MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 063

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MINNESOTA MUFON Newsletter, dated January/February 1997, focuses on UFO research, evidence, and related phenomena. The cover story summarizes a presentation by Dr. John Mack, a Harvard professor of psychiatry, on 'Studying Intrusions From the Subtle Realm.' The newsletter also includes articles on physical evidence, the 'Alien Autopsy' footage, philosophical perspectives on UFOs, and reviews of books and films.

From the State Director: Dr. John Mack's Presentation

The issue begins with a summary of Dr. John Mack's presentation at the 1996 MUFON Symposium. Dr. Mack, who holds an MD and is a professor of psychiatry, received a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of T. E. Lawrence. He has worked with individuals experiencing encounters with unknown intelligence using non-ordinary states of consciousness. He served as the role model for Richard Crenna's character in the 1992 CBS-TV miniseries 'Intruders.'

Dr. Mack challenges the traditional scientific methodology, which focuses on the physical world and separates the observer from the observed, arguing that this approach 'virtually rid[s] nature of spirit.' He introduces the concept of the 'subtle realm,' which deals with phenomena like telepathy, near-death experiences, and alien abductions, which appear to come from an unseen dimension and are known through an 'opening of consciousness.'

A key point of contention for Dr. Mack is the assumption that consciousness is solely a phenomenon of the brain. He suggests that consciousness, spirit, and soul may have an existence separate from the material body. Phenomena that cross from the unseen to the physical world, such as alien abductions, challenge our cultural worldview. Dr. Mack posits that alien abductions represent a 'fourth blow' to humanity's collective ego, following the paradigm shifts brought about by Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud, which established that humans are not at the center of the universe, not the only intelligent beings, and not in full control of their psyches.

He notes that in 1990, he began encountering people with experiences that defied psychiatric explanations. Clinicians often try to find alternative explanations, a phenomenon he calls the 'anything but' syndrome. Dr. Mack emphasizes that in exploring human experience, consciousness connects with consciousness, and the emergent understanding is a result of that relationship. He applies rational judgment to analyze material, assessing authenticity and emotions, rather than belief.

Dr. Mack believes that confronting the human ego with these phenomena can be beneficial for collective development. He acknowledges that his work has encountered resistance, which he interprets as a sign of its importance, citing Bertrand Russell's idea that resistance is proportional to the square of the importance of the subject.

PERCEPTION by Craig R. Lang

Craig R. Lang discusses the nature of perception and reality in UFO investigations. He recounts a field investigation where anomalous lights were identified as aircraft, but a comment questioned why a conclusion was stated at all, suggesting that perception itself is reality for the witness. Lang contrasts this with his own field investigations, where he believes there is a 'hard reality' to be determined, and an object is either a UFO or an IFO (Identified Flying Object).

He relates this to the post-modern philosophy of perception and the quantum physics concept of uncertainty, where a particle can have complementary properties that are resolved by observation. However, Lang argues this does not apply to the macroscopic world, where uncertainties are due to observational limitations, not quantum principles. He concludes that his role as an investigator is to determine, as accurately as possible, whether an object is a UFO or IFO and report the findings.

We Have Hard Evidence! by William I. McNeff

William I. McNeff argues that hard, physical evidence for UFOs does exist, even if much of it is not accessible to civilian researchers. He highlights several key pieces of evidence:

• Ubatuba, Brazil, 1957: A Brazilian columnist received a letter and a package containing pieces of a light-weight metal from an anonymous person who claimed to have retrieved them after a shining object exploded over the ocean. Analysis by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and other labs identified the material as pure magnesium with no detectable impurities. The density determination was particularly significant, suggesting a magnesium isotope not found in pure form on Earth, requiring isotopic separation methods similar to those used for atomic bomb materials, making a hoax in 1957 highly improbable. McNeff concludes this material was extraterrestrial.
• France, circa 1980: The French government's UFO study organization, GEPAN, investigated a case where a crown-shaped imprint was found on the ground after an object landed. Analyses indicated the ground had been heated to high temperatures and showed trace materials. Vegetation analysis revealed reduced chlorophyll in nearby plants, suggesting effects comparable to gamma radiation but likely caused by an electromagnetic field.
• 1966 'Swamp Gas' Cases (Dexter and Hillsdale, Michigan): Initially explained as 'swamp gas' by J. Allen Hynek, subsequent checks by a civil defense director revealed abnormal radiation levels on the ground and in local animals, suggesting a potential link to radiation effects.
• Alien Implants: Recent recoveries of three objects from individuals, analyzed by an independent lab and the University of Houston, revealed metallic and magnetic properties with isotopic ratios indicating extraterrestrial origin. Nerve cells were found in the surrounding tissue, which is anatomically inconsistent.
• George Coyne's Object: An object found by MUFON's Central Region Director, George Coyne, was photographed under an electron microscope. It showed metallic tubes with fibers, suggesting a construction beyond current terrestrial capabilities.
• Project Blue Book Radar and Photographic Evidence: Research in the National Archives uncovered radar film from a B-52 reporting an oblong orange-glowing UFO that moved at speeds exceeding 3,200 mph and decelerated instantly, a feat beyond current aircraft capabilities.
• Gulf Breeze Photographs: Photos taken by Ed and Francis Walters, analyzed by Jeff Sainio, are considered credible.

