MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2008 07

Magazine Overview

This is the July 2008 issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, the official newsletter of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network. The issue features a 'Words From the State Director' section, an article on photographic evidence of UAPs, a report on Britain opening up secret UFO files, a book review column, and various news and statistical updates.

Words From the State Director

State Director Bill Konkolesky expresses excitement over five new Field Investigators who have successfully passed their exams: Dan Marcelain, Bill and Linda Murphy, and Bob and Jan Richardson. He thanks Gary Golem for his role as Field Investigator Trainer. Konkolesky notes that many new reports are coming in and that investigative help is needed. He also addresses the issue of State Section Directors who have not responded to a request to confirm their continued interest in their roles by the June 30th deadline, assuming they are retiring and planning to release their counties on July 1st unless immediate notification is received.

The State Director also mentions the recent visit of the History Channel's 'UFO Hunters' to Grand Haven and Holland during the weekend of June 14-15. Due to the inability to reach key witnesses like police officer Jeffrey Velthouse and radar operator Jack Bushong from a 1994 sighting event, the show's team scaled back their planned coverage.

Inside this issue:

The newsletter lists several articles and their page numbers: 'UFO acclimation now underway?' (pages 4-5), 'Photographic Evidence of UAP, does it Exist?' (pages 6-7), 'Britain Opens Up Secret UFO Files' (pages 8-9), 'Books Recently Read: Bill Murphy's Column' (pages 10-11), 'The Day the Aliens Landed' (pages 12-13), 'Vatican says aliens could exist' (page 13), '30 Billion Earths? New Estimate of Exoplanets in Our Galaxy' (page 14), 'Recent Michigan Sightings' (page 15), "Truth ... If You Dare UFO Symposium II” Another Resounding Success' (page 16), and 'From The Editor's Desk' (page 18).

MUFON 2008 Annual UFO Symposium

Information is provided for the MUFON 2008 Annual UFO Symposium to be held at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, California, from July 24-27, 2008. The theme is 'UFOs – A Worldwide Phenomenon.' A lineup of international speakers is listed, including Don Ledger, Nick Pope, Dr. Anthony Choy, Captain Rodrigo Garrido, Jeronimo Flores, Victor Camacho, Farah Yarduzo, General Wilfried De Brouwer, Brian Smith (NASA), Dr. Richard Haines (NARCAP), Ted Roe (NARCAP), Leslie Kean, George Knapp, and Larry Lemke. Hotel reservations must be made and paid for separately. The newsletter also mentions the release of the new MUFON UFO Field Investigator's Guide at the event.

Michigan MUFON Contact Information

Contact details are provided for Michigan MUFON, including its P.O. Box, State Director Bill Konkolesky, Asst. State Director of Administration Robert Wagel, Asst. State Director of Treasury Wendy Smith, and Newsletter Editor/Public Relations Director David Twichell. Gary Golem is listed as the photographer. Websites for Michigan MUFON (www.mimufon.org) and MUFON International (www.mufon.com) are also provided.

MUFON's Mission

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

Other Announcements

An advertisement for the website www.abduct.com, described as the world's largest web site on alien abductions, is included.

Article: UFO acclimation now underway?

This article by Steve Hammons discusses how recent media attention, such as NBC's 'Dateline' requesting UFO photos and videos, and the UK's Ministry of Defense releasing secret UFO documents, is contributing to public acclimation to the UFO phenomenon. It also mentions an article in the Vatican newspaper by Father Gabriel Funes, titled 'Aliens Are My Brother,' which discusses intelligent extraterrestrial beings. The article posits that these developments help orient the public to theories about extraterrestrial visitation, which has been a subject of speculation since World War II. It suggests that a gradual and safe acclimation process is a wise course of action, working hand-in-hand with disclosure. The article also touches upon the psychological and emotional adjustments people might face, including anxiety and potential impacts on spiritual beliefs, and raises questions about the nature of visitors (friend, foe, neutral) and the potential for various intelligence-gathering and defensive activities.

