MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 151

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Minnesota Journal, dated September/October 2011, features a cover story titled "UFOs Underwater" by MUFON MN ASD Richard Moss. The journal covers a range of topics related to UFOs, alien encounters, and government transparency.

UFOs Underwater

The lead article by Richard Moss discusses the phenomenon of UFOs observed entering and exiting large bodies of water, suggesting the possibility of underwater bases. It recounts several incidents, including a Japanese fishing boat sighting of two silver craft diving into the sea in 1957, Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 observation of a UFO and balls of light in the Pacific, and reports of boiling water and UFOs in the Gulf of Mexico in 1967. The article also touches upon encounters in Mexico where entities seemed unaffected by mud, and a case where a boy's hands remained dry after being in water. It notes that UFOs have been clocked at high speeds underwater and have exhibited unusual behavior upon surfacing.

Roswell UFO Controversy

A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to the Roswell incident. An article by Lee Speigel, citing an interview with retired Air Force intelligence officer George Filer, claims that General Roger Ramey lied about the Roswell crash in 1947. Filer suggests that President Truman made the decision to cover up the incident, and that Ramey's wife confirmed her husband was embarrassed about having to lie about a weather balloon. Stanton T. Friedman, a civilian investigator of the Roswell incident, also believes Ramey was forced to lie. Both Filer and Friedman assert that Earth is visited by extraterrestrials and that information is restricted to those with a "need to know."

2011 MUFON Symposium

Bill McNeff reports on the 2011 MUFON Symposium held in Irvine, California. He highlights discussions about the Roswell conspiracy theory, the ongoing visits by aliens, and the primitive nature of human society. The article mentions the appointment of new MUFON Board interim members and a new STAR Team Manager, Fletcher Gray. Gray outlines procedures for handling physical evidence, including a repository and a laboratory. The financial report for MUFON shows assets and liabilities balancing at $13,406, with a checking account balance of approximately $10,000.

Other Articles and Features

• Morgan Beale and the UFO Reporting App: A new UFO reporting app for iPhones is being designed by Morgan Beale, SD Florida, featuring time and location logging, and GPS coordinates. It is expected to be released in September.
• Committee to Reform MUFON: A meeting sponsored by Elaine Douglass and others discussed concerns about MUFON's operations. John Ventre, an interim board member, expressed his intention to run for International Director. Richard Dolan also voiced concerns about MUFON's business practices.
• Sample of Kimbler's Roswell Debris Disappears: An article from The UFO Trail reports that a metal fragment from the Roswell debris, sent by Frank Kimbler to Arizona State University for testing, was lost in transit. Kimbler expressed frustration and stated he would personally supervise future analyses.
• Budd Hopkins Dies at 80: A New York Times obituary by Margalit Fox commemorates Budd Hopkins, an Abstract Expressionist artist and UFO author who became a leading figure in the alien-abduction movement. Hopkins, who died at 80, began his UFO research after a 1964 sighting and is credited with popularizing the study of abductions. He founded the Intruders Foundation.
• What UFO-E.T. Mother Lode Lies Behind the FAA's FOIA Curtain?: This section, by William McNeff, details his FOIA request to the FAA for radar data concerning unidentified aerial objects reported on July 13, 2011, near Minneapolis. The FAA failed to respond within the mandated 20-working-day period, leading to accusations of stonewalling and subversion of the Freedom of Information Act.
• NARA Proposes New Rule on Declassification: An article from SECRECY NEWS discusses a proposed new rule by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) regarding the declassification of historical records. The rule aims to update procedures but is seen by some as falling short of President Obama's "open government" policy.
• FASTER FOIA BILL PASSED IN SENATE: The Faster FOIA Act, aimed at examining the causes of FOIA delays, was reintroduced and passed in the Senate.
• The CE4 Corner: Craig R. Lang discusses the nature of extraordinary experiences, including UFO sightings and close encounters, and poses the question of how to help those who have such experiences. He suggests a gradual approach to discussing such topics and emphasizes the reality of the experience for the individual.
• Betty and Barney Hill Honored with Plaque Memorial: Chris Capps reports on a plaque memorializing the Betty and Barney Hill abduction incident in New Hampshire. The article recounts their 1961 encounter, which became the first widely reported UFO abduction case, and notes that their story has been the subject of films, books, and lectures.
• UFO Sighting Origins Linked to Einstein's Parallel Universes: This piece, submitted by Dave Masko, references top physicists like Brian Greene, who suggest that UFO sightings might be linked to concepts of parallel universes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena and related topics, often questioning government transparency and official narratives. There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts and the belief that UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence are real and actively visiting Earth. The editorial stance appears to support the work of organizations like MUFON in gathering and disseminating information, while also advocating for greater public access to information through FOIA requests and declassification efforts. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery and significance of UFO-ET phenomena, despite attempts at suppression or dismissal by official channels.

