MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 037

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MINNESOTA MUFON Newsletter, dated October 1992, is a "Special Edition" focusing on significant UFO-related events and ongoing investigations. It includes announcements for upcoming MUFON meetings, detailed case reports, and discussions on the politics and priorities within the ufology community.

Public Information Meeting (Elk River, MN)

A public information meeting was scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 1992, at the Elk River Library from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting's purpose was to introduce people to MUFON's structure and goals, discuss UFOs and abductions, and provide information for potential Field Investigator Trainees. It was also anticipated that witnesses to recent sightings in the area might attend.

The news of the Elk River "flap" had gained attention, partly due to a WCCO-TV interview with Terry Townsend of Princeton. Townsend reported seeing a UFO in the Elk River vicinity in September, describing it as approximately 100 feet in diameter and 9 to 11 feet high, shaped like an upside-down plate with a bowl on top, and ringed with green, red, and bright white lights. Townsend expressed a desire to see a life-sized model of the UFO displayed in Elk River. MUFON investigators had also provided him with information about a similar object sighted 40 years prior in East Germany. The Elk River area had seen multiple sightings since September, with television coverage prompting additional calls to the Elk River Star News reporting bright lights and spherical objects in Crystal and Eden Prairie.

Minnesota MUFON Meeting (St. Paul, MN)

Another meeting was scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 1992, at The Irish Well (Downstairs) in St. Paul, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The special guest was Dr. John Salter, Head of the Department of Indian Studies at the University of North Dakota and State Director for North Dakota MUFON. Dr. Salter had been featured on the CBS program "Visitors From the Unknown" and had personally experienced a close encounter. Minnesota MUFON was covering Dr. Salter's travel expenses, with attendees charged $3.00 per person to help defray the cost. Attendees were encouraged to bring friends and join for supper and conversation afterward.

Personal News and Health Updates

The newsletter included personal notes regarding George and Shirley Coyne. George, Central Region Director for MUFON, had suffered two heart attacks and undergone triple bypass surgery. Shirley, Michigan State Director, had also experienced a difficult period with the loss of her sister. Both were recovering, and they had missed the "Show-Me" conference due to George's health. The newsletter extended best wishes for their continued recovery.

Michigan Sightings

George Coyne reported on an investigation in Clio, MI, where a family of four had been seeing a large, transparent bubble or ball of light, about 10 feet across, hovering near the ground and appearing to observe them. In Summerfield, MI, Ms. Bradford and her mother experienced a sudden intense heat inside their car, accompanied by a distinct, bluish-gray light. Ms. Bradford described a bright object, about 2 feet long and a foot wide, hovering above the ground, which then disappeared at high speed. Law enforcement reported no other unusual sightings that night.

Oregon State Director Sees UFO Close Up

In April, Skip Schultz, Oregon State Director, reported seeing a UFO while driving on I-5. It consisted of a green and a red light separated by a short distance. He became aware of it when nearby truckers were discussing strange lights on their CB radios. Schultz observed the object swoop overhead at an estimated 150 feet and noted that his CB radio went dead during the encounter. He found the sighting genuine, as most airplanes have different light configurations, and the rainy conditions made a light plane theory less plausible. The incident occurred without any reported airplane crashes.

A Tale of the Truly Bizarre: The Linda Napolitano Case

This section delves into the controversial case of Linda Napolitano, an alleged UFO abductee. George P. Hansen, in an open letter, discusses a "small part" of Budd Hopkins' case that had received significant media attention. Hansen notes that UFO researchers Joseph Stefula and Richard Butler were involved in gathering information. The case involves Napolitano's claims of being kidnapped, assaulted, battered, harassed, and nearly drowned by U.S. government agents. Prominent ufologists like Budd Hopkins, John E. Mack, David M. Jacobs, Jerome Clark, and Walter H. Andrus, Jr. reportedly accept her claims.

Hansen's abstract for his paper, "Attempted Murder Vs The Politics of Ufology: A Question of Priorities in the Linda Napolitano Case," highlights that while Hopkins has collected extensive materials, he and others have argued against reporting the alleged crimes to law enforcement, citing potential "politically damaging" consequences for UFO research. The case has been discussed in major publications like The Wall Street Journal, Omni, Paris Match, and The New York Times, with the Muſon UFO Journal labeling it "The Abduction Case of the Century."