McNeff concludes that the physical evidence has reached a 'critical mass' and can no longer be dismissed.

The 'Alien Autopsy' Footage

Theresa Carlson analyzes the controversial 'Alien Autopsy' footage. She addresses common criticisms and theories, including the 'human body theory' and 'special effects creation.'

• Human Body Theory: Carlson questions the identity of the body, noting its muscular build and apparent health despite deformities. She points out the lack of recognition despite millions seeing the footage and the unexplained nature of the deformities and injuries. She also questions the removal and preservation of eye coverings and the transparent article from the chest. The internal organs and brain are described as non-human, and the body lacks subcutaneous fat, veins, arteries, a navel, and a mammilla. The extensive damage to the leg and hand is also unexplained by known diseases.
• Special Effects Creation: Carlson suggests this theory answers many questions but raises others, such as who created it and why. She dismisses the idea of a simple prank due to the considerable time, work, and money involved. She notes the accuracy of props for the period, including a consistent kink in the electrical cord of a clock, suggesting meticulous attention to detail. The autopsy procedures, while not standard, are generally consistent with those used in autopsies, indicating research by the creators. The high neck cut is explained as preparation for skinning the face, which is consistent with an 'alien autopsy.'

Carlson highlights puzzling details like the solid brain (requiring no liquid suspension) and the presence of a jar of liquid, suggesting insight from the creators who anticipated scrutiny. She also notes jointed fingers on one hand and creases in the palms, which are wasted details if the footage were a simple hoax. The camera work is described as planned and scripted. She mentions an extra person in the room in one sequence and that at least five people were involved, none of whom have spoken out. The extended time for the autopsy is explained as fitting an 'alien autopsy' scenario. The producers likely researched autopsies to make the depiction convincing.

Carlson concludes that while the special effects theory is plausible, the production's meticulous detail and effort suggest it was intended to convince viewers of its authenticity, not as a simple prank.

A Philosopher Looks at the UFO Controversy by John Bryant

John Bryant examines the philosophical underpinnings of the UFO debate, arguing that the question 'Do you believe in UFOs?' is illegitimate. Instead, the question should be about the probability one attributes to the existence of UFOs.

He contends that the argument for the existence of UFOs is strong due to widespread, persistent, and numerous reports from reliable witnesses, often with no ulterior motive for reporting. The extraterrestrial hypothesis is supported by the consistency of these reports and the high probability of other intelligent life in the universe. Bryant applies Occam's Razor, suggesting the ET hypothesis is the simplest explanation.

Bryant criticizes skeptics who attribute a 'need to believe' to UFO proponents, suggesting skeptics may have a 'need to disbelieve' rooted in a desire for a stable, controlled worldview. He posits that some skeptics might even be government agents trying to delay UFO recognition.

He also notes that the scientific establishment is often dismissive of ideas challenging the 'old paradigm,' even when there are serious challenges to science in other fields like bacteriology, physics, and cosmology. He argues that the Establishment's ideas, even when unpopular, are often implemented, citing affirmative action policies as an example.

Bryant concludes that the overwhelming data makes debunking individual UFO cases largely irrelevant to the question of UFO existence, though it may expose fraud. He believes that the probability of a series of consistent reports being false is vanishingly small, making the existence of UFOs virtually certain.

