MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2010 07

Magazine Overview

Title: MICHIGAN MUFON
Issue Date: July 2010
Publisher: Mutual UFO Network
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter features an announcement about renowned UFO investigator Peter Robbins presenting in Michigan in September 2010. The State Director's message highlights personal news, acknowledges the hard work of MUFON volunteers, and promotes upcoming events. The newsletter also includes a detailed report on a UFO incident in Laconia, New Hampshire, a column discussing skepticism and modern-day prophecies, and statistical data on UFO sightings reported to MUFON.

Words From the State Director

State Director Bill Konkolesky opens the newsletter by sharing personal news about the birth of his daughter, Alexandra Joy Konkolesky, on May 23, 2010. He also announces that Patty Donahue is stepping down as Assistant State Director and Store Manager due to personal obligations, thanking her for her service. Konkolesky proudly reports that Michigan has been a top state in MUFON's CMS rankings, achieving the number one spot in June, and thanks Chief Investigator Gary Golem and the field investigators for their efforts.

The main news from the State Director is the upcoming visit of UFO investigator Peter Robbins to Michigan for three presentations on the weekend of September 18-19, 2010. On Saturday, September 18th, at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Robbins will present "England's Rendlesham Forest UFO Incident: Anatomy of a Best Case." He will also be co-author of the book "Left at East Gate" on the subject. On Sunday, September 19th, at Walli's East in Flint, Robbins will conduct a "Field Investigator Training" session in the morning and present "The Power of Ridicule vs. An Uncomfortable Truth: Why We Need to Take UFOs Seriously" in the afternoon.

Inside This Issue

The table of contents highlights several articles, including a UFO incident in Laconia, NH, involving teens and a car being lifted and dropped; a column by Bill Murphy titled "Perspective: 2012 and UFOs"; an article discussing whether extraterrestrials need UFOs to visit Earth; Michigan being ranked number 1 in sighting reports; information on the 41st International MUFON Symposium; recent Michigan sightings; a claim about sheep attacks caused by aliens; a UFO filmed over the Vatican; and a piece from the editor's desk.

Peter Robbins Coming to MiMUFON in September

This section provides more detail about Peter Robbins, describing him as a well-known and respected investigative writer and speaker on UFOs with over thirty years of experience. He has been a researcher, investigator, writer, lecturer, activist, and author, and has appeared on numerous television shows and documentaries. He is also the co-author of the British best-seller "Left at East Gate: A First-Hand Account of the Rendlesham Forest UFO Incident, Its Cover-Up and Investigation." His presentation in Flint on September 19, 2010, is described as a "must see."

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report for April & May 2010

The report details MUFON's CMS (Computer Managed System) data for April and May 2010. In April, 464 sightings were reported worldwide, with 413 in the United States and 19 in Michigan. There were 24 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 10 Entities observed globally. In May, 500 sightings were reported worldwide, with 426 in the United States and 10 in Michigan. This month saw 30 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs and 13 Entities observed. Readers are encouraged to visit www.mufon.com to review the CMS data themselves.

UFO picks up Laconia, NH car with teens and drops 180 feet away

This article by Roger Marsh details an incident that occurred in Laconia, NH, on March 20, 2010. Two teenagers, an 18-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, were in a parked car when they observed a black-shaped UFO. The car was lifted into the air and then dropped 180 feet away, resulting in a cracked windshield and deployed airbags. The underside of the car sustained approximately $5,000 in damage. The witnesses described the UFO as changing shape and moving erratically. The article includes the testimony of both witnesses, detailing their fear, the strange smell, the lack of sound, and the physical effects on the car and themselves. The incident was investigated by MUFON New England State Director Steve Firmani.

"We Are Not Alone" Radio Show

This section promotes the radio show "We Are Not Alone" hosted by David Twichell on WHFR. The show features interviews with investigators and authors. Upcoming guests include Frank Feschino on July 6, 2010, and James Fox on August 3, 2010. The show airs on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM EST, and past episodes are available online.

Perspective: 2012 and UFOs

This article, presented as a correction to a previous article by Bill Murphy, discusses the connection between UFOs, ancient Mayan prophecy, and the "new age" of "earth changes" and "cosmic awareness" tied to 2012. The author expresses skepticism about such predictions, noting that many past "end-times" predictions have failed to materialize. The article critiques the "dumbing-down" and depersonalization of American society, the superficiality of modern relationships, and the tendency to accept information uncritically. It references the website ufoskeptic.org and discusses arguments against extraterrestrial visitation, such as the "They Can't Get Here from There" dictum. The author also touches upon "temporal provincialism" and the potential for future scientific understanding to alter current perceptions.

