MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2007 03

Magazine Overview

This document is the March 2007 issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, the official newsletter of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network. The issue is dated March 2007 and features a cover headline "2007 Off to a Great Start" and a photograph of the State Director.

Words From the State Director

The State Director, Bill Konkolesky, welcomes readers and expresses satisfaction with the start of 2007, noting a good turnout at the January meeting and a presentation by Patty Donahue. He announces that Dr. Chuck Lietzau will present on "The Adventure of the Skinwalker Ranch: Scientists Confront the Paranormal" at the March 11th meeting. The newsletter also mentions ongoing Field Investigator Training.

Inside this issue:

• The table of contents lists several articles, including:
• "In the sky! A bird? A plane? A ... UFO?" (Pages 4-6)
• "President Ford Passes Away at 93" (Pages 7-8)
• "State Section Directors Meeting Minutes" (Page 8)
• "Anatomy of a Phenomenon: Unidentified Objects in Space – A Scientific Appraisal" (Pages 9-11)
• "Air Force colonel reports lights 'not of this world'" (Pages 12-13)
• "Abductee's Sister Confirms Seeing is Believing" (Page 14)
• "Recent Michigan Sightings" (Page 15)
• "Dr. Charles Lietzau to Present on the Skinwlaker Ranch March 11" (Page 16)
• "From The Editor's Desk" (Page 18)

Michigan MUFON Contact Information

Page 2 provides contact details for Michigan MUFON, including P.O. Box, State Director Bill Konkolesky, Asst. State Directors Robert Wagel and Wendy Smith, Newsletter Editor/Public Relations Director David Twichell, and photographer Gary Golem. It also lists websites for Michigan MUFON and MUFON International.

Notice

A notice clarifies that the Michigan MUFON Newsletter's articles do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Mutual UFO Network. It also grants permission for reprinting articles with credit.

MUFON's Mission

MUFON's mission is stated as the scientific systematic collection and analysis of UFO/Abduction data to learn the origin, nature, and purpose of the UFO/Abduction phenomenon.

Upcoming Events and Information

Page 3 mentions review sessions for Field Investigators and a business meeting. It also notes that an MSU student, Matt Runyun, will be filming a documentary about paranormal experiences in Michigan. Subscribers are offered the option to download an electronic version of the newsletter. The 38th Annual International MUFON Symposium is announced for August 10-12, 2007, in Denver, Colorado, with a list of speakers. A local business, Mystiques West Psychic Reading & Metaphysical Center, is also advertised.

Article: In the sky! A bird? A plane? A ... UFO?

This article, published January 1, 2007, by Jon Hilkevitch of the Chicago Tribune, details a sighting at O'Hare International Airport on November 7th. Airline employees reported a flying saucer-like object hovering for several minutes before disappearing into clouds. Officials at United Airlines initially claimed no knowledge, but the FAA confirmed receiving a call from a supervisor. No controllers saw the object on radar, and the FAA suggested it might have been a "weather phenomenon." Witnesses, including an O'Hare controller, expressed frustration that the incident was not taken seriously. The object was described as dark gray, elliptical-shaped, 6 to 24 feet in diameter, with no lights, and made no noise. It was seen below the cloud deck and then shot upwards. Some employees were emotionally affected. The article notes that the databases of UFO groups contain many pilot sightings affecting navigational equipment, and experts like Richard Haines suggest these events pose safety risks and may involve an intelligent phenomenon. The FAA later reversed its initial stance after a Freedom of Information Act request, acknowledging the call from the United supervisor, but maintained their "weather phenomenon" theory. The article concludes by thanking Jon Hilkevitch and providing a link to the Chicago Tribune article.

Article: 1985 Connecticut UFO: Case Closed

This article details an investigation into a March 21, 1985, sighting in Milford, Connecticut. The witness approached MUFON in 2004, leading to the identification of at least 20 other witnesses. The object was described as triangular with bright white and red lights, estimated to be no more than 200 feet off the ground, and made no sound. Witnesses with aviation backgrounds were convinced it was not a conventional aircraft due to its slow speed, hovering, and turning capabilities. Local police received calls, but air traffic controllers reported no object on radar. Local newspapers suggested it was a stunt plane, an explanation deemed insufficient by the witnesses. The investigation reached a point where no further information could be uncovered, and MUFON concluded that the object was not a conventional aircraft. The full report is available on the SGRA-media.org website. The article thanks Jon Nowinski.