Article: Photographic Evidence of UAP, does it Exist? And, "Raising the Bar"

This essay by Fred R. Varner (MIMUFON) critically examines the value and acceptance of photographic evidence of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Varner argues that despite decades of searching, no photograph has been universally accepted as convincing evidence. He references an essay from NIDS that mentions photographic evidence only in the context of needing ETI artifacts and clear photos of ETIs in action, suggesting it's not considered primary evidence. Varner lists several reasons why photographic evidence is likely to be rejected:

1. Hundreds of still photographs of purported UAP exist, but obvious fakes aside, none have convinced all.
2. A few purported UAP have been recorded on moving film.
3. Hundreds of digital videos exist.
4. Camera technology advancements, while eliminating double exposures, have enabled computer enhancement and image insertion.
5. Image insertion and enhancement are becoming indistinguishable from actual photos.
6. No single still film photo has ever been accepted as evidence.
7. No film or digital video has ever been accepted as evidence.
8. While images may be similar, no two are exactly alike.

Varner concludes that regardless of the probability of evidence, photographic evidence will likely be rejected, and that the past history of UAP research, largely based on anecdotal reports, necessitates a new strategy.

UFO Researcher, Author, Marc Davenport Dies

This section announces the passing of Marc Davenport, a UFO researcher and author, on April 20th. He is remembered as a seeker of truth who fought for human rights, liberty, justice, and the preservation of the planet. He authored 'Dear Mr. President: 100 Earth-Saving Letters' and 'Visitors From Time: The Secret of the UFOs.' His wishes were for private gatherings to celebrate his life instead of a formal service. Donations in his memory are requested for Covenant Hospice or the International UFO Museum and Research Center.

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report - for April 2008

The report indicates that in April 2008, MUFON received 490 sighting reports globally, with 451 in the United States and 15 in Michigan. Notably, there were 23 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 41 Entities observed. In May 2008, there were 357 sightings globally, 314 in the US, and 10 in Michigan, with 16 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 31 Entities observed.

WE ARE NOT ALONE:

This section promotes David Twichell's one-hour radio talk show, 'We Are Not Alone,' on WHFR (89.3 FM). Journalist Steve Hammons is scheduled to guest on July 7, 2008, and Stephenville, TX journalist Angelia Joiner on August 2, 2008. The show airs on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM EST and can be streamed online via http://whfr.fm/index.php.

Article: Britain Opens Up Secret UFO Files

This Associated Press article reports on the release of over 1,000 pages of formerly secret UFO documents by Britain's National Archives. The files, dealing with incidents from the late 1970s and early 1980s, include a credible report from air traffic controllers in 1984 about an unidentified flying object landing at an airfield in eastern England. UFO expert David Clarke notes that while many cases remain unexplained, the Ministry of Defense found no evidence of alien craft or breaches of national security. The investigation of UFO reports was primarily to ensure no enemy aircraft entered British airspace during the Cold War. Experts like Nick Pope suggest that most sightings are misidentifications of common objects like aircraft lights, stars, or meteors.

Article: UFO enthusiast chases truth, seat in Congress

This article by Thomas Burr from The Salt Lake Tribune profiles Joseph Buchman, a Libertarian candidate for Utah's 1st Congressional District. Buchman's campaign kickoff focused on the alleged government secrecy surrounding extraterrestrial technology and the media's ignoring of UFO signs. He calls for revoking secrecy oaths and holding open congressional hearings on the subject. The article notes that while Buchman is running on a UFO-conspiracy platform, he is also a lifelong Libertarian. He is compared to Ron Paul and has been described in the media as the 'ET candidate.'

Books Recently Read: Bill Murphy's Column

Bill Murphy reviews several books primarily dealing with the sociology of UFOlogy:

• The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs by Brenda Denzler: Praised as a meticulously researched and balanced account from a religious scholar's perspective, informed by convention surveys and local UFO group interactions.
• UFO Religions, edited by Christopher Partridge: A collection of essays by religion scholars on UFO-related topics, including contactee movements and cults. While the discourse is high-level, it offers insights into scholarly perspectives on UFOlogy.
• The Gods Have Landed: New Religions from Other Worlds, edited by James R. Lewis: Another compilation of articles, with essays considered valuable, though perhaps less informed than those in 'UFO Religions.' It includes a significant bibliography on the Flying Saucer Contactee Movement.
• When Prophecy Fails: A Social and Psychological Study of a Modern Group that Predicted the Destruction of the World by Leon Festinger, Henry W. Riecken, and Stanley Schacter: This book details a study of a group that predicted world destruction, involving infiltration and observation. It notes the similarity of the scenario to Heaven's Gate and discusses the 'underground sociologists' methods and criticisms of the study.
• The PK Man: A True Story of Mind over Matter by Jeffrey Mishlove: This book is about Ted Owens, who claimed 'Space Intelligences' were using him as a prophet and could call down natural disasters.

