MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 126

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Minnesota Journal, dated July/August 2007, focuses on the organization's mission, UFO secrecy, and recent developments in the field of UFO research. The cover headline highlights "MUFON Minnesota and its Mission" by Dick Moss, the State Director.

MUFON Minnesota and its Mission

Dick Moss details the process of Minnesota MUFON becoming an incorporated non-profit in early 2007, officially changing its title to MUFON Minnesota to emphasize its connection to the parent organization. The first Board of Directors meeting was held on June 26, 2007, with bylaws adopted. The article notes that MUFON Minnesota has met monthly for over twenty years, with attendance ranging from the mid-20s to high 50s. Meetings involve discussions about the UFO phenomenon and field investigator efforts, with guest speakers occasionally invited. The recent implementation of MUFON's computerized Case Management System (CMS) has simplified the investigation process for field investigators, who must read the Field Investigator's Manual and pass a test to access the system. The article emphasizes that MUFON is not a loose confederation but has a clearly-defined mission and procedures. It encourages readers to join MUFON to gather data on UFO activities.

MUFON Minnesota Meetings

Information is provided for upcoming meetings on Saturday, July 14th and Saturday, August 11th, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the New Brighton Family Service Center. The building is designated as non-smoking, with free parking and an elevator. A map is available on the back cover.

In this Issue

A table of contents lists the articles featured in this issue, including "MUFON MN Mission," "UFO Secrecy/Policy Ques.," "Alien Contact Came in ‘52,” “CE4 Corner,” “Minnesota UFO Reports,” and discussions on Roswell, crop circles, and extraterrestrial life.

UFO SECRECY & POLICY QUESTIONS

By Bill McNeff, MUFON MN Assist. State Dir.

This article addresses the question of why UFO-related information remains classified. McNeff notes that thousands of pages of formerly classified documents have been released under FOIA, indicating government interest. He posits that initial classification was to keep technology from communists, but current secrecy may stem from a reluctance to admit alien visitation, a desire to hide government actions taken to maintain secrecy (including potential "eliminations"), a concern about upsetting oil profits by revealing zero-point energy, and a corrupting desire for power. The article suggests that evidence points to U.S. government experience with UFO crashes prior to 1947, with leaked documents hinting at atomic knowledge gained from these crashes. The Roswell incident is presented as a prime example where the government was prepared to recover otherworldly technology. The article compares UFO secrecy to the secrecy surrounding the atomic bomb project, where knowledge was kept from adversaries and the public alike. It explores the potential consequences of admitting UFO reality, including respect for witnesses, understanding for abductees, potential lawsuits, and the risk of other countries attempting to acquire UFO technology, citing stories of failed attempts by the U.S. and USSR.

Alien contact came in ‘52, author says

By Mannix Porterfield, Register-Herald reporter

This article discusses the book "Shoot Them Down" by Frank Feschino, who argues that the U.S. military engaged alien aircraft in a pitched air battle off the Atlantic Coast in 1952. Feschino's research, based on Air Force files and magazine articles, suggests that President Truman ordered military commanders to destroy these craft to calm a panicking public. The article mentions that UFOs were buzzing the country that year, with many over military installations and power plants. Feschino's theory is based on the writings of Air Force Capt. Edward Ruppelt. The year 1952 is noted as the most prolific for aircraft sightings, with an estimated 30,000 in the United States. The article also touches upon the Flatwoods Monster incident in West Virginia on September 12, 1952, where a metallic object emitting a sulfuric odor was observed.

The CE4 Corner

By Craig R Lang, MS CHt

This section discusses a series of articles by Whitley Strieber on a new class of UFO sightings referred to as "Drones." Lang notes that while there are no local Minnesota cases, Whitley claims strong evidence for their validity. These "drones" are described as technological, blending alien and human elements, and designed to be seen as overt alien technology. Whitley suggests this is part of a three-pronged contact approach by "Them": 1) "Theatre in the sky" (UFO and entity sightings), 2) close encounter phenomenon as a covert acclimation program, and 3) contact with secret organizations within the human community to manage public release of information and prevent culture shock. Lang speculates whether humanity is being acclimated to the visitor presence and if there is a non-malevolent cover-up. He relates this to the "nature preserve" metaphor and a potential "Extraterrestrial Agenda for Earth."

ROSWELL – GLENN DENNIS AND WALTER HAUT

By William I. McNeff

This article commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Roswell events. It reviews testimony from Glenn Dennis, a local undertaker who claimed to have been asked about child-sized coffins shortly after the crash. Dennis was reportedly told by a nurse that a UFO had crashed and small humanoids were recovered, and she later disappeared. Walter Haut, the Roswell base information officer, is highlighted for his affidavit, released posthumously, which claims he saw alien bodies and issued the initial press release about retrieving a flying saucer. Haut's affidavit details a meeting where wreckage was examined and discusses a clean-up operation. He describes a metallic egg-shaped craft and two bodies, approximately 4 feet tall with large heads. The article notes that Haut had previously downplayed his role and suggests his affidavit was made to share important knowledge. The credibility of Haut's affidavit is discussed, noting his involvement with the Roswell UFO Museum and his prior confidential statements.

CANADIAN CROP CIRCLE RESEARCH MUSEUM

This section announces the opening of the Canadian Crop Circle Research Museum exhibit in Estevan, Saskatchewan, a project of the Canadian Crop Circle Research Network (CCCRN). The exhibit will feature images, statistics, and historical cases related to crop circles.

Minnesota UFO Report

A Triangular Shape Hovering And Missing Time, Moose Lake Area, Minnesota

This report details a personal sighting from 2002 by the author, who observed a triangular object with alternating red, blue, and green lights hovering about 200 feet off the ground. The object had a dome-shaped bottom and appeared to be liquid or oozing. The author stopped to watch it for several minutes before it moved east. The sighting is compared to similar reports, including one witnessed by Darrell Barker and two officers from the Moose Lake area.

The Right Side of the World

This article discusses a conspiracy theory presented by Paul Craig Roberts, a former member of the Reagan administration, who suggests that President Bush might stage a terrorist attack to declare a state of emergency, suspend the Constitution, and become a dictator. The author dismisses this theory as outrageous and unlikely.

UFO Hunters Announced

This section announces a new Sci Fi Channel series called "UFO Hunters," produced by the creators of "Ghost Hunters." The series will use cutting-edge technology to investigate UFO evidence and legitimize claims. It will feature investigators from The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) and New York Strange Phenomena Investigators (NY-SPI).

Spooks Infiltrating UFO Community?

By Sharon Weinberger

This article explores the continued interest of intelligence officials in the UFO community long after the government disavowed secret evidence. The author suggests that these officials, referred to as "spooks," are monitoring the UFO community to track foreign intelligence agents who may have infiltrated these groups. The motivation is stated as national security, with concerns about DIA officers leaking classified material and the KGB using parapsychology groups in the past. The article cites a CIA FOIA release of Stargate Archive files, indicating concern about monitoring UFO authors who might have access to classified material.

2007 International MUFON Symposium

This section announces the 38th Annual UFO International Symposium to be held in Denver from August 10th-12th. The symposium will feature speakers on UFOs, the military, government denials, and high strangeness encounters, including Stanton Friedman, Timothy Good, and George Knapp.

PRESS RELEASE - JULY 20, 2007

PRG/X-PPAC

This press release discusses Stephen Bassett's article "Exopolitics: The ET Ticket," which proposes pairing political candidates for Disclosure. It mentions Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson as potential candidates and references their past involvement with UFO-related government documents. The release also notes that PRG is preparing questions for political campaign debates regarding ET/Disclosure and mentions the upcoming X-Conference 2007.

Look for life not as we know it, U.S. report urges

By Maggie Fox

This article summarizes a report from the National Academy of Sciences advising NASA to look for extraterrestrial life with an open mind, considering possibilities beyond water-based life. It highlights recent discoveries of extremophiles and the potential for life to use chemicals other than methane, ethane, or ammonia. The report suggests exploring promising locations in our solar system like Saturn's moons Titan and Enceladus, and Venus. The potential for novel life forms is described as the most profound discovery ever made.

April 2007 UFO Report Totals

This section provides UFO report totals for April and May 2007 from NUFORC and MUFON. It notes a dramatic increase in reports from Hawaii and India. The data shows that approximately 50% of U.S. reports geographically appear along interstate highways. The article describes patterns of sightings across the U.S., with heavy activity on the east and west coasts, particularly along Interstate 5.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing efforts of MUFON to investigate and document UFO phenomena, the persistent secrecy surrounding UFOs by governments, and the increasing likelihood of alien contact or disclosure. The editorial stance is one of active investigation, a call for transparency, and an open-minded approach to understanding the UFO phenomenon and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The journal encourages public participation and emphasizes the importance of gathering and analyzing data.

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated July 2007, focuses on the enduring mystery of the Roswell Incident and a potentially significant UFO video. The journal is a FREE publication available online.

Articles

"Witness to Roswell" Explores 60-Year-Old Mystery

This section discusses the book "Witness to Roswell" by authors Thomas Carey and Donald Schmitt, which attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding the events near Roswell, New Mexico, in early July 1947. The article highlights that thousands of people visit Roswell annually to memorialize the event. It poses the question of whether a flying saucer crashed or if it was a weather balloon, as the military reported, and to what extent the U.S. government covered it up. The book is presented as the latest installment in the Roswell mystery, building on decades of exploration since 1978 when an intelligence officer from the 509th Bomb Group broke his silence.

Authors Carey and Schmitt have investigated Roswell for 16 and 19 years, respectively, logging over 125 trips and interviewing more than 600 witnesses who attest to an extraterrestrial event. They state that "Witness to Roswell" is intended as a "down payment to history." The book contends that a flying saucer with seven occupants crashed north of Roswell, with one occupant surviving. The materials and bodies were recovered by the Air Force and sent to Dayton, Ohio. Carey and Schmitt claim military personnel were sworn to secrecy, and civilian witnesses were threatened, with reasons for the coverup including fear of panic, lack of political will, and habit.

The authors have been involved in several crash-related projects, including an archeological dig at the Foster Ranch debris field, funded by the Sci Fi Channel, and have appeared in documentaries on The History Channel, Learning Channel, Travel Channel, and National Geographic Channel. They also worked on deciphering the Ramey Memo, known as the "smoking gun of Roswell."

Carey and Schmitt emphasize the multifaceted nature of the Roswell case, including a "nuts and bolts" UFO, numerous witnesses, death threats, a coverup, and alien visitation, making it worth pursuing. Jody Pendarvis, proprietor of the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman, agrees that the U.S. government covered up a significant UFO sighting and believes aliens were involved and may be visiting to rescue their "fellow citizens." Pendarvis recounts his own UFO sighting in 1999 and believes the Roswell incident was a "trip gone wrong." He humorously suggests aliens might now prefer to visit Bowman instead of Roswell.

Carey and Schmitt hope their book attracts both UFO enthusiasts and a mainstream audience, providing new information and a strong case for a UFO crash in 1947, contrasting it with the Air Force's balloon explanation.

Cryptic Video May Point to UFO Crash in White Sands

This article by Mike Smith reports on a cryptic video that surfaced in October 1997, presented at the second annual Australian International UFO Symposium. The video, which plays in silence, depicts a shining white oval object falling from the sky in a desert setting, leveling out, crashing with a flash, bouncing, shooting upward in a long arc, passing telephone poles, and then shattering in a sky-filling spray of fire and debris. The entire episode lasts 15 seconds.

Despite its dramatic depiction, many UFO experts are skeptical. A New Mexican columnist for UFO Magazine suggested it was military or a hoax. Louis Martin of www.MyUFO.com suggested it was a cruise missile. www.UFOCasebook.com, citing an American researcher with a NASA source, identified the craft as an X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, a reusable spacecraft. The article notes that the footage surfaced the same year as the 50th anniversary of the Roswell Incident, where witnesses reported seeing a wrecked UFO and alien passengers.

The author dismisses the cruise missile and hoax theories, pointing out that cruise missiles do not resemble the oval shape and explode differently. The X-38's first known flight was in 1999, two years after the video premiered, making it an unlikely explanation. The author suggests that if it were a hoax, it would have to be a very good one.

The article also mentions historical sightings around White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base, including round white vehicles in 1948, a rounded silver object in 1952, and various sightings in 1957. It also references a rumored clandestine Area 29 where alien spacecraft were allegedly test-flown by the government from 1957 to 1970.

The author concludes that while these sightings lend some validity to the 1997 crash, the location near military bases makes it akin to getting excited about seeing a plane at an airport. A link to view the video is provided: www.MyStrangeNewMexico.com.

Recent UFO Reports

Briefly, the issue mentions recent UFO reports in Nevada, particularly along Highway 80, and a high concentration of reports in and around New York City. It also notes a report from two cruise ship passengers about a UFO 80 miles off the New York coast and a sighting of a UFO next to a commercial flight on April 23, 2007.

Minnesota MUFON Information

The issue includes contact information for Minnesota MUFON, including State Director Richard Moss, Assistant State Director Bill McNeff, and Journal Editor Joel Henry. It provides phone numbers, email addresses, and website information for MUFON. It also lists the MUFONET frequency and times, and the National MUFON Hotline number for reporting UFO news and sightings. The Minnesota MUFON Journal (MMJ) is described as a FREE publication available via email or PDF download.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of the Roswell Incident, the investigation into potential government cover-ups, and the examination of evidence such as witness testimony and video footage. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting various accounts and evidence for readers to consider, while also acknowledging skepticism and alternative explanations. The journal actively promotes MUFON as a resource for reporting and information on UFOs.