Minnesota MUFON Journal

Magazine Overview

Title: Minnesota MUFON Journal
Issue: #101
Date: May/June 2003

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal delves into several intriguing topics related to UFO phenomena, government transparency, and scientific methodology. The primary focus is a detailed report on 'scoop marks,' a phenomenon observed on individuals, particularly students, with potential links to alien abductions.

A STUDY OF "SCOOP MARKS"

The Directors Report, authored by William I. McNeff, Minnesota MUFON State Director, presents a study on 'scoop marks.' These are described as tiny, circular indentations in the skin, often found on the cheek or forehead, with a precise, flawless, sharp rim. McNeff shares observations made while working as a substitute teacher in various Minnesota schools, particularly in classes for gifted and talented students. He notes that a significant number of these students exhibited these marks, which varied in size from the head of a pin to half an inch in diameter. The marks are distinguished from acne scars or chickenpox by their perfect, crisp nature.

McNeff posits that these marks might be related to alien implants, citing a theory that encasing an implant in skin prevents rejection. He also observes that students with scoop marks often appear to be highly intelligent and physically attractive, though some may exhibit behavioral problems, suggesting a need for intellectual challenge. He contrasts the prevalence of these marks in gifted classes (approximately 1 in 4 students) with their rarity in regular classes. The data collected includes the size of the marks and their locations, with a table on page 10 summarizing the findings across different grade levels, indicating that 22% of the 160 students observed had 'definite scoop marks.' McNeff suggests that gifted children might be abducted at a significantly higher rate than the general population, referencing a Roper Poll that estimated at least 2% of the population have been abducted.

The Day the Earth Stood Still – Some Thoughts on Why They're Here

This section, by Craig R. Lang, Field Investigator and CE4 Researcher, reflects on the classic science fiction movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and its relevance to the current global situation and the potential reasons for alien presence. Lang questions whether humanity poses a danger to the 'cosmic neighborhood' due to its propensity for war and division. He speculates that alien intervention, rather than overt interference, might be aimed at pacifying humanity or guiding its evolution towards a more spiritual and civilized state, possibly to prevent us from becoming a threat to other civilizations as we develop interstellar travel capabilities.

SECRECY NEWS (from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy) 3/26/03

This report details a new executive order signed by President Bush that significantly impacts national security classification policy. The order defers the automatic declassification of millions of 25-year-old documents until December 31, 2006. Key adjustments include a presumption of classification for foreign government information, expanded authority to reclassify declassified information, and new authority for the CIA to reject declassification rulings. The article notes that while the order makes changes tending towards greater secrecy, it does not alter the fundamental declassification structures introduced by the Clinton Administration. It also highlights the hierarchical information model's inadequacy in a networked information environment.

Could Peer Review Be Wrong?

Authored by Robin Peek, this article critically examines the scientific peer-review process. It highlights concerns from two UK groups, the Cochrane Collaboration and the Royal Society, about the declining public faith in peer review's ability to ensure accuracy and validity. The article references instances of significant peer-review failures, such as the case of Jan Hendrick Schon, who published numerous false papers. The Cochrane Collaboration's study found a lack of research documenting improvements from peer review and questioned the effectiveness of concealing reviewer identities. The Royal Society is also forming a working group to examine best practices and consider alternatives, such as naming referees, to improve accountability and responsiveness. The article suggests that the entrenched nature of peer review makes it a formidable undertaking to reform, especially given the increasing volume of publications and demands on reviewers' time.

Field Investigator Update: November/December 2002

Craig R. Lang provides an update on recent UFO sighting reports received by Minnesota MUFON. Despite the colder weather, there has been an increase in reports. Several specific sightings are detailed:

• Dick Moss's report: A sighting of 5-6 scattered bursts of bright white light, unlike aircraft lights, near Long Prairie.
• SAVAGE sighting: A delta-shaped object with downward-shining white lights was observed flying at 150 knots and 1500 feet AGL, exhibiting unusual banking maneuvers.
• The Lake Elmo Triangle: A witness reported a very bright light that turned out to be multiple bright lights forming a V-shape, hovering over trees. The object was estimated to be the size of a baseball field. A similar sighting was reported by the witness's mother.
• Lake Elmo case (December 25, 1988): Two bright orange lights hovered over a frozen lake, leaving a melted area and holes in the ice.

Feedback from “The Awakening”

This section features excerpts from emails sent by experiencers in response to a previous article titled "The Awakening." These emails describe frequent paranormal activity, contact, abduction, and harassment, with one experiencer detailing adverse health effects. Another describes having frequent UFO and paranormal sightings and taking paranormal photographs, suggesting the existence of intelligent life forms and the possibility of camera anomalies being ruled out. The section emphasizes that the correspondence between UFOs and psychic/spiritual emergence is a significant mystery, and researchers are invited to share their accounts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena with scientific inquiry and societal structures. The 'scoop marks' article highlights the potential for direct observation and anecdotal evidence to inform research, even outside traditional scientific methods. The government secrecy and peer review articles reflect a critical stance towards established institutions, questioning their transparency and reliability. The field investigator updates and experiencer feedback underscore MUFON's role in collecting and disseminating information on UFO sightings and related experiences, suggesting an ongoing effort to understand the UFO enigma. The overall stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, coupled with a critical examination of how information is managed and validated by both governmental and scientific bodies.

Title: Crop Circle News
Issue Date: April 24, 2003
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Crop Circle News focuses on recent developments in crop circle research and MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) activities.

Wisconsin MUFON Announcement

Nick Roesler, Wisconsin State Director, announces a change in leadership within the Wisconsin MUFON chapter. Bill Olinger of Madison, WI, is appointed as the new Assistant State Director, taking over from Matt Sloan of Appleton, WI. Sloan is vacating the position due to the impending birth of his second child. Olinger's email address is provided as [email protected]. Roesler also requests that personal replies be sent to [email protected] rather than replying directly to the 'news alert' messages, as these are handled by an unattended server.

First UK Crop Circle Reported

By Paul Vigay, this article details the first crop circle reported in the UK for 2003. The formation is located in Privett, Hampshire, and is described as a figure '8' shape contained within a circle, found in an oilseed rape field. Vigay credits Lucy Pringle for bringing the information to his attention and David Russell for providing an aerial photograph. The author expresses disappointment that some individuals attempted to keep the discovery secret to gain exclusive photographic rights, stating this behavior contradicts the 'message of the circlemakers' who intend the circles for the benefit of everyone. Vigay pledges to report new crop circles as promptly as possible and thanks dedicated individuals who submit details. He encourages readers to submit reports even if they believe others have already done so, and directs them to the crop circle database at http://www.cropcircleresearch.com/database/ if they suspect a formation is not yet recorded. A mobile-friendly research portal is also available at http://www.cropcircleresearch.com/mobile/.

Minnesota MUFON

This section provides contact information for the Minnesota MUFON chapter. Richard Moss is the State Director, Bill McNeff is the Assistant State Director, and Craig Lang is the Field Investigator Coordinator. The Journal Editor is Joel Henry, with a mailing address in Apple Valley, MN. The email for Minnesota MUFON is [email protected]. The Minnesota MUFON web page is located at http://www.mnmufon.org, with Joel Henry listed as the Webmaster. Additionally, information is provided for MUFONET, a radio net operating on 7.237mhz on Saturdays at 7:00 am CST, with Bob Shultz as Net Control. The National MUFON Hotline for reporting UFO news and sightings is 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 should be directed to the Editor.

Copyright Notice

A note clarifies that copyrights for the articles belong to the originators. Articles are reprinted with permission or are believed to be in the public domain, and permission for use or reprinting must be obtained from the original authors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue highlights the importance of timely and open reporting of crop circle phenomena, emphasizing a collaborative approach over individual 'scoops'. It also serves as a directory for MUFON activities and contacts, promoting information sharing within the UFO research community. The editorial stance appears to favor transparency and community benefit in reporting unusual phenomena.