Book and Film Reviews

• WITNESSED by Budd Hopkins (Reviewed by Craig R. Lang): Lang reviews Budd Hopkins' book about the 'Linda Cortile' UFO abduction case. The case involved a UFO hovering over New York City, witnessed by many, with Linda Cortile being taken into the craft. The investigation revealed bizarre turns involving the identities of officers and a 'third man,' suggesting alien involvement in world political affairs and experiments with lifelong relationships. Lang praises the book as a well-written, absorbing account of a fascinating mystery, comparing it to a detective novel and recommending it for both believers and skeptics.
• The Arrival, 1996 (Director: David Twohy): This film is described as revealing that ETs are already here, subtly terra-forming Earth for their metabolism. It is presented as more frightening than 'Freddie' films because the nature of the threat is unknown.
• Harrison Bergeron, 1995 (Director: Bruce Pittman): This film depicts a future where a genius is conditioned to serve a secret government, but rebels against enforced conformity, leading to a coup attempt and martyrdom.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of consciousness, the validity of subjective experience versus objective reality in UFO research, the presentation of physical evidence for UFOs, and the philosophical challenges posed by the phenomenon to established scientific and cultural paradigms. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, advocating for a broader understanding of consciousness and evidence beyond traditional scientific frameworks, and challenging skepticism that dismisses witness testimony and physical anomalies without thorough investigation.

This document is the MINNESOTA MUFON Newsletter, identified as Volume 6, published six times a year. The cover headline is "Field Investigator Update" by Craig R. Lang. The newsletter provides contact information for key personnel within the Minnesota MUFON chapter, including Richard Moss (State Director), William McNeff (Asst. State Director), Lynn Bell (Treasurer & Editor), and Craig Lang (Field Investigator Coordinator). It also lists "Super Contributors" and details the meeting schedule for MINNESOTA MUFON, which occurs on the second Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the Firstar Center in St. Paul, MN. The annual subscription rate for the newsletter is $12.00.

Field Investigator Update

Craig R. Lang reports on the progress of the Field Investigator Network in Minnesota. A kick-off meeting was held in October to establish the "nuts and bolts" of the Field Investigator (FI) organization and to determine how sighting assignments would be dispatched. An informal supplement to the MUFON field investigator's manual, tailored for Minnesota sightings, was also adopted. Currently, about ten cases, including both old and recent sightings and close encounters, are under investigation. Updates on these cases can be found on the MN MUFON web site. The organization is also broadening its association with other UFO investigative and reporting groups, such as the National UFO Reporting Center and the UFO Investigative Agency, and acknowledges the help received from UFO Roundup. Lang emphasizes the ongoing search for resources that could aid investigations, including scientific equipment, experts in UFO-related fields, and scientific analysis facilities, and requests assistance from anyone who can help. The article concludes with a call for new investigators, announcing that the next training class will be held in spring, likely in March. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Craig Lang via e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (612-560-1532).

Meeting Notes

This section details upcoming meetings for two organizations:

Theosophical Society

• Location: 900 Mount Curve, Minneapolis, MN (Kenwood, above the Guthrie)
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Upcoming Lectures:
• January 6: Robert C. H. Parker presenting "Are You Ready for the Millennium?"
• February 3: Justin O'Brien presenting "A Meeting of Mystic Paths"
• Contacts: Peter Morris (926-1393) and Rolf Canton (822-3155)

International Tesla Society

• Meeting Schedule: Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.
• Location: The Pavek Wireless Museum, 3515 Raleigh Avenue, St. Louis Park, MN
• Contacts: Jeff Rafferty (493-9060) and Bob Bartholomew (420-4137)

Additional Information

• MUFONET: Operates on 7.237 mhz at 7:00 AM CST on Saturdays, with Bob Schutz as Net Control.
• MN MUFON Web Page: Accessible at http://www.wavefront.com/~jhenry/index.html, managed by Webmeister Joel Henry.
• National MUFON Hotline: For reporting UFO news and sightings, call 1-800-836-2166.
• Newsletter Contributions: News or editorial contributions are welcomed and appreciated. Direct articles or inquiries to Lynn Bell at 1834 No. Asbury St., Falcon Heights, MN 55113. Contact details include phone (612) 645-9576 and FAX (612) 645-4526.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter's primary focus is on UFO investigation and reporting within Minnesota. It promotes active participation in field investigations, encourages resource sharing, and highlights the importance of networking with other organizations. The editorial stance appears to be proactive and collaborative, seeking to expand the reach and effectiveness of UFO research. There is also an interest in broader topics related to consciousness and alternative science, as indicated by the meeting notes for the Theosophical Society and the International Tesla Society.