MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2009 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MICHIGAN MUFON newsletter, dated May 2009, focuses on the "MUFON's Star Impact Project – Exciting Stuff!" as highlighted on the cover. The newsletter features a message from the State Director, an "Inside this issue" section detailing upcoming articles, and various reports and announcements relevant to the UFO community.

Words From the State Director

The State Director introduces the "MUFON's Star Impact Project" (SIP), a new initiative that is a trial collaboration with Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS). BAASS, founded by Robert Bigelow, will provide MUFON with funding to conduct quality sighting research for scientific study. The director notes that MUFON and NIDS (National Institute of Discovery Sciences) have historically had amicable relations, suggesting a good fit for this project. He anticipates details will be shared at the upcoming MUFON Symposium in Denver, August 6-9. The newsletter also announces the upcoming Michigan MUFON meeting on May 3rd in Flint, featuring Field Investigator Training by Gary Golem and a presentation by ghost investigator Tom Maat.

Inside this issue

The "Inside this issue" section lists the following articles and their corresponding page numbers:

• How the Mainstream Press Avoids UFO Stories (Pages 4-7)
• Galaxy Has "Billions of Earths" (Page 7)
• MUFON 2009 Symposium - August 6-9, 2009 Denver, Colorado (Page 8)
• Bill Murphy's Column: Two Fascinating “Michigan Wave of 1966” Reports (Pages 9-10)
• UFO Enthusiasts May Sue NASA for Fraud (Page 11)
• YouTube Leads To Capture Of N.J. UFO Pranksters (Page 11)
• Former Astronaut: Man Not Alone in Universe (Page 12)
• Canada Opens Secret UFO Files (Page 13)
• Recent Michigan Sightings (Page 15)
• From The Editor's Desk (Page 18)

How the Mainstream Press Avoids UFO Stories by Tim R. Swartz

This article critically examines the mainstream media's reluctance to cover UFO stories seriously. The author notes that a 2002 report of an unknown aircraft over the Turks and Caicos Islands received scant attention, questioning the lack of curiosity. He argues that the press has adopted an attitude that UFO reports are strictly for tabloids, leading to isolation for journalists who attempt serious investigations. The article contrasts this with the late 1940s when UFOs were covered more openly before the subject became associated with the "lunatic fringe." The author points to the ABC special "Peter Jennings Reporting: UFOs - Seeing Is Believing" as an example of a program that focused on debunking rather than objective reporting. A notable exception mentioned is the Chicago Tribune's intelligent reporting on the O'Hare Airport UFO sighting in 2006.

The article also touches on the concept of "Press Blackouts," citing a BBC executive's comment about a D-Notice on reporting black triangle UFOs, allegedly due to them being part of a secret military project. In the US, the press is described as "self-policing," often adding personal opinions or resorting to the "giggle factor" to dismiss UFO stories. The author critiques science writer Lee Dye's column on the Laurance Rockefeller-funded UFO report, suggesting Dye injected personal opinions and contributed to the "giggle syndrome" rather than reporting objectively. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for professional news coverage of the UFO phenomenon, arguing that the media's ignorance and tendency to sensationalize prevent a fair and accurate portrayal.

A Few Brave Souls

This section highlights journalists who have faced career setbacks for investigating UFOs. Sarah McClendon, a White House correspondent for over 50 years, is mentioned for her assertive questioning and her report on the call for government disclosure and a global scientific conference on UFOs. A 1998 press release from McClendon stated that UFOs are "actual visitors from other worlds" and that government secrecy poses a danger. The article also recounts reporter Greg Boone's experience investigating a boomerang-shaped UFO sighting in 1985, where his story was suppressed, and he faced intimidation.

Press Blackouts

This subsection reiterates the idea of government influence on media reporting of UFOs. It mentions a BBC executive's claim of a "D-Notice" (blackout) on reporting black triangle UFOs, allegedly because they are part of a secret military project. The article suggests that in the US, the press has become "self-policing," often dismissing legitimate UFO stories or adding personal opinions to make them seem less credible.

