MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 068

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Newsletter, dated November/December 1997, Issue #68, is dedicated to exploring various facets of UFO phenomena and related paranormal experiences. It features articles by Cynthia Hind, Edgar Mitchell, Erich A. Aggen, Jr., Casey Holt, Candy Peterson, Leah Haley Davenport, John Carpenter, and Melinda Leslie, covering eyewitness accounts, scientific inquiry, and personal testimonies.

From the State Director: Cynthia Hind's 'Sightings From an African Casebook'

The issue opens with a report from the State Director on a presentation by Cynthia Hind at the 1997 MUFON Symposium. Hind, who grew up in South Africa and has a background in English literature and business, has authored the book 'UFOs - African Encounters.' Her work focuses on cases untarnished by media influence, often involving witnesses who have no prior knowledge of UFO phenomena. One such case detailed is that of farmer Danie van Graan in South Africa, who on July 31, 1975, encountered a trailer-like structure on three legs in his sheep enclosure. He observed three small beings inside, described as thin, pale, with fair hair, slanting eyes, and high cheekbones. The craft emitted a humming sound and a light beam that caused him physical distress, including a nosebleed and double vision. The craft departed at high speed, narrowly missing a windmill. Soil samples from the landing site showed high acidity, and a young woman and her son who also witnessed the event were so frightened they moved away.

Hind notes that abduction cases in Africa are rare but found fifteen similarities in two cases involving Caucasian women in Johannesburg to accounts documented by David Jacobs and C. B. Bryan. She dismisses alleged UFO crashes as rumors and hoaxes, citing a lack of verifiable details. Hind also recounts the case of the Ariel School in Ruwa, where 62 children witnessed a large craft land and two small, shiny-suited beings emerge. Some children reported receiving telepathic messages about impending doom if ecology is not improved. Another case involves an entity, not a craft, seen by a schoolboy named Lloyd, who described it as a 1-meter-tall creature in white with a flashing red light, leaving circular footprints with paw marks. A security guard named Kambudzai also reported seeing a similar figure, described as having rainbow-colored skin.

Hind concludes that there are likely thousands of unrecorded cases in Africa due to witnesses' lack of understanding of what they have encountered.

Minnesota MUFON Meetings

Announcements are made for upcoming MUFON meetings on Saturday, November 8, and Saturday, December 13, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Science Museum of MN, Computer Education Center. A $2.00 donation is requested. Specific instructions are provided for gaining entrance to the secured building, including ramp access and designated times for elevator access.

Journal Survey Results: 'I'm Mad As Hell and I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore!'

This section reports on a survey within the MUFON UFO Journal that led to Dennis Stacy's resignation as Editor. Members expressed dissatisfaction with the increasing skeptical tone of the Journal, particularly regarding Keith Jeffrey's debunking of the Roswell incident. Membership has been declining due to this disenchantment. Dwight Connelly will assume the editor position starting with the December 1997 issue, with his wife Carolyn taking an active role. Walt Andrus, Jr. becomes Editor in Chief and publisher.

Ex-astronaut Believes in Alien Arrival

Former astronaut Edgar Mitchell, the sixth man to walk on the moon, is quoted as believing that aliens have crash-landed on Earth. He called for congressional hearings on whether the United States has captured alien spacecraft and studied them for technological advancements. Mitchell spoke at the Prophets Conference, suggesting that life has organized everywhere conditions permitted and that reverse-engineering of alien technology has been ongoing for decades under a secret government administration. He expressed a desire for Washington to break the shroud of secrecy. Mitchell also mentioned meeting with unnamed congressmen in Washington, D.C., who heard testimony from former military personnel about UFOs. Frances Barwood, a Phoenix City Council member, noted the taboo nature of discussing alien cover-ups due to ridicule. If congressional hearings fail, Dr. Steven Greer plans to release testimony in a documentary.

Mitchell clarified that he did not encounter any aliens on the moon and that there is no evidence of ancient structures on the lunar surface.

Remote Viewing Technology - How Does It Work?

Authored by Casey Holt, this article proposes a theory on how remote viewers can focus on a target without explicit coordinates. It suggests a characteristic energy pattern or 'signature' unique to the target might be transferred to the viewer through various means, such as word of mouth, coordinates, or photographs. This 'ether' allows information transfer, enabling the viewer to 'follow their nose' to the target, akin to a dog tracking a scent or a psychic using an object from a missing person. A diagram illustrates the connecting path from the target to the remote viewer via target energy signature and target assigners' thoughts.

UFO's and the Paranormal by Candy Peterson

Candy Peterson discusses the challenge in ufology of distinguishing appropriate phenomena from fringe material, likening it to the parable of the blind men and the elephant. She notes that contact experiences were once considered fringe but are now being studied by ufologists. Peterson argues that a discretionary boundary between ufology and other beliefs interferes with cooperation. She highlights that most evidence about 'alien' activities comes from witness testimony, and common patterns can be categorized. These patterns are also observed in near-death experiences and shamanic experiences, suggesting a spiritual component. Peterson questions why perpetrators follow a consistent sequence in alien abduction experiences, speculating on robotic beings, unknown methodologies, or Jungian archetypes. She concludes that scientists and seekers can gain from comparing various paranormal manifestations.

The article lists common elements of modern 'alien abduction' experiences: involuntary abduction, medical examination, instruction/communication, and return. Similar sequences are found in near-death experiences (apparent death, spiritual examination, communication to return, return to body) and shamanic experiences. Peterson suggests that the consistency of these sequences implies they are not purely imagined.

Interview/Profile: Leah Haley Davenport

Authored by Eve Frances Lorgen, this profile introduces Leah Haley Davenport, author of 'Lost Was the Key.' Davenport's story recounts her alien and military abduction encounters up until 1992. Her public disclosure led to threats, but she persevered. Her upcoming book, 'Unlocking Alien Closets,' is expected in 1998. Davenport underwent hypnotic regression in May 1991, discovering the extent of her experiences. She received telepathic messages, described as 'silent voice,' from an entity identifying itself as 'The Elohim,' urging preparation for environmental changes and a new phase for humanity. While initially skeptical, Davenport feels a responsibility to share this information. Her alien abduction experiences have since decreased and become more benevolent. She describes her last abduction in 1995 as an attempt to break free from an imposed trance and screen memory. Davenport's perspective is described as sincere and spiritually insightful, transforming negative experiences into tools for growth, acknowledging the possibility of spiritual warfare within the phenomenon.

John Carpenter Presentation, November 15, Eau Claire, WI: The Real X-Files!

This section announces a presentation by John Carpenter, who holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Social Work. Carpenter has studied UFO reports for 33 years, focusing on the human response to alleged encounters, often using hypnotherapy. He is the National Director of Abduction Research for MUFON and writes the column 'Abduction Notes.' Carpenter has presented his research internationally and appeared on numerous television and radio shows. His presentation, 'The Real X-Files!', will be held on November 15, 1997, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Eau Claire, WI. The cost is $7.00 in advance and $9.00 at the door, with advance registration details provided.

What is Scientific Ufology? by Erich A. Aggen, Jr.

Erich A. Aggen, Jr. examines the definition of science according to Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary. He notes that while ufology may not fit the most restrictive definitions requiring exact observation and experiment, it aligns with broader definitions of systematic knowledge and expertness. Aggen argues that the prevailing scientific worldview, which tends to compartmentalize, is flawed. He states that public perception of ufology is changing, with UFOs increasingly considered a serious subject, and skeptics may be seen as closed-minded. The article suggests that the public and critics are evolving towards a more sympathetic acceptance of UFO reports.

UFO Abductions and the Military Involvement! A Lecture by Melinda Leslie

This announcement promotes a 4-hour tape lecture by Melinda Leslie, Director of the UFO Lecture Bureau and MUFON Field Investigator. The tape covers her abduction experiences, including missing time, black helicopters, and military involvement. Leslie discovered navy uniforms present in her abduction scenarios. The tape is available for $10 at MUFON meetings or via mail order for an additional shipping fee.

Kids These Days by Candy Peterson

Candy Peterson discusses the pervasive influence of UFO and alien pop culture on children, noting Scholastic Book Company's offerings of books, software, and videos covering these themes. She mentions titles like 'Calvin and Hobbes: Weirdos From Outer Space,' 'The Official Agent's Handbook' (from M.I.B.), and series like 'Animorphs' and 'Andalite Chronicles,' which involve shape-shifting heroes and fighting evil. The article also references 'The Forgotten,' which features a 'Dracon beam,' and 'Willie Bea and the Time the Martians Landed,' inspired by Orson Welles' 'War of the Worlds.' Peterson also highlights 'Ketchup Power and the Starship Meatloaf,' a time-travel story involving aliens. She humorously notes the potential ET interest in cattle ranching recipes.

In Search of Speakers!

Minnesota MUFON is seeking donations to help bring more speakers like Melinda Leslie to their monthly meetings. A $2.00 donation is requested from attendees to cover airfare, hotel accommodations, and other associated fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation and discussion of UFO phenomena and related experiences. There is a clear stance supporting the legitimacy of UFO research, as evidenced by the critique of skeptical tones in the MUFON UFO Journal and the emphasis on credible eyewitness testimony. The publication encourages a broad approach to understanding these phenomena, drawing connections between UFOs, alien abductions, poltergeists, and out-of-body experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a belief that these topics warrant serious scientific and public attention, moving away from a purely skeptical or dismissive viewpoint.

The document is the 1998 issue of the MINNESOTA MUFON Newsletter, a publication focused on UFO investigations and sightings within Minnesota. It is dated 1998 and provides updates from the Field Investigator Coordinator, Craig R. Lang.

Key Personnel and Contact Information

• The newsletter lists key personnel involved in the Minnesota MUFON chapter:
• Richard Moss: State Director
• William McNeff: Asst. State Director
• Lynn Bell: Newsletter Editor, contact for contributions and subscriptions
• Craig Lang: Field Investigator Coordinator

It also lists content contributors: Joe Dundovic, Casey Holt, Craig Lang, Dick Moss, and Candy Peterson.

Meetings and Contributions

MINNESOTA MUFON meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the Firstar Center in St. Paul, MN. The newsletter welcomes news and editorial contributions and provides contact details for Lynn Bell, including phone and fax numbers, and an email address ([email protected]).

Subscription and Hotlines

The newsletter is printed six times a year with an annual subscription rate of $12.00. A form is provided for new subscriptions. Additionally, the National MUFON Hotline for reporting UFO news and sightings is listed as 1-800-836-2166. The MUFONET, a radio net, operates on 7.237 mhz at 7:00 CST on Saturdays, with Bob Schutz as Net Control.

Field Investigator Update

Craig R. Lang reports that UFO sightings have remained steady and possibly increased during the late summer and early fall of 1998. He highlights two particularly interesting cases involving multiple witnesses:

New Brighton Case

Occurring about a year prior to the publication, a witness driving south on I-35W during predawn hours observed a bright cluster of lights hovering to the southeast. The object consisted of a larger patch of white light with smaller, brighter lights maneuvering within it. The display lasted five to ten minutes before disappearing in a spectacular fashion, described as similar to a door closing.

Western Minnesota Case

This event took place in late September of 1998 in a remote area of western Minnesota. The primary witness was alerted by a noise and saw a brilliant cluster of white lights hovering over a nearby farm field. The object remained stationary for several hours before moving over an adjacent farm. Smaller points of light maneuvered around the larger object, with some approaching the witness's location, causing fear. Upon looking back a few minutes later, the objects were gone. The witness was not a UFO believer and was skeptical.

Both cases are under investigation. Lang encourages readers to stay tuned and check the MN MUFON website for updates.

Website and Contact Information

The MN MUFON WEB PAGE is available at http://www.wavefront.com/~jhenry/index.html, managed by Webmeister Joel Henry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, ongoing investigations, and the importance of witness accounts, particularly those with multiple observers. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging public participation through reporting and contributions, and providing resources for information dissemination and communication within the UFO research community.