MUFON Arizona - 1995 09 18 - Vol 04 No 09

Magazine Overview

This document is the September 1995 issue of the MUFON Arizona Chapter newsletter, titled "The Truth is Out There." It covers various UFO-related topics, including upcoming meetings, media coverage of the 'Alien Autopsy' program, research into the 'Taos Hum,' and a book review.

Director's Message

Tom Taylor, State Director, announces that Preston Westmoreland, a popular radio personality from KTAR Radio, will be the guest speaker at the upcoming meeting. Westmoreland will discuss the media's treatment of the 'Alien Autopsy' program and his recent trip to Area 51. Taylor reflects on the success of MUFON-AZ's August display at Christown Mall, which drew a large response and distributed hundreds of flyers. He thanks the volunteers and media who supported the event, including Preston Westmoreland and Bill Strauss from KTAR.

Taylor also mentions meeting Marlene Veldhuts, who donated a collection of newspaper articles from the 1960s. He notes the widespread television showing of the 'Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction' program on Fox, acknowledging that while its authenticity is debated, it has generated significant public interest in the UFO phenomenon.

Field Investigation Training

The newsletter announces the conclusion of Field Investigator Training classes conducted by Richard Motzer, thanking him for his time and indicating plans to start another group after the new year.

Skywatch

A Skywatch event is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, near the Palo Verde nuclear plant. Participants are asked to meet at 6:00 p.m. at McDonald's on 51st Avenue and will caravan from there. Attendees are encouraged to bring telescopes, binoculars, and camcorders.

Media Watch

By Tom Taylor, this section provides a list of recent and upcoming UFO-related television, radio, and newspaper programs. It notes that timely notification is not always possible, and members are encouraged to share taped programs at meetings.

• Key media mentions include:
• Wednesday, September 6: Bill Strauss interviewed pathologist Cyril Wecht about the 'Alien Autopsy' film.
• Labor Day night: Art Bell's 'Dreamland' program featured Bob Shell, who is testing the 'Alien Autopsy' film for composition and age. Shell's research suggests the film's properties indicate it was not aged or fogged, supporting its potential authenticity.
• KTAR Radio: Preston Westmoreland interviewed Don Ecker from UFO Magazine regarding the autopsy program.
• KTAR Radio (August 28): Bill Strauss interviewed Jim Dilettoso and Paul Davidson about the 'Alien Autopsy' film.
• 'American Journal' (Channel 3): This program attempted to discredit the autopsy film without providing concrete evidence.
• Radio Programs: 'Dreamland' (KFYI Radio, 910 AM, Sundays 7:00 p.m.), 'UFO AZ/UFO TALKS' (Channel 22, Mondays/Tuesdays 9:00 a.m.), and a related radio program on KTUC, 1400 AM in Tucson (Sundays 10:00 p.m.).
• TV Programs: 'Encounters' (Channel 10, Mondays 7:00 p.m.), 'Unsolved Mysteries' (Channel 12, Fridays 7:00 p.m.), 'X-Files' (Channel 10, Fridays 8:00 p.m.), and 'Sightings' (Channel 15, Saturdays 10:30 p.m.).

MUFON-AZ T-SHIRTS

MUFON-AZ is selling t-shirts depicting the Paradise Valley UFO Crash of 1947. Limited quantities are available, and interested individuals should contact Earlene Ford.

Calendar

• Tucson MUFON Group: October 19, meeting and training session (2:00-4:30 p.m. at Wilmer Library). Contact June for details.
• Yuma MUFON Group: October 15, 1:00 p.m. at Desert Lakes Clubhouse, featuring meteorologist John Faucett. Contact Doris Barley for information.
• Experiencers Support Groups: Two groups are meeting: one hosted by Ruth McKinley-Hover (second Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.) and an abductee support group hosted by Ray Maurer (September 25th, 7:30 p.m.).

Book Review: Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Alien Abductions, UFOs and the Conference at M.I.T.

• Reviewed by Herb Moran, this section discusses C.D.B. Bryan's book. Moran describes the book as a "skeptic-zapper" written by an investigative journalist that leads readers from skepticism to conditional acceptance of UFOs and abductions. The review highlights key points from the 1992 conference, including:
• A report from England stating the most common abduction time is 0300-0500, with over 25% occurring in crop circle zones.
• The observation that observed UFO lights rotate counterclockwise.
• People's imaginary abduction scenarios differ from those described by actual abductees.
• A California therapist's observation that "For the first time in our history we are studying something that is studying us!"
• Linda Moulton Howe's speculation about crop circles building up to a meeting with extraterrestrial consciousness.
• The government's classification of UFOs as IAF (Identified Aerial Vehicles).
• The distinction between contactees (who have a good time) and abductees (who don't).
• SETI being renamed High Resolution Microwave Survey.
• Societies that don't distinguish between the real and spirit worlds may not report abduction phenomena.
• The problem of "shaky data" in UFO research, where the plural of anecdote is data.
• Bryan perceives a shift in the conference attendees into two camps: those who believe in "good" aliens and those who believe aliens are manipulative.

