P.I.P.E. LINE

Magazine Overview

Title: P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: # 26
Date: February, 1987
Publisher: MUFON PUBLIC RELATIONS DIR.
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

This issue of the P.I.P.E. Line newsletter, published by the MUFON Public Relations Director, focuses on updates from State Directors, plans for National UFO Information Week, and reviews of significant books in the UFO field.

Update on States Questionnaires

The newsletter reports on the responses received from State Directors regarding their participation in the 1987 MUFON UFO Symposium. Several directors, including William McNeff (Minnesota), Tom Benson (New Jersey), N. Jean Waller (Oklahoma), Mike Brein (Hawaii), Fred Whiting (Virginia), and Ken McLean (Wyoming), have indicated their attendance, with varying numbers of accompanying members. This information has been forwarded to the Symposium Committee, with the expectation of a strong attendance.

National UFO Information Week, 1987

Discussions regarding the scheduling of the 1987 National UFO Information Week (NUFOIW) indicate that it will likely remain in August, consistent with the previous two years. This decision was made after considering that State Directors and their staff need to be in their respective states to run local activities. Holding the event prior to or during the MUFON Symposium was deemed less effective for attracting attendees to the symposium. Walt Andrus also requested that any future MUFON UFO Forums not coincide with NUFOIW, as he wishes to attend and needs to be present for activities in Seguin during that week. The newsletter invites objections to the August scheduling, with the final dates to be announced in the March newsletter.

State Directors' "Wish Lists"

This section details requests from various State Directors for the P.I.P.E. Committee:

• William McNeff (Minnesota): Requests a fact sheet and a videotape for UFO Info. Week. Fact sheets are available from Walt, and a list of State Directors is also needed.
• Tom Benson (New Jersey): Requests several hundred copies of MUFON flyers for Info. Week.
• N. Jean Waller (Oklahoma): Requests press releases and suggested dates to send to the media for UFO Info. Week. A press release was provided in the NUFOIW package for the past two years.
• Jeffrey R. Neel (Nevada): As a new State Director, he is seeking help and encouragement, and asks for any credible people in Nevada interested in the UFO subject to be made known to him. He currently has no members.
• Michael Bréin (Hawaii): Requests a directory of MUFON members and an updated list of State Directors. A note suggests compiling a list of MUFON members for purchase.
• Jim Melesciuc (Massachusetts): Inquires about which states print newsletters besides PA, IN, TX, and MI.
• Hal Starr (Arizona): Requests mailings to local media for spokespersons and information for National UFO Info. Week. Also needs a list of State Directors.
• Richard Coffman (South Carolina): Requests flyers and videotapes for NUFOIW.
• Francis Ridge (Indiana): Requests a special video release to be copied and distributed to videostores and news media, and also wants preliminary case reports sent for computer summary.
• Donald Ware (Florida): Suggests obtaining consultant participation in drafting a 2-3 page paper on "How the UFO Phenomenon Relates to Physics, Biology, etc.," by June. This suggestion is referred to Jim McCampbell, Dir. of Research.

New Book Could Put UFology Credibility and Respectability Back by Light Years

This article reviews "Light Years," a new book by Gary Kinder published by Atlantic Monthly Press, which focuses on the Eduard (Billy) Meier case. The book is set for a 50,000 copy first printing and a significant promotion budget. It is described as dealing with the encounters of a Swiss farmer with extraterrestrials from the Pleiades. The article quotes Publishers Weekly, stating that Meier's evidence has been analyzed by experts and scientists, including a U.S. Air Force Colonel and NASA, and that even skeptics have been unable to disprove his claims. However, the author of the article expresses strong skepticism about the publisher's assessment, calling it "gullible and so superficial." The article warns that the book could present a serious problem for researchers attempting to offer credible public information on the UFO field, and that MUFON and CUFOS plan to inform the media that serious UFO researchers do not support this case.

Editor's Note

Marge Christensen, P.R. Dir., reflects on recent