Captain Engineer Omar R. Pagani's Disclosure

This brief section quotes Captain Engineer Omar R. Pagani, Director of the Argentine Navy UFO investigation team in the 1960s. Following observations at meteorological stations in Antarctica in 1965, Pagani stated at a press conference that "The unidentified flying objects do exist. Their presence and intelligent displacement in the Argentine airspace has been proven. Their nature and origin is unknown and no judgment is made about them."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO sightings by MUFON, the promotion of educational events and speakers like Peter Robbins, and the exploration of the intersection between UFO phenomena, scientific inquiry, and societal beliefs. The newsletter maintains a stance of serious investigation into UFOs while also acknowledging and sometimes critiquing skeptical viewpoints and speculative theories. There is a clear emphasis on data collection and analysis, as evidenced by the statistical reports and the promotion of MUFON's CMS database. The issue also touches upon the importance of maintaining perspective when examining complex phenomena and the potential for future scientific advancements to reshape our understanding of the universe.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated July 2010, features a cover story titled "Extraterrestrials may not need UFOs to visit us on Earth" by Steve Hammons. The newsletter covers a variety of topics related to UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and related phenomena, including critical analysis of popular media, recent sighting reports, international UFO events, and scientific perspectives.

Analysis of 'Ancient Aliens' and Ancient Egypt

The first article critiques the television series "Ancient Aliens," particularly its portrayal of ancient Egypt. The author argues that the series often misrepresents facts, takes information out of context, and uses misleading visuals, such as focusing on Khafre's pyramid when discussing Khufu's pyramid. The piece suggests that conventional explanations, like the influence of human traditions and astronomical knowledge, are more plausible than alien interference for certain ancient beliefs, such as the Dogon people's knowledge of Sirius. The author also points out the tactic of making unsubstantiated claims and moving on quickly to prevent critical examination by viewers. The article emphasizes the need for critical thinking and comparative research when exploring subjects like UFOs and ancient mysteries, warning against accepting information without reflection.

Mysteries Within Mysteries and Preparedness

Another section delves into the nature of potential visitors, questioning whether they are biological, from other planets, or even native to Earth but existing in different dimensions. It explores their possible motives, whether friendly or hostile, and the potential for deception. The author suggests that some beings might be trying to educate humanity and foster consciousness development. The concept of "disclosure" of government information on UFOs is discussed, with a note on the limitations of such information and the need for mental, emotional, and spiritual preparedness among humans. The idea that the universe might be fundamentally different from what is commonly understood is also raised.

Michigan Ranked Number 1 in Sighting Reports Completed

A significant portion of the newsletter highlights Michigan's leading position in completing UFO sighting investigations, as documented in the International MUFON Journal. A table lists states, directors, and their completion rates, with Michigan at the top, achieving 100% completion for its assigned investigations.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section details several recent UFO sightings reported in Michigan:

• Yale, MI (April 22, 2010): A 15-year-old girl reported a strange, dark, triangular object with a metallic look hovering in her yard, which then departed at incredible speed. She described it as thick like a rock and rotating in an unusual manner.
• Beverly Hills, MI (May 20, 2010): A very large, cigar-shaped metal craft was seen flying extremely low and fast over a populated area, mistaken initially for a 747 making a crash landing.
• Mt. Clemens, MI (May 19, 2010): A white, flying submarine-shaped craft with a dome and a dark stripe was observed moving from southwest to northeast. It was described as moving effortlessly, like floating rather than being propelled, and was seen with binoculars and a telescope.

Unexplained Sheep Attacks Caused by Aliens in UFOs Claim Experts

This article reports on bizarre animal deaths in Powys, England, where sheep have been found dead with their brains and internal organs removed. UFO experts and the Animal Pathology Field Unit are linking these mutilations to sightings of mysterious red and orange spheres in the sky. An incident is described where a 15-strong unit witnessed lights that changed shape, emitted beams, and appeared to engage in a 'Star Wars battle' scenario. The objects were described as clearly not Chinese lanterns or conventional aircraft.

UFO Filmed Over the Vatican by U.S. Ambassador Security Guards

This piece details a UFO sighting and filming incident in Rome on June 7, 2010. Three security guards stationed near the U.S. ambassador's residence filmed three spherical bright objects hovering above St. Peter's dome. The objects exhibited unusual maneuvers, including darting moves and sudden altitude changes. The footage was acquired by the Italian police, and the event garnered significant media attention in Italy.

Stephen Hawking Flip-Flops on ET Existence

This editorial by David Twichell discusses physicist Stephen Hawking's change of stance on the existence of extraterrestrial life. Previously a skeptic, Hawking now believes the universe is teeming with life, citing the discovery of exoplanets. However, he cautions against contact, comparing it to the negative impact of Columbus's arrival on Native Americans. The article also includes comments from former Canadian Minister of Defence Paul Hellyer, who criticizes Hawking's cautionary remarks as misinformation. The editor suggests Hawking's view might be an attempt to get ahead of anticipated disclosure, given the mounting evidence and changing public sentiment.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

The newsletter provides a comprehensive contact list for Michigan MUFON, including State Section Directors, Regional Directors, and other key personnel, along with their contact information (phone and email). It advises using email as the primary contact method.

Suggestion Box and Subscription Information

Finally, the newsletter includes a "Suggestion Box" for reader feedback and a form for 2010 calendar year memberships and newsletter subscriptions, priced at $25.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of popular UFO-related media, the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the potential nature and motives of extraterrestrial or other non-human intelligences, and the implications of these phenomena for humanity, including the concept of disclosure and preparedness. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging critical thinking, thorough investigation, and open discussion of UFO phenomena, while acknowledging the complexities and potential dangers involved. The newsletter actively promotes MUFON's investigative work and encourages reader participation.