Murphy values Denzler's book the highest, followed by Partridge's and Lewis's. He notes that the Festinger book's image of 'UFO enthusiasts' as damaged individuals has been influential in scholarly and popular media.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the increasing public awareness and 'acclimation' to the UFO phenomenon, driven by media attention and government disclosures. There's a strong emphasis on the ongoing efforts of MUFON, particularly the Michigan chapter, in collecting and analyzing UFO data through its Field Investigators. The newsletter also highlights the challenges in establishing photographic evidence as credible proof and touches upon the broader societal and psychological implications of potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting scientific inquiry and systematic data collection within the field of ufology, while acknowledging the complexities and skepticism surrounding the subject.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated July 2008, focuses on a variety of UFO and related phenomena, with a cover story titled "The Day the Aliens Landed" by Stephen Coan.

Articles and Features

The Day the Aliens Landed

This article details the 1994 incident at Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, where 62 children reported seeing a UFO and strange beings. Filmmaker Randall Nickerson is creating a documentary about the event, tracking down the children, now adults, to interview them about their experiences. Nickerson emphasizes the consistency of their stories over time and the profound impact the event had on them. He notes that Harvard professor John E. Mack, a Pulitzer Prize winner, investigated the case in 1994 and filmed interviews with the children. Mack, who was known for his research into alien abductions, faced scrutiny from his academic peers but maintained his academic freedom to study the phenomenon. The article also mentions Nicky Carter, who assisted Mack, and the SABC's prior short documentary on the subject. The children's drawings of the event were remarkably similar. One child recalled an alien telling them not to be so 'techknowledged'. The article touches on Mack's guarded interpretation of abduction reports and his view that the phenomenon invites deeper inquiry. Nickerson aims to present the Ruwa case objectively, showing raw material and investigating for himself.

Book Reviews

Several books on UFOlogy are reviewed:

• "UFO Religion: Inside Flying Saucer Cults and Culture" by Gregory L. Reece: Described as a popular writer's look at UFOlogy, the reviewer found it lacking in depth and understanding, with attempts at humor falling flat. The book covers worldwide UFO events but illustrations are from a recent trip to Nevada and California. The reviewer notes that Reece lumps various UFOlogists together and that capsule summaries are incomplete.
• "Visitors: A New Look at UFOs" by Kelly Bell: The reviewer takes issue with the book's claim of being the definitive guide. While the author researched UFOs since the 1970s, many sources stop at 1990, relying on popular books and Frank Edwards' work. The reviewer points out errors and a lack of specific source references. Bell's thesis suggests UFOs may be explicable within Christian revelation, but also considers other theories. Appendices by co-author Tim Donovan explore the ET role in Earth history and 'Saucers Deliberately Crashed', suggesting aliens used Christianity to develop humanity and now it needs to be cleared away.
• A book by author Mishlove about psychic Owens: The reviewer discusses a book about Owens, a psychic who made numerous disaster predictions. The author, Mishlove, believes Owens possessed destructive psychic power, though its origin is debated. The reviewer questions Mishlove's statistical analysis and finds the claims about Owens subverting football games tenuous. The book is described as a fast read, with a regimen for self-improvement offered.

Vatican Says Aliens Could Exist

This article reports that Father Gabriel Funes, the Pope's chief astronomer, stated in the Vatican newspaper that intelligent beings created by God could exist in outer space. He believes the search for extraterrestrial life does not contradict belief in God and speculates that some aliens could be 'free from sin'. Funes also diplomatically addressed the Catholic Church's past condemnation of Galileo, suggesting it's time to move forward. The Vatican is organizing a conference to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth to strengthen its scientific credentials.

