UFO Newsclipping Service - 2000 04 - no 369

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Magazine
Issue: April 2000, Number 369
Publisher: Island Publisher
Cover Headline: UFO Sightings: The awakening that life is from space

This issue of UFO Magazine delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, including recent sightings, historical cases, scientific theories, and the cultural impact of the subject. It features articles on alleged government cover-ups, the scientific investigation of anomalous events, and the ongoing search for answers regarding extraterrestrial life.

UFO Sightings: The Awakening That Life Is From Space

This lead article by Duwayne Escobedo explores the growing belief that life may originate from space, citing theories about the formation of DNA building blocks in space and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It touches upon the NASA Mars Polar Lander signal issue and an increase in crop circle sightings in 1999, with higher concentrations of meteorite dust found within them.

History Channel Takes a Look at UFOs

Mike McDaniel reviews the History Channel's four-part series, 'UFO: Then and Now?', which covers the history of UFO sightings from ancient times to modern day. The series examines various incidents, including the 1952 Washington D.C. UFO buzzing and the Roswell incident, as well as human abductions and mankind's efforts to communicate with extraterrestrial intelligence. McDaniel notes that while the series could be more concise, it is intriguing and offers a comprehensive look at the subject.

Little Light Shed on UFO

This article investigates a mysterious low- and slow-flying object that appeared over Highland, Illinois, on January 5, 2000. Independent investigators from the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) have interviewed eight eyewitnesses, including police officers. The object was described as triangular with three bright lights and moved silently at a low altitude. While military technology has not been ruled out, the origin of the craft remains unknown. The investigation is at a standstill without further sightings.

Arizona Republic: Phoenix Lights - Obsessive Search for Answers

Steve Wilson reports on Dr. Lynne, a Paradise Valley physician who has dedicated three years to researching the "Phoenix Lights" sighting on March 13, 1997. She has written a 330-page book contending that conventional explanations are insufficient. Her work involved interviews with witnesses, UFO experts, and military personnel. Dr. Lynne, a former skeptic, believes the hundreds of witnesses have been marginalized and deserve to know that what they saw was real and unexplained. While the author remains inclined to believe the lights had a terrestrial origin, he acknowledges Dr. Lynne's compelling evidence.

Islander: UFO Sightings - Almost Everything You're Told Is Wrong

This section features several short articles related to UFOs. One discusses Professor Donald G. Carpenter's book, which questions current physics laws in light of UFO phenomena. Another highlights the work of UFO investigator Don Schmitt, who is racing against time to interview aging witnesses from the 1947 Roswell incident. The article also mentions the Extraterrestrial Phenomena Political Action Committee (X-PPAC), a UFO lobby aiming to influence Congress, and touches upon the concept of 'alien insurance' offered by a London firm. It notes the vast number of websites dedicated to UFO topics.

Daily Record: DOD to Give Details of Its Searches for Reports About UFOs

This report details a lawsuit filed by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) against the Department of Defense (DOD). A judge ordered the DOD to provide additional affidavits detailing its search specifics for information on a suspicious object, after CAUS argued the DOD had not searched in good faith. CAUS attorney Peter A. Gersten submitted affidavits from witnesses who observed massive, black, triangular craft.

Christian Science Monitor: For New UFO Lobby, 'X-Files' Are Real

Neil Irwin writes about the formation of the Extraterrestrial Phenomena Political Action Committee (X-PPAC), a UFO lobby aiming to bring alleged UFO cover-ups to the attention of Congress. Stephen Bassett, executive director of X-PPAC, believes that government elites are keeping the truth about alien spacecraft secret and that former officials are beginning to come forward. The article also humorously notes the possibility of senators being aliens and the CIA's denial of any UFO conspiracy.

Arizona Republic: UFO Lawsuit to Get Hearing

Diana Balazs reports on a lawsuit filed by Scottsdale lawyer Peter Gersten, seeking public documents about a large, triangular UFO sighted over Phoenix in 1997. Gersten, director of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, believes the Department of Defense must have information on the object. The article mentions that the Defense Department claims to have conducted a reasonable search but found no records. Gersten has submitted 33 affidavits from witnesses, including radio host Art Bell.

Tribune: Valley Man Wants UFO Documents

This article from the Tribune covers the same lawsuit filed by Peter Gersten, seeking documents related to a massive, football field-sized triangular object reportedly sighted over Phoenix in 1997. The U.S. government maintains it has no such documents, and a federal judge heard arguments on a motion to dismiss the suit.

Islander: UFO Sightings - Almost Everything You're Told Is Wrong (Continued)

This section continues the theme of UFO sightings and related phenomena. It mentions a New Scientist article about DNA building blocks potentially forming in space, suggesting a possible origin for life on Earth. It also reports on an increase in crop circle sightings in Canada and England, with fewer in the United States. The article touches on the controversy surrounding the origin of life and the Theory of Evolution.

Okanagan Valley Gazette-Tribune: UFO Seen Over Highlands

This brief report describes an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sighted near Molson, Washington, on February 19, 2000. The object was described as green, glowing, and oblong, streaking across the sky. Peter Davenport of the Seattle UFO Center notes that similar reports were received that night. The article also mentions that conventional explanations like military planes and flares are often discounted in favor of alien explanations.

Arizona Republic: Some Folks Making Federal Case of UFOs

Richard Ruelas reports on Peter Gersten's efforts to use federal lawsuits to compel the government to release information on UFOs. Gersten, founder of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, has filed multiple lawsuits, including one seeking documents related to a triangular object sighted globally. The article highlights the skepticism of the UFOlogists in the audience towards government statements and the belief that the government is hiding the truth.

