MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2007 11

Magazine Overview

The November 2007 issue of the MICHIGAN MUFON newsletter, published by the Mutual UFO Network, focuses on recent events and ongoing research within the UFO and paranormal community. The cover prominently features a success report on a lecture by Stanton Friedman and highlights upcoming events and articles.

Stanton Friedman Lecture a Success!

The State Director's message begins by celebrating the success of Stanton Friedman's lecture at Henry Ford Community College on September 22, 2007. Although the event did not sell out, it generated a small profit for MIMUFON, attracted new members, and increased visibility. The newsletter thanks various individuals and organizations, including Jay Korinek and WHFR, for their support. DVDs of Friedman's presentation are available for $10. The message also commends Patty Donahue for her presentation on personal UFO and paranormal experiences at Mystiques West and announces the State Director's own upcoming presentation on 'men-in-black, hybrids, and the milab phenomenon' at the same venue.

Upcoming events at the November 4th meeting include biophysicist Dr. William C. Levengood and Marilyn Ruben discussing orbs, crop circles, and subtle energies. A Field Investigator training session is also scheduled for 10 am.

Romney and Giuliani Get Asked About UFOs on the Campaign Trail

This article by Bill Konkolesky, State Director of Michigan MUFON Inc., discusses the importance of bringing up the topic of UFOs to political candidates. Konkolesky recounts his personal experience of attending a campaign event for Republican Presidential contender Mitt Romney in Royal Oak, Michigan. He saw this as an opportunity to approach the candidate and potentially influence the conversation around governmental UFO disclosure.

Former Ohio Resident Relates 1963 Sighting

Authored by David Twichell, this piece details a UFO sighting experienced by Ray D. Gottfried and his wife Sally on April 26, 1963, near Upper Sandusky, Ohio. While driving to a funeral home, they observed a large, faded orange sphere positioned above a neighbor's house. The object then moved with astonishing speed eastward and later returned, gaining altitude. They described it as silent, with two bright lights pointing downwards. The sphere's speed was estimated to be unmatched by any known aircraft in 1963. The couple did not report the incident to local authorities or the newspaper.

Stanton Friedman Photo Album

This section presents a series of photographs from Stanton Friedman's lecture at Henry Ford Community College on September 22, 2007. The images show Friedman interacting with the press, being interviewed by a News Herald reporter, and posing with MUFON members and advisors, including Jay Korinek, Gary Golem, David Twichell, and Bill and Becky Konkolesky.

SGRA's Jon Nowinski Work Hits CNN

This article reports on the mainstream media's attention, specifically CNN, to the research conducted by Jon Nowinski, founder and director of the Smoking Gun Research Agency (SGRA). SGRA focuses on controversial government activities, including MKULTRA and NSA eavesdropping programs. CNN broadcasted stories about security lapses and risks associated with government biological research labs, using Nowinski's research and quotes. A 2002 SGRA report, 'The Nightmare Scenario,' which detailed these concerns, was referenced. Nowinski expressed a desire for more timely attention to these issues and mentioned that SGRA is updating the report, expected in January 2008.

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report for August & September 2007

This report provides statistics on UFO sightings reported to MUFON through its Case Management System (CMS). In August 2007, there were 225 global sightings, with 180 in the United States (7 in Michigan), including 13 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 25 Entities. In September 2007, there were 226 global sightings, with 176 in the United States (5 in Michigan), including 12 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 25 Entities.

U.N. to debate contact with extraterrestrial civilizations

This article discusses the upcoming debate at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. It references a 1978 UN decision inviting member states to coordinate scientific research into extraterrestrial life and UFOs. The article also mentions former Canadian Minister of Defence Paul Hellyer's support for a 'United Nations Decade of Contact' and his view that UFOs are real. It highlights the potential for a more rational response to contact due to societal changes and the growth of UFO-related websites.

Are They Coming and If So, What Do We Do?

