MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 051

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Newsletter, dated January/February, covers a range of topics related to UFO phenomena, historical investigations, and recent sightings. It includes articles on the history of NICAP, crop circle investigations, cattle mutilations, and potential alien entities.

From the State Director

The State Director's message summarizes Richard Hall's article from the 1994 Symposium, "The Quest For Truth About UFOs: A Personal Perspective on the Role of NICAP." Hall, a former Assistant Director of NICAP and author of "The UFO Evidence," discusses the organization's founding in 1956, its early support from CIA director R. H. Hillenkoetter, and its shift from a contactee-focused group to a scientific investigation organization under Donald Keyhoe. Hall recounts his own involvement, the establishment of a subcommittee network, and the publication of "The UFO Evidence" in 1964, which caused a sensation. The period from 1964-1968 saw a wave of sightings, impacting Project Bluebook and leading to an independent scientific study. The article also mentions the 1965 encounter of two Texas deputy sheriffs with a low-flying craft.

The Trick Will Be To Give The Public The Impression Of Being Objective...

This section details the challenges faced by NICAP in March 1966 due to a wave of incidents, including the "swamp gas" occurrence. NICAP was overwhelmed with mail and volunteer staff, struggling with paperwork and media demands. The organization acted as a tactical center against Air Force debunking efforts. The article discusses the University of Colorado UFO Project, suggesting that while some members were open-minded, the project's outcome was influenced by Dr. Ed Condon's dismissive attitude. A pre-project memo by Robert Low is quoted, revealing a strategy to appear objective while reassuring scientists that no significant discoveries were expected. The negative Condon Report contributed to NICAP's financial decline and internal strife, leading to Hall's departure in 1969. Attempts to revive NICAP in 1978 failed, and its assets were eventually purchased by the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS).

A Cosmic Watergate

This article summarizes Stanton Friedman's views presented at a November UFO symposium. Friedman, a nuclear physicist, acknowledges that some UFO sightings have mundane explanations but asserts that a significant percentage are genuinely unexplained "spacecraft." He discusses the Roswell UFO crash and the subsequent government cover-up as the start of a "cosmic Watergate." A 1987 Gallup Poll indicated that 49% of Americans believe UFOs are real. Friedman believes governments know about alien abduction technology and their origins, suggesting UFOs originate from our own galaxy. He has never seen a UFO himself but draws parallels to knowing about distant places without visiting them.

Minnesota Crop Circles - Official Report

This report by Bob Schultz details the discovery of crop circles in rural Milaca, Minnesota, on October 1st. The circles were found on Harold Smith's farm, with three round circles in an east-west line. The corn stalks were flattened, and the largest circle was 65 feet in diameter. The article notes the absence of footprints and undisturbed dirt in the center of the circles. Samples were sent to Dr. Levengood for analysis, who indicated the circles were not a hoax and that the cell wall pit diameter size within the cobs was different from control samples, suggesting energy absorption. Neighbors reported seeing a strange light in the sky prior to the discovery. A second crop circle formation in Blaine, MN, is also described as a 47-foot circle with stalks laid down erratically. Samples from this formation were also sent to Dr. Levengood.

Land of Enshroudment

Contributed by Joe Dundovic, this article discusses columnist Jay Miller's assertion that New Mexico has become the "Land of Enshroudment." It touches on the Department of Energy's admission of human plutonium testing and the Air Force's admission of a cover-up regarding the Roswell crash. The Taos Hum remains a mystery, possibly linked to military transmissions. Cattle mutilations are presented as a major source of conspiracy theories. Ranchers and police believe these are due to secret military experiments, while the government blames predators. The article references former FBI agent Ken Rommel's conclusion that mutilations are due to natural causes, a finding dismissed by ranchers and Senator Harrison Schmitt. Rommel's later statements attributing the issue to ranchers' poor practices are also mentioned.

Structures on the Moon?

This brief article reports on Richard Hoagland's claim of finding proof of artificial structures on the moon, made by intelligent life. Dr. Eugene Mallove, a former science writer for M.I.T., agrees with Hoagland's findings, suggesting an extraterrestrial civilization established itself on the moon and Mars millions of years ago.

Court rejects all motions in Campbell Case

This article details the legal troubles of Glenn Campbell, author of "The Area 51 Visitors' Guide." Campbell was arrested for obstruction of justice during the seizure of KNBC-TV news tapes near the Groom Lake base. The U.S. Air Force is holding four of the five tapes. Campbell is representing himself and has filed several pre-trial motions, which the court rejected due to improper formatting, causing significant delays.

Is Warp Speed Possible?

This piece discusses physicist Miguel Alcubierre's mathematical proof that "warp" or faster-than-light travel is possible by warping space-time. This concept, which appears to violate Einstein's theory of relativity, could solve the problem of immense distances in space travel.

The Transcription Project

Dan Wright reports on the progress of The MUFON Abduction Transcription Project, which has received 581 submittals and transcribed over 500 transcripts, representing about 150 cases. The findings detail various types of entities encountered during abductions, including "short greys," "technicians," a reassuring "female" entity, spindly greyish entities acting as pilots, a wrinkled "wise one," and tall, blonde-haired, nearly-human entities. The article notes that these entities are often narrowly programmed and sometimes confused by unexpected human behavior. It also highlights the complexity of multiple entity groups working together.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include government secrecy and cover-ups related to UFO phenomena, the scientific investigation of unexplained events, and the nature of alien entities. The newsletter appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting various perspectives and research findings while acknowledging the challenges and controversies involved. There is a clear emphasis on the historical efforts of organizations like NICAP and the ongoing work of MUFON. The editorial stance encourages membership and participation in the organization's activities.