holographic Alien Card Set

An advertisement for a "Holographic Alien Card Set" featuring depictions of 8 different alien encounters, offered by Richard Smillie.

A Bit of Mars Landed on Earth

This Associated Press article reports that a 40-pound meteorite, named Zagami, which landed in Africa in 1962, has been identified as a piece of Mars. Gas trapped within the meteorite's glass matches the atmospheric composition of Mars as analyzed by the Viking spacecraft. The meteorite is estimated to have been wandering in space for about 3 million years before landing on Earth. The explosion that ejected Zagami from Mars is assumed to have been caused by a large asteroid or comet impact.

Project 1947

This section describes Project 1947, a 2½ year research effort focused on the 1947 UFO Wave and the early UFO era. The project aims to compile a comprehensive study by screening over 2000 newspapers, searching libraries and archives, and gathering firsthand accounts. They are seeking assistance from the public in the form of newspaper clippings, letters, reports, and leads. Project 1947 is partially funded by MUFON, the Center for UFO Studies, and the Fund for UFO Research.

A Worldwide Petition to the United Nations

This section presents a petition, presented in July 1995 by "Operation Right to Know," urging the United Nations to address issues related to five decades of reported UFO events and to disclose classified information. It provides space for signatures and contact information for returning the signed petitions to Michael Jamieson in Napa, CA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of investigating UFO phenomena and disseminating information to the public. There's a strong emphasis on research, evidence gathering, and member participation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the complexity and often inexplicable nature of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, while also maintaining a critical eye towards potential hoaxes or misinterpretations. The newsletter encourages active engagement from its readership through participation in meetings, training, and providing information. The recurring themes include the ongoing significance of the Roswell incident, the importance of UFO research, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, and the role of media in shaping public perception.