It's All Just One Big Joke

This section critiques science writer Lee Dye's column on the ABC News website regarding a UFO report funded by Laurance Rockefeller. The author argues that Dye's column, while calling for scientific scrutiny, lent credibility to "ET" theories and exposed scientists to ridicule. The article quotes Dye suggesting that physicists find interstellar travel "quite impossible" and questions his own stance. The author concludes that Dye interjected personal opinions and that the subject is often treated as "too weird" for serious investigation, leading to humorous or ridiculing pieces.

Taking Responsibility

Tom Burch, in an article titled "Opinions Disguised as News," is quoted stating that the UFO phenomenon is newsworthy and deserves professional coverage. He argues that the media's lack of recognition of the multiple facets of the UFO issue indicates ignorance. Burch emphasizes that the UFO controversy has significant implications beyond just whether extraterrestrials exist and that both proponents and opponents deserve equal time in public forums. He acknowledges that verifiable evidence for UFOs is difficult to obtain, often being anecdotal, but stresses the public's right to know. The section concludes by suggesting that a courageous journalist or news director might one day conduct a truly objective report on UFOs.

Sources

A list of sources is provided, including "McClendon News Service, Inc.", "Project Moondust" by Kevin D. Randle, "Secret Black Projects of the New World Order" by Tim Swartz, "The UFO encyclopedia" by John Spencer, and an online article by Greg Boone.

Galaxy Has "Billions of Earths"

This article reports on a statement made by Dr. Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institution of Science at an American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago. Dr. Boss estimated that there could be one hundred billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy, many of which could host simple life forms, potentially bacterial. He mentioned that NASA's Kepler mission, due to launch soon, is expected to help find these planets. The article also references research from Edinburgh University suggesting thousands of intelligent civilizations might exist.

WE ARE NOT ALONE

This section promotes David Twichell's one-hour radio talk show, "We Are Not Alone," broadcast on WHFR (89.3 FM). It lists upcoming guests, including James Gilliland and Dr. Joye Jeffries Pugh, and provides information on how to tune in live or access archived shows.

MUFON 2009 Symposium - August 6-9, 2009 Denver, Colorado

This section provides a detailed schedule of events for the MUFON 2009 Symposium, which includes workshops, presentations, meetings, and social events. Key speakers include Jan Harzan, Marc D'Antonio, Stanton Friedman, Dr. Frank Salisbury, Dr. Jeffrey Bennett, Peter Robbins, Chris Rutkowski, Bruce Maccabee, and James Carrion. The schedule covers August 6-9, 2009, in Denver, Colorado, and includes information on registration, meals, and the silent auction.

Bill Murphy's Column: Two Fascinating “Michigan Wave of 1966” Reports

This column by Bill Murphy details two intriguing UFO sighting reports from Michigan in 1966, part of a larger "Wave" of sightings. The cases are presented to counter the debunking theme that initial cases shape later reports, as witnesses provided detailed sketches.

Case #1 - Northwest of Manistique, October 7, 1966: A single witness reported a helicopter-like object, later identified as a bullet-shaped craft about 13-16 feet tall and 12-14 feet wide, with rotating lights. The object took off at jet speed. The following evening, approximately 14 witnesses observed a similar object pulsating with red, blue, and yellowish lights. It hovered, and a family reported their radio went to static, and trees were scorched. Workers at the local airport confirmed no flights that night.

Case #2 - Southwest of Plainwell, October 22, 1966: A woman and her family observed two bright "stars" rapidly descending. The object was described as a boomerang or flat-spearhead-shaped craft with five bright lights on the bottom. While some initially thought it was a helicopter, the witness was certain it was not. The object's color was described as grayish or bluish-gray, and it was not glowing. The witness noted that the object's outline was unusual for the era but became more common later.

UFO Enthusiasts May Sue NASA for Fraud

This brief item, appearing on page 11, mentions that UFO enthusiasts are considering suing NASA for fraud. No further details are provided in the scanned pages.

YouTube Leads To Capture Of N.J. UFO Pranksters

This brief item, appearing on page 11, states that YouTube was instrumental in capturing UFO pranksters in New Jersey. No further details are provided in the scanned pages.

