MUFON Arizona - 1998 03 25 - Vol 07 No 03

Magazine Overview

This document is the March 1998 issue of the MUFON Arizona Chapter Newsletter, Volume 7, Issue 3. The cover prominently features the headline "The Truth is Out There" and announces the upcoming meeting with guest speaker Bob Dean discussing "After the Announcement, After the Confirmation, Then What?" The newsletter provides contact information for various MUFON Arizona Chapter directors and producers.

Director's Message

Tom Taylor, State Director, reflects on the first anniversary of the "Phoenix Lights" incident, thanking those involved in its investigation. He acknowledges the complexity of the case and the media's role. Taylor also announces the stepping down of June Scherer, the former section director in Tucson, and welcomes Bill Morrison as her replacement. He expresses honor in having Bob Dean as the guest speaker, highlighting his military background and past role as Pima County Section Director for MUFON. A brief mention is made of a member who witnessed a recent solar eclipse.

Media Watch

This section discusses the conflicting narratives surrounding UFO information, with the White House calling it "spin," the CIA "plausible denial," and the USAF stating there is no threat. It touches upon the idea of "disclosure" as presented by Art Bell and questions how citizens should process this information. The text suggests 1998 is a year of change, moving from complacency to a reality of decision, with information constantly exploding. The "Phoenix Lights" and Dr. Phillip Corso's book "The Day After Roswell" are mentioned as relevant topics.

Articles and Features

Page 2:

• Dr. Richard Boylan's website: Mentioned in relation to Dr. Michael Wolf's alleged activities in classified projects.
• Pop Culture References: Hollywood films like "Independence Day," "Men In Black," "Contact," and "Sphere," along with the TV sitcom "3rd Planet From the Sun" and "The Learning Channel's" documentary series on government coverups, are noted as contributing to public discourse.
• Societal Observations: The article touches upon the "new morals, ethics & character" demonstrated in the Clinton sex scandals, public polls, and double standards regarding fidelity. It also notes the increasing American participation in stock speculations, foreign currency trading, and the anticipation of economic growth.
• Scientific and Technological Advancements: Breakthroughs in medicine, genetics, robotics, neuron chips, telemeers, tissue harvesting, head/body transplants, paradigm shifts in cosmology (water on the moon, black holes, time travel), and Hubbell telescope pictures are highlighted. Emerging energy concepts like anti-gravity, magnetic cold fusion, and hydrogen are also mentioned, alongside psychological adaptations like bio-feedback, firewalking, remote viewing, and virtual reality.
• MUFON's Role: The article posits that individuals come to MUFON for various reasons, including self-education, finding motivation through topics or speakers, and seeking personal answers.
• UFO Programs Listing: A comprehensive list of UFO-related television programs (e.g., "X-Files," "Sightings," "Strange Universe") and radio programs (e.g., "DREAMLAND," "Mysteries Around Us") is provided, with broadcast times and channels. Members are encouraged to report any unlisted programs.
• Calendar of Events: Upcoming MUFON chapter meetings and UFO conferences are listed, including the Gulf Breeze UFO Conference and an event in Scottsdale featuring Travis Walton and Colin Andrews.

Page 3:

• Upcoming MUFON Events: International UFO Symposium in Denver, CO, and Roswell Days in Roswell, NM, are announced.
• Classified Ads: Information on advertising in the MUFON-AZ Newsletter is provided, including pricing and submission guidelines.
• 50+ Years of Arizona Sightings: A comprehensive listing of Arizona UFO sightings compiled by Jim Ossipov is available for purchase.
• Article Submission: Members are invited to submit articles and book reviews, with options for handwritten, typed, or diskette submissions.
• Open Letter from New Pima Co. Section Director: Bill Morris expresses his pleasure in being appointed Pima County Section Director and thanks June Scherrer. He outlines his goals to continue June's programs and promote MUFON in the area, welcoming suggestions from members.
• Aliens, Ebes and Hoaxes: This article critiques the TV program "Alien Abduction of the McPherson Family" and the "Interview With An Alien" video, questioning the credibility of sources like Bob Lazar and Robert Dean. It points out inconsistencies in the "Alien" video and suggests that "Victor," the alleged provider of the film, may be involved in disinformation. The author urges caution regarding such content.

Page 4:

• MUFON Membership Badges: Orders are being taken for custom MUFON membership badges.
• Press Release: The Updated Report on "The Phoenix Lights": This section details the two main events of the Phoenix Lights on March 13, 1997. The 10:00 p.m. event was identified as a flare exercise by the Maryland Air National Guard. The 8:30 p.m. event remains an unknown, with witnesses agreeing on the large size, slow to fast movement, lack of noise, and absence on radar.
• An ET/UT Contact Overview Available Now: A 24-page briefing by Mark Woodhouse, a Professor in GSU's Department of Philosophy, is available. It is described as a balanced overview of UFO, IFO, abductee, contactee, and related topics.
• CAUS Commentary: Peter A. Gersten of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, Inc. (CAUS) addresses allegations against Jim Dilettoso published in the Phoenix New Times. He emphasizes the need for the UFO community to police itself and calls for Dilettoso to issue a statement regarding the truth or falsity of the allegations.

