MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2008 11

Magazine Overview

This is the November 2008 issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, titled 'MICHIGAN MUFON'. It features a prominent cover headline about MUFON's new TV series, "UFOs Over Earth," airing on the Discovery Channel. The issue includes a 'Words From the State Director' section by Bill Konkolesky, highlighting the TV series, recent MUFON presentations, and upcoming meetings. It also contains a monthly statistical report of MUFON sightings for September and October 2008.

Articles and Features

Science Close to Unveiling Invisible Man

This article by Jonathan Leake discusses advancements in invisibility technology, detailing research at the University of California at Berkeley funded by the American military. Scientists have engineered materials that can bend visible light around objects, a breakthrough that could lead to stealth technology. The research involves nano-scale engineering of 'meta-materials'. The editor notes that this technology could be relevant to understanding how UFOs might remain unseen.

Chupacabras Creature Spotted in Michigan

This is a first-hand account from a witness who claims to have seen a strange creature on July 5, 2008, near Holly, Michigan. The creature is described as tall, grey, with large, round, red glowing eyes, and a triangular face. The witness compared it to a kangaroo body with a long, rat-like tail and noted its ability to jump like a rabbit. The witness believes it might be a Chupacabras. The editor notes that the story was filed with multiple UFO organizations and appeared on 'Coast to Coast with George Noory'. An editor's note suggests the possibility of cryptozoology being involved and references a similar photo of a dead animal that was identified as a dog after testing.

Cigar-Shaped UFO in Evansville, Indiana

This article recounts a sighting by a couple on August 17, 2008, near Evansville, Indiana. They observed two bright lights that turned out to be a large, cigar-shaped craft without wings. The craft made no noise and appeared to be landing. The sighting lasted about 8 to 10 minutes. The article also mentions an art center in Davison, Michigan, seeking UFO-themed artwork for a show, and highlights artist Kurt Kohl.

Profile: Gary McKinnon

Written by Clark Boyd, this profile details the case of Gary McKinnon, a British hacker who is appealing extradition to the US on charges of hacking into US military and NASA computers. McKinnon claims his motive was to find information on UFOs and that he believes the US government is withholding critical information about UFOs. He described himself as a 'bumbling computer nerd' and not a malicious hacker. The article outlines the charges against him, including alleged damage to government systems and alteration of files. It also mentions his search for evidence of a UFO cover-up and reverse-engineered alien spacecraft technology.

Bill Murphy's Column: Witness to Roswell: Unmasking the 60-Year Cover-up

This is a review by Bill Murphy of the book "Witness to Roswell: Unmasking the 60-Year Cover-Up" by Thomas J. Carey and Donald R. Schmitt. Murphy praises the book as a compelling argument for the quantity and agreement of witness attestations regarding the Roswell incident in 1947. He highlights the authors' focus on eye-witness accounts and their conclusion that an extraterrestrial spacecraft and occupants were involved. The review discusses the book's strengths, such as the immediacy of oral history, and its weaknesses, including potential memory limitations and concerns about elaboration or hoaxing. It specifically mentions chapters discussing 'Myth or Reality', Major Jesse A. Marcel, mortician Glenn Dennis, and Lieutenant Walter G. Haut.

Evidence Found of Solar System Around Nearby Star

This article by Robert S. Boyd reports on astronomers finding evidence of an alien solar system around the star Epsilon Eridani, located 10.5 light-years from Earth. At least one, and possibly three or more planets, are believed to be orbiting the star, which is younger and cooler than our sun. Astronomers see this system as a 'time machine' offering a glimpse into what our solar system was like in its early stages.

