MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 079

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, Issue #79, from September/October 1999, focuses on a variety of UFO-related topics, including detailed case studies, government involvement, and scientific speculation.

Directors Report

The 'Directors Report' by MN MUFON State Dir. Dick Moss highlights the work of UFO researcher Jacques Vallee, particularly his findings in Brazil. Vallee's 1990 book 'CONFRONTATIONS' is discussed, noting his skepticism towards the interplanetary source theory. The report details several unsettling cases from Brazil:

• 1946 Case: A man named Joao Prestes Filho was hit by a beam of light, causing his flesh to detach from his bones, leading to his death. His body appeared decomposed upon examination.
• August 1962 Case: A son of Rivalino do Aleuia Mafra encountered two large spheres that merged into a larger object emitting smoke. The father was enveloped by the smoke and disappeared.
• 1996 Book 'UFO DANGER ZONE' by Bob Pratt: This book documents numerous cases in Brazil involving people being lifted by light beams or whirling winds. Some experienced lifting forces without leaving the ground, others were gently returned, and a few were dropped and injured. Some victims reported hot oil being poured on them by beings in crafts, or being targeted by ropes with hooks. Most of these encounters occurred at night, and victims often reported feeling both hot and cold simultaneously, attributed by a doctor to an internal reaction to shock. Many victims suffered long-term medical symptoms, personality changes, or refused to leave their homes. One case involved an object shining a light on a person, and another described men hiding under a donkey. A tree was charred after a man let go of it when heat became unbearable.

The report also mentions that some men never worked again due to medical symptoms, and personality changes were common. In one instance, an object descended and shone a light on a person.

The incidents described suggest a sadistic and dangerous side to the UFO phenomenon, contrasting with the idea of aliens as benevolent helpers. The author encourages readers to consult Vallee's and Pratt's books for more detailed accounts.

Minnesota MUFON Meetings

Announcements for MUFON meetings on Saturday, September 11th and Saturday, October 9th, from 1:30-5:00 PM at the Roseville Community Center (2800 Arona Street, Roseville, MN). The location is behind Centennial Methodist Church. Parking is free, and the building is designated as non-smoking. The note mentions more freedom than the old location regarding smoking outdoors.

Conclusion UFOs Are Space Ships Given SAC in 1952

This section, sourced from 'UFO Investigator Vol. II, No. 1, July-Aug. 1961', discusses a 1952 evaluation of 'flying saucers' sent to Strategic Air Command Headquarters from MacDill AFB. Former information Specialist Don Widener disclosed that this evaluation concluded UFOs were interplanetary devices. The conclusion was based on numerous Air Force sighting reports, particularly in the MacDill area. The project officer, an Air Force intelligence captain, and Widener drafted a report to SAC stating their opinion that the objects were of extraterrestrial origin. Widener believes the report may still be unreleased. A specific case evaluated by the MacDill project involved radar tracking of a UFO at 40,000 feet, with visual reports from a B-29 bomber crew. The UFO, described as a glowing oval-shaped device, reversed course and raced off, remaining unexplained.

CIA Rues UFO Cover-Up

This article by Robert Scott Martin, Staff Writer, sourced from www.Space.com (August 18, 1999), reports on an internal CIA document titled 'CIA's Role in the Study of UFOs, 1947-90'. Agency historian Gerald K. Haines portrayed the CIA as consistently suppressing reports of unidentified aerial phenomena since the Kenneth Arnold case in 1947. The CIA's policy aimed to 'correct' public opinion and is now believed to have caused 'major problems'.

Haines' history indicates the CIA not only repressed UFO reports but also monitored UFO clubs for subversive activities and tried to hide its own interest. Even after accepting the Air Force's conclusion that there was only a 'remote possibility' of UFOs being interplanetary, investigations continued.

Concealment of CIA interest: After 1953, the CIA became primarily concerned with covering up its involvement. This policy was driven by the need to avoid officially sanctioning the existence of UFOs and the fear that government interest could trigger mass hysteria. During the Cold War, the CIA worried that Soviet agents might use UFOs for psychological warfare or to cloak attacks. There was also interest from CIA Director Walter Bedell Smith in how UFO phenomena could be used in psychological warfare.

As the 1950s progressed, the CIA's focus shifted from UFOs themselves to covering up its early involvement. The development of the U-2 surveillance aircraft also required keeping its sightings out of the media, with Air Force investigators being careful not to reveal the true cause of U-2 sightings.

Haines argues that the policy of 'suspicious silence' backfired, highlighting the CIA's role in investigation and cover-up, thus fueling the mystery. UFO researchers blamed the agency for the 1950s UFO flap for psychological warfare purposes. Even CIA Director Stansfield Turner questioned the agency's involvement in UFOs after reading a New York Times article.

Haines concluded that the tactics of silence and repression failed. He stated that the UFO issue is unlikely to disappear, as the belief in not being alone is emotionally appealing, and distrust of the government is pervasive, making rational scientific study difficult.

