MUFON Arizona - 1996 12 18 - Vol 05 No 12

Magazine Overview

This is the December 1996 issue of the MUFON Arizona Chapter newsletter, Volume 5, Issue 12. The cover features a desert landscape and the headline 'ARIZONA CHAPTER'. The newsletter covers a variety of topics related to UFOs, astronomy, ancient civilizations, and alleged government cover-ups.

Meeting Announcement

The MUFON-AZ meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 1996, was held one week early due to the Christmas holiday. The program included 'Pre-Egyptian Aircraft and Connection to NASA' and a discussion on the 'Hale-Bopp Comet'. The meeting took place at the National Guard Armory at 5636 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix, Arizona. Future meetings starting in January 1997 would return to the regular fourth Wednesday of the month slot. The January guest speaker was announced as Glenn Campbell, known for his association with Area 51.

Director's Message

Tom Taylor, State Director, notes an unusual surge in UFO-related rumors and events. He highlights several key points:

1. Hale-Bopp Comet: The comet's large size and apparent changes in direction are noted. Its closest approach to Earth was scheduled for March 1997. A 'companion object' larger than Earth, detected near the comet, was reportedly sending radio waves.
2. Mars Pathfinder Launch: The launch of the Pathfinder mission to Mars, after delays, is mentioned. Richard Hoagland's press credentials were withdrawn by NASA, and he was denied access to launch coverage.
3. Sphinx Chamber: The Egyptian government's claim of reopening an 'empty chamber' under the Sphinx is discussed. Richard Hoagland suggests this is a diversion, and a shaft leading to a location predicted by Edgar Cayce will actually be opened.
4. Moon Ice Crystals: The recent announcement of ice crystals discovered on the moon is mentioned, with a reference to a similar article from a UFO conference years prior.

Taylor also reminds members about the December meeting date and wishes everyone happy holidays and a prosperous New Year, hoping 1997 will be the year of stripped coverups.

Media Watch by Tom Taylor

Tom Taylor's 'Media Watch' column covers several media-related items:

• 'Mars Attack!' Film: The film's setting in Pahrump, Nevada, is noted as the same location from which Art Bell broadcasts his radio show.
• KTAR Radio Interview: ASU professors were interviewed on December 15th regarding the 'recently discovered' water on the moon, questioning why NASA made this announcement years after it was initially reported.
• Hale-Bopp Companion Object: Photos of the 'companion object' to the Hale-Bopp Comet are mentioned, with Chuck Schramek (Houston astronomer) having taken over 160 such photos.
• UFO Programs: A list of recently aired TV, radio, and newspaper programs on the UFO topic is provided, with a call for members to share taped programs. The new film 'Mars Attack!' is highlighted for its December 13th release.
• 'Sightings' TV Show: Kevin Bowman provided information that the show 'Sightings' can be seen on the SciFi Channel on Fridays at 6 p.m. MST (repeated at 10 p.m.).
• 'UFO Update' Publication: Mike and Roger Bollinger produce a quarterly publication called 'UFO Update', with contact information provided.

Weekly Programs

A comprehensive list of weekly radio and television programs related to UFOs and the paranormal is provided:

• DREAMLAND: KFYI Radio, 910 AM, Sunday evenings, 8:00 p.m., hosted by Art Bell. Also airs on other stations in Arizona. Art Bell also hosts 'Coast to Coast' weeknights.
• Jim Dilettoso Program: A 15-minute UFO-related program each Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. on Channel 10.
• UFO AZ/UFO TALKS: Scottsdale TCI cable, Channel 28, Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Also viewed on Channel 22 and Prescott Channel 13.
• Dreamland (Tucson): Related radio program on KTUC, 1400 AM, 10:00 p.m. Sundays.
• The Extraordinary: Monday mornings, 12:30-1:30 a.m. on Channel 15.
• Unsolved Mysteries: Fridays at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 12.
• X Files: Sundays at 8:00 p.m. on Channel 10.
• Dark Skies: Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 12.
• Sightings: SciFi Channel, Fridays, 6 p.m. MST (repeated at 10 p.m.).
• Strange Universe: Weeknights at 10:30 p.m. on Channel 45.
• Mysteries Around Us: KTAR Radio (620 AM), Saturday and Sunday midnight, hosted by Frank Baranowski.
• Late Night Cosmic Contact: Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 p.m., Channel 61 (TCI Tucson Public Access), hosted by Chris Maynard.

Classified Ads

The newsletter offers advertising services for $5.00 for up to three lines and $10 for business-card sized ads. Tom Taylor handles advertising.

Article Submissions

Contributors are encouraged to submit articles and book reviews. Handwritten articles and typewritten submissions are accepted. Computer-submitted articles are preferred if saved in WordPerfect 5.1 or ASCII (DOS text) format. Submissions can be mailed to Tom Taylor or faxed to Mary Hart.

Calendar

• Pima County Chapter: No December meeting planned.
• Yuma County Chapter Meeting: December 15, 1:00 p.m. at Desert Lakes Clubhouse.
• Cochise County Chapter: Meetings are the 4th Saturday of each month. Contact Whitey Reese.
• Maricopa County Chapter: Meeting December 18 (Third Wednesday) at the usual place and time.
• 6th Annual UFO Congress: January 18-24, 1997, in Laughlin, NV. Contact for details provided.
• January MUFON-AZ Meeting: January 22, 1997, 7:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, featuring Area 51 speaker Glenn Campbell.

MUFON-AZ T-SHIRTS

MUFON-AZ t-shirts are available for $15.00. Those who pre-ordered can pick them up at the December 18th meeting. Earlene Ford will have extras for sale.