Michigan MUFON State Section Directors Meeting Minutes

These are the minutes from the September 14, 2008, meeting held in Flint, Michigan. Key points include discussions on future meeting locations (Delta Township Library), the upcoming Paranormal Conference in Garden City, MI, membership dues for 2009, and the treasury balance. The meeting was attended by 38 people, including 12 first-time attendees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing work of MUFON in collecting and analyzing UFO data, the intersection of UFO phenomena with scientific advancements (like invisibility technology) and astronomical discoveries, and the persistent interest in historical UFO cases like Roswell. The editorial stance, as reflected in the 'Editor's Note' and the selection of articles, is one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging witness reports, and exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement while also grounding discussions in scientific and investigative methods. There is a clear effort to bridge the gap between the unexplained and scientific understanding, and to highlight MUFON's role in these investigations.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated November 2008, features a variety of articles related to UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and government transparency. The cover story highlights a campaign by the Paradigm Research Group urging the next U.S. president to disclose information about UFOs. Other articles discuss the search for extraterrestrial life around Epsilon Eridani, recent UFO sightings in Michigan, and an upcoming presentation by Dr. Charles Lietzau.

Article: Epsilon Eridani Planets

The first article discusses the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, focusing on the star Epsilon Eridani. Astronomers believe that planets around this star may be detectable within the next decade. The article details the discovery of a gas giant planet by Barbara McArthur at the University of Texas, confirmed by Hubble Space Telescope observations. It also mentions the deduction of two more planets by Backman's team, indicated by belts of rocky asteroids and an outer icy ring. Alice Quillen's research suggests unusual clumps in the outer ring might indicate a Saturn-sized planet. Marengo explains that gaps between these belts are likely formed by dust and rock consolidation into planets, similar to Saturn's rings. The possibility of Earth-like planets existing between Epsilon Eridani and the inner dust ring is also raised, though they are currently undetectable.

Article: Groups Wants Next President to Disclose 'Truth' About UFOs

This article details the efforts of the Paradigm Research Group (PRG) to pressure the incoming U.S. president to disclose information about UFOs and extraterrestrial presence. PRG's 'Million Fax on Washington' campaign aims to inundate the next president with faxes and mail demanding the government reveal its alleged knowledge. PRG founder Stephen Bassett cites President Carter's reported UFO sighting and subsequent studies kept under wraps. He notes an increase in extraterrestrial sighting reports since the end of the Cold War and mentions other nations, like the U.K. and Mexico, declassifying UFO reports or conducting research. Bassett, who founded Paradigm in 1996, aims to 'confront the United States' and believes disclosure would be the most profound event in human history. The article also references Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign promise to make UFO information public, which led to two extraterrestrial studies that were suppressed. The campaign encourages sending letters, faxes, or emails to the President Elect between November 5, 2008, and January 20, 2009, with a goal of one million communications.

Article: The Truth Is Out There: On the Eve of Disclosure

Written by Glenn Gould, this article explores the perceived high level of secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena and the growing movement for full disclosure. It highlights the Disclosure Project, led by Dr. Steven Greer, which envisions a utopian disbursal of extraterrestrial technology. The article suggests that governments have amassed artifacts and evidence for decades, with some 'scientific breakthroughs' attributed to this. It criticizes the public's desensitization and confusion due to media portrayals and the demeaning of alleged contact in journalism. Jim Marrs is quoted stating that acceptance of the subject matter depends on one's existing paradigm. The author argues that an objective acknowledgement of an ET liaison would lead to the demise of the current government and financial system, especially given the reliance on petroleum. The article posits that governments have controlled the release of technology for national security purposes and that this secrecy is seen as necessary to protect the country. It also touches upon the psychological conditioning that predisposes people to dismiss the topic and the potential for radical change that disclosure would bring. The article discusses 'Project Garnet' related to human genetics and a study on religion, suggesting these are among the 'big secrets.' It also contemplates the ethical implications of disclosure, including the need for amnesty for those involved in maintaining secrecy and the difficulty of changing deeply ingrained human behaviors and economic systems. The author concludes that open disclosure depends on humanity's willingness to re-evaluate its existence and on the ability to forgive past wrongs, suggesting these are currently beyond human emotional capacity.

