MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2009 07

Magazine Overview

The "MICHIGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER" for July 2009 features a prominent obituary for Shirley Coyne, former Michigan State Director of MUFON, who passed away at age 69. The newsletter also notes the passing of legendary paranormal investigator and writer John Keel, author of "The Mothman Prophecies," at age 79.

Articles and Features

Shirley Coyne Passes

The lead article details the passing of Shirley Coyne (also known as Shiann Tafoya) and highlights her energetic role in MUFON during the early to mid-90s, with assistance from her late husband George. The current State Director, Bill Konkolesky, shares a personal anecdote about how Shirley brought him into MUFON. Her significant contribution to the MIMUFON training video, "How to Interview the UFO Witness," is also mentioned.

UFO Experts Amazed by Mayan Panels Just Unearthed

This article by Michael Cohen reports on the discovery of carved panels in Guatemala's northern jungle, believed to depict Mayan creation myths. Ufologists are particularly interested as one panel appears to show a UFO with non-human beings, drawing parallels to Ezekiel's descriptions of wheels within wheels and 'living creatures.' The panels are dated to around 300 BC.

Investigators Busy with UFO Sightings

Brian X. McCrone reports on a surge of UFO sightings in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, making it a 'ground zero' for UFO activity. The area has attracted attention from the Discovery and History channels. The article mentions a 1973 UFO sighting along Route 1 in Fairless Hills and recent sightings including probes of light and a six-sided UFO.

Two New Cloaking Devices Close In on True Invisibility

Richard A. Lovett reports on advancements in cloaking technology inspired by Star Trek. Two independent teams have developed silicon-based materials that can hide microscopic objects in near-infrared light by bending light around them. While still in early stages, potential applications include optical computing and hiding defects in electronic components.

Mysteries of Space and Sky Date Set

Bill Murphy's column announces the upcoming "Mysteries of Space and Sky" conference on October 24th in the east Maryland area. The event focuses on substantive presentations by top researchers on UFO phenomena, including Roswell and Rendlesham Forest. The venue has been moved to a hotel near the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Lansing, on about September 1, 1954, Close Encounter of the 1st Kind

This case, part of a new presentation on Michigan UFOs, details a sighting from September 1954 in Lansing. A family witnessed a large, round, silver object with flashing lights and a bluish glow hovering about 300 feet above the ground. The object tilted, revealed a cabin, and then accelerated away rapidly.

CUFOS UFO Archive I and II

The author discusses the importance of the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) archives, which contain significant materials from the field. CUFOS UFO Archive I and II are available on CD and include works by Dr. Mark Rodeghier, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Ted Phillips, Dave Webb, Ted Bloecher, Isabel Davis, Marge Christensen, Dr. Richard Haines, John Schuessler, and Dr. Michael Swords.

MUFON 2009 Symposium Schedule

The newsletter provides the detailed schedule for the 40th Annual International MUFON Symposium in Denver, Colorado, from August 6-9, 2009. The schedule includes workshops, meetings, press conferences, and presentations by various speakers on topics related to ufology.

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report for April - June 2009

This report details the number of UFO sightings reported to MUFON worldwide and in the United States for April, May, and June 2009. It includes figures for total sightings, sightings in Michigan, and observations of Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs, and Entities.

Other Content

The newsletter also includes a personal reflection titled "Help! My Parents Are Stuck In The 60's And They Can't Get Out!" by Lisa Overy, and information about Michigan MUFON T-shirts and sweatshirts for sale. A radio show, "We Are Not Alone," hosted by David Twichell on WHFR, is also promoted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of scientific collection and analysis of UFO data. It emphasizes the importance of research, investigation, and sharing information within the ufology community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous investigation and data analysis. There is a clear effort to connect local Michigan MUFON activities with broader national and international UFO research and events, such as the annual symposium and the CUFOS archives.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated July 2009, focuses heavily on UFO evidence and witness testimonies, particularly through excerpts from Larry King Live shows. The cover headline, "Larry King presents UFO evidence, witnesses on CNN," sets the tone for the content, which aims to present compelling evidence of the UFO phenomenon.

Larry King Live Excerpts

The newsletter features four segments derived from Larry King Live shows broadcast in 2007 and 2008. These segments highlight interviews with individuals who claim to have witnessed UFOs or have knowledge of related government activities.

Roswell Truth Debated (July 4, 2008)

This section revisits the Roswell incident of July 8, 1947. Colonel William H. Blanchard initially reported a flying saucer crash, but the Army later claimed it was a weather balloon. Witnesses like Carlene Green's father stated they saw the spacecraft and were told to remain silent, with threats of physical violence. Frankie Rowe's father, a fireman, reported seeing a crashed saucer and two full body bags, along with a living little person.

Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Apollo XIV astronaut, shared that "old timers" from the Roswell area confided in him. He approached the Pentagon and was told by a vice admiral that the project was funded by a black budget, but later the admiral was told "you do not have need to know here." Mitchell stated that the community consensus was that it was an alien craft.

Debate Over Existence of UFOs (July 18, 2008)

This segment features Bob Salas, a former U.S. Air Force captain, who was on duty at Malstrom Air Force Base in 1967 when UFOs allegedly caused missiles to malfunction. Salas reported seeing strange lights, a glowing red object hovering over the front gate, and then all 10 of his missiles shutting down. Bob Jamison, a target officer, corroborated that such malfunctions are extremely rare, especially for ten missiles simultaneously.

Dr. Bob Jacobs, who was in charge of optical instrumentation at Vandenberg Air Force Base, described an incident where an Atlas missile launch was filmed. The film showed an object entering the frame, shooting a beam of light at the warhead, and then exiting. Major Mansmann told Jacobs that the event "didn't happen" and that he was never to speak of it again.

UFOs: Are They for Real? (November 9, 2007)

This panel discussion included Fife Symington, former governor of Arizona, who admitted to seeing a "wedge-shaped craft of enormous proportions" fly over Phoenix. Colonel Chuck Halt described seeing three illuminated objects moving at high speed in sharp, angular patterns, with one approaching and sending down a beam of light. Sergeant Jim Penniston recounted discovering and touching a craft of unknown origin on the ground at Bentwaters Woodbridge base in England.

John Callahan, former FAA division chief, discussed a 1986 incident where a Japanese pilot reported seeing twin cylinders flying in formation. After a briefing, a CIA official declared the event never happened, swore everyone to secrecy, and confiscated the data.

Are UFOs Real? (July 13, 2007)

This segment returned to Roswell, with Dr. Jesse Marcel Jr. discussing his father, Major Jesse Marcel, the intelligence officer for the 509th Bomb Group, who investigated unusual debris from what he described as "not of this Earth." Julie Shuster, daughter of Walter Haut (public information officer at Roswell), confirmed her father issued the press release stating they had a "flying saucer" and "not of this Earth," and that he believed this until his death.

Fife Symington reiterated his sighting of the "Phoenix Lights," describing a large, delta-shaped craft with enormous lights that moved silently and was not an airplane or flares.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section details several recent UFO sightings in Michigan:

• Rogers City (May 17, 2009): A couple observed a UFO powering up and caught it on camera. They described it as the brightest spot in the sky, with two other orbs of light nearby. They see UFOs almost every night and observed what they presumed was an F-16 patrol heading toward the object.
• Flint, MI (Fall 2008): A witness saw a bright object in the northwest, described as planet-like but with a wrong shape, appearing stationary and doing a "flip." Despite initial assumptions of Jupiter, video of planets did not match the effect. The object was estimated to be the size of a nickel at arm's length.
• Waterford (May 10, 2009): Three spheres of white light were seen floating in counter-clockwise motion above a neighbor's house, performing intricate designs before disappearing.
• Melvindale (May 10, 2009): A bright beige-white sphere was observed moving ENE. Later, a sharp star-sized white ball was seen moving ENE at high speed, with a third sphere materializing and reversing direction.

Uruguayan Air Force Declassifies UFO Files

Daniel Iglesias reports on the declassification of over 600 pages of previously classified documents by the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) from 1970 to 1979. These documents reveal a strategy of covering up UFO cases, often referring to them as "from external sources." The "Operation Saucer" in the Amazon in 1977 is highlighted as a significant initiative. The FAU's commission has compiled a database of hundreds of files, with 40 cases remaining unexplained after 30 years of research. The commission has determined modifications to soil composition where landings were reported, suggesting phenomena occurring in the lower atmosphere or extraterrestrial probes. Colonel Ariel Sanchez stated that the UFO phenomenon exists and the Air Force does not dismiss an extraterrestrial hypothesis.

Cases mentioned include soil analysis showing increased minerals after a UFO landing in Durazno, sightings of reddish spheres moving at high speed, a 1986 pursuit of a luminous sphere by jet fighters, and a 1996 incident involving military pilots and luminous spheres. The report also notes that most sightings involve young men, occur in the early evening, and frequently involve luminous spheres. Cases of mutilated animals and abductions are also mentioned.

UFO Disclosure in Brazil Continues

As of May 4th, the Brazilian Government has disclosed over 600 new pages of classified documents concerning UFO reports and military investigations from 1970-1979. These documents are described as revelatory of Brazil's strategy to cover up UFO cases. "Operation Saucer," conducted in the Amazon in 1977, is noted as the biggest official military initiative to investigate UFOs. Over 1,400 pages of classified documents have been released through the efforts of the Brazilian UFO Researchers Committee (CBU).

Did You Know?

This section provides facts about U.S. government involvement with UFOs:

• The U.S. Government's interest in UFOs is not a secret, and Project Blue Book was not the first study; Project Sign (1947-1949) and Project Grunge (1949-1952) preceded it.
• Project Blue Book received 12,618 UFO sightings, with 701 remaining "unidentified."
• Various government agencies, including the CIA and U.S. Navy, have conducted their own UFO investigations, many of which remain classified.
• The government's official conclusion was that UFOs did not pose a national security threat, did not represent advanced technology, and were not extraterrestrial vehicles.
• At least four close advisors to President Obama have supported the disclosure of UFO information.

From The Editor's Desk

David Twichell, MIMUFON Newsletter Editor, reflects on the increasing number of serious UFO articles appearing in mainstream media and documentaries. He notes the shift from a "giggle factor" to more respectful coverage, citing Larry King's evolving skepticism and CNN's coverage of events like the Phoenix Lights and the Disclosure Project. He mentions President Obama's promise of government transparency and efforts like Stephen Bassett's "Million Fax on Washington" campaign. Twichell also lists various online resources for UFO information, concluding that the UFO phenomenon is gaining respectability and that "the truth cannot be hidden indefinitely."

Michigan MUFON Contact List

This section provides contact information for Michigan MUFON State Section Directors, Regional Directors, and other key personnel, including phone numbers and email addresses, to facilitate communication regarding UFO sightings and reports.

Suggestion Box and Subscription Form

The newsletter includes a "Suggestion Box" for reader feedback on their interest in the UFO phenomenon, desired MIMUFON events, speaker suggestions, and other comments. It also provides a form for 2009 calendar year memberships and newsletter subscriptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing mainstream attention to UFOs, the presentation of witness testimonies and declassified documents as evidence, and a call for government transparency and disclosure. The editorial stance, particularly from the editor's desk, is one of growing optimism about the UFO phenomenon gaining respectability and the possibility of eventual disclosure, moving away from a purely fringe topic to one of serious investigation.