MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 073

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Newsletter, dated September/October 1998, features a cover headline focusing on Donald Keyhoe's seminal work, "The Flying Saucers Are Real." The newsletter delves into historical UFO research, alleged government cover-ups, and contemporary abduction experiences, highlighting the work of key figures in the field.

From the State Director: Donald Keyhoe's Legacy

The issue begins with a tribute to Donald Keyhoe, the author of "The Flying Saucers Are Real," first published in 1950. Keyhoe, a graduate of the Naval Academy and Marine Corps Officer's School, proposed the extraterrestrial theory for UFOs from the outset. His books were filled with examples of Air Force denials and alleged cover-ups, often fueled by confidences from individuals in high places. Keyhoe directed NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) starting in 1957. The article notes his retirement from the Marines in 1923 following an injury and his earlier work detailing his experience flying with Charles Lindbergh. Keyhoe died in 1988.

Jerome Clark's "The UFO Book: Encyclopedia of the Extraterrestrial" is recommended as a "must read" for newcomers to the UFO phenomenon. The article explains that "The Flying Saucers Are Real" was an extension of a 1950 article in TRUE magazine. The Air Force, fearing panic, initially dismissed flying saucer reports as "mistakes" or hysteria. However, as public acceptance grew, the Air Force issued a statement acknowledging the possibility of sightings and a confidential analysis suggested a correlation between A-bomb explosions and UFO sightings, implying a possible connection to arrival times from home bases.

Early UFO research focused on object behaviors. Keyhoe detailed a report of a fast UFO over Tucson that left a smoke trail, which he claimed was kept off press wires. The Air Force reportedly denied knowledge of the sighting.

The newsletter recounts a case at the White Sands Proving Grounds where three disks were observed with precision instruments, one being a large elliptical craft traveling at high speed. Navy Commander R.B. McLaughlin published an article about these observations, which was cleared by the Defense Department, but the Air Force issued its routine denial.

On the same day as Kenneth Arnold's sighting (June 24, 1947), prospector Fred Johnson reported seeing disks banking in the sun, with his watch compass weaving. Keyhoe also noted early reports from Oklahoma City and Idaho in 1947, and a sighting by an Air Force pilot near Lake Meade, Nevada.

Classic Encounters

The newsletter details a classic encounter on July 23, 1948, involving Eastern Airlines DC-3 pilots Clarence Chiles and John Whitted. They reported seeing a brilliant projectile-like craft traveling at 500-700 mph. The object, described as cigar-shaped with no protruding fins and two rows of windows, veered sharply to avoid a collision. A red-orange exhaust flame was observed. While Keyhoe suggested the craft's jet wash rocked the DC-3, Clark quotes investigators as stating there was no noise or turbulence. A passenger reported seeing a bright streak of light. Observers at Robbins Field, Macon, Georgia, had previously seen a similar wingless craft with a colored exhaust. Gen. George Kenney, then chief of SAC, stated the Air Force had nothing comparable, while a Navy spokesman suggested it might have been a stray rocket.

An Afternoon With Betty Hill

This section, written by Scott C. Carr, Editor of The Flying Saucer Gazette, profiles Betty Hill, recounting her home and her willingness to share her famous UFO experience. Betty insists that she has never met anyone who has had an experience like hers. The article details the 1961 encounter where Betty and her husband, Barney, saw a strange light land and were taken aboard a craft for a medical examination. This experience was popularized in John Fuller's book, "The Interrupted Journey," and the movie "The UFO Incident."

It is revealed that the publisher of Dial Press was convinced to publish Fuller's book after experiencing a UFO sighting himself. Betty recalls her interactions with actors James Earl Jones and Estelle Parsons. She expresses satisfaction with the film but notes that the depiction of the "UFO People" was inaccurate, lacking expression due to masks and costumes.

Betty's home is described as eclectic, filled with UFO and paranormal memorabilia. A sculpture named "Junior," created by Marjorie Fish, which captured the countenance of the UFO People, is featured on the cover of her new book.

Betty Hill is presented as a historic UFO witness and an icon of the UFO community, considered by some to be the unwitting founder of the abduction phenomenon. Her 1961 experience is linked to contemporary UFO themes such as diminutive, large-eyed abductors, medical procedures, and interest in genetics. The "Star Chart" shown to her by the UFO People is cited as the source of the New Age belief that extraterrestrials hail from Zeta Reticuli. The article notes that Betty is now largely overlooked in the UFO community due to the differences between her original account and popularized versions.

Betty emphasizes that "Nobody walks through walls or floats through windows," casting doubt on contemporary UFO claims and suggesting that strange tales stem from lying, hallucination, delusion, fantasy, dreams, or recall. This sentiment is reflected in her self-published 1995 book, "A Common Sense Approach To UFOs."

Betty's experiences continued after 1961. She presented a slide show of her sightings, describing them with familiar earthly names like "trash cans" and "mushrooms." She developed a "Silent Network" of like-minded individuals. One slide showed 36 UFOs appearing after a member of the group approached a landed craft. Another slide displayed colored streaks spelling out "I U C" (I See You).

Despite her continued experiences, Betty believes most alleged alien abductions are false, attributing many to suggestibility and "copycats." She shared an anecdote about identifying an unknown plant in her garden, which led to others claiming to have found similar "alien plants" on their property.

The Logistics of UFO Abduction

This article by Craig R. Lang examines Professor David Jacobs' lecture on UFO abduction, focusing on his contention that the phenomenon is primarily about the genetic exploitation of humanity. Jacobs estimates the program began in the 1890s and involves tracking family lines. He describes it as a "nuts and bolts" phenomenon using advanced technology.

Jacobs estimates that two percent of the population are abductees, with each experiencing about 200 abductions over 50 years. Lang conservatively estimates 100 events per abductee, leading to two experiences per year. This implies a significant number of UFO flights are required to sustain such a program. For the Twin Cities Metro area (2 million people), this would mean approximately 200 abductions per 24-hour period. Globally, with 6 billion people, this could equate to 600,000 abductions per night, requiring 60,000 UFO flights nightly.

This leads to the "Air Traffic Control Problem," suggesting a need for a coordinated system to manage such a massive number of UFOs. The calculations imply thousands of UFOs in the air or on the ground, and potentially hundreds of thousands of ETs for maintenance, requiring a massive, concealed base or mother ship.

The article presents four alternatives if this vast ET infrastructure does not exist:
1. Abductees have fewer experiences than claimed.
2. The number of abductees is less than two percent.
3. UFOs possess advanced detection evasion technology.
4. A significant fraction of abductions are nonphysical, not requiring physical UFO visits.

Dr. Jacobs dismisses the nonphysical hypothesis, suggesting that if his assessment is correct, the abduction program is of immense urgency to an ET civilization. The author hopes that if Jacobs is incorrect, humanity knows less about the phenomenon rather than the program being less critical.

A quote from William James is included: "Whatever else be certain, that the world of our present natural knowledge is enveloped in a larger world of some sort of whose residual properties we at present can frame no positive idea."

The Betty Andreasson Luca Presentation

Candy Peterson reports on the presentation by Betty Andreasson Luca, her husband Bob, and daughter Rebecca, who drove 1400 miles to share their story. Betty's experiences began in 1944, with conscious abductions starting in 1967. The family's drawings depicted various alien types, including Greys, Nordics, and "light beings." Betty believes she was chosen for her artwork abilities, while Rebecca suggests it's due to DNA and openness.

Betty has received numerous messages and observed alien technology. She dismisses negative opinions about alien intentions, stating, "The fear factors are too present in ufology." She believes "God moves in mysterious ways."

Betty describes "Greys" as biological, soul-less "work machines" acting as sensory interfaces for higher beings called "Elders." The Elders are described as 7-9 feet tall, pale, with smooth skin and blue eyes, possibly albino to avoid daylight. The Greys are said to be servants of the Elders, involved in tasks like fetching humans, measuring them, and reproduction. Betty suggests the Greys are "different offshoots of the Adamic race" and are "spirit-bonded to flesh."

Betty's Christian faith compels her to reconcile her beliefs with the benevolence of the aliens. The Lucas have experienced implants, scars, and out-of-body experiences. Betty refers to "The One" supreme being and cites biblical passages to support the concept of "9 levels of angelic host." Bob Luca states that "UFO's have been around probably since the dawn of time." Betty asserts the importance of "Peace and calm," suggesting that "love and long-suffering can save the world."

Betty also discussed humanity's self-induced destruction, citing environmental issues, ozone depletion, global warming, and nuclear threats. She mentioned government experiments with atmospheric EM generators and a Soviet project called "Woodpecker" intended to "engineer weather."

They Were Almost Like the Family Next Door

Craig Lang writes about the Luca family lecture, describing them as having a "down home" air. Betty discussed UFO abductions, genetics, technology, and spiritual aspects, including "scoop marks." She warned of impending environmental peril, emphasizing a return to spiritual nature and kindness to Earth.

Becky's talk focused on her experiences and a special mission from the ETs, including training to read and write a multifaceted alien language "intuitively." Bob Luca discussed his encounters, black helicopters, men in black, and his investigations, including tracking down a black helicopter. His presentation was noted for its humor and understatement.

Sunday brunch with the Lucas was described as like the end of a family reunion.

Hard to Believe, But...

William I. McNeff discusses Becky Andreasson's claim that a large amount of information was condensed into a person's name in an alien language. He acknowledges that while initially unbelievable, he has learned over years of study that seemingly impossible things can become possible. He references Ray Fowler's "The Andreasson Legacy," which includes examples of alleged alien writings, noting that a single complex character was said to contain all the information of a previous page. McNeff speculates that this writing might provide psychic cues.

He concludes by stating that psychic powers exist and that a system of writing using psychic powers may indeed exist, encouraging readers not to reject the entire Andreasson/Luca account due to unbelievable aspects.

Minnesota MUFON Meetings and Contacts

The newsletter lists contact information for Minnesota MUFON leadership, including Richard Moss (State Director), William McNeff (Asst. State Director), Lynn Bell (Field Investigator Coordinator), and Craig Lang (Field Investigator Coordinator). It also provides contact details for news and editorial contributions to the newsletter.

Information is provided for upcoming MUFON meetings, including a meeting on October 3rd in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, featuring John Carpenter, and events on September 14th (Filmmaker John Goodell) and October 5th (Krishnamurti and the Wisdom Tradition with Govert Schuller) at the Theosophical Society in Minneapolis. A November 2nd event, "Dawn of the Golden Age," is also listed.

Details are given for the MUFONET (7.237 mhz) and the Minnesota MUFON Web Page.

And Finally, Who Do You Trust...

This section presents contrasting opinions from the audience regarding the Lucas's beliefs. Some felt the Lucas were "duped" or "brainwashed" by the aliens, while others found the accounts too bizarre and believed it was "all about selling books."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical documentation of UFO phenomena, particularly through the lens of Donald Keyhoe's early work and the alleged efforts of government agencies to control information. The newsletter also heavily features contemporary abduction accounts, with a significant focus on the Betty Hill and Betty Andreasson Luca cases. These narratives explore themes of alien genetics, the nature of alien intelligence (benevolent vs. manipulative), and the potential scale and purpose of abduction programs. There is an underlying emphasis on the importance of critical thinking and investigation within the UFO community, as evidenced by the discussion of Dr. David Jacobs' research and the contrasting audience reactions to the Lucas's story. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for careful evaluation of evidence and claims. The inclusion of biblical references by Betty Andreasson Luca suggests an attempt to reconcile spiritual beliefs with UFO experiences.