Just Cause

This section recommends subscribing to the 'Citizens Against UFO Secrecy' (CAUS) newsletter, edited by Barry Greenwood. The address for CAUS is P.O. Box 176, Stoneham, MA 02180. The subscription costs $15 per year.

Current Events

This section discusses the public's perception of UFOs and government cover-ups:

• Public Belief: A Newsweek poll (June 30, 1996) indicated that over 48% of those interviewed believed UFOs are real, and 49% thought the government was hiding proof. Nearly half of Americans believed in UFOs, and one in eight claimed to have seen one.
• Crop Circles: The section details two significant crop circle appearances in England in 1996:
• June 17, 1996, at Alton Barnes: A 648-foot design of 'double helix' DNA-type twin strands made from 89 circles.
• July 8, 1996, south of Stonehenge: A 900-foot by 300-foot design of Julia sets, related to fractal mathematical relationships.
• Mind Control Allegations: A disturbing trend is noted where experiencers of extraterrestrial encounters may have been subjected to military mind-control programs, with memories of kidnapping, interrogation, and abuse being reprogrammed to appear as alien abductions. Documents obtained from the White House suggest a possible link between mind-control technology and alleged UFO phenomena.

Dr. Ruth Hover - MUFON-AZ Member

Dr. Ruth Hover's contribution discusses the use of UFOs as a cloak for mind-control activity research.

Setback for Sagan

A reprint from the Houston Chronicle details that astronomer Carl Sagan was hospitalized again for diagnosis and treatment of a blood disease, potentially a recurrence of myelodysplasia.

The Government Lies, Says Sagan

A reprint from Houston Chronicle TV Guide quotes Carl Sagan expressing despair over 'The X-Files' plot line, stating that the government lies all the time and that the idea of a government cover-up regarding aliens is superficially plausible.

UFO Potpourri Newsletter

A section from John F. Schuessler's 'UFO Potpourri Newsletter' (August 1996) discusses the potential for the Air Force to increase its budget by focusing on UFOs.

San Pedro River Case

This section details a preliminary sighting report from Cochise Case #830612A(CE3), investigated by E.C. 'Whitey' Reese. The incident occurred in June 1983 around 2300 hrs near Sierra Vista, AZ. A witness reported a missing time incident involving a landed UFO with several humanoids. The witness's vehicle reportedly drove itself, and a bright light was observed. The investigation involved personal interviews, and plans were made to visit the suspected site, though delayed by road construction. The investigator is also attempting to locate the witness's girlfriend for an interview. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to assess the witness's credibility.

Book Review: Encounter at Buff Ledge, A UFO Case History by Walter N. Webb

Reviewed by Herb Moran, MUFON-AZ Member. The book is described as a thoroughly researched and documented UFO abduction episode. It details the painstaking methods required for scientific credibility in UFO research. The case involves two camp counsellors, 'Michael and Janet,' abducted in August 1968 near Lake Champlain, Vermont. They were interviewed and tested over a five-year period after being separated for 11 years. The review highlights Webb's lessons on conducting credible investigations, including the importance of immediate interviews, allowing subjects to tell their story uninterrupted, and assigning a UFO designation only after conventional explanations are exhausted. It also notes that abductee experiences are generally more reliable than contactee experiences. The review quotes MIT Professor Philip Morrison on interpreting witness statements as data requiring analysis. The reviewer concludes that while UFOs have been intriguing, they are fast becoming a 'mythic, fact of everyday life' that may never be fully understood.

An Evening with Zecharia Sitchin

This section reports on a talk given by Zecharia Sitchin at the Mesa Community and Conference Center on November 6th. Sitchin introduced his book 'Divine Encounters'. His talk, attended by about 400-450 people, included slides and focused on his theory that intelligent extraterrestrial life visited Earth 400,000 years ago and bio-engineered humans. Sitchin defines himself as a reporter of ancient knowledge. He discusses the Sumerian civilization, crediting them with 100 'firsts', including the wheel, cuneiform writing, and advanced astronomical knowledge. He explains that the Sumerians claimed to be taught by the 'Anunnaki'—ancient astronauts from another planet—communicating through dreams. Sitchin's theory posits that a planet called 'Marduk' collided with another, forming Earth and a twelfth planet with a long elliptical orbit. This planet's gravitational pull is theorized to have caused the ice cap to slip into the ocean. Ancient maps depicting South America without an ice cap are cited as evidence. Sitchin also suggests that Jerusalem served as a command/control space center, with Mars as a 'way station' between the twelfth planet and Earth.

Lost in Space?

This section discusses the unfortunate loss of a spacecraft launched by NASA to explore Mars. It questions whether the malfunction was entirely truthful, suggesting that perhaps information was discovered that could alter humanity's view of the universe. The author speculates that if a monumental discovery was made, scientists might struggle with how to break such news to the public, possibly leading to a 'watered down' announcement or 'prepping' the public for something significant.

A Course Correction?

This piece questions the official story behind the loss of a Mars exploration spacecraft. It suggests that the malfunction might have been a cover for a significant discovery that could have profound implications for humanity's understanding of the universe. The author wonders if the public is being gently prepared for such revelations.

How About a Nice Meteor Story?

This section continues the speculation from 'Lost in Space?' and 'A Course Correction?', suggesting that if a mission to Mars made a discovery that challenged humanity's place in the universe, the news might be presented in a way that is less alarming, perhaps framed as a 'meteor story' or a 'watered down' truth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently explores themes of UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial contact, ancient civilizations (particularly Sumerians), and potential government secrecy or cover-ups. There is a strong emphasis on research, witness testimony, and the pursuit of scientific credibility in the study of UFOs, while also acknowledging the more speculative and controversial aspects of the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to investigate and share information, while maintaining a critical perspective on official narratives and potential hidden agendas. The publication also highlights the importance of media coverage and public awareness regarding UFO topics.