Article: Recent Michigan Sightings

This section details two recent UFO sightings in Michigan. The first, in Milan on October 3, 2008, describes a silver, rectangular object with square segments, approximately 100 ft above the ground. The witness was amazed by its beauty and noted its clear outline against the blue sky. The object was not identified as a blimp, and the witness reported no 'missing time.' The second sighting, in Chelsea on August 30, 2008, describes white lights that moved erratically, changed colors (red, green, yellow, white), and formed circles of colored lights. The object was observed for two and a half hours and exhibited unusual movement patterns. On the third evening of this sighting, an object descended to about 38,000 ft, described as a 'Farris Wheel' on its side with lights in a ring, and then ascended vertically before disappearing.

Article: Dr. Charles Lietzau to Speak at Nov 16. Meeting

This article announces that Dr. Charles Lietzau will be the guest speaker at the Michigan MUFON meeting on November 16th. Dr. Lietzau, a consultant for International MUFON and a former educator, will present on 'Encounters With UFO Evidence; How Close Are We?'. His presentation will scientifically evaluate evidence from classic UFO cases and discuss the current state of UFOlogy and the importance of its scientific study. The article provides a brief bio of Dr. Lietzau, mentioning his childhood fascination with science fiction and his academic background in Zoology. It also notes that MUFON Field Investigator training will be conducted by Gary Golem prior to the main presentation.

From The Editor's Desk: Seeing is Believing (the Sequel)

Editor David Twichell reviews the ABC Primetime special 'Seeing is Believing II,' a sequel to Peter Jennings' original program. Twichell finds the sequel to be more 'fair and balanced' than the original, expanding the program to an hour and a half. He notes the inclusion of the Stephenville, Texas case, reported with respect to facts and witnesses. The article mentions the re-hashing of the 1980 Bentwaters case and the omission of debunker's explanations from comedians like James McGaha, Seth Shostak, and Susan Clancy. Twichell criticizes Shostak's belief that ET is out there but hasn't been here, suggesting it jeopardizes his job. The editor also notes the absence of interviews with the late John Mack and Budd Hopkins, who were featured in the original special. The article mentions Dr. Edgar Mitchell's proclamation of UFO reality but his absence from the program. Twichell credits the program for admitting that the government's denial and ridicule policy dates back to Project Blue Book, which bolsters UFOlogy's position. He concludes that 'Seeing is Believing II' represents a softening of mainstream media's usual attitude towards UFO phenomena, presenting facts more accurately and openly.

Article: Bill Murphy's Presentation

This section briefly mentions Bill Murphy's presentation titled "Making the Case for UFOlogy" at Walli's in Flint on September 14, 2008. The presentation is described as a compelling case for UFOlogy that would make an excellent TV special or documentary, geared towards skeptics. Murphy addressed objections with logic and direct evidence, suggesting that mainstream science's denial is an effort to protect funding for other scientific endeavors.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

This section provides a comprehensive contact list for Michigan MUFON, including State Section Directors for various counties and Regional State Section Directors. It lists names, phone numbers, and email addresses for inquiries, comments, and reports of sightings. It also includes contact information for the Michigan State Director, Assistant State Directors, Electronic Data Manager, Librarians, Newsletter Editor, and Consultants. The best method of contact is suggested to be email, but phone numbers are also provided.

Suggestion Box and Subscription Form

This section includes a 'Suggestion Box' for readers to provide comments and suggestions regarding their interest in the UFO phenomenon, events MIMUFON should sponsor, and potential future speakers. It also contains a 'Michigan MUFON 2008 State Dues and Newsletter Subscription Form' for individuals to join or subscribe to the newsletter for $25.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the pursuit of UFO disclosure, the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, and the reporting of recent sightings. The editorial stance, particularly in David Twichell's 'From The Editor's Desk,' appears to favor a more balanced and open-minded approach to UFOlogy, criticizing government secrecy and the dismissive attitude of some mainstream media outlets. There is a clear emphasis on scientific study and evidence-based reporting within the MUFON community.