John Mack is quoted on the phenomenon being a "fourth blow to our egotism," following Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud, challenging humanity's perceived central place in the universe and control over its psyche.

An abductee likens the situation to "butterflies are coming back to stop the caterpillars that are denuding the bushes," suggesting a corrective force.

David Jacobs notes that abduction research requires a different methodology than UFO research, being more personal and akin to therapy. He also states that while therapists often assume abduction fantasies stem from repressed sexual abuse, no case has unequivocally shown this.

Huming Sounds from the Earth

This section details personal experiences and research into a persistent humming sound. The author recounts hearing a similar sound in Los Angeles years ago, which seemed to emanate from the ground and was only audible when lying down.

Research into the 'Taos Hum' in New Mexico is discussed, involving UNM researchers and physicist Prof. Mullins. They encountered difficulties measuring the low-frequency sound (below 50 Hz) with standard equipment. Geophones and electromagnetic scanners registered some noises but not the specific hum heard by residents. Interestingly, not all people can hear the hum, and those who do report their whole head vibrating.

Surveys conducted in Taos identified 161 people (11% of respondents) who hear the hum. Hearers are primarily "baby-boomers," evenly split between men and women, and mostly live in Taos or Ranchos de Taos. The hum began in the Taos area in spring 1991, though Albuquerque residents reported a similar sound since 1989. Hearers often experience pressure on the ears, nosebleeds, dizziness, and headaches, and the hum disturbs their sleep.

• Key findings from the Taos survey:
• 73% of hearers are between 30 and 59 years old.
• 52% are female, 47% male.
• Most heard the hum first in Taos or Ranchos de Taos, or elsewhere in the mountains.
• 67% have heard the hum for one or more years, indicating it's not transient.
• 75% hear it daily, every few days, or weekly; 5% hear it continuously.
• 17% reported hearing it at one time but not currently, suggesting sensitivity might be lost or suppressed.
• 62% hear it late at night or in the early morning.
• 23% hear the hum outside the Taos area.

Kelly notes that survey numbers might be skewed, as hearers may be more inclined to respond. The research aims to understand the mechanics of low-frequency hearing and potentially shed light on related disorders.

Gary Hart's hobby of tracking these sounds across the U.S. is mentioned, and he contacted the author to record vibrations north of Sedona.

Ritter Cartoon

A cartoon by Ritter titled "TO THE UNRECOGNIZED 'HERO'" satirizes individuals who visit Area 51 seeking recognition or a "scientific investigation," suggesting it's become a tourist mecca and that military intelligence is an oxymoron. The cartoon implies that if one were a cook, they wouldn't want strangers investigating their ingredients, urging respect for military operations.

Dimitri (Jim) Ossipov's Commentary

Dimitri Ossipov, Maricopa County Section Director, offers a critical perspective on those who visit Area 51 seeking validation or heroism. He argues that Area 51 is a tourist attraction and that individuals should not expect special treatment or recognition for visiting. He suggests that the military deserves privacy and that snooping is unwarranted, comparing it to someone investigating a chef's secret ingredients.

Harvard Won't Censure Professor for UFO Study

This article from The Arizona Republic (August 4, 1995) reports that Harvard Medical School decided not to censure Professor John Mack for his study of alien abduction experiences. However, Mack received a public warning from the dean about maintaining professionalism. The investigation followed Mack's promotion of his book "Abduction: Human Encounters With Aliens." The faculty committee focused on whether Mack's work met professional standards and ethical guidelines for human subjects research.

Key Roswell 'UFO' Documents Destroyed Years Ago, Report Says

This article from The Arizona Republic (July 30, 1995) states that key military documents related to the 1947 Roswell Incident were apparently destroyed without authorization decades ago, according to a General Accounting Office (GAO) report. Rep. Steve Schiff of New Mexico noted that the report provided no new light on the crash and confirmed important documents were missing. The Air Force has maintained that the wreckage was from a classified balloon project (Project Mogul) used to detect Soviet nuclear weapons, a claim that UFO proponents dispute.

Species on the Internet

This brief section mentions that alien autopsy photos from the alleged 1947 Roswell crash are circulating on the internet, with links provided to websites where they can be viewed. It also suggests exploring Usenet newsgroups and America Online areas dedicated to UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission to investigate UFO phenomena and share information with the public. There is a strong emphasis on reporting on media coverage of UFO events, particularly the 'Alien Autopsy' program, and encouraging public participation through meetings and skywatches. The publication also highlights ongoing research into unexplained phenomena like the 'Taos Hum,' demonstrating a commitment to scientific inquiry, even when dealing with controversial or difficult-to-measure subjects. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging critical thinking while not dismissing extraordinary claims outright, as exemplified by the coverage of John Mack's work and the 'Taos Hum' research. The inclusion of a critical commentary on Area 51 visitors suggests a nuanced view, distinguishing between genuine investigation and sensationalism.