Ufologists, disclosure activists, alien abduction researchers and those touting similar self-appointed titles have filled the ufology landscape with fantastic claims. Questionable declarations of physical evidence and regular contact with hybrid alien-human beings have become relatively expected modes of operation. A recent fund-raising drive even announced possession of a possible deceased alien being itself.
The European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2012 General Assembly included data presented on what has come to be known as the Hessdalen Lights. The research may not provide UFO buffs with the chronically sought - yet ever elusive - confirmation of alien-piloted craft, but scientists indeed presented empirical evidence for the existence in Norway of aerial phenomena of unknown origins. There is no reason whatsoever to suppose the phenomena is under intelligent control or associated with non-human space travelers, but scientific research nonetheless indicated the Hessdalen Lights are a very real - although yet to be fully understood – phenomenon consisting of interesting possibilities.Read more...
Robert Morningstar recently informed the 'UFO UpDates List' that long time community staple Kathy Kasten passed away August 7 due to cardiac arrest. She was 72.
Kasten was a well known researcher and writer who delved extensively into such topics as UFOs, alleged alien abduction and their possible ties to covert research projects. She acted as a consultant to Dr. Helmut Lammer during his research into possible military abductees and contributed to such publications as 'UFO Matrix'. Kasten wrote for 'Paranoia Magazine' for many years, published content on numerous websites devoted to issues related to what became known as targeted individuals and was a regular participant on 'UFO UpDates List'.
Kasten wrote such pieces as 'How I Decided to Become a Loud-Mouthed Woman' that demonstrated her willingness to address the exploitation of human research subjects and her reputation of speaking her mind. Her employment at the University of California at Los Angeles and participation as a liaison on the college's Human Subject Protection Committee significantly contributed to her perspectives on covert research projects.
Kasten's 'Possible Key to Understanding the Phenomena' was among her final pieces of work. She generously wrote the article for my blog, 'The UFO Trail'. I was and continue to be very grateful.
I benefited from reaching out to Kathy Kasten and making an effort to know and understand her. I am glad I interacted with her.
Rest in peace, Ms. Kasten. You are missed.
Mutual UFO Network executive director David 'The Captain' MacDonald defended the manner the information presented at the recent annual symposium was touted as “major” and “blockbuster,” stating that importance is in the eye of the beholder. When asked via email to comment on disappointments expressed, as well as specifically what “material” was considered to be so “sensitive” that “proper security protocols” were implemented to protect the material and parties involved, MacDonald replied:Read full article...
The sensitive material which requires "proper security protocol" is the Leonard Stringfield files which have been acquired by MUFON. These files contain material which names names, dates, places and events of such a nature that special caution needs to be exercised. In regards to that material, we absolutely stand by our statement.Internet discussion forums such as UFO Casebook continued to attract comments from members frustrated with the situation and outraged over what they interpreted to be misleading implications. Popular UFO-related information sites contained posts expressing concern related to seemingly never ending claims of imminent smoking guns that consistently fail to materialize within ufology.
[...]
Some suggested the Stringfield files might actually be interesting and potentially significant for a number of reasons. However, concern was equally expressed over how the files might be handled due to perceived decreasing MUFON credibility, as well as due to the MUFON reputation of failing to publish information of public interest.
The Mutual UFO Network announcement previously described by International Director David MacDonald as “blockbuster” was released Sunday afternoon. Sources inform 'Orlando Paranormal Examiner' that researcher Harry Drew took the podium in Covington, Ky., explaining he is convinced he has located two sites where alien craft landed or crashed in 1953. The sites are in the vicinity of Kingman, Ariz. Drew explained he believes the craft were brought down by triangulated radar running at boosted power to extend range.View the full article.
[...]
Further data will simply be required in order to more fully grasp the specific details of not only what took place in 1953 in Kingman, but in 2012 in Covington. Don't shoot me, I'm just the piano player.
MUFON International Director David 'The Captain' MacDonald stated in the July issue of the 'MUFON Journal':Read more...
It is our intent to release not one but two MAJOR announcements which will resonate throughout the UFO community for years to come. One of these pronouncements is so sensitive that MUFON management asked that it not be released until proper security protocols were in place to protect the safety of the material and the people in whose possession it resides. Those protocols are now being undertaken and will be complete in time for the Symposium.Many people are understandably skeptical. After decades of being fed promises of imminent smoking guns, those with UFO interests can sometimes be a tough crowd to impress.
Meanwhile, UFO disclosure activist Dr. Steven Greer recently made an “urgent” announcement of his own. On July 28 Greer explained on his blog that he is in dire need of obtaining funding to conduct tests on a possible deceased alien body and include news of it in his soon to be released film. Greer wrote:
