MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2010 05

Magazine Overview

This is the May 2010 issue of the Michigan MUFON newsletter, a publication of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network. The issue features a "Words From the State Director" section, a list of upcoming events, and a table of contents detailing various articles and columns.

Words From the State Director

The State Director recounts a recent UFO presentation at the Caroline Kennedy Library, thanking Gary Golem for his participation. Upcoming events include a May 2nd meeting in Flint featuring a Field Investigator's Training by Gary Golem and an afternoon presentation by abduction researcher Marilyn Ruben. The director also mentions that Bill Murphy will be selling back issues of "International UFO Reporter." He notes his wife Becky's due date is May 14th, which may affect his attendance at the May meeting. Board members are asked to meet to discuss organization business. He also encourages members to introduce themselves to new attendees.

Inside this issue:

The table of contents lists the following articles:

• "Aliens Gave me Weird Skin Rash" (Page 4)
• "Deny all knowledge: How the Ministry of Defence Now Handles Reported UFO Sightings" (Page 5)
• "Some Examples of Files Already Released by The MoD:" (Pages 6-7)
• "Is There Life on Mars?" (Page 8)
• "Context and Perspective: Bill Murphy's Column" (Pages 9-10)
• "Post Graduate UFO Dissertation Survey on UFOlogy" (Page 12)
• "The Multiplying Mystery of Moonwater" (Page 13)
• "Recent Michigan Sightings" (Page 15)
• "From The Editor's Desk" (Page 18)

Upcoming Events and Announcements

September 19th Meeting with Peter Robbins

The newsletter announces that prominent UFO investigator Peter Robbins will be speaking at the September 19th MiMUFON meeting. The entrance cost may be slightly higher to cover Mr. Robbins' travel expenses from New York.

Electronic Newsletter Option

Subscribers are informed that they can opt to receive a printable electronic version of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter in PDF format via email. Interested individuals should contact Newsletter Editor David Twichell at [email protected].

May 2nd Meeting Details

Details are reiterated for the May 2nd meeting in Flint, which includes Field Investigator Training and a presentation by Marilyn Ruben.

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report - March 2010

In March 2010, MUFON received 504 sighting reports globally, with 433 in the United States and 16 in Michigan. There were 21 reported Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 9 Entities observed worldwide. Readers are directed to www.mufon.com for more detailed data.

Article Summaries

Aliens Gave me Weird Skin Rash (Page 4)

This article, from AFP correspondents in London dated February 18, 2010, discusses newly declassified Ministry of Defence (MoD) files revealing hundreds of UFO sightings in Britain. One file details a man in Ebbw Vale, Wales, who reported his car being surrounded by a "tube of light" in 1997. He experienced illness and developed a mysterious skin condition. The files also show Winston Churchill's interest in UFOs in 1952. Other sightings mentioned include a policeman seeing a UFO over Chelsea Football Club in 1999 and a blue triangle over Birmingham in 1997, which left a "silky-white" substance. UFOlogist David Clarke notes a change in reported UFO shapes, possibly influenced by media.

Deny all knowledge: How the Ministry of Defence Now Handles Reported UFO Sightings (Page 5)

This Daily Mail report from February 28, 2010, reveals that the UK's official UFO investigation unit and hotline were closed in December. New policy dictates that UFO reports are kept for only 30 days before being destroyed, to prevent publication under Freedom of Information requests. The MoD recorded 634 sightings in 2009, a significant increase. The memo states that the UFO hotline serves no defense purpose. Dr. David Clarke obtained this memo via an FOI request and stated that the MoD is trying to wash its hands of the UFO business. The article also notes that the US Department of Defense stopped collecting UFO reports in December 1969. The MoD is releasing historic UFO files gradually through the National Archives.

Some Examples of Files Already Released by The MoD: (Pages 6-7)

This section provides details on several specific files released by the MoD:

• DEFE 24/1988 (p266-67): A man in Ebbw Vale reported a "tube of light" surrounding his car in 1997, leading to illness and a skin condition. His car was found covered in dirt.
• DEFE 24/1988 (p189, 185-86): A triangular UFO was observed over a garden in Kingstanding, Birmingham, leaving a "silky white substance" on trees.
• DEFE 24/1966: A letter from Ralph Noyes describes gun camera film of UFOs captured by RAF pilots in 1956, shown at a secret film-show, but the films could not be traced later.
• DEFE 24/1994 (p174-210): Reports and an RAF investigation in March 1997 concerning a large triangular 'humming' object seen near the Home Secretary Michael Howard's home in Folkestone.
• UFO letters to John Major and Tony Blair: Files containing letters from UFO believers seeking the Prime Ministers' views or requesting the release of secret documents.
• DEFE 24/1977 (p229-240): Sightings of strange flashing lights over the North Sea, captured on video and detected by RAF radar, which were later identified as stars and a church spire.
• UFO on the radar (DEFE 24/2008): Testimony from a Prestwick airport controller tracking an unexplained UFO on radar in 1999.
• File DEFE 24/1989 (p154): Four trawler crew members spotted a flat, shiny round object hovering over the North Sea in 1997.
• Bonnybridge, Scotland, UFO "flap", 1994-95 (DEFE 24/2017): Correspondence regarding over 600 reported UFO sightings in the Bonnybridge area.
• Alien Abductions (DEFE 24/1979, DEFE 24/1980, DEFE 24/1994): Policy statements from the MoD considering reports of "alien abductions" as not proven.
• Allegations: crashed UFOs studied at military bases in the UK (DEFE 24/1981): Reference to RAF Menwith Hill, where locals claimed to see a disc-shaped object surrounded by military personnel.
• Rendlesham Forest incident (DEFE 24/2011): Features testimony from USAF security policemen about a UFO landing outside the perimeter fence at RAF Woodbridge in 1980.
• Crop Circles (DEFE 24/1979): A 1996 letter from Professor Carl Sagan to the MoD regarding conspiracy theories about crop circles.
• Incidents involving UFOs and aircraft: Mentions a 'near miss' between a 737 and a UFO near Manchester airport in 1995, a close encounter near Glasgow Airport in 1996, a sighting by Aer Lingus flight crew in 1997, and an incident over Balmoral Royal in 1996 explained as a Harrier jump jet exercise.

Is There Life on Mars? (Page 8)

This article discusses research by Scots scientists from the University of Aberdeen who discovered microbes in an arctic crater that could have survived harsh conditions four million years ago. This discovery suggests that primitive life could have endured the "heavy bombardment" period after the solar system's birth and could explain the evolution of life on Earth and potentially on Mars, which has similar cratered surfaces.

Boyne City, MI Sighting (Page 8)

A resident of Boyne City, Michigan, reported seeing six yellow circular lights in a row that appeared and disappeared six times over about five seconds each time. The lights hovered in place before disappearing.

Compelling Photographs of Triangle Taken over Greenville, South Carolina (Page 8)

A sighting on March 16, 2010, in Greenville, South Carolina, described a bright red light that turned out to be a large triangle plane with a bright red strobe in the center. It appeared to be climbing in altitude before disappearing into the clouds.

Context and Perspective: Bill Murphy's Column (Pages 9-10)

Bill Murphy argues that ufology needs more context and perspective to be accepted as a serious discipline. He criticizes explanations that ignore basic scientific and historical facts. He addresses the "Ancient Astronauts" theory, specifically regarding the Great Pyramid of Khufu, stating it is not as unique as often claimed. He points out that other pyramids are similar in size, that pyramid building was a long tradition in Egypt, and that the construction methods, while impressive, are explainable through known engineering principles and human energy, not necessarily alien intervention. He emphasizes understanding the pyramid within its historical and architectural context.

Prince Phillip Quote

A quote from Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, states: "There are many reasons to believe that they (UFOs) do exist: there is so much evidence from reliable witnesses."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the increasing secrecy surrounding UFO investigations by government bodies, particularly the UK Ministry of Defence, and the release of historical UFO files. There is also a focus on recent UFO sightings and the ongoing scientific inquiry into phenomena like potential extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance, as reflected in Bill Murphy's column, advocates for a more rigorous, contextual, and evidence-based approach to ufology, moving away from speculative theories without sufficient grounding in historical and scientific fact. The newsletter aims to inform its members about MUFON activities, UFO research, and related news.

The Michigan MUFON Newsletter, May 2010 issue, is a comprehensive publication for UFO enthusiasts in Michigan. It covers local MUFON chapter activities, significant UFO news, scientific research related to anomalies, and upcoming events.