The article details Napolitano's account of being floated out of her 12th-floor apartment in Manhattan on November 30, 1989, and ascending into a craft with three humanoid figures. Three witnesses, including two government security officers, allegedly observed this. Over a year later, these witnesses contacted Budd Hopkins. The alleged felonies include assault, battery, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

Linda Napolitano reportedly contacted Richard Butler and Joseph Stefula in January 1992, expressing concern that Hopkins might not be able to protect her. During a meeting, she recounted an incident in April 1991 where she was allegedly forced into a car by agents named Richard and Dan and interrogated for three and a half hours. She stated the kidnapping was considered legal due to national security and expressed fear of retaliation. She recalled license plate numbers that were reportedly traced to specific agencies. In October 1991, she reported being pulled into a red Jaguar sports car by Dan, taken to a beach house on Long Island, and threatened with sexual assault. She escaped but was apprehended, threatened with a gun, and forced into the water. A mysterious "force" then hit Dan, and Richard intervened, convincing her to return to the beach house. There, she found stationery with a Central Intelligence Agency letterhead. She also reported attempts by one of the men to contact her near the South Street Seaport in December 1991.

Hopkins claims to have accumulated significant information, including 80 pages of letters and tape recordings, that could aid a criminal investigation. He reportedly knows the identity of the government agency employing the agents and the dignitary they were guarding, who could potentially help identify Richard and Dan. Linda identified the dignitary as Javier Perez de Cuellar, then Secretary General of the United Nations.

The Counsel of Ufology's Leaders

The author expresses personal skepticism about Linda's account but notes that notable figures like Dr. John Mack and David Jacobs believe her. Walter Andrus and Jerome Clark are also persuaded of her honesty. The newsletter highlights a conflict between George Hansen and Jerome Clark regarding the handling of the case. Hansen advocated for a federal investigation, while Hopkins, Andrus, and Clark urged him not to, citing potential "political damage" to ufology. Jerome Clark, in a rebuttal, strongly denies Hansen's characterization of his position and accuses Hansen of deliberately misrepresenting his remarks and attempting to intimidate him. Clark advocates for rational debate and believes "time will tell" regarding the significance of the Linda case.

The Politics of Torquemada; or, Earth Calling Hansen's Planet

This section is Jerome Clark's response to George Hansen. Clark refutes Hansen's claims that he and others urged against a federal investigation due to political concerns, stating that Hansen's characterization is misleading and false. Clark expresses his belief that Linda's account is not a hoax and that two mental health professionals concur. He suggests a compromise: refraining from pursuing the investigation for six months to avoid alerting the involved government agencies, which could lead to them being "silenced." Clark argues that if the story is true, it's a "politically sensitive" event with implications beyond ufology. He accuses Hansen of deliberately misrepresenting his position and attempting to intimidate him by threatening to report him to the FBI. Clark concludes that Hansen's actions seem aimed at destroying Linda's credibility rather than helping her.

Spotlight and USA Today Snippet

A quote attributed to Henry Kissinger at a Bilderbergers meeting in Evian, France, on May 21, 1992, is included. Kissinger suggests that Americans would be grateful for a world government if faced with an external threat, implying that individual rights would be relinquished for security.

And now the local news!

North Turtle Lake Crop Circles

State Director Bill McNeff submitted photos and an article about crop circles discovered on July 3 near North Turtle Lake, MN. The circles, described as a "dumbbell" shape, were 15 feet in diameter with a 3-foot wide connecting path, flattened in a clockwise pattern. The Zeismer family, who owned the pasture, ruled out human activity and weather as causes, suggesting a UFO landing. The design prompted speculation among members about representing one planet contacting another.

Elk River UFO Trek

An Elk River UFO trek was organized following the September meeting by Gary Thrash and Lynne Welter. Members met in Elk River to search for "hot spots." Gary was equipped with a video camera. Two groups, one led by Gary/Lynne and another by Terry, searched the area. Both groups reported seeing millions of stars and a shooting star. Terry's group noticed a red flashing light atop a pole, possibly related to a Honeywell/military installation. Lynne reported seeing a white flashing light that seemed to change colors. The Gary/Lynne group used a flashlight to attract UFOs but only encountered a farmer who thought they were in distress. Both groups left without photographic evidence, noting the "uncooperative" aliens.

Don't miss out! Join MUFON now!

This section encourages readers to join MUFON. It references a teaser in the Michigan MUFON newsletter about the "UN meeting" where Budd Hopkins and Linda Napolitano testified. It mentions that Walt Andrus would provide details in the next issue of the Mufon UFO Journal.

A plea is made to talk to people interested in UFO phenomena, encourage them to attend meetings, and join the organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's activities and encourages membership. A central theme is the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings and alleged abductions, with a particular focus on the Elk River sightings and the complex Linda Napolitano case. The issue highlights internal debates within ufology regarding evidence, methodology, and the handling of sensitive cases, particularly concerning potential government involvement and the perceived "politics of ufology." The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation while acknowledging skepticism and internal disagreements, as exemplified by the contrasting viewpoints on the Napolitano case. The inclusion of the Kissinger quote suggests an underlying concern about global governance and external threats, potentially linking to the broader UFO phenomenon.