MUFON Arizona - 1999 10 27 - Vol 08 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFON-AZ Newsletter
Issue: Volume 8, Issue 10
Date: October 27, 1999
Publisher: Mutual UFO Network Arizona Chapter

This issue of the MUFON-AZ Newsletter provides a comprehensive look at UFO-related activities and discussions within the Arizona chapter and beyond. It covers local chapter news, upcoming events, significant UFO sightings, and expert opinions on the possibility of extraterrestrial contact.

Directors Message

Alan R. Morey steps down as State Director of AZ MUFON, citing a lack of time and resources to effectively manage the chapter. He expresses pride in his tenure and will continue as a field investigator. He thanks members for their support and asks them to extend the same to the new director. Jim Kelly is mentioned as taking over treasury duties previously handled by Tom Taylor.

October Meeting and Events

The October meeting on October 27, 1999, at 7:30 p.m. will feature guest speaker Kevin Randle, author of "The Alien Abduction Enigma" and "The Randle Report: UFOs in the '90s." The meeting will be held at the National Guard Armory. A UFO Video Sale is also planned for the meeting, with over 31 videos available between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from a raffle will go to support former State Director Tom Taylor, who is facing medical expenses. The raffle includes rare APRO UFO bulletins and a two-tape set of "The KGB UFO Files."

Media Watch and Weekly Programs

The newsletter lists recent and upcoming UFO-related television and radio programs, including "X-Files," "Roswell," and "Dreamland." Members are encouraged to share any missed programs by contacting Teri Acton.

Chapter Meetings and Websites

Information is provided for various MUFON chapters in Arizona, including Pima County, Pinal County, Yuma County, and Maricopa County, with contact details for their respective directors. Links to UFO-related websites such as www.drsky.com and www.caus.org are also included.

Arizona Sightings List

The newsletter promotes the purchase of "Arizona Sightings 1899-1998," a compilation by Dimitri "Jim" Ossipov.

Article Submissions and Membership Badges

Members are invited to submit articles or letters for the newsletter by contacting Teri Acton. Information is also provided on ordering MUFON Membership Badges.

Jim Kelly Steps Down, Bob Sylvester Takes Over

Jim Kelly announces his departure as Maricopa County Section Director, with Bob Sylvester, an aerospace engineer, assuming the role. Kelly will now handle treasury duties and the MUFON Book Store.

October Sky Watch Planned

A sky watch event is scheduled for October 30th, inviting members and friends to bring telescopes and binoculars. The event will be led by Astronomy buffs Bill Goodman and Terry Wameke, meeting at McDonald's on 51st Ave. at 5:30 p.m.

Jim Keith Dies

The newsletter reports the sudden death of conspiracy writer Jim Keith at age 50. Keith, author of ten books on conspiracy and cover-up, had recently become a contributing writer for UFOcity.com. His death is described as somewhat odd, and speculation about foul play is mentioned. The circumstances of his death involved a knee injury followed by kidney complications, leading to a fatal blood clot. Ken Thomas is investigating the circumstances and will handle affairs for Keith's daughters.

Current UFO Cases and Sightings: Local and Worldwide

This section features several reports:

• Arizona UFOs: A sighting in the Dragoon Mountains, Arizona, involving a craft with a flashing silvery, blue-white light, moving at approximately 80-125 mph at an altitude of 6,000 ft.
• Monterrey Mexico Sighting: A large, V-shaped object appeared static in the sky over Monterrey, emitting white light and changing shape. The event attracted significant public attention and media coverage.
• Iowa Pilot Sees Flying Triangle: A pilot reported a thumbnail-sized triangular object depositing material into clouds near Dubuque, Iowa. The craft maneuvered abruptly and traveled at high speeds.
• Texas Flying Triangle: Witnesses near Lake Whitney observed an object that took on the shape of a triangle with three lights, causing their truck's electronics to fail.
• California Flying Triangle: A triangular ship was observed flying slowly and silently over a house near Travis Air Force Base, emitting a blue flame from its rear.

Russian Junk or Major UFO Event?

This article by Robert Scott Martin discusses a wave of UFO sightings on September 1, 1999, which jammed phone lines and led Art Bell to classify it as a "major UFO event." However, NORAD identified the sightings as Russian rocket debris. Jerry Rolwes, director of MUFON's Washington State section, criticized the media and some researchers for not verifying facts before making assumptions. The article also addresses reports of heightened military activity and power failures, noting that power companies had no record of unusual outages.

Professor Predicts First Contact With Aliens

Toronto academic Allen Tough predicts that contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life is likely to occur within the next century. He emphasizes the need for society to prepare for the social and physiological impacts of such an event. Douglas Vakoch, a psychologist with the SETI Institute, agrees and discusses the importance of deciding whether and how to respond to alien messages. Ken Norwich, a physiology professor, expresses less optimism about the timeline for contact, noting the complexities involved. The article also touches on the public's fascination with UFOs and the turn of the millennium. Tough suggests that contact might be made via small probes and that aliens could offer profound insights or pose existential risks. A Maclean's poll indicates that a significant percentage of Canadians expect extraterrestrial discovery within 50 years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation and systematic collection of UFO data, aligning with MUFON's mission. There is a strong emphasis on reporting sightings, sharing information through various media channels, and encouraging member participation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to be critical thinkers and to verify information, as exemplified by the article debunking the September 1st event. The newsletter also highlights the personal impact of UFO phenomena, such as Tom Taylor's illness and the death of Jim Keith, while maintaining a focus on the ongoing search for answers.