Page 5 (The Arizona Republic - Front Page):

• "Water discovered on moon": A front-page article from The Arizona Republic dated Friday, March 6, 1998, reports the discovery of water on the moon by the Prospector spacecraft. This finding is significant for the prospect of human settlement and could reduce mission costs. Scientists estimate billions of gallons of water ice at the lunar poles.

Page 6 (The Arizona Republic):

• "'Phoenix Lights' witnesses credible, hard to dismiss": A column by Steve Wilson discusses the "Phoenix Lights" incident one year later. Wilson interviews several witnesses, including a psychiatrist, a retired airline pilot, a real estate consultant, and a physician, who provide credible accounts of the event. He notes that while military explanations are possible, the lack of official acknowledgment raises questions.

Page 7 (The Tribune):

• "Lights in Valley sky a story too good for an easy explanation": A commentary by Mark J. Scarp discusses the lingering mystery of the "Phoenix Lights." While the Arizona National Guard provided an explanation involving flares, the public's suspicion of government cover-ups persists. The article quotes Frances Emma Barwood and Paul Cook on the government's handling of UFO information and the public's perception of those who report sightings.

Page 8 (The Tribune):

• "Light in sky sparks more UFO calls": This article reports on recent UFO sightings that may have been mistaken for a weather balloon launched by Arizona State University scientists as part of an air quality project.

Page 9 (The Arizona Republic):

• "Asteroid may have Earth in its sights": An article discusses the discovery of a mile-wide asteroid, 1997 XF11, which is predicted to pass very close to Earth in 2028. Astronomers are concerned about the potential for impact, though the chance is considered small. Follow-up observations are needed to determine the object's orbit precisely.

Page 10 (Subscription Form):

• Subscribe to Your MUFON-Arizona Newsletter!: A form is provided for subscribing to the MUFON-Arizona Newsletter, with details on dues and payment instructions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing mystery and public interest surrounding the "Phoenix Lights," the exploration of space and potential for lunar settlement, and the public's skepticism towards official explanations regarding unexplained phenomena. The newsletter also touches upon the broader societal impact of information, scientific advancements, and the role of organizations like MUFON in investigating and disseminating information. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging open inquiry, critical thinking, and a balanced approach to UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for caution against disinformation and hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on witness credibility and the importance of thorough investigation.

This document is a press release from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), Arizona Chapter, dated around March 1998, focusing on an updated report of the "Phoenix Lights" incident. It also includes advertisements for upcoming MUFON meetings.

The Phoenix Lights Report

The press release commemorates the first anniversary of the Phoenix Lights, noting that as of March 13, 1998, more questions remained unanswered than resolved. The incident involved two main events on the night of March 13, 1997: one around 8:30 p.m. and another just before 10:00 p.m.

The 10:00 p.m. event was investigated by MUFON on May 14, 1997, and subsequently verified by other sources as a flare exercise conducted by the Maryland Air National Guard.

The primary focus of the report is the 8:30 p.m. event. This sighting had numerous witnesses and involved an object or formation that traveled from the northwest corner of Arizona to Phoenix, and then back towards Kingman. All witnesses reportedly agreed on four key points:

1. Size: The formation was very large, estimated to be as much as a mile in length.
2. Movement: The movement appeared to be slow at times and fast at others. The formation traveled from Prescott Valley to Carefree in approximately 20 minutes, glided over Phoenix in a southerly direction, and then headed back north toward Kingman.
3. Sound: The object or formation made no noise.
4. Radar Detection: It did not appear on radar as it passed over Sky Harbor International Airport.

The press release concludes that the 8:30 p.m. event remains unexplained, classifying it as a UFO, though not necessarily of extraterrestrial origin. Contact information for further details is provided: Tom Taylor (Director of Arizona MUFON), Alan Morey (Assistant Director), and Dimitri "Jim" Ossipov.

MUFON Meeting Announcements

The document also includes advertisements for upcoming MUFON meetings, each featuring a specific presentation:

• Meeting 1: Scheduled for October 22, 1997 (Fourth Wednesday), at 7:30 PM. The presentation was an "exclusive video interview of Selman Graves pertaining to the... Paradise Valley Crash of 1947." The meeting was held at the Russell Auditorium, National Guard Armory, Bushmaster & McDowell. Donations were $1.00 for members and $2.00 for guests. No food, smoking, or drink was allowed inside the auditorium.

• Meeting 2: Scheduled for April 22, 1998 (Fourth Wednesday), at 7:30 PM. This meeting featured "An extensive video & slide presentation" titled "Face on Mars Caper," with the tagline "Did you get sucked in too? Find out WHO DID IT!" It also mentioned "Latest Photos." More information could be obtained by calling MUFON at 967-6265 or 425-9976. The location was the same: Russell Auditorium, National Guard Armory, Bushmaster & McDowell. Donations were $2.00 for members and $3.00 for guests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are UFO sightings, specifically the Phoenix Lights, and the investigative work of MUFON. The editorial stance, as presented in the press release, is one of seeking factual information and acknowledging unexplained phenomena while also identifying events that have been explained (like the 10:00 PM Phoenix Lights event). The MUFON meeting announcements highlight a broader interest in UFO-related historical cases and alleged hoaxes or conspiracies.