Islander: UFO Sightings - Almost Everything You're Told Is Wrong (Continued)

This installment discusses the scientific possibility of DNA molecules originating from space, citing Dr. Francis Crick's belief that the origin of life was extraterrestrial. It also touches upon the difficulty scientists face in deviating from established evolutionary theories and the public's reliance on media reports for information on UFO phenomena. The article includes a report from Connecticut about a possible abduction experience with missing time and physical evidence.

Daily Record: NASA Getting Roswell Artifacts

This article details an agreement between the Roswell UFO Festival and NASA's Space Center Houston for an exhibit. Roswell UFO committee chairwoman Stacy Wolkwitz negotiated an exchange where Roswell would provide items for a NASA exhibit, and in return, NASA would provide items for the Roswell UFO festival. The exhibit at Space Center Houston will feature a model UFO and other artifacts.

Islander: UFO Sightings - Almost Everything You're Told Is Wrong (Continued)

This section continues the discussion on the origin of life, with Colin Jordan referencing Dr. Francis Crick's theories on extraterrestrial origins of DNA and the scientific prejudice against such ideas. It also includes a report from Tennessee about a disc that faded in and out of sight, observed by a witness for an extended period. The article notes that the witness found a small circle of five punctures on their neck and back, consistent with abduction reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Magazine revolve around the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and the alleged efforts of governments to conceal information. There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts, investigative efforts by organizations like NIDS and CAUS, and the cultural impact of UFO phenomena, particularly as depicted in popular media like 'The X-Files'. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and encouraging readers to form their own conclusions, while acknowledging the skepticism that often surrounds the topic.

This issue of the Sunday Mercury, dated December 19, 1999, features a prominent cover story titled "Did Hiroshima open the door for UFOs?" by Jonathan Walker. The magazine delves into various UFO-related topics, including eyewitness accounts, expert theories, and scientific advancements.

UFO Sightings and Theories The main article by Jonathan Walker explores the possibility that UFOs are not extraterrestrial but may be connected to historical events like the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, suggesting they could be moving between dimensions. John Hanson, a former police officer and UFO investigator, shares his belief that the Midlands is a UFO hotspot and has collected numerous accounts, including reports of lights over Water Orton, Warwickshire. He theorizes that these incidents might be linked to ghosts, ancient pagan churches, and the atomic bombs.

Another article highlights Jose Escamilla, who claims to have conclusive proof that the classic cigar-shaped UFO is an undiscovered life form originating on Earth, which he calls "Rods." He has collected thousands of hours of video footage of these phenomena.

Local reports include a sighting of a "flying triangle" in Lincolnshire by two friends, who described it as three lights hovering silently before making a sharp turn. RAF Waddington reported similar sightings, with press officer Jacqui Wheeler having witnessed the phenomenon herself.

David Cayton, a UFO expert from Quest International, backs reports of mysterious sightings in Glossop, Derbyshire, noting similarities to a 1997 sighting in Cheshire. He is particularly interested in animal mutilation, which he believes could be linked to paranormal activity.

In England, video footage taken in Calderdale by Paul Mercer is described as the "best pictures of UFOs for 30 years," capturing a sighting that changes shape and moves speedily. Russell Kellett, co-ordinator of the International UFO Research Network, is excited by the find and plans to send it for analysis.

Crop Circles Several articles discuss crop circles. A country musician, Randy Johner, discovered a crop circle in his wheat field in Midale, Saskatchewan, which he described as looking like a "huge CD." He believes it was made by pranksters but notes the difficulty in leaving tracks to the site.

In Alberta, Canada, farmers Rusty Manuel and Thelly Whitman reported strange circles in their barley field. The circles were flattened from the center outwards, differing from typical swirling patterns. Thelly Whitman expresses a belief in something more than our 'little world.' Gordon Sopczak of Circles Phenomenon Research Canada notes that crop circles are becoming more complex and that many reappear in areas where they have been reported previously.

Another report from Prince Edward Island, Canada, details two mysterious crop circles appearing in a blueberry field near Tignish, leaving landowner Bernard Handrahan mystified. He discovered the circles, which appeared to be perfectly round with burnt grass in the center, and believes they were formed the previous fall.

Bigfoot and Other Mysteries An article titled "Is something afoot with Bigfoot? Expert thinks so" by Harvey Rice features Jimmy Chilcutt, a fingerprint technician who developed expertise in nonhuman primate prints. His examination of alleged Bigfoot footprint castings led him to believe that while some are fakes, others are genuine prints of a reclusive, undocumented animal in the Pacific Northwest.

The "Welsh Roswell incident" is revisited in relation to a new book, "Cosmic Crashes," by Nick Redfern. The book explores theories about a possible flying saucer crash on a Welsh mountain in 1974, including testimony from a man claiming to be a soldier ordered to transport recovered alien bodies.

Quantum Mechanics and Science An article by John Yaukey discusses the potential of quantum mechanics, describing it as the most successful yet counterintuitive scientific theory, underpinning technologies like lasers, computers, and MRIs. It highlights the development of quantum technology, including quantum computers and nanotechnology, and suggests the 21st century will be characterized by this field.

Another piece touches on the paradox of "weighing 'empty' space," discussing how scientists are reluctantly accepting that something in physics is fundamentally wrong due to observations of the universe's accelerating expansion and ripples in early universe gases.

Other News Items Brief reports include a meteor sighting in Arkansas that was speculated to be linked to a brush fire, though officials determined it was not the cause. There is also a mention of mysterious ice chunks falling from the sky in Italy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The magazine showcases a strong interest in UFO phenomena, paranormal activity, and unexplained mysteries, presenting a range of theories from scientific to speculative. There is an emphasis on eyewitness accounts and expert investigations, with a willingness to explore unconventional explanations. The articles suggest a growing public interest in these topics, particularly as the millennium approaches. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to share their own experiences and thoughts on these subjects.