Magazine Summary
Minnesota MUFON Journal
Summary
This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal delves into the increasing public awareness of UFOs and alien abductions, questioning whether these phenomena are seeping into the public consciousness. It features a 'Directors Report' discussing media portrayals and scientific skepticism, contrasting views from figures like Carl Sagan and Budd Hopkins. The issue also highlights a presentation by Grant Cameron on what US Presidents knew about UFOs, detailing alleged government cover-ups and information withheld from various administrations. Several articles recount specific UFO sightings and close encounters from the 1950s through the early 2000s, including the Kecksburg incident and the Stan Romanek case, which presents a variety of physical evidence.
Magazine Overview
Title: Minnesota MUFON Journal
Issue: #104
Date: November/December 2003
Publisher: MUFON (Mutual UFO Network)
Country: USA
Language: English
Directors Report: Are ETs Seeping into the Public Mind?
This editorial by William McNeff, MN MUFON State Director, explores how UFOs and extraterrestrial themes are appearing in popular culture, citing a comic section from the Minneapolis Star Tribune and a PBS NOVA website titled "Kidnapped by UFOs? Exploring the Alien Abduction Phenomenon." The editorial highlights the contrasting viewpoints of believers like Budd Hopkins and skeptics like Carl Sagan and Paul Horowitz.
Carl Sagan is quoted as saying that for a phenomenon to be taken seriously, it requires physical evidence that can be examined by skeptical scientists, such as scrapings of a ship with unusual isotopic ratios. The editorial notes that abductees may not be able to provide such evidence. Paul Horowitz, a physicist, expresses skepticism about abductions, stating there is "zero hard scientific evidence" and that anecdotes are not buttressed by real evidence. He describes blurry photographs and sketches of aliens as too humanoid. However, Horowitz also admits that physical law does not rule out interstellar space flight or life, and that if a flying saucer landed on his lawn, he would be delighted.
The article also references a Nova producer's claim that there is not one independently confirmed piece of scientific evidence for alien abduction, a statement the editorial disputes. The author speculates that Carl Sagan may have been "in the know" about aliens and participated in a government cover-up, explaining his shift in stance on UFOs.
A "Dennis the Menace" comic strip is mentioned, where a character suggests aliens could manipulate humans. A teacher's anecdote about seeing plastic aliens in a high school honors English class and the increasing presence of extraterrestrial references in elementary textbooks suggests that children are being exposed to these ideas.
The editorial concludes by observing that ideas about aliens and abductions are seeping into the public mind, posing a question about the future impact.
GRANT CAMERON: WHAT DID THE PRESIDENTS KNOW?
This section, also by Bill McNeff, MN MUFON State Dir., discusses Grant Cameron's presentation on what US Presidents knew about UFOs. It is stated that CIA-head George H. W. Bush told President Jimmy Carter that he "didn't have the need to know" regarding UFOs. The article mentions Ron Pandolfi and a "weird desk" at the CIA. Daniel Sheehan, an attorney involved in the Pentagon Papers case, conducted a UFO study for President Carter, examining Blue Book files and finding a picture of a crashed saucer.
President Carter was reportedly briefed with 15 minutes of film from Holloman AFB showing a UFO landing and humanoid beings. Robert Emenegger and Linda Moulton Howe also claimed to have seen this film. Gerald Ford is quoted as saying, "Reliable people see UFOs," and later pushed for Congressional hearings on UFOs.
Stephen Spielberg screened "ET" for President Ronald Reagan, who remarked that few people in the room knew how true the film was. Reagan's "military/industrial complex" speech is linked to his UFO concerns, and astronaut Harrison Schmitt visited Roswell with Reagan. Colin Powell stated that "The Day the Earth Stood Still" inspired Reagan's Star Wars program and that one of his jobs was to "keep aliens out of Reagan's speeches."
Bill Clinton reportedly had many people working on UFO information, but faced stonewalling. Melvin Laird briefed Clinton on UFOs, and Laurance Rockefeller attempted to get Clinton to release Roswell information. Clinton told the Air Force to "whitewash" the subject. Sarah McClendon reported that Clinton stated there is a "secret government within the government" that he does not control. Clinton told a boy named Ryan that there was no crash at Roswell and that he wanted to know if alien bodies were recovered.
Hilary Clinton attended a UFO briefing hosted by Laurance Rockefeller. NASA delayed posting the "Face on Mars" image until Hilary Clinton inquired. Grant Cameron used humor, referencing a tabloid's prediction by an alien named P'lod about Clinton's election win and a tabloid article about Hilary adopting an alien baby.
During the 2000 Presidential campaign, George W. Bush promised to release UFO information but has not done so. Dick Cheney, when asked about UFO briefings, stated that if he had been briefed, it would have been classified.
Early US government knowledge of UFOs is traced back to Cordell Hull in 1939. Truman was briefed on UFOs every three months by military aide Landry. After the 1947 Roswell crash, Truman met with General Vandenberg. Truman vowed to brief his successor. Eisenhower was briefed by Truman and then on MJ-12. Eisenhower's unexplained absence was reportedly due to being shown crashed UFOs.
Brig. Gen. Steven Lovekin, Ike's chief aide, linked the "military/industrial complex" speech to Ike's UFO concerns. The article suggests Republican presidents knew more about UFOs than Democrats. Steven Greer is cited as accurate on this point.
After the Kecksburg crash, LBJ, NASA, the Governor of PA, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff met. LBJ also met with Buford Ellington. UFOs were considered a possible cause for the 1965 blackout. Jackie Gleason reportedly spoke with three presidents about UFOs, and with Richard Nixon at Homestead AFB to look at alien bodies, an experience that reportedly shook him.
In a Q&A session, the secrecy about UFOs and ETs is attributed to fear of public panic. Regarding MJ-12 documents, they are considered potentially altered genuine documents.
Sci-Fi Channel Announces Possible Kecksberg Lawsuit
This section reports on the Sci-Fi Channel's intention to sue the government for UFO-related documents, specifically concerning the Kecksburg incident. The channel, along with an investigative journalist, a law firm, and former Clinton aide John Podesta, is seeking the release of documents. Despite efforts, NASA and the Department of Defense are reportedly maintaining silence. The Sci-Fi Channel plans to sue NASA first, having exhausted administrative options. The article notes the rarity of a cable channel pursuing such action, but Hammer sees programming potential in uncovering government UFO information. The Kecksburg incident involved a fireball in 1965, with the area cordoned off by the military. An analysis of data suggests the Kecksburg object was not American or Soviet space debris.
A Quintessential Case of Close Encounters: Review by William McNeff
This review discusses a presentation by Deborah Lindemann on "The Stan Romanek Story - A Quintessential Case Of Close Encounter." Lindemann, a hypnotherapist and MUFON consultant, has researched UFO abductions since 1985. Stan Romanek has had multiple UFO sightings, some with independent witnesses and photographs. Several regressions conducted with Romanek revealed accounts of abductions by "beings" described as "possum people" with elongated faces, large eyes, and skinny necks. A "female" perpetrator provided equations and sketches that physicists recognized as related to the Drake Equation, Lenz's Law, and wormhole theory.
Romanek believes he received a warning about a future global event related to a photon stream. Since Lindemann's initial report, Stan has experienced inexplicable audio tones, marks on his body, and blurry photos appearing on his digital camera. A 2002 incident left marks on his back lawn, analyzed as radiation-induced. A black substance found on his hand was analyzed and contained elements like bismuth, aluminum, silicate, magnesium, calcium, and carbon. Lindemann considers this the "most remarkable case I have ever seen."
Five Early Upper Midwest Reports
This section by Richard Moss, MN MUFON Assist. State Dir., details several early UFO sightings:
- October 11, 1952: A supervisor of Sky Hook balloon manufacturing and another man saw a brightly glowing object SE of the University of Minnesota airport. The object moved west at high altitude and speed, then climbed in lazy circles.
- September 22, 1956: An amateur astronomer in Williston, North Dakota, spotted an object resembling an airliner, with tiny pinpoints of light, moving at an estimated 150 mph. It was described as circular or V-shaped and moved like a slow pendulum.
- November 25, 1956: East of Pierre, South Dakota, law enforcement looking for a stolen truck spotted a bright, deep red object hovering in a gulley. It changed colors and rose to 7000 feet. Pictures appeared in the Minneapolis Star.
- September 13, 1959: In Gills Rock, Wisconsin, a man heard a loud pulsating noise from an object in a field. The object ascended, displaying rings of light and flickering blue and red lights.
- December 25, 1960: In Cottonwood, Minnesota, a man observed a large tan-colored object shaped like a half-ball with a dome. It ejected a small white object and two red objects, which engaged in a beam exchange before rejoining the main craft.
Probing the Minds of Alien Abductees
This section highlights research by psychologists at Goldsmiths College, University of London, into the phenomenon of alien abduction. The project aims to test the psychological aspects and other experiences reported by abductees, including psychic abilities. Nick Pope, former head of the UK Government's UFO project, welcomes the study. Judith Jaafar of BUFORA and Malcolm Robinson of SPI also commend the research. Individuals who believe they have had an alien abduction experience are invited to participate.
STRANGE HAPPENINGS REPORTED IN ARIZONA – UFORoundup
This report details sightings in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on October 11, 2003. An eyewitness reported seeing a perfectly round dark cloud spinning slowly, drawing in smaller clouds. This was followed by jet fighters and black helicopters. The next day, a large camouflaged helicopter was seen, and later, a white van with "Area 51" written on it was observed. The van driver, described as tall, gray-haired, and bearded, seemed to be in an official capacity and alluded to previous sightings and black helicopters.
Another report from Curtis Fields in Paulden, Arizona, on October 8, 2003, describes a bright object with pulsating lights moving in square patterns. The object was visible until around 7 a.m.
Field Investigator Update: November/December 2003
Craig R. Lang, MN MUFON FI Coordinator, notes an increase in "high-strangeness events" and "time of remembering" among experiencers. He mentions four new experiencers and one who came forward with additional memories. A 1979 sighting wave is discussed, with one event described as a CE-4 (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind). The 1979 wave appears to have been concentrated in the northern Minneapolis suburbs, with significant events in New Brighton.
The column also mentions the Val Johnson case, where a sheriff's deputy reportedly had a collision with a UFO. The statistical frequency of events in 1979 suggests a period of significant interest in Minnesota. The section concludes with a call for new field investigators and information on sightings.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing public awareness and media portrayal of UFOs and alien abductions, the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief, and the alleged involvement and secrecy of government entities regarding UFO phenomena. The journal consistently presents reports of sightings and encounters, often with a focus on physical evidence or the lack thereof, and highlights the efforts of organizations like MUFON to investigate and document these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging both scientific skepticism and the experiences of witnesses, while also critically examining official narratives and potential government cover-ups.
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Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
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“We hear people say that certain things happen to them. And if we ask them for some evidence, such as a garment left behind, or a bolt that fell off the landing gear of the flying saucer that landed in their backyard, or an alien cigarette lighter souvenir, we never get anything. Sometimes we're told that there have been had an implant. But the implants never seem to materialize. In the last 30, 40, 50 years now, we've been hearing about flying saucers, we've been hearing about, more recently, abduction phenomena and so on. But there is zero hard scientific evidence of any sort. There are only anecdotes, experiences earnestly believed but not buttressed by any sort of real evidence. Blurry photographs. Sketches of aliens that, to me, look far too much -- far too humanoid, far to much like life on earth, that are not the way I believe extraterrestrial life really will look.”
Key Incidents
Big night of UFO sightings, leading to a 'Shoot 'em down!' order that was later withdrawn.
Alleged crashed saucer found, leading to a meeting between Truman and Vandenberg.
Fireball descended into a forested area, military cordoned off the area, and the town was placed under martial law.
A wave of UFO sightings and close encounters, including an event in New Brighton.
A brightly glowing object was observed by two men flying at 10,000 feet.
An amateur astronomer spotted a large, shiny metallic object moving at an estimated speed of 150 mph.
A bright, deep red object was spotted hovering in a gulley, changing colors and rising to 7000 feet.
A loud pulsating noise was heard from an object in a field, which then ascended with a large yellowish ring of light.
A large tan-colored object ejected smaller objects that engaged in a beam exchange before rejoining the main craft.
A spinning dark cloud was observed, followed by jet fighters and black helicopters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of the Directors Report in this issue?
The main theme is whether UFOs and alien abductions are seeping into the public mind, as evidenced by media portrayals and public discourse.
What did Grant Cameron present regarding US Presidents and UFOs?
Grant Cameron presented information suggesting that various US Presidents had some knowledge of UFOs, with some being briefed and others being told they 'didn't have the need to know'.
What is the Sci-Fi Channel's involvement with the Kecksburg incident?
The Sci-Fi Channel is pursuing a lawsuit to obtain classified government documents related to the Kecksburg crash and is airing a documentary on the incident.
What is the significance of the 1979 sighting wave mentioned?
The 1979 sighting wave in Minnesota is noted for its frequency and intensity, suggesting a possible deliberate coordination of UFO events or a period of increased interest in the phenomenon.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- William McNeffMN MUFON State Dir.
- Budd Hopkinsphysicist
- Paul Horowitzphysicist
- Carl Saganskeptic
- Philip Klassskeptic
- John Velezproponent
- John Mackproponent
- Elizabeth Loftusrepressed memory researcher
- Richard Ofshecult investigator
- Grant Cameronspeaker
- George H. W. BushCIA-head
- Jimmy CarterPresident
- +8 more
Organisations
- MUFON
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
- PBS
- CUFOS
- CIA
- JPL
- Vatican
- Holloman AFB
- NASA
- Department of Defense
- U.S. Army
- Air Force
- General Electric
- NBC
- +6 more
Locations
- Cape Cod, USA
- Brooklyn Bridge, USA
- New Brighton, USA
- Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Roswell, USA
- Wyoming, USA
- Tetons, USA
- Kecksburg, USA
- Pittsburgh, USA
- Fort Collins, USA
- Grand Forks, USA
- Orion
- Arizona, USA
- Prescott Valley, USA
- +5 more