Kevin Randle's recent piece about the wildly out out of proportion responses of Phillip Klass to UFOs (Phillip Klass and the FBI) got my mind going on a tangent about the often stated and accepted "fact" concerning skeptics/debunkers and "believers." We've all said it; that "believers/bleevers/woos" vs. "skeptics/debunkers/'bunkies" have, at their core, the same reason for their fanatical beliefs. For their stubborn, pathological clinging to their position. At some point, both sides are really doing the same thing for the same reasons. Just a part of human nature. (While I'm mainly discussing UFOs here the same applies to Bigfoot witnesses and Bigfoot "skeptics.")
Not so fast. The usual disclaimers aside about the truly unbalanced, the reason for the "believers" insistence is not for the same reasons of the debunker, or even the so-called skeptic.
For many a witness their encounter was goddamn intense and life changing. If the witness chooses to be open about their experience, and is repeatedly accused of being a liar (at best) or insane (at worst) and everything in between, the witness, depending on his or her personality, is not going to give up. But the relentless harassment (often verging on the illegal) coming from the faux skeptics is enough to drive anyone into varying states of anger, frustration and confusion.
You can only bang your head against a wall so much before you get to the point of either shutting down --going away, never to discuss your experiences again, at least not openly-- or becoming a loud squeaky wheel that will persist. The so-called "believer" has something solid to stand behind: their experience. What that experience was, why it was, and all of the rest surrounding paranormal, Fortean phenomena, is something else. But the fact of the experience is true. It happened.
The skeptics (term used loosely) have nothing. Just their pathological and nasty knee jerk responses. The vulnerabilities of witnesses are not respected, but considered toys for their sneering amusement. They, like religious fanatics, often arrogantly present themselves as warriors in the great crusade against a perceived irrationally. But that's not based on anything. Least of all the witness of the UFO, or a Sasquatch, or even the more unbelievable things seen between our worlds.
It is the "skeptic" who is standing on air, shaking their fists at nothing, while the witness has something. The witness has the experience, the thing seen, the event that either uplifted or traumatized. Sometimes both. It's something that the witness believes should be told. Known. Heard.
So. The witness, after repeated insults, after accusations of being a: liar, hoaxer, money grubber, drunk, drug addict, Jew, lesbian, gay, witch, frigid, child molester, man-hater, and so much more (many of which I've been called, many which I know others have been called) either continues with the truth of their experience, or goes away. Both are okay with the skeptic: if one goes away, then they believe they've won one for their crusade. If one stays, the skeptic gets to play some more. It's all the same to them.
Some of us, like myself, have made the decision not to play. That's not the same as going away. I just don't play with them. I don't owe them anything, despite the "skeptic's" insistence that us witnesses do owe them explanations . If I say something, I say it. Not up to me to prove it. It's up to you to accept it, or, not. I don't care either way. As to the rest concerning insults, nothing I can do about that, unless they become illegal: threats, or libel and slander.
The point is: witnesses who continue to tell their story have something solid - their experience. As I said, what that experience was is another issue. The "skeptic" has nothing, while the witness who makes the decision to carry on despite the assaults by debunkers can be forgiven for, at times, high emotions or possible extreme responses.
'There's MUFON and Then There's Mufon'
My new Trickster's Realm at Tim Binnall's place: There's MUFON and then there's Mufon.
From Elsie Conner: Alien Abduction Does Not Happen in a Vacuum
Thanks to The Anomalist for this link to Elsie Conner's Out of Darkness blog. Wow. An excerpt from her current post Alien Abduction Does Not Happen in a Vacuum:
And then, there's this, on the "presence." No way of knowing if my own experiences (experienced by others as well) were of the same cause, but Conner's description of what her and her mother experienced sounds chillingly similar:
Sometimes when we read encounters that have happened to others, a visceral "click" happens, a gut feeling to be sure that really wallops you, that has with it the undeniable message of "See? See now? Get it? Remember? It's not just all in your head . . . "
Out Of Darkness: When I was very young, my father worked the night shift in town which was many miles away. A very strange thing would occur on some nights. My mother would hear voices outside of the house. She said it sounded like several voices which would get closer and louder. Here we were a mom and two little kids alone in the country with nobody around and she hears people outside the house. It scared her so much she called the police. This is a huge event. To be scared so much to actually call the police. The police came and searched the area but they could not find anything. The only explanation the cops could come up with is that perhaps some people were having a party some ways away and somehow their voices carried just right to make it seem like it was happening right outside the house. The voices would return several times but my mom only called the police the one time. There was no explanation for those events.