Article: President Ford Passes Away at 93

This section commemorates the passing of President Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. and highlights his interest in UFOs. It includes a quote from Ford stating that the American public deserves a better explanation than that given by the U.S. Air Force. The article recalls the 1966 Michigan UFO sightings, including the "swamp gas" incident, and mentions Congressman Gerald Ford's call for a committee investigation into UFO phenomena. It quotes Ford's letter proposing hearings on UFOs by the House Armed Services Committee or the Science and Astronautics Committee. The article notes that the House Committee on Foreign Affairs did hold a public airing of the issue in response to Ford's call, with Cornelius E. Gallagher questioning Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, who expressed confidence in the Air Force's objectivity but stated that neither the Secretary of the Air Force nor the Director of Research and Engineering placed credence in the reports.

Michigan MUFON State Section Directors Meeting Minutes

These minutes, dated November 5, 2006, detail a meeting held at Walli's Restaurant in Flint, Michigan. Attendees included Bill Konkolesky, David Twichell, Jane and Bob Wagel, Rebecca Konkolesky, Len Keeney, and Wendy Smith. Discussions included the smooth mailing of newsletters, the potential use of a magazine-type format for the newsletter, and suggestions for improving the membership application. The meeting also covered the distribution of MUFON brochures and symposium proceedings, and discussed potential speakers for future meetings, including Bruce Maccabee and Linda Moulton Howe. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 PM.

Article: Anatomy of a Phenomenon: Unidentified Objects in Space – A Scientific Appraisal

This is a review by Bill Murphy of Jacques Vallee's 1965 book, "Anatomy of a Phenomenon." The review emphasizes Vallee's effort to make a scientific argument for the serious study of UFO reports. It covers the book's structure, including chapters on the "Modern Period" of UFO reports, the possibility of contact with "Superior Galactic Communities," modern UFO reports, scientific approaches, human reaction to UFO events, and various theories. The review highlights Vallee's arguments against the notion that UFO rumors are merely a release of psychological tensions, his application of the "Principle of Least Effort" to explain mental laziness in both acceptance and debunking, and his critique of scientists' tendencies to discard data that conflicts with preconceptions. Vallee argues that human actions are based on imagination, belief, and faith, not solely on objective observation. The review also discusses Vallee's criticism of the tendency to treat UFO reports in isolation and his observation that "the scientist's reaction to the problem [of UFOs] has never been anything but emotional." Vallee suggests that a "generalist-analyst" aided by mathematics would be more successful than specialists. The review notes Vallee's concerns about hoaxers, hucksters, and the agendas of U.S. UFO organizations, and his later opt-out of mainstream ufology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing efforts of Michigan MUFON to promote scientific investigation and education in ufology, the importance of witness testimony, and the historical context of UFO research. The newsletter also touches upon the challenges of gaining official acknowledgment and the potential for government secrecy or dismissal of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for a serious, scientific approach to understanding UFOs, encouraging public participation, and disseminating information about sightings and research.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated March 2007, features a cover story about a retired Air Force colonel reporting unidentified lights over Arkansas. The newsletter delves into various UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) reports, analyses of prominent ufologists' work, and organizational information for Michigan MUFON members.

Air Force Colonel Reports Lights 'Not of This World'

The lead article by Joe Kovacs details a sighting by retired Air Force Colonel Brian Fields, who photographed mysterious lights hovering over western Arkansas on January 9, 2007. Fields, a former F-16 pilot, described the lights as intensely bright, appearing in various numbers and formations, and lasting for over an hour. He stated, "I believe these lights were not of this world, and I feel a duty and responsibility to come forward." He ruled out aircraft and flares, suggesting they were "some kind of energy or something." The article also references a similar sighting reported by United Air Lines workers over Chicago's O'Hare Airport in November 2006, which was described as a dark gray, flying saucer-like object.