30 Billion Earths? New Estimate of Exoplanets in Our Galaxy

By Robert Roy Britt, this article discusses new calculations by Charley Lineweaver and Daniel Grether of the University of New South Wales. Their research suggests there could be at least a billion, and possibly up to 30 billion, Jupiter-like planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. Jupiter's role as Earth's protector from asteroid and comet bombardment is highlighted, referencing the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact. The article notes that most discovered exoplanets are more massive than Jupiter and orbit close to their stars, but experts attribute this to technological limitations. The potential number of Earth-like planets is also speculated upon, with Alan Boss suggesting it requires a 'leap of faith' but appears plausible.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section details several UFO sightings reported in Michigan:

• May 24, 2008, Grand Rapids: A satellite-like object changed direction and faded.
• April 12, 2008, Waterford: A translucent chevron-shaped UFO was observed moving at high speed.
• April 4, 2008, Durand: An object moved west to east, arced north, and stopped abruptly.
• March 24, 2008, Hastings: A silent, low-flying triangle-shaped UFO was seen hovering.
• June 1, 2008: A star-like light was observed in the southwest sky, appearing to change shape and drift west before disappearing.
• Multiple sightings: Reports of a single bright light in the sky, described as a powerful spotlight, seen on several occasions over the past five years.

Police Chase UFO over Cardiff

This article recounts an incident on June 7, 2008, where a police helicopter crew chased a UFO described as 'flying saucer-shaped' near St Athan, Cardiff. The UFO almost collided with the helicopter, which then pursued it across the Bristol Channel before running low on fuel. The sighting occurred shortly after the UK Ministry of Defence released comprehensive files on UFO activity.

Lt. Col. Lawrence J. Coyne's Encounter

This section includes a statement from Lt. Col. Lawrence J. Coyne about his close encounter in 1973 near Mansfield, Ohio. He described a grey metallic craft with a red light that positioned itself directly in front of his helicopter, forcing evasive action. A green pyramid-shaped light emerged from the craft, illuminating the helicopter's cockpit. Coyne advocates for international cooperation and procedures to study UFO phenomena.

Hoaxes Hurt UFOlogy

Editor David Twichell discusses how hoaxes and misidentifications negatively impact ufology. He cites examples like Chris Kenworthy's hoax UFO videos, a picture of the sun with lens flare mistaken for a UFO, and the Phoenix Lights incident being attributed to balloons. The article also mentions Jeffrey L. Peckman's call for an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission and his questionable video of an alleged abductee, Stan Romanek. Twichell argues that deliberate hoaxes give ufology a bad reputation and hinder serious scientific investigation. He notes that Stanton Friedman only uses 1950s photographs, like the Trent photos, to avoid potential digital manipulation.

"Truth ... If You Dare UFO Symposium II"

This report covers a collaborative event by Illinois MUFON and the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies held on June 22nd. Key speakers included Richard Dolan, who discussed UFO disclosure and government cover-ups; Donald Schmitt, who presented on the Roswell crash; and Sam Maranto, who shared a case-in-progress involving a family's experiences. The event included a speakers' panel and availability of materials. The next symposium, "Show Me the Evidence: The Science of Ufology," is scheduled for August 17.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

This section provides contact information for Michigan MUFON State Section Directors and other officers, along with instructions for contacting them.

Suggestion Box and Subscription Form

This section includes a suggestion box for reader feedback and a form for 2008 Michigan MUFON State Dues and Newsletter Subscriptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation and documentation of UFO sightings and encounters, the intersection of UFO phenomena with religion and science, the scientific search for extraterrestrial life, and the challenges posed by hoaxes and skepticism within the field of ufology. The editorial stance, as reflected in the "Hoaxes Hurt UFOlogy" piece and the general reporting of sightings, appears to favor rigorous investigation and the presentation of evidence, while acknowledging the difficulties in separating genuine phenomena from misidentifications and deliberate fabrications. The inclusion of book reviews and symposium reports indicates a commitment to exploring various facets of the UFO phenomenon and fostering discussion within the ufological community.