MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 089

Magazine Overview

Title: Minnesota MUFON Journal
Issue: #89
Date: May/June 2001
Publisher: MUFON
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal presents a diverse range of topics related to UFOs, psychic phenomena, and cosmology, reflecting the organization's focus on investigating unexplained events.

Directors Report: Extraterrestrials and PSI

Bill McNeff, State Director of MN MUFON, opens the journal with a report titled "Extraterrestrials and PSI." He posits that many alien contact and abduction experiences involve telepathic communication, a phenomenon he refers to as 'PSI' (psychic phenomenon). McNeff shares an anecdote about a former neighbor whose family has experienced alien contact for three generations, including sightings of flying disks and encounters with strange creatures. He notes that individuals who have had contact often develop new or enhanced psychic abilities, such as telepathic exchanges with family members and the need to mentally shield themselves from others' thoughts. McNeff also recounts two personal dreams that he believes predicted future violent accidents, highlighting a paradox where successful intervention would render the prediction false. He further details the case of John Dingley, who accurately predicted the appearance of a giant triangular crop formation in 1991, a prediction McNeff regrets not publishing at the time.

Sonya's Psychic Predictions

The journal features the case of a woman referred to as "Sonya," who contacted McNeff in 1991 with psychic predictions. Her predictions included an earthquake in Central America and a large ice storm. Notably, she predicted an earthquake of magnitude 5.8 in Central America within two weeks, which occurred on September 9, 1991, followed by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Ecuador on September 18, 1991. She also predicted a large ice storm covering a five-state area at the end of October 1991, which also materialized. In the aftermath of the Gulf War, Sonya predicted that Israel would have a nuclear bomb dropped on it within six months, and that the missiles would be on a North Korean ship. McNeff passed this information to a U.S. intelligence group, which reportedly took it seriously. However, Sonya's later predictions, made without the 'tingling' sensation she previously experienced, did not come to pass, and she broke off contact.

Alien Hybrids and PSI

Dr. David Jacobs' research is mentioned, raising concerns about alien-human hybrids who might control humanity using PSI. While this prospect is seen as potentially negative, the possibility of universal PSI development under alien tutelage is also considered, which could lead to a crime-free society but at the cost of privacy.

On Killing Aliens: Murder or Not?

This section discusses a hypothetical question posed to the U.S. Department of Justice in 1963 by a NICAP member: whether killing an alien would be considered murder. Assistant Attorney General Norbert A. Schlei replied that current homicide laws likely would not apply to killing non-human creatures unless they were part of the human species, and that other laws might be relevant depending on the state.

Clarke's Believe It or Not: Life on Mars?

Arthur Clarke is quoted expressing his conviction that life has been discovered on Mars, citing incredible photographs. He also discusses zero-point energy as a potential future power source for interstellar travel.

Vikings Would Have Missed Life on Mars

Philip Ball reports on research suggesting that the Viking space missions to Mars in the 1970s may have failed to detect life due to limitations in their instruments. New missions, like the proposed Mars 2005, will use more sensitive equipment. The article explains how chemical reactions in the Martian atmosphere could support sub-surface microbes, and that even large populations might have escaped Viking's detection. Experiments with simulated Martian regolith inoculated with bacteria demonstrated that significant numbers of cells could evade detection.

Filer's Files #11: Mars Sky is Really Blue

George A. Filer reports on the Viking Lander I's first color images of Mars in 1976, which allegedly showed a blue sky, green patches on rocks, and reddish soil. He claims these images were falsely altered by NASA to appear barren, citing "Mars the Living Planet" by Barry Digregorio. Filer also mentions that Dr. Gilbert V. Levin, in charge of the Viking Lander experiments, revealed a startling positive response for life, which NASA dismissed as faulty instrumentation. He also notes the imaging of an infinity symbol and a figure 8 on rocks, and similar symbols found by the Sojourner rover, suggesting a deliberate policy to hide the possibility of intelligent life.

Results of 3/10/2001 Aura Viewing Experiment

Craig R. Lang details an experiment conducted with 12 volunteers to observe and describe a test subject's human aura. All viewers reported seeing an aura, primarily described as pale/grayish/white with blue/green overtones. Most observed an inner band around the head and a more diffuse outer layer. The experiment aimed to determine the consistency of these observations and explore the nature of the human aura, which is described in various texts as a biophysical or metaphysical phenomenon.

Our Universe Not Alone, Say Scientists

This article reports on a theory by Spanish and American astrophysicists, Jaume Garriga and Alexander Vilenkin, proposing that the universe contains an infinite number of other universes, termed 'O-regions.' Physicist Alan Guth supports this idea, which is based on string theory and M-theory. The concept suggests that anything that can happen will happen an infinite number of times across these universes, leading to philosophical implications about identity and the nature of reality.

MN MUFON Field Investigator Videotapes: UFO in Laughlin, NV

Casey Holt documents a UFO sighting on March 5, 2001, in Laughlin, Nevada. Two objects were observed, one bright white and one flashing. The report details the recording sequence, including attempts to focus the camera and compare the object's size to the moon. The steady, slow movement of the bright white object suggested intelligent control.

Field Investigator Update: April 2001

Craig R. Lang provides updates on recent UFO sighting reports. This includes a sighting from 1979 involving a triangular object that separated into smaller objects, seen by multiple witnesses and cars stopping. Another report from October 1979 describes a large flying saucer hovering over an intersection. A third case details a lenticular/spheroidal object observed moving parallel to a highway. The column also mentions a more recent sighting of a ball of light in Lindstrom, MN, which is under investigation. The section encourages witnesses to come forward and invites individuals to become MUFON field investigators.

Filer's Files #12: Gordon Cooper's Message to the United Nations

George A. Filer shares astronaut Gordon L. Cooper's 1978 letter to the United Nations, advocating for a coordinated program to scientifically collect and analyze data on UFO encounters. Cooper believes extraterrestrial vehicles are visiting Earth and that a friendly approach is necessary for acceptance as universal team members.

"Pseudo Crystals" Found in Abductee House Dust

M. J. Ruben reports on the continued research by Dr. William C. Levengood into unidentified microscopic particles, or 'pseudo crystals,' found in the household dust of alien abductees. This research began in 1997 after an abductee recalled an encounter involving a beam of light.

Russia UFOs Hover Over Airport Again

Anatoli reports UFO sightings above Barnaul, Siberia, in March 2001, involving a spherical object that hovered and 'danced' in the sky. In January 2001, UFOs above Barnaul caused pilots of two IL-76 aircraft to refuse takeoff, and other flights were diverted.

National Security Skewed UFO News Coverage

Terry Hansen's book, "The Missing Times," is discussed, alleging that news organizations have cooperated with U.S. authorities to deceive the public about UFOs through censorship and propaganda, techniques used since the 1940s.

Before the Big Bang

Dr. David Whitehouse reports on a new theory proposing that a 'Big Splat' preceded the Big Bang, suggesting the existence of a parallel universe. This 'ekpyrotic model,' developed by Paul Steinhardt and colleagues, explains cosmic expansion and the nature of our universe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Minnesota MUFON Journal consistently features reports on UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and psychic phenomena, often questioning official explanations and highlighting anecdotal evidence. The publication appears to support the idea that UFOs and related phenomena are real and warrant serious investigation, encouraging public participation and the development of field investigators. There is a recurring theme of government secrecy or downplaying of evidence related to UFOs and potential extraterrestrial life. The journal also touches upon scientific theories regarding the universe's origins and the possibility of life beyond Earth, often presenting these within the broader context of unexplained phenomena.

This issue of the Times Newspapers Ltd, dated April 18, 2001, features an article titled "First cyborg is looking just a little down at eel" by Ben MacIntyre. The magazine also includes contact information and resources for Minnesota MUFON.

First Cyborg Using Lamprey Brain

The lead article details a groundbreaking invention: the first functioning cyborg. This machine merges a living brain with high technology. Specifically, scientists in Chicago have created a robot guided by the extracted brain of a tiny eel-like lamprey. The lamprey's brain is kept alive in an oxygenated saline solution and is attached to a machine about the size of a cigarette packet. Electronic eyes on the device detect light and send signals to the live brain, which then commands wheels to move via a microprocessor. The cyborg has been observed dashing back and forth in pursuit of flashing lights.

Sandro Mussa-Ivaldi of Northwestern University's Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago stated that this development goes beyond previous inspirations from biological nervous systems, stating, "Now we have gone one step beyond, to tap into the nervous system itself."

The inventors suggest that this technology could eventually lead to the development of prostheses and machines designed to aid individuals suffering from nerve damage, such as stroke victims.

The article also mentions similar ongoing experiments that combine animal tissue with microelectronics. These include using genetically engineered bacteria to identify pollutants and adapting moth antennae to detect land-mines. The increasing miniaturization of microelectronics makes this technology compatible with even the smallest living creatures.

Alan Rudolph of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency posed the question, "Can we make machines with living components and make them work?"

However, the article notes that the science is still in its infancy, with few immediate practical uses for this specific lamprey-brain lighthunter. It points out that electronics can already perform the task of detecting light without needing a lamprey brain, and that the current cyborg has a limited lifespan. The lamprey brain remains alive for only a few days in its specialized solution before the machine ceases to function, necessitating the use of more lampreys.

Minnesota MUFON Information

The issue also provides contact details for Minnesota MUFON. Richard Moss serves as the State Director, Bill McNeff as Assistant State Director, and Craig Lang as Field Investigator Coordinator. Joel Henry is the Journal Editor, with contact information and a mailing address provided for him. The Minnesota MUFON web page is listed as http://www.mnmufon.org, with Joel Henry also serving as Webmaster.

Information is given for MUFONET, a radio net operating on 7.237mhz on Saturdays at 7:00 am CST, with Bob Shultz as Net Control. A National MUFON Hotline is provided for reporting UFO news and sightings: 1-800-836-2166.

Readers are directed to www.mnmufon.org/mmj.htm for back issues of the Minnesota MUFON Journal. Contributions and inquiries for the journal are welcomed and should be directed to the Editor.

Copyright and Permissions

A note clarifies that copyrights for the articles belong to the originators or their assignees. Articles are reprinted with permission or are believed to be in the public domain. Permission to use or reprint must be obtained from the original author(s).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue touches upon themes of cutting-edge bio-robotics and neuroscience, exploring the integration of living tissue with technology. It also highlights the ongoing work of MUFON in the field of UFO research, providing resources for public engagement and reporting. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on scientific advancements while also acknowledging their current limitations and ethical considerations, as seen in the discussion of the lamprey cyborg's short lifespan and the need for lampreys.