Analysis of Jacques Vallee's Work

Several pages are dedicated to a review and discussion of Jacques Vallee's book, "Anatomy of a Phenomenon." The author praises Vallee's commitment to scientific research and his scrutiny of government documents and recent UFO publications. However, the reviewer disagrees with Vallee's apparent search for a single, unitary explanation for all UFO phenomena, suggesting that multiple causes might be involved. Vallee's interest in folklore and his skepticism towards 'contactee' claims are also noted. The reviewer highlights Vallee's hypotheses on one-way contact channels and his views on 'ancient astronauts,' while also pointing out Vallee's eventual disenchantment with the extraterrestrial hypothesis.

Vancouver Island Sighting

A brief report from Vancouver Island describes a fishing trip near Port McNeill where a photograph taken at Telegraph Cove captured an anomaly in the upper left section. The witness, Ralf Kauth, initially dismissed it but later decided to report it after hearing about the O'Hare sighting. The anomaly appeared to be a UFO, though not witnessed in real time.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section compiles several recent UFO sightings from Michigan:

• Brownstown, MI: A witness reported a bright, oval-shaped object with a reddish/orange glow moving at high speed, stopping, hovering, and then darting upwards.
• Saint Joseph, MI: A witness saw a rectangular-shaped light over Lake Michigan, followed by a red and white flashing oval/saucer-shaped object hovering low over the water.
• Monroe, MI: A witness and her daughter observed a bright light that appeared and disappeared multiple times. On the third sighting, an object resembling a rocket with three blinking lights was seen before it vanished.

The newsletter also notes that in January 2007, MUFON received 231 sighting reports globally, with 193 in the US, and 11 in Michigan. Fourteen Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 25 Entities were reported.

The Adventure of the Skinwalker Ranch

This segment introduces a presentation by Dr. Charles Lietzau on the Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, described as a site of intense paranormal activity. The article details reports of unidentified vehicles (refrigerator-shaped, black triangular), orbs, cattle mutilations (ear removal, genital excision, cored-out anuses), and encounters with strange creatures resembling dogs or hyenas. The phenomena are linked to a five-year scientific investigation.

Official Denial Continues

David Twichell, the editor, critiques official explanations for UFO sightings, calling them "lame." He uses the O'Hare sighting explanation of "funny things" caused by lights shining into clouds as an example of dismissive reasoning. Twichell recounts his own sighting in Detroit in 1962, which was officially explained as "the northern lights." He also discusses the Roswell incident and the Trent photos, highlighting how official explanations often shift or dismiss witness testimonies. The article criticizes the Mexican Department of Defense's explanation of UFOs as "fires from distant oil well rigs" and addresses the skepticism surrounding the Skinwalker Ranch reports, where critics demand "exceptional proof" from claimants.

Abductee's Sister Confirms Seeing is Believing

This personal account describes a sighting by the sister of an abductee. She reported seeing a self-luminous, white light, round object hovering above a cornfield in Owego, New York. The object changed colors, made a "Swoosh" sound followed by a sonic boom, and then disappeared. The experience was life-changing for her, leading her to discuss the Bible/UFO connection.

Michigan MUFON Contact List and Meeting Information

The newsletter includes a comprehensive contact list for Michigan MUFON State Section Directors, categorized by county. It also provides contact details for state officers, the webmaster, librarians, and the newsletter editor. Information is given for an upcoming Michigan MUFON meeting on Sunday, March 11, 2007, at Walli's East Restaurant in Burton, Michigan, featuring a presentation by Dr. Chuck Lietzau on Skinwalker Ranch, followed by FI training and business meetings. A subscription form for the 2007 Michigan MUFON State Dues and Newsletter is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistence of UFO and UAP sightings, the inadequacy of official explanations, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like MUFON to investigate and document these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on scientific inquiry, as exemplified by the discussion of Jacques Vallee's work and the investigation into Skinwalker Ranch. The newsletter also touches upon the intersection of UFOs with religious beliefs, as seen in the Owego sighting account and Colonel Fields' speculation about biblical prophecies. The editorial stance, particularly in David Twichell's column, is critical of skepticism and dismissive official responses, advocating for a more open-minded and thorough investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena.