MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 135

Magazine Overview

The MUFON Minnesota Journal, Issue #135, dated January/February 2009, is a publication from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) focusing on UFO phenomena. The issue features a prominent article on "UFO Entity Hostility" and includes a variety of other articles covering historical cases, scientific theories, government secrecy, and the importance of witness testimony.

UFO Entity Hostility

This lead article by Dick Moss, MUFON MN State Dir., explores the potential dangers posed by UFO entities. It questions how dangerous these beings are, noting that they sometimes seem to know what humans are thinking. The article highlights that government agencies have publicly denied the existence of these creatures, creating a paradigm shift for those who encounter them. Several historical accounts are presented to illustrate potential hostility:

• In 1943 near Prescott, Arizona, two men in a plane witnessed luminous objects direct a beam of light onto a military airplane, causing it to explode. The crewmen who bailed out were then targeted by light beams that set their parachutes on fire, resulting in their deaths.
• About thirty years later, a truck driver looking out his window was struck on the face by a descending fireball from an object overhead, warping a lens in his glasses and blistering his forehead.
• A night watchman encountered a large object with a hissing sound and a bad odor, causing him to vomit.
• In Brazil, a young man was hit by a ray of light from a craft and knocked down. Observers reported seeing figures behind an instrument panel.
• A young student was confronted by a black ball of fire that emitted sooty material onto his clothing.
• A man driving home encountered a large object on the ground emitting beams of light, which caused his car's engine to burst into flames.
• A police officer felt a stinging sensation and waves of heat from six UFOs maneuvering overhead.
• A woman reported that a grocery bag started to burn as a UFO maneuvered over her car.
• In Brazil, a man shot at a UFO entity and was struck by a green light, later developing leukemia and dying.
• An airliner in India crashed after being struck by an unidentified object.

The article suggests that UFO literature contains many descriptions of objects getting close to vehicles and people before unleashing painful lights.

The Dropa Tribe and Their Stone Discs Revisited

This article by Philip Coppens, originally published in NEXUS Magazine, revisits the story of the Dropa tribe and their stone discs found in China. The story was reignited by German author Hartwig Hausdorf, who investigated whether aliens had crash-landed in the Baian-Kara-Ula mountain range in China's Qinhai Province. The alleged crash is dated to several thousand years ago, predating the 1947 Roswell incident.

The core of the story involves an expedition led by archaeologist Chi Pu Tei in 1937-38, which discovered tombs in a cave containing strange, small skeletons (1.0m 20cm) with abnormally large skulls. Buried with them were 716 unusual stone discs, about 30 cm wide with a central hole, bearing hieroglyphs. These are referred to as "Bi" discs in Chinese culture, often made of jade and used as status symbols or in burials.

Professor Tsum Um Nui of the Peking Academy of Prehistory reportedly deciphered the inscriptions in the early 1960s, claiming they described the crash of an extraterrestrial spacecraft 12,000 years ago. The translation suggests the Dropa came from the clouds in aeroplanes and that humans hid from them initially.

While the Chinese Academy of Sciences allegedly tried to ban publication, the story eventually emerged. The article notes that Bi discs have been dated to as far back as 10,000 BCE. Austrian engineer Ernst Wegerer photographed similar discs in the Banpo Museum in Xian in 1974.

The article debunks the idea that the story first appeared in the 1978 book "Sungods in Exile" by David Agamon, tracing the first mention to a 1962 article in a German vegetarian magazine. It also references a 1933 clipping about dwarfish people in the region, potentially linking to the Dropa. In 1995, the Associated Press reported the discovery of about 120 "dwarfish beings" in Sichuan Province, China, with individuals ranging from 63.5 cm to 1.0m 15cm tall. This village is located a few hundred kilometers from Baian-Kara-Ula and remains off-limits to foreigners.

One theory suggests the dwarfism is due to mercury poisoning, but this is contested by Dr. Norbert Felgenhauer, who argues it would cause death, not stunted growth, and that mercury cannot alter human DNA.

Regarding the decipherment of the discs, the article questions its accuracy but notes that if correct, it suggests these beings believed they were descendants of aliens. The technical details of the discs, composed of cobalt, iron, and nickel (metals that produce a magnetic field), are discussed, with nickel being found in China. The article concludes that what was improbable in 1962 has now been confirmed.

A new expedition to Baian-Kara-Ula is reportedly being prepared, largely sponsored by the China Daily newspaper.

An Estimate of the Situation - 2009

By William I. McNeff, MNMUFON Assist. State Dir., this article provides an annual overview of UFO and ET-related events. Key stories from 2008 mentioned include:

• Stephenville, TX sightings (January 2008): Witnesses reported fighter jets chasing a UFO. The Air Force initially denied having aircraft in the area but later admitted to exercises, with radar data showing speeds up to 2,100 mph.
• Denver Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission initiative (April): A proposed ballot initiative to create such a commission gained media attention.
• Vatican astronomer Father Funes (May 13): Declared it acceptable to believe in extraterrestrial beings.
• UK UFO document release (May 14): Britain released over 1,000 documents on UFO sightings from the 1970s and 1980s.
• Las Vegas UFO crash (May 14): A UFO allegedly crashed near Needles, CA, attracting "men in black" and a secret military operation.
• Stan Romanek video (May 30): A Denver press conference featured Romanek's "Alien-in-the-window-video."
• Dr. Edgar Mitchell interview (July 23): The former astronaut proclaimed the Roswell crash was real and that government cover-ups exist.
• UK UFO files release (October 20): Included the story of U.S. airman Milton Torres being told to shoot down a UFO in 1957.
• Obama administration transition (November 5): John Podesta, an advocate for UFO disclosure, was announced to co-manage the transition team, expressing a desire to "open the books" on government UFO investigations.

The article notes that while some White House officials have made statements about ending secrecy, others are more cautious due to the recession. It mentions Bill Richardson's call for the government to come clean about Roswell and the Rockefeller Initiative briefing Senator Hillary Clinton. Governor Napolitano of Arizona is aware of former Governor Fife Symington's admission of seeing the "Phoenix Lights" UFO and his belief in government disinformation tactics.

Stephen Bassett of "X-PPAC" hopes to gather 40,000 signatures for government release of UFO information. He believes the "truth embargo is now at the end of the line" due to releases in Britain and France. He calls his campaign "The Million Fax on Washington," though the Obama transition team is not accepting faxes and directs people to their Change.gov website.

The author believes there's a good chance the Obama administration will reveal some unclassified and possibly some classified UFO information. While most Americans might not be upset by revelations of alien visitation, a minority might be fearful. Given the recession, upsetting even a minority could be problematic, suggesting a slow release of information is more likely.

The Man Who Wasn't There

This article by Joe Capp (UFO Media Matters) addresses the importance of not letting debunkers discredit credible UFO witnesses. It highlights the tactic of removing the witness from center stage to manipulate evidence. The author uses the case of Lt. Newhouse as an example, where his 8mm film of "flying disks" was submitted as evidence. Newhouse's testimony was supported by his wife and children, whose own sightings were treated as inconsequential.

James McDonald later sought out the Newhouse family and confirmed their descriptions of the objects as silvery-gray, "gunmetal", and like two pie pans face-to-face. Lt. Newhouse emphasized the importance of the visual observation and criticized the Condon Report's analysis, particularly its "gull hypothesis."

The article also discusses the handling of Newhouse's film evidence, stating that the Air Force never returned the originals and sent back an inferior color print, possibly with the initial footage cut out. This missing footage might have shown the objects closer and sharper.

The author advocates for researchers to be more vocal in supporting credible witnesses, arguing that the testimony of everyday Americans is vital for convincing the public. The article criticizes the "vehement and irresponsible, knee-jerk attacks" other researchers make on witnesses.

It encourages researchers to use modern media like blogs, YouTube, and social media to share witness testimonies and confront debunkers. The article concludes by stating that the best way to "sell" the reality of the UFO phenomenon is to let everyday people hear and see everyday UFO witnesses tell their stories, emphasizing the human factor in understanding these events.

To The Moonshaft!

This section details the SIU's plans to return to Slovakia for a third expedition to find and explore the "Moonshaft cavern and artifact." The project, initiated 39 years prior by Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Ted Phillips, requires additional funding for supplies and equipment. A new website, www.Moonshaft.org, is being created to document the expedition with reports, images, and video.

The CE4 Corner

By Craig R. Lang, MS CHt, this section discusses "Deeper Connections" related to close encounter experiencers and field investigation. Lang reviews the MUFON Field Investigator's Handbook, noting that while it covers abduction cases well, it tends to categorize all close encounters as "standard model" abductions. He points out that nearly half of the encounter events he hears of do not conform to this model.

One case described involved a confrontation rather than an abduction, where the witness encountered entities apparently stealing an animal. The interaction resulted in minor injuries and emotional fallout for the witness. Through hypnotherapy work, it was determined to be a physical confrontation, not an abduction, but it had profound emotional effects on the witness and others who contacted the family with psychic impressions.

Lang concludes that the investigation system, combining field investigation and hypnosis, worked in this case to provide understanding, but also deepened the mystery. He notes the intertwining of UFO/Entity encounters, psychic events, and paranormal fallout, suggesting a deep connection between these phenomena.

FOIA Litigation Guide

This section from "Secrecy News" provides information on using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain government documents. It highlights a newly updated guidebook, "Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2008," which aims to help individuals navigate FOIA litigation and assess success chances. It lists where the guidebook can be purchased and provides contact information for Secrecy News.

Book Review: Beyond UFOs

This review by Craig R. Lang discusses Jeffrey Bennett's book "Beyond UFOs." Lang finds the book excellent but notes that its title is a misnomer, as Bennett has little to say about UFOs, focusing instead on exobiology and SETI theory, while expressing skepticism about UFO claims. Bennett, a traditional scientist, leaves the door open to the possibility of UFOs being real, stating that any visiting civilization would likely be far advanced, making their technology nearly indecipherable.

Bennett himself reportedly saw a UFO once, describing it as a distant nocturnal light that behaved in a non-orthodox manner. He acknowledges it meets the technical definition of a UFO but expresses doubt it was an "alien spaceship."

The reviewer, Lang, agrees with Bennett's point that advanced technology can appear like magic, referencing abduction and contact experiences. However, Lang criticizes Bennett for not examining physical evidence cases in UFO literature, such as radar-visual, ground-trace, and artifact cases. Lang suggests that Bennett's book explores exobiology and SETI theory but discounts the possibility that alien life has already visited Earth.

Ultimately, Lang finds "Beyond UFOs" to be a well-written, good read and an excellent layperson's guide to SETI theory and exobiology, advising readers to "ignore most of what he says about UFOs."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the potential hostility of UFO entities, the historical and scientific investigation of unusual phenomena like the Dropa tribe discs, the ongoing debate surrounding government secrecy and disclosure related to UFOs, and the critical importance of valuing and protecting witness testimony. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, advocating for transparency, and supporting the accounts of witnesses, while also acknowledging scientific skepticism and the need for rigorous investigation.

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated December 2008, delves into a variety of UFO-related topics, including personal experiences, political commentary, and investigative reports. The journal is a free, internet-only PDF publication from Minnesota MUFON.

Articles and Reports

First Missing Time, Now Missing Space?

Greg Boone discusses the phenomena of 'Missing Time,' where individuals experience lost hours or days, often associated with UFO abductions. He introduces 'Missing Space,' where people exhibit physiological changes like hair and nail growth, or fat growth, without having been anywhere else. Boone suggests that abductors are becoming more sophisticated, using methods that don't disrupt timelines, making abductions harder to detect. He notes that this phenomenon has appeared in several cases over the past five years and questions if humanity is losing the battle to expose UFO-related abductions.

UFO Related Information 'Above Top Secret' Says Australian Political Leader

This article reports on UFO sightings in Australia and the mysterious silence from politicians. It focuses on Malcolm Turnbull, a prominent Australian politician and potential future Prime Minister. Michael Cohen of All News Web questioned Turnbull about government knowledge of UFOs and alien visitation. Turnbull was evasive, stating that any such information would be 'above top secret, the highest classification of secrecy' and that 'Australia hasn't had its Roswell yet.' The article suggests this alludes to a government within a government that possesses UFO-related knowledge but is not sharing it.

Spread The Word! By Robert Hastings

Robert Hastings, author of 'UFOs and Nukes: Extraordinary Encounters at Nuclear Weapons Sites,' announces that he is granting permission for excerpts from his book to be translated into other languages. The book contains interviews with former U.S. Air Force personnel who reported UFO-related incidents at nuclear weapons sites, where missiles' functionality was reportedly compromised after UFOs hovered over them. Hastings emphasizes the importance of disseminating this information worldwide, stating that nearly 100 U.S. Air Force veterans claim UFOs have been monitoring and interfering with nuclear weapons systems.

The Will To Dis-Believe

An excerpt from Dean Radin's blog discusses the psychological tendency to disbelieve phenomena that cannot be immediately explained. Radin argues that the saying should be 'I'll see it when I believe it,' rather than 'I'll believe it when I see it,' as bias prevents people from observing what they don't believe. He stresses that scientists must counter this 'knee-jerk tendency to disbelieve' to prevent existing knowledge from collapsing into dogma.

Justice Should Punt McKinnon

This article by Billy Cox discusses the case of Gary McKinnon, a British hacker who confessed to breaking into U.S. military and NASA computers in search of secret UFO data. McKinnon, diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, faces extradition to the U.S. for alleged damages. His defense team and supporters in the UK are pushing for his trial to be held in England. The article notes that a video about McKinnon was pulled from Myspace without explanation, adding to the conspiracy intrigue. It suggests that a new administration committed to transparency might want to avoid a trial that could provoke a broader discussion about UFO secrecy.

Minnesota UFO Reports

This section details two UFO sightings in Minnesota:

• St. Cloud, Minnesota Triangular UFOs: On December 27, 2008, three witnesses reported seeing four triangular UFOs hovering over Highway I-94. The objects were described as being about 150-200 feet across and 600-700 feet in the air.
• Chatfield, Minnesota Strange Star-Like UFO: On December 12, 2008, one witness reported a star-like object with a bright white light approaching their building. The object stopped, went dark, and disappeared. The witness notes several other sightings in the Southeast Minnesota area since 1995, including colored orbs, rods, a rectangular craft, and a black square.

Frank Stranges Passes

This piece from Greg Bishop's UFO Mystic Blog announces the passing of Reverend Frank Stranges, author of 'Stranger At The Pentagon' and 'Flying Saucerama.' Stranges founded the National Investigations Committee on Unidentified Flying Objects (NICUFO) in 1967. His legacy includes the narrative of Venusian Captain 'Valiant Thor,' whom Stranges claimed to have met at the Pentagon. The article includes a description of Thor and Stranges' experience meeting him.

A Ufological Review Of 2008

Eileen Nesbitt compiles a review of noteworthy UFO articles and reports from 2008, sourced from various websites, blogs, and a portion of mainstream media. She provides a link to 'A Ufological Review For The Entire Year Of 2008.' The article also includes a quote from William Colby, former Director of the CIA, stating, 'The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the increasing frequency of UFO sightings, the perceived secrecy surrounding UFO information by governments and political figures, and the personal experiences of individuals who have encountered UFOs or related phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on the need for disclosure and public awareness regarding UFOs and potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to favor transparency and the dissemination of information, encouraging readers to 'Spread The Word!' and to question official narratives. The journal also highlights the work of researchers and authors in the UFO community.