MUFON Wisconsin - Vol 1 No 1 - 2008 January-February

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Wisconsin MUFON Journal, dated January/February 2008, is Volume 1, Issue 1, edited by Nicholas D. Roesler. It covers significant MUFON activities and UFO-related news, with a focus on a major sighting in Texas and the historical involvement of US Presidents with the UFO subject.

Military Response to Texas UFOs Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The lead story details the UFO incident that occurred on January 8, 2008, in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas. Over 200 individual reports were received by MUFON. Witnesses, including a pilot and local law enforcement, described an anomalous aircraft flying at high speed and low altitude, which was reportedly chased by military fighters from nearby Air Force bases (Dyess and Sheppard). Initially, officials from these bases denied any aircraft were in the area, but later retracted their statements, attributing the sighting to training exercises by the Texas National Guard. Pilot Steve Allen described the event as "positively, absolutely nothing from these parts." The article notes similarities to the Milstadt, Illinois case from 2000. MUFON International Director James Carrion indicated the case is ongoing, with information directed to Texas State Director Ken Cherry.

International MUFON Moves into New Headquarters

The international offices of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) have relocated to a new office suite in Fort Collins, Colorado, prior to the New Year. This move, according to International Director James Carrion, is intended to enhance the organization's public image. The changes include the formation of two new specialized investigative teams and the hiring of a full-time business manager, Lori Steele. MUFON's new office hours are 9 AM-5 PM Mountain Time.

2008 MUFON International Symposium Details Announced

The 2008 MUFON International Symposium is scheduled to be held from July 24-27, 2008, in San Jose, California. MUFON International and Symposium Chair Ruben Uriarte announced the venue, dates, and presenters. Field Investigator training is scheduled for July 24, with the main events, including a dinner, press conference, silent auction, and speaker program, taking place from July 25-27. The theme for the event is "UFOs - A Worldwide Phenomenon." Confirmed speakers include Nick Pope, Dr. Richard Haines, Ted Roe, Leslie Kean, George Knapp, and John Greenewald. Information on ticket packages and hotel prices will be available via www.mufon.com/symposia.htm.

Mutual UFO Network Trademarks "UFO Hunters" Term

MUFON International Director James Carrion announced that MUFON is in the process of trademarking the term "UFO Hunters" and a corresponding logo. The website www.ufohunters.org has also launched and redirects to MUFON's main website. This initiative coincides with the debut of a new series on the History Channel Cable network titled "UFO Hunters," which is a continuation of independent specials produced by John Greenewald. The History Channel program airs on Wednesday evenings.

MUFON UFO Journal to Profile Former Wisconsin State Director David Watson

Sally Petersen, editor of the MUFON UFO Journal, announced that a new column, "Volunteer of the Month," will spotlight the contributions of former Wisconsin State Director David Watson. Watson is known for his in-depth report on the 1953 Kinross UFO incident and for redesigning MUFON's report forms. His profile is slated to appear in the February 2008 issue of the MUFON UFO Journal.

Schedule of Events (March 2008)

The Wisconsin MUFON chapter has scheduled several events for March 2008 in Black River Falls, WI. These include an update on recent UFO sightings (Texas/Wisconsin) on March 22, a Field Investigator Manual session, and a seminar on "Interviewing UFO Experiencers" and "New FI Manual protocols" on March 23. Accommodations are available at Holiday Inn Express and Best Western, with an RSVP deadline of March 15. Questions can be directed to Tim Whiteagle.

For the President's Eyes Only: UFOs and the Commander-in-Chief

This article, written by Nicholas Roesler and reprinted from the January 2008 issue of the Smoking Gun Research Agency's Dispatch, examines the historical connection between US Presidents and the UFO subject. It notes that while UFOs were once a taboo political subject, candidates like Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson are now openly discussing it. The article highlights various presidents: Harry Truman, who reportedly believed in "flying saucers" and authorized a secret organization to investigate UFO phenomena; Gerald Ford, who lobbied for Congressional hearings into UFO sightings in his home state; Ronald Reagan, who spoke about UFOs and evidence suggests he had documented encounters; and Jimmy Carter, whose 1969 UFO sighting is well-known. The article also mentions that both Carter and Ford have distanced themselves from their earlier positions on the UFO topic.

From the Editor's Desk

Editor Nicholas D. Roesler welcomes readers to the new version of the Wisconsin MUFON newsletter. He announces that this print issue will be the last, with future editions available online at mufon-wisconsin.org. Roesler introduces himself as a longtime MUFON member and staff photographer for the MUFON UFO Journal. He explains that State Director Tim Whiteagle will set the editorial tone, while he will focus on laying out the material. He encourages contributions in the form of articles, book reviews, and letters, to be submitted via email in Microsoft Word format. He also expresses enthusiasm for working with State Director Tim Whiteagle and for the future of MUFON in Wisconsin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena by MUFON, the organization's growth and development (new headquarters, symposiums, trademarking), and the historical context of UFOs within US politics and presidential administrations. The editorial stance, as presented by Editor Nicholas D. Roesler and State Director Tim Whiteagle, is one of dedicated scientific study and open investigation of UFOs, aiming to inform the public and advance the field. The shift to an online-only format for the newsletter signifies an adaptation to modern communication methods.