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated August 19, 2011, focuses on the intersection of theoretical physics, UFO phenomena, and media responsibility. The publication, distributed by Minnesota MUFON, features articles that explore complex scientific concepts and alleged extraterrestrial encounters.

Parallel Universes and the Nature of Reality

The journal begins by discussing physicist Brian Greene's work on parallel universes, as detailed in his book "The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos." Greene explains that our perception of reality is dictated by brain processes, making it impossible to definitively know if our experiences are real or simulated, drawing parallels to the film "The Matrix." He posits that in an infinite universe, matter arrangements must repeat, suggesting the possibility of parallel universes.

Stephen Hawking is also featured, with his book "The Grand Design" being reviewed. Hawking's perspective is presented as a continuation of the Copernican Revolution, suggesting our known universe is just one of billions. He proposes that some universes must have laws allowing for life, and our existence is a matter of chance within this vast multiverse. Hawking also touches upon the idea of alien life, warning against attempting to contact it.

Media Neglect and the UFO Phenomenon

A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to an OpEd by Bill Wickersham titled "JOURNALISTS WHO SHUN UFO REPORTS FAIL THEIR READERS." Wickersham criticizes mainstream media for ignoring or ridiculing UFO reports for over 60 years, contributing to a "cover-up" and marginalizing the subject. He cites examples like the April 1997 Phoenix UFO sighting and the COMETA report, a study of 500 international UFO sightings that concluded extraterrestrial visitation is the most plausible hypothesis.

Wickersham argues that journalists have failed in their professional obligation to treat the UFO issue objectively, referring to this as "The Journalism UFO Syndrome." He notes that Arthur Schopenhauer's stages of truth (ridicule, opposition, acceptance) may apply to the UFO issue if sound journalism practices are adopted.

Ashiwi (Zuni) Native Americans and Extraterrestrial Contact

The journal includes an article by Denis R. Denocla detailing his research and interactions with the Ashiwi (Zuni) tribe. Mahooty Clifford, an Elder shaman of the Zuni, reportedly informed Denocla that the Zuni territory has been "UFO-active" since the 1960s. The tribe's mythology, particularly the Kachinas, is linked to extraterrestrial contact, with Clifford suggesting that an extraterrestrial civilization provided the Zuni with knowledge, including astronomical information about nebulae unknown before powerful telescopes.

Denocla draws parallels between the Zuni Kachinas and his own concept of "IOXiens," a 3-meter-tall alien race he believes has been visiting Earth since 896 BCE. He notes that the Zuni language is unique and has no commonality with other Native American languages, adding to the mystery.

MUFON Information and Events

The journal also provides practical information for MUFON members and interested individuals. It includes contact details for Minnesota MUFON, including State Director Lorna Hunter and Journal Editor Joel Henry. A schedule for the MN UFO Conference on October 8, 2011, is detailed, featuring speakers like Craig R. Lang, Chad Lewis, Adrian Lee, and Ken Storch, covering topics from "Close Encounters" to "UFOs in Renaissance Art" and "The Hard Evidence, the Lies, and the Implications for Society."

Information on reporting UFO news and sightings via the National MUFON Hotline is provided, along with details on how to obtain the Minnesota MUFON Journal as a free PDF publication. The journal also includes a program schedule for "UFOs and the Paranormal" broadcasts on various local TV stations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena are real and warrant serious investigation, challenging mainstream media and academic dismissal. The editorial stance appears to advocate for open-mindedness towards extraterrestrial hypotheses and encourages public engagement with the topic. The recurring themes include the scientific exploration of parallel universes, the historical suppression of UFO evidence by the media, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact, as exemplified by the Zuni tribe's experiences. The journal also highlights the importance of organizations like MUFON in gathering and disseminating information on these subjects.