State Section Directors Meeting Minutes - March 14, 2010

The minutes detail a meeting held at Walli's Restaurant in Flint, Michigan. Key attendees included Bill Konkolesky, David Twichell, David Bleicher, Gary Golem, and Wendy Smith. The meeting focused on planning for the fall 2010 season, including the possibility of hosting a nationally known speaker like Peter Robbins, with potential costs around $1000.00. Gary suggested holding the event at Walli's with an additional $5.00 charge, and the special first-time attendee price would not apply. Bill decided to poll members on this. Fall meeting dates were set for September 19 and November 7, 2010. Publicity for speakers was discussed, noting that a Detroit newspaper interview had been effective for a previous speaker. Fundraising alternatives were also considered, with David Bleicher reporting on the Davison Poker Room and David Twichell volunteering to check locations. Bill mentioned he might miss the May 2nd meeting, and Gary offered to cover the Field Investigator's training and introduce the speaker, Marilyn Ruben. The meeting adjourned at 1:45 PM, and the minutes were respectfully submitted by Wendy Smith on April 5, 2010.

'Alien Invasion' April Fool's Day Prank Sparks Panic in Jordan

This article by Tom Phillips reports on an April 1st spoof news story published by the Al Ghad newspaper, claiming UFOs had landed near Jafr, Jordan. The fake report led to widespread panic, with residents fleeing their homes and the mayor considering evacuating the town of 13,000. The mayor, Mohammed Mleihan, was himself fooled and sent security forces to investigate. He expressed his intention to sue the newspaper for the 'big lie,' though the paper later apologized. The managing editor, Moussa Barhoumeh, stated the intent was to entertain, not scare. The incident is compared to Orson Welles' 1938 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast, which caused similar public hysteria. A Jordanian security official confirmed that an emergency plan was nearly enacted. The article notes that the source of the report was a metro.co.uk article, and thanks Bill Konkolesky for the submission.

Post Graduate UFO Dissertation Survey on UFOlogy

This section introduces a survey being conducted by Diana P. Hoyt, a PhD graduate student at Virginia Tech, focusing on the epistemology and sociology of knowledge claims in the study of anomalies, particularly UFOs. The survey aims to understand how evidence is evaluated, certified, and how anomalous phenomena are assessed within different communities, including the UFO community, IUFOC followers, online UFO communities, scientists, and the general public. The survey takes about 20 minutes and is anonymous, with an online URL provided. Participants can also opt for an interview. Completed surveys can be mailed to Diana P. Hoyt at UFO Research Associates in Charlotte Hall, MD. The section also includes a quote from Wilbert Smith, a Canadian radio engineer, regarding the high classification of UFOs in the 1950s, rating them above the H-bomb.

The Multiplying Mystery of Moonwater

This article discusses recent scientific discoveries about water on the Moon, challenging the long-held belief that it was a dry celestial body. Reports indicate significant amounts of moonwater, estimated at 600 million metric tons in 40 craters near the North Pole. Paul Spudis of the Lunar and Planetary Institute notes that water exists in various concentrations and geologic settings. The findings are based on data from NASA's Mini-SAR and LCROSS missions, and the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M³) instrument on India's Chandrayaan-1. Three types of moonwater have been identified: thick lenses of nearly pure ice in craters (Mini-SAR), a mix of ice crystals and dirt (LCROSS), and a thin, intermittent layer across the surface (M³). The LCROSS mission struck water in a permanently dark crater at the lunar south pole, revealing layers containing water and hydroxyl bound in minerals, as well as pure ice. Another layer contains more water ice and compounds like sulfur dioxide, methanol, and diacetylene. Researchers suggest that some water may be formed on the Moon by solar wind interaction with metal oxides, while other water is deposited by impactors like asteroids and comets. A lunar water cycle is proposed, with water migrating from warmer latitudes to the poles. The article concludes by suggesting 'Moonwater' should be added to the dictionary.

Cutting Edge of UFO Investigations - 41st Annual International UFO Symposium

This section is an advertisement for the 41st Annual International UFO Symposium, sponsored by Mutual UFO Network, Inc. (MUFON), to be held in Denver, Colorado, from July 22-25, 2010. It lists several prominent speakers and their topics, including Budd Hopkins on UFO Abductions, Donald Schmitt on Roswell, Richard Dolan on Disclosure, Kathleen Marden on Alien Abduction, Kevin Randle on Crash Retrieval History, Michael Schratt on UFO Cases, George Filer on Personal UFO Encounters, Nick Redfern on Crop Circles, Marc D'Antonio on Petroglyphs, John Greenewald on 'UFOs-101', and Linda Moulton Howe and John Burroughs on the 1980 RAF Bentwaters incident. Registration details and a website URL are provided.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section details several recent UFO sightings reported in Michigan:

• Manistee, MI, March 3, 2010: A resident reported a triangle-shaped object flying at high speed with flashing lights, which he initially dismissed but later confirmed as real after a similar sighting occurred nearby.
• Manistee, MI, March 6, 2010: A family observed an orange blinking light that formed a perfect triangle of three lights. The object moved at high speed and displayed a central light with a pulsating energy bubble. The witness noted that the lights appeared to be triangles made of three orange lights and that the craft made a sound like it was cutting through the atmosphere.
• Central Lake, MI, March 5, 2010: Two individuals witnessed a triangle object with white lights and a red flashing light gliding north towards Ellsworth, accompanied by a swooshing noise. The object was described as having a wide end towards the North, with the flashing red light between the leading two white lights.

The editor's note clarifies that Manistee and Central Lake are both on Lake Michigan and thanks Robert Nolan for his follow-up work, which indicated that the witnessed phenomena were 'NOT ours'.

Marilyn Ruben Will Present at May 2nd Meeting

Longtime MiMUFON member Marilyn Ruben is scheduled to present at the May 2, 2010 meeting in Flint, MI. Her presentation will focus on her experiences as an alien abductee since childhood and how others can deal with the prospect of abduction. Her website, Alien Abduction Experience and Research (AAER), is described as the world's largest website on the alien abduction experience, featuring research, personal experiences, and articles. AAER also offers an e-book to help readers explore repressed memories of alien abduction. The article encourages anyone experiencing or interested in abduction phenomena to attend.

MUFON Field Investigator's Training

Chief Investigator Gary Golem will conduct Field Investigator's Training at 10:00 AM on May 2nd for all interested Field Investigators.

Meeting Reservations

Information is provided for making meeting reservations for the May 2nd meeting by calling State Director Bill Konkolesky or emailing [email protected] by Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Attendees are asked to provide their name, number of attendees, and contact information.

Michigan MUFON Meeting at Walli's East Restaurant - Sunday, May 2, 2010

This section provides details for the Michigan MUFON meeting on May 2, 2010, at Walli's East Restaurant in Burton, Michigan. The schedule includes Field Investigator Training at 10 am, a buffet lunch at 12 pm, Marilyn Ruben's presentation at 1:30 pm, and MIMUFON Announcements & Business at 4:00 pm. Board members are asked to attend a briefing at 1:00 PM. Membership fees are $14.00 for members and $16.00 for non-members, with a $5.00 rate for first-time guests. Directions and a map to Walli's East Restaurant are included.

From The Editor's Desk: Are We Running Out of UFO Reports?

Editor David Twichell expresses concern that UFO reports and related articles in the MUFON Journal are becoming scarce, with the January issue's cover story focusing on '2012 End Times Prophecy.' He critiques the journal's shift towards prophecies and religious/political commentary, arguing that MUFON's mission is the 'scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity.' Twichell discusses various 'End Times' predictions and the controversy surrounding a suggestion that President Obama might be considered the 'Antichrist,' noting negative responses from readers. He also mentions the 'Hutaree militia' incident as an example of how unstable individuals can be influenced by extremist ideologies. Twichell calls for MUFON to stay focused on its scientific mission and avoid speculative or religious discussions. References to online articles about the Antichrist are provided.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

This comprehensive list provides contact information for State Section Directors, Regional State Section Directors, and other key personnel within Michigan MUFON. It includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses for individuals responsible for different regions and counties within Michigan, as well as for specific roles like Field Investigator Trainer, Chief Investigator, Electronic Data Manager, and Newsletter Editor. The list emphasizes that email is the preferred method of contact but provides phone numbers as well, with advice on leaving clear messages.

Suggestion Box & Membership/Subscription Form

This section invites readers to submit comments and suggestions regarding their interest in the UFO phenomenon, desired MIMUFON events, and suggestions for future speakers. It also provides a form for 2010 calendar year memberships or subscriptions to the newsletter for $25.00, payable by check or money order to Michigan MUFON. The form includes fields for name, address, city, state/province, zip code, phone, and email/website, and asks if the subscriber wishes to receive the newsletter via email and if they are a current MUFON member.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of scientific investigation into UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on local Michigan MUFON activities, including meetings, training, and sighting reports. The editorial stance, particularly from David Twichell, advocates for a focus on empirical evidence and scientific study, expressing concern over the inclusion of speculative or prophecy-based content in the MUFON Journal. The newsletter also highlights the importance of community engagement through events like the annual symposium and local meetings, while also providing resources for researchers and interested individuals, such as surveys and contact lists.