Former Astronaut: Man Not Alone in Universe

This brief item, appearing on page 12, quotes a former astronaut stating that "Man Not Alone in Universe." No further details are provided in the scanned pages.

Canada Opens Secret UFO Files

This brief item, appearing on page 13, reports that Canada has opened its secret UFO files. No further details are provided in the scanned pages.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section, on page 15, is dedicated to recent UFO sightings reported in Michigan. No specific details are provided in the scanned pages.

From The Editor's Desk

This section, on page 18, contains the Editor's Desk. No specific content is visible in the scanned pages.

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report - for March 2009

This report indicates that MUFON received 559 sighting reports worldwide in March 2009, with 439 in the United States and 21 in Michigan. It also notes 30 "Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs" and 40 "Entities observed" worldwide. The report directs readers to the MUFON website for more detailed data.

Mystiques West Psychic Reading & Metaphysical Center

This is an advertisement for Mystiques West Psychic Reading & Metaphysical Center, providing their address, phone numbers, and website.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges of media coverage, and the importance of witness testimony and data collection. The newsletter actively promotes MUFON's initiatives, such as the Star Impact Project and the annual symposium, emphasizing the organization's commitment to understanding UFOs. There is a clear stance against media sensationalism and government secrecy, advocating for transparency and objective reporting. The inclusion of detailed witness accounts and statistical data underscores MUFON's dedication to serious research within the field of ufology.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated May 2009, features a cover story titled "UFO Enthusiasts May Sue NASA for Fraud," dated March 19, 2009, by Jaime L. Hartman. The newsletter covers a range of topics related to UFO phenomena, investigations, and MUFON activities.

UFO Enthusiasts May Sue NASA for Fraud

The lead article discusses the idea of UFO enthusiasts filing lawsuits in small claims courts against NASA. The basis for these suits is the alleged fraud committed by NASA in altering or destroying photographic evidence of extraterrestrial life, despite its mission to "Look for signs of life in other planetary systems" and receiving significant taxpayer funding. Jeff Peckman of the Denver UFO Examiner explains that this alleged fraud represents a "waste, fraud and abuse" and suggests that using small claims court can bring public scrutiny to government agencies. The article also mentions that former NASA astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell believes NASA is aware of visits by "little people who look strange to us." NASA's official response, provided by Michael Cabbage, is that the agency does not track UFOs and is not involved in any cover-up.

YouTube Leads To Capture Of N.J. UFO Pranksters

This section details a hoax involving mysterious red lights seen over Morris County, N.J., in January 2009. It was revealed to be the work of two men, Joe Rudy and Chris Russo, who used flares, fishing line, and helium balloons. They documented their scheme on YouTube, which ultimately led to their capture. Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi stated that the men were charged with disorderly conduct. The article highlights how their online postings led to their downfall.

Former Astronaut: Man Not Alone in Universe

This article reports on former NASA astronaut Edgar Mitchell's assertion that extraterrestrial life exists and is being concealed by governments. Mitchell, part of the Apollo 14 mission, made these remarks after the fifth annual X-Conference. He believes humanity should prepare to become part of a "planetary community." The article also touches upon the Roswell incident, with Mitchell claiming residents were warned by military authorities not to speak about their experiences. He recounts an admiral's confirmation of a UFO crash at Roswell, though access to further details was denied. NASA spokesman Michael Cabbage reiterates NASA's stance that it does not track UFOs or cover up information. Stephen Bassett of the Paradigm Research Group suggests that the truth about extraterrestrial life is suppressed due to political explosiveness.

Canada Opens Secret UFO Files

This article discusses the opening of secret UFO files by Canada and highlights "Project Magnet," initiated in 1950 by Wilbert B. Smith, a senior radio engineer. Smith's project aimed to study UFOs and the physical principles connected to them, particularly geomagnetism, believing it could lead to new technology. The project investigated sightings and correlated data, with Smith noting common characteristics of UFOs such as large size, high speed, and high altitude, suggesting they might be extra-terrestrial. An observatory was set up in Shirley's Bay, Ontario, to measure magnetic or radio noise disturbances. The project was shut down in 1954. The article also includes a quote from Senator Barry M. Goldwater, Sr., expressing his interest in UFO information stored at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, which he described as classified above Top Secret.