Written by Whitley Strieber, this article explores the possibility of imminent contact with extraterrestrial visitors. Strieber notes an increase in UFO sightings globally, including a report of an active UFO in Somalia, and mentions public statements by figures like Governor Fife Symington. He suggests that society is becoming more receptive to such contact, with a million people monthly visiting UFO-related websites. Strieber anticipates that initial reactions might involve scientists, religious leaders, and government officials, but believes cooler heads will eventually prevail, leading to a scientific analysis of past encounters and the development of new communication methods, possibly involving telepathy. He posits that visitors may intervene if humanity fails to address planetary issues and that their communication might involve 'triads' of positive and negative thrusts. Strieber also touches upon the potential variety of physical forms the visitors might exhibit and the profound scientific revolution that could follow the acknowledgment of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Bill Murphy's Column

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Recent Michigan Sightings

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From The Editor's Desk

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Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing efforts to bring UFO disclosure to the public through lectures and political engagement, the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings, and the exploration of potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, scientific investigation, and a belief in the reality of the UFO phenomenon, advocating for a rational and informed public discourse on these subjects. The newsletter actively promotes MUFON's mission and activities, encouraging membership and participation.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated November 2007, features a collection of articles and reports related to ufology. The main column by Bill Murphy reflects on the state of the discipline and includes thoughts from prominent ufologist Stanton Friedman. The newsletter also addresses MUFON's internal practices, such as the Case Management System (CMS) rankings, and presents recent UFO sighting reports from Michigan and surrounding areas. Additionally, it announces upcoming events, including a presentation by Dr. William C. Levengood and Marilyn Ruben, and a tribute to the late Jeff Challender of Project Prove.

Bill Murphy's Column

Bill Murphy opens his column by reflecting on the changing seasons and the recent MUFON events, setting a contemplative tone for the state of ufology. He shares his positive experiences interacting with Stanton Friedman at the Denver International Symposium and a MIMUFON event in Dearborn. Murphy highlights Friedman's passion for ufologists to be proactive and avoid being 'apologist ufologists,' citing James McDonald as an example of an aggressive, scientific approach. Friedman believes the core audience for ufology lectures remains consistent, consisting of intelligent, interested individuals, with 'true believers' at one extreme and 'skeptics' (or 'debunkers') at the other. Murphy notes Friedman's concern about the lack of intelligent skeptics who engage in open-minded debate, which he believes lowers the level of discussion. He quotes Dr. Henry H. Bauer on the importance of scientific peer review as concrete interactions among interested people who keep each other honest through mutual criticism.

CMS Rankings

Murphy then shifts to discussing the practice of ranking MUFON State Directors based on their adherence to the Case Management System (CMS) guidelines. While acknowledging the importance of quantitative metrics, he argues that too much emphasis is placed on CMS rankings as the sole performance measure. He presents two main points: Firstly, CMS ranking is only one of many criteria for judging a State Director's performance. Other crucial aspects include media appearances, state meetings, member recruitment and retention, and newsletter distribution. Murphy suggests that activities like holding international symposia or publishing in the MUFON UFO Journal contribute more to ufology's advancement than simply meeting case submission schedules. He uses Michigan and Colorado as examples of states with active organizations that promote MUFON's interests despite mid-pack CMS rankings. Secondly, Murphy points out inherent weaknesses in CMS rankings as a fair metric. Large, geographically diverse states can be disadvantaged compared to smaller ones. He notes that states like Colorado and Michigan, split by natural barriers, face challenges. The metric also fails to consider the number of available investigators or the time they can dedicate. Murphy concludes that focusing solely on one responsibility and holding individual directors accountable for it is not a productive strategy for a volunteer organization.

A Ufological Mystery

Murphy shares a personal account of his parents' UFO sightings, which he considers an 'amazing set of circumstances.' He states he has never consciously identified a UFO himself but recounts three instances his parents witnessed unexplained phenomena. The first sighting, in the late 1960s or early 1970s, involved a round object with fuzzy edges and rectangular 'windows' that moved like a pendulum. The second, in the 1980s, was a huge, saucer-shaped object that rose from a field near Lansing. The third and most dramatic sighting occurred in the summer of 1993, where his parents observed three cylindrical, metallic-appearing objects hanging at an angle in the sky. These objects had cut-off ends, apparent windows, and seemed to notice and approach the car, prompting his parents to speed away. Murphy notes the unusual shapes and the fact that no one else seemed to notice these objects. He later found a sketch on a sheet of paper tucked inside a book titled 'The Stone Circles of the British Isles' by Aubrey Burl, which depicted the objects from his parents' first and third sightings, a coincidence he finds intriguing.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section presents several recent UFO sighting reports:

• Wisconsin Sighting: On October 3, 2007, Mary, a neighbor of the author, reported seeing a cylindrical UFO, about half the size of a semi-truck and very bright, moving silently north to south on I-90 near LaCrosse.
• Ann Arbor Sighting: On September 6, 2007, the author observed a cluster of rapidly strobing red lights at an altitude of 2000 feet, from which a smaller, bright white light separated and traveled at high speed, exhibiting non-conventional flight characteristics.
• Boyne Falls Sighting: On October 4, 2007, a perfectly shaped triangle craft was seen gliding horizontally over M-75 S with no sound or lights.
• Flint Sighting: On September 13, 2007, the author and his wife witnessed a metallic and silverish disk-shaped craft appear motionless at 2000 ft and vanish in a flash of bright light. Both witnesses are retired seniors with good vision, and the author, a former Navy veteran, was previously a non-believer.

Jeff Challender of Project Prove Passes Away

This section pays tribute to Jeff Challender, founder of Project Prove, who recently passed away from a heart attack. Challender is remembered for obtaining extraordinary evidence of unidentified flying objects and for his work with NASA Shuttle videos. He reportedly received information from NASA personnel about high-quality anomalies not shown to the public. His DVD, "Secret Space, What is NASA Hiding?", is mentioned as being available. The article encourages readers to purchase the DVD to support his family.

From the Editor's Desk: UFO Acceptance Takes Time

David Twichell, the Newsletter Editor, reflects on the slow process of UFO acceptance. He notes that in 1947, the Roswell incident was easily dismissed as a weather balloon. However, he points out that today, half of Americans believe extraterrestrial visitation is a possibility, and contrary to skeptics' predictions, individuals with higher educational levels are more likely to accept UFO reality. Twichell discusses the concept of 'official disclosure,' mentioning the Queen and the Pope as examples, and contrasts it with the potential for a Presidential confirmation to demean the UFO community. He highlights the work of researchers like Stanton Friedman, Ted Phillips, W. C. Levengood, and Dr. Roger Leir, who have provided evidence supporting UFO claims through various investigations and analyses. Twichell draws a parallel between the slow acceptance of UFOs and the delayed recognition of human-induced climate change and other scientific facts that were initially dismissed. He concludes that just as it took time to convince people the world was round, it will take time for humanity to accept they are not alone in the universe.

Michigan MUFON Meeting

The newsletter announces an upcoming Michigan MUFON meeting on Sunday, November 4, 2007, at Walli's East Restaurant in Burton, Michigan. The meeting includes Field Investigator training, a buffet lunch, and a presentation by Dr. W. C. Levengood and Marilyn Ruben. Dr. Levengood will discuss his research on unusual energy fields, crop formations, and animal mutilations, suggesting that these phenomena may be intelligently directed. Marilyn Ruben, who has assisted Levengood in experiments, will also be present. The meeting details, including costs for members and non-members, are provided, along with reservation information.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

A comprehensive contact list for Michigan MUFON State Section Directors and State Officers is provided, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses. It advises contacting section directors for county-specific matters and lists state officers for broader inquiries, emphasizing email as the preferred method of contact.

Suggestion Box and Subscription Form

The newsletter includes a suggestion box for reader feedback on interests, desired events, and speaker suggestions. It also contains a form for 2007 calendar year memberships and newsletter subscriptions, requesting personal details and a $25.00 payment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing efforts to legitimize ufology as a serious field of study, the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry and peer review, and the challenges of gaining public and governmental acceptance of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly evident in Bill Murphy's column and David Twichell's editor's desk piece, emphasizes a proactive, evidence-based approach to ufology, a critical evaluation of internal organizational practices (like CMS rankings), and a call for greater public awareness and political engagement on the issue of UFO disclosure. There is a clear advocacy for treating UFOs as a subject worthy of serious scientific investigation, despite persistent skepticism and perceived governmental secrecy.