And then, there's this, on the "presence." No way of knowing if my own experiences (experienced by others as well) were of the same cause, but Conner's description of what her and her mother experienced sounds chillingly similar:
She knew “they” were in the room. She could sense their presence and this would occur many times over the years. But this was more than a feeling of a presence. These alien Beings have the ability to camouflage themselves so they can’t be seen but they sure can be felt. An abduuctee can feel their presence. It is a very particular sensation.
Sometimes when we read encounters that have happened to others, a visceral "click" happens, a gut feeling to be sure that really wallops you, that has with it the undeniable message of "See? See now? Get it? Remember? It's not just all in your head . . . "
Update on Barrowman
Thanks to Jenny Banbury on Twitter, I've been told that John Barrowman's Gilded Lily show did not make it, but Arrow did. Arrow is based on a DC comic; Barrowman's role is of a recurring character, not in the main cast. So there is hope for new Torchwoods. Arrow is on the CW network.
Saucer Sightings: Reindeer Bells
A new post at my blog Saucer Sightings about a possible cover memory, courtesy of my invisible alien visitors:
Saucer Sightings: Reindeer Bells: Last night, in bed, I was thinking about something that happened to me when I was a kid. I always thought it was too silly-goofy to really think about it, but it always troubled me. I must have been about five, because that's how old I was when we lived in that particular house.
Micah Hanks on Coast to Coast Dec. 27
Micah Hanks will be the guest on C2C on the 27th. Be sure to listen if you can!The Unexplained - Shows - Coast to Coast AM
What Does John Barrowman’s New ABC Pilot Mean For Torchwood’s Future? | Giant Freakin Robot
I love love love Torchwood. The original BBC series was the best version but I liked the STARZ! take over very much. So, will Torchwood return, in some form, somewhere, in 2013? News is ... sketchy. John Barrowman, aka Torchwood's Captain Jack Harkness, has a pilot for ABC:What Does John Barrowman’s New ABC Pilot Mean For Torchwood’s Future? | Giant Freakin Robot. I can't imagine Barrowman as anything other than Captain Jack, but then, I realize. I am an adult, and this is all just TV. (Yet, I also just know there is a FRINGE division somewhere I can join, or an X-Files department, or the Talamasca. I just know it. . . )
The ABC series sounds interesting and yes, I'd give it a try. This leaves room for a new Torchwood, possibly. A friend of mine who loves Torchwood thinks the series is doomed since it went to STARZ! because of the open pan-sexuality of the characters. I disagree; people know what the show is about, and if that sexuality offends you, you don't know Jack. Heh.
Simple Farm Folk vs. The City Slickers
Random thought on the Trent silliness. Actually, this comes from Jim, who said, upon reading Bragalia's article: "Wouldn't it be the other way around --- sophisticated city folk pulling one over on those dumb ol' farm folk?" This in context of Bragalia's speculation that Paul Trent, bewitched by the magic of a new fangled thing called a camera, and bored as well, hoaxed the iconic photos: "“Fun” during those times, in that kind of place, may have encompassed playing around with a new camera, wanting to outwit the city folks, involve the family in some UFO entertainment..."A reversal on the stereotype of the dumb rural hick who sees little green men and flying saucers, while the urban dwellers aren't so easily fooled by such nonsense.
The Creepy Reptilian Conspiracy Theory Photo Gallery - - Conspiracies on truTV.com
I missed this episode; have to catch up. You know I love the reptilians,er, reptoids, I'm told is the more accurate term. It's a fascinating branch of UFO Forteana to be sure. One interesting connection made last night on Coast to Coast -- guest John Rhodes, on the reptoids -- made with the Djinn. I think there's a lot to be said about the Djinn and what we call ETs and UFOs. But a more specific connection, from reptoid to Djinn? Never occurred to me. Here's the link to Conspiracy Theory:The Creepy Reptilian Conspiracy Theory Photo Gallery - - Conspiracies on truTV.com enjoy!
Revisiting the Tempest in a Teapot: McMinnville UFO Photos Faked. Again.
Labels: binnall of america, bloggers, chronic skeptic capers, classism, gender, hoaxes, McMinnville, media, Oregon UFOs, Trent photos, Trickster
UPDATES: lots of comments at the Bragalia blog, to be expected, but one thread I find interesting concerns the boy on the ladder photo. Which, according to some, was not taken by Trent... and so, this iconic story continues as the mystery it is. Nothing proven to debunk or that shows definitively, that the Trent photos were fake.
Were the famous McMinnville UFO photos fakes after all? The iconic snapshots nothing but a hoax? Does this mean it's curtains for the annual UFO Fest in McMinnville, Oregon? Speculation from The Bragalia Files: MAKE-BELIEVE IN MCMINNVILLE: FAMOUS 1950 UFO PHOTOS FAKED? says it could be so.
After all this time, it's almost impossible to determine if the photos are of a genuine UFO, or simply fakes. The evidence presented by Bragalia is only speculation surrounding the facts: a photo of the Trent's little boy, on a ladder under the wires where the spaceship was seen, and photographed. The fact the Trents were "repeaters" -- repeat witnesses. But that last bit; the "repeater" label, doesn't prove anything either way. Many UFO witnesses (myself included) are "repeaters." Some of us have had encounters going back to childhood. Granted, Bragalia comments: "As Jerry Seinfeld might say, “not that there’s anything wrong with that” but then puts a judgement on how a witness should respond to a sighting. Referring to Mrs. Trent, Bragalia writes:
Then there's the note, sent to Paul Trent, with Bragalia's oddly gender specific observation that it's in "male writing." This note was no doubt written by a close friend, Bragalia tells us, since said friend used his initials. From that we are to infer note writer and Trent were close friends, and the note itself? Hints that the whole thing was a hoax.
Finally, we have the over the top classist assumptions about the Trents and the community of McMinnville in Yamhill County Oregon. Phrases like "farming folks", "farm boy" and this description of "simple farm folk" pulling one over on them there city slickers:
The Trents never were paid for their photos, or anything else concerning the UFO images. When the Trents wanted the photos returned in the 1970s, this was because, Bragalia speculates, they wanted the "accrued value" of the images.
This is not the first time Bragalia, as well as his associates, have attempted to expose McMinnville as a hoax. I wrote about that for UFO Digest in 2007. Revealing a third, "lost" Trent photo, we were promised, sort of, a revelation. Turns out the whole thing was a hoax. Er, that is, not McMinnville, but the third lost photo. McMinnville, at the time of the Trent sighting, was an active place for UFO sightings. More than fifty years later, that area is still a little hotspot for UFO sightings. Whether or not the Trent photos were fakes, well, we still don't know to this day. This recent speculation is just that, interesting, but certainly not proof in any way that McMinnville was a hoax.
Further reading:
Were the famous McMinnville UFO photos fakes after all? The iconic snapshots nothing but a hoax? Does this mean it's curtains for the annual UFO Fest in McMinnville, Oregon? Speculation from The Bragalia Files: MAKE-BELIEVE IN MCMINNVILLE: FAMOUS 1950 UFO PHOTOS FAKED? says it could be so.
After all this time, it's almost impossible to determine if the photos are of a genuine UFO, or simply fakes. The evidence presented by Bragalia is only speculation surrounding the facts: a photo of the Trent's little boy, on a ladder under the wires where the spaceship was seen, and photographed. The fact the Trents were "repeaters" -- repeat witnesses. But that last bit; the "repeater" label, doesn't prove anything either way. Many UFO witnesses (myself included) are "repeaters." Some of us have had encounters going back to childhood. Granted, Bragalia comments: "As Jerry Seinfeld might say, “not that there’s anything wrong with that” but then puts a judgement on how a witness should respond to a sighting. Referring to Mrs. Trent, Bragalia writes:
...but when you combine her prior UFO interest and prior sightings, her later sightings, her family discussions about UFOs- with the fact that Mrs. Trent reported being the first to see the photographed UFO- it is Mrs. Trent who should have been given more attention when investigating the photos. Paul finally got his wife a photograph of one of her coveted UFOs. She was certainly one darn lucky “repeat witness.”
Then there's the note, sent to Paul Trent, with Bragalia's oddly gender specific observation that it's in "male writing." This note was no doubt written by a close friend, Bragalia tells us, since said friend used his initials. From that we are to infer note writer and Trent were close friends, and the note itself? Hints that the whole thing was a hoax.
Finally, we have the over the top classist assumptions about the Trents and the community of McMinnville in Yamhill County Oregon. Phrases like "farming folks", "farm boy" and this description of "simple farm folk" pulling one over on them there city slickers:
“Fun” during those times, in that kind of place, may have encompassed playing around with a new camera, wanting to outwit the city folks, involve the family in some UFO entertainment and satisfy a wife’s saucer interests.
The Trents never were paid for their photos, or anything else concerning the UFO images. When the Trents wanted the photos returned in the 1970s, this was because, Bragalia speculates, they wanted the "accrued value" of the images.
This is not the first time Bragalia, as well as his associates, have attempted to expose McMinnville as a hoax. I wrote about that for UFO Digest in 2007. Revealing a third, "lost" Trent photo, we were promised, sort of, a revelation. Turns out the whole thing was a hoax. Er, that is, not McMinnville, but the third lost photo. McMinnville, at the time of the Trent sighting, was an active place for UFO sightings. More than fifty years later, that area is still a little hotspot for UFO sightings. Whether or not the Trent photos were fakes, well, we still don't know to this day. This recent speculation is just that, interesting, but certainly not proof in any way that McMinnville was a hoax.
Further reading:
Reptilians on Coast to Coast
In my top ten of favorite UFO/Fortean/Folklore subjects, the reptilians. Tonight's topic on Coast to Coast. Reptilians - Shows - Coast to Coast AM
Aliens battle BA-D-ASS cowboys at Mr. Big’s Skinwalker Ranch | STARpod US
With Google map location.Aliens battle BA-D-ASS cowboys at Mr. Big’s Skinwalker Ranch | STARpod US
STARGATE007 | Spies, Lies, and Polygraph Tape: The UFO Spy Games
Worth reading.STARGATE007 | Spies, Lies, and Polygraph Tape: The UFO Spy Games
Also, see my post on the Jesse Ventura Bigelow-Skinwalker episode.
Also, see my post on the Jesse Ventura Bigelow-Skinwalker episode.
Parallel Sibling History
Labels: abductees, Entering the Orb, Trickster
My husband and I have many parallel experiences, many connected to UFO and paranormal events. I've written many times about these experiences: shared images, dreams, UFO related encounters, etc. We even lived a few blocks from each other when we were young, before we ever met each other.
And even though we've been married over thirty years, it's surprising, sometimes, when we realize we don't everything about each other. I forget what the context was -- how it came up -- but I mentioned his mother's (since passed) TB. When Jim was a very young child, his mother underwent several painful treatments for TB, including a stay in a TB sanitarium. At that, Jim told me his mother's sister -- who would had been his aunt -- had died when his mother and her sister were children. Her name was "Violeta."
"Are you kidding me?!" I said. I then told him that my father's (also passed) sister died when they were children, and her name was also "Violetta." Now, their names weren't really Violetta -- I'm not disclosing the real name. But their names were both unusual names, and so it is quite a coincidence (really, synchronicity!) that both sisters had that same unusual name. (Also, my father was about 20 years younger than my Jim's mother, who had Jim late in life.)
BIZARRE EXPERIMENTATIONS - ARE THE OCCUPANTS OF USO’S ABDUCTING HUMANS AND TRANSPORTING THEM TO UNDERSEA UFO BASES?
Can't wait to read this new one by Tim Beckley. Sean Casteel reviews on UFO Digest:
BIZARRE EXPERIMENTATIONS - ARE THE OCCUPANTS OF USO’S ABDUCTING HUMANS AND TRANSPORTING THEM TO UNDERSEA UFO BASES?: In the book “UFO Abduction From Undersea,” published by Timothy Green Beckley through his publishing company Global Communications, I contributed some opening chapters on USOs to set the stage for a book coauthored by Miami UFO researcher Virgilio Sanchez-