Michigan MUFON State Section Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the March 15, 2009, Michigan MUFON State Section Directors meeting held in Flint, Michigan. Key discussions included the collaboration between MUFON International and Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Sciences, LLC (BAASS), and an investigation into two individuals claiming to be human/alien hybrids. The formation of the MUFON Advocacy Group was also mentioned. Updates on newsletter mailing costs, library activity, and store sales were provided.

SGRA's 10th Annual ParaCon

An announcement for the Smoking Gun Research Agency's (SGRA) 10th Annual Paranormal Conference (ParaCon) in Milford, Connecticut, from June 5-7, 2009. The conference covers UFOs, Ghosts, Metaphysics, Cryptozoology, and Government Conspiracies. It includes workshops, movie screenings, and panel discussions, with free admission to presentations. A "Virtual ParaCon" will also be available online. MUFON members receive a 10% discount.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section presents several recent UFO sighting reports from Michigan:

• September 2007 (Reported April 12, 2009): A witness described a huge, black, triangular object with humming, flying very low and still, with asymmetrical lights.
• March 22, 2009: In Jackson, MI, three spectacular flashes of white silvery light were observed moving easterly, disappearing and reappearing.
• March 17, 2009: In Grand Rapids, MI, a formation of five golden lights, followed by more reddish golden disks, were seen speeding across the sky, some flying very low and fast. The witness also noted a helicopter and a small flash with sparks.

Tom Maat to Present at the May 3rd. Meeting

This section announces that Tom Maat, a ghost investigator and newly appointed MIMUFON field investigator, will present at the May 3rd meeting. He will demonstrate tools used by ghost and UFO hunters and discuss phenomena that blur the boundaries between these fields. Maat's background includes experience as a paramedic and project manager, and he has been studying the paranormal for over 36 years.

MUFON Field Investigator's Training

Chief Investigator Gary Golem will conduct a Field Investigator Training session at 10:00 AM on May 3rd.

Michigan MUFON Meeting at Walli's East Restaurant

Details for the Michigan MUFON meeting on Sunday, May 3, 2009, in Burton, Michigan. The schedule includes FI Training, a buffet lunch, a presentation by Tom Maat, and MIMUFON Announcements. The meeting is at Walli's East Restaurant, with specific directions provided.

"SIP" Could Open Doors for MUFON

This article discusses a new agreement between Robert T. Bigelow (founder of NIDS and BAASS) and MUFON, called the "Star Impact Project" (SIP). Bigelow will fund MUFON Field Investigators to respond to category 2 and 3 UFO sites (those with physical evidence or psychological effects). Investigators will be transported to sites at no expense, and evidence will be analyzed by BAASS in Las Vegas. The goal is to investigate alien propulsion systems for Bigelow's orbital hotel project, while MUFON seeks scientific confirmation. The project will be reevaluated in June 2009. MUFON expresses gratitude for the opportunity, hoping it will bring renewed credibility to UFOlogy.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

A comprehensive contact list for Michigan MUFON State Section Directors, Regional Directors, and other key personnel, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses. It also includes a map of Michigan indicating regional coverage and a list of MUFON members involved in the "Star Impact Project."

Suggestion Box and Subscription Form

This section includes a suggestion box for reader feedback on interests, sponsored events, and speaker suggestions. It also provides a form for Michigan MUFON 2009 State Dues and Newsletter Subscription, with a fee of $25.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO investigations, potential government cover-ups, the scientific study of UFO phenomena, and MUFON's role in these activities. The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation and a desire for transparency and scientific validation of UFO reports. There is a clear emphasis on MUFON's efforts to conduct rigorous investigations, collaborate with scientific and private entities, and inform its members and the public about UFO-related developments. The newsletter also addresses the public's interest in UFOs and encourages participation and feedback.