Field Investigator Update: Sept., 1999

By Craig R. Lang (MN MUFON FI Coord.), this update notes an increase in sighting activity, including distant encounter and daylight-disk events. Recent field investigation activity has picked up pace.

July 3&4, 1999: Location: Lake Mille Lacs, MN. A witness and three friends observed a whitish-orange point source of light that moved erratically, changed direction, underwent accelerations, and made loops. It emitted four strobe lights and moved at high speed, with the witness estimating it could go from horizon to horizon in two seconds. The object hovered and made 90-degree turns, observed from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM.

Early morning on July 5, 1999: Location: Near Lake Mille Lacs. A glowing orange sphere, possibly the same object from July 3-4, was observed. It appeared suddenly, crossing a 20-foot gap between trees at an estimated altitude of 20 feet and within 100 feet of the witnesses. This close approach lasted half a second. The object was estimated to be 5 feet in diameter, moving at 25-50 mph. It had sharp edges.

July 5, 1999: Location: East Side of St. Paul, MN. A witness saw a group of metallic or gray spheres, the size of beach balls, rising and spiraling. They appeared to have a haze around them. A plane flew above them. The objects were described as hovering below the plane. The witness watched for two minutes before calling others. The objects were moving erratically and were lost in the clouds. They were definitely not airplanes or balloons.

The column emphasizes that these types of sightings, while not always exotic close encounters, are crucial for understanding the UFO mystery.

Out of the Past...

By Bill McNeff (MN MUFON ASD), this section revisits past cases:

• Medford, MN case (April 25, 1976): A TV program discussed a UFO seen by 20 people on a high school football field. The object was bright red-orange, visible for one minute, displayed rotating lights, and disappeared. Police also saw it. It left burnt grass where it hovered. Dr. J. Allen Hynek stated that grass samples found to have been subjected to considerable heat, similar to other cases. The note mentions the possibility of missing time and soil samples from a burned circle fluorescing.
• Manitoba, Canada case (December 28, 1975): A letter from Canadian pen pals describes a farmer losing 40 horses overnight. Mounties found no tracks. A neighbor had previously spotted a UFO and taken pictures. The writer regrets not being able to investigate further.

METAL SAMPLE ANALYSIS

By Casey Holt (MN MUFON FI), this section details the analysis of a metal sample obtained from David Shoemaker, collected from a 'Hot Landing' site in southwest New Mexico in 1998. The sample resembled a melted aluminum pop can, with a density between 2.4 and 2.8 g/cm^3. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the main composition was aluminum (90.3% by weight), with surprising silver content (1.6%), iron, manganese, and molybdenum. Possible origins include a meteorite fragment, crashed satellite, crashed UFO, or hot metal from a truck. Further testing could determine internal crystal structure or element isotope ratios, which could indicate extraterrestrial origin.

Does 'Dark Energy' Pervade Empty Space?

This article, sourced from The Salt Lake Tribune (June 24, 1999), discusses the astronomical concept of 'dark energy'. This mysterious force counteracts gravity, causing the universe to expand faster than expected. Cosmologists refer to it as 'cosmic dark energy', 'negative gravity', 'vacuum energy', or 'zero-point energy'. The concept is linked to Einstein's 'cosmological constant'. Recent supernova observations suggest the universe's expansion is accelerating, providing evidence for dark energy. This force is thought to be a property of space itself, acting like a 'springiness' or 'negative pressure' that drives expansion. Scientists are exploring ways to extract power from this vacuum energy.

Big Bang machine could destroy Earth

By Jonathan Leake, Science Ed. (July 19, 1999), this article discusses fears surrounding the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) in New York. Physicists are investigating the possibility that the machine could create 'strangelets' (a new type of matter) or a mini black hole, which could potentially destroy Earth. A committee has been formed to examine these risks, though the probability is considered exceedingly small.

Return to Tunguska

By BBC News Online Science Ed. Dr. David Whitehouse (June 28, 1999), this report details an expedition to Russia to investigate the 1908 Tunguska event. The impact, caused by a comet or meteor, had a force of 20 million tons of TNT, felling 60 million trees over a large area. The mystery lies in the immense devastation without an obvious crater. The expedition aims to study sediments at the bottom of Lake Ceko and search for large fragments using magnets and metal detectors.

IMPLANT Conspiracy or "It's not just the Aliens anymore"

By Steve Bevan (www.sunday-times.co.uk, October 5, 1999), this article explores the development of biochip implants for workers. Companies are consulting scientists on implants to monitor timekeeping and whereabouts, with technology already proven on pets and human volunteers. Professor Kevin Warwick of Reading University, who had a silicon chip surgically implanted in his forearm, demonstrated how his movements could be monitored. The technology is seen as appealing for companies with high labor costs, offering potential for increased efficiency. The article notes that while shocking, it is seen as a step beyond current swipe card technology. The technology is also being applied to pets under a 'passports for pets' scheme, and police forces have expressed interest.

FRENCH REPORT ON UFOS

This brief item announces a startling UFO report from France titled 'UFOs and National Defense: How Should We Prepare Ourselves?'. Produced by a group with high-level military and government positions, the report concludes that UFOs are probably extraterrestrial and recommends a global response. The report's preamble is by Professor Andre Lebeau (former head of CNES), with a preface by General Norlain and foreword by Air Force General Denis Letty.

CROP CIRCLE APPEARS IN HAMEL, MN

By Bob Schultz & Casey Holt (MN MUFON FI), this report details a crop circle found in Hamel, MN on July 11, 1999. The formation consisted of a center circle surrounded by rings and smaller circles. Witnesses reported the formation was more distinct earlier. Crop and dirt samples were taken for analysis by Dr. Levengood.

UFO ISSUES LOBBYING GROUP OPENS IN WASHINGTON

This article reports on the opening of the Extraterrestrial Phenomena Political Action Committee (X-PPAC) on Capitol Hill. The group aims to lobby for government openness regarding UFO evidence and advocates for open congressional hearings. Founder Stephen Bassett believes the government has less need to hide information since the Cold War ended and supports reforms like the bipartisan Government Secrecy Reform Act.

U.S. GOV. UFO PROOF RELEASED

This section announces the availability of audio tapes of a UFO Alert at Edwards Air Force Base, studied by the Foreign Technology Division. Lunar Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell is quoted as confirming the event. Sam Sherman's documentary tape, 'THE EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE ENCOUNTER', uses actual voice recordings of the event, where 12 UFOs invaded secure airspace. The tapes cost $14.95 plus shipping and can be ordered from Independent International Films. A website, http://www.edwardsufo.com, is also provided.

From the Editor

Joel Henry (MN MUFON FI) reflects on Carl Sagan's principle that 'extraordinary ideas require extraordinary proof'. Henry questions what justifies calling an idea 'extraordinary' in the first place, suggesting a potential flaw in the logic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistent mystery and potential danger of UFO phenomena, the historical role of government secrecy and cover-ups, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like MUFON to investigate and disseminate information. The journal adopts a stance of serious inquiry into UFO reports, presenting detailed case studies and scientific analyses while also acknowledging the public's skepticism and distrust of official narratives. There is a clear emphasis on the need for transparency and open investigation into UFOs, as evidenced by the reporting on the CIA's historical actions and the formation of lobbying groups. The inclusion of scientific articles on 'dark energy' and the 'Big Bang machine' suggests an expanding scope of interest beyond traditional UFO sightings, touching upon fundamental questions about the universe and potential technological risks.

This document is page 11 of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, an issue that delves into the evolving public and scientific perception of UFOs and extraterrestrial life. It challenges the classification of UFO phenomena as 'extraordinary' when evidence suggests a high likelihood of life beyond Earth. The issue includes information on a successful Roswell lecture, contact details for Minnesota MUFON and its related services, and an announcement for a local event featuring John Carpenter discussing alien abductions.

Articles and Content

The Shifting Landscape of UFO Belief

The lead article argues that the initial perception of UFOs as bizarre and unbelievable, fueled by propaganda, is giving way to a more open scientific view. It notes that a majority of people in the USA, Canada, and Europe believe aliens exist and have likely visited Earth. The author contends that labeling UFO phenomena as 'extraordinary' is a prejudiced stance, not based on scientific reasoning. The article criticizes the tendency for those who oppose the idea of real UFOs to continually shift the goalposts for what constitutes proof, drawing a parallel to Galileo's struggle with the Catholic Church. It concludes by questioning the self-importance of skeptics like Phil Klass.

Roswell Lecture Success

This section announces the success of a locally held lecture by Don Schmitt on August 1st, focusing on the latest information regarding the Roswell crash. The lecture was co-sponsored by MN MUFON and was well-attended. Don Schmitt's new book is also mentioned as being available in pre-release form, with contact information provided for further details.

Minnesota MUFON Information

Contact details are provided for key personnel within Minnesota MUFON, including State Director Richard Moss, Assistant State Director Bill McNeff, Field Investigator Coordinator Craig Lang, and Journal Editor Joel Henry. An email address ([email protected]) and a website (www.mnmufon.org) are listed for the organization. Information is also given for MUFONET, a radio net, and the National MUFON Hotline for reporting UFO news.

Local Events

A local event is advertised featuring John Carpenter, who will speak on alien abductions at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on September 11th (Saturday) at 7 pm. The cost is $8, and further information can be obtained by calling Chad Lewis, the Wisconsin MUFON State Director.

Editorial Notes

Contributors are welcomed to submit news or editorial contributions to the journal. A note on copyrights clarifies that articles are reprinted with permission or are believed to be in the public domain, and permission must be obtained from the original author(s) for use or reprint.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the growing acceptance of UFO phenomena and extraterrestrial life, the scientific approach to evidence, and the challenges posed by skepticism. The editorial stance appears to be in favor of open-minded inquiry into UFOs, viewing them as a potentially significant aspect of reality rather than mere fantasy. There is a clear emphasis on evidence-based discussion and a critique of prejudiced attitudes that dismiss the subject matter outright. The journal also serves as a platform for disseminating information about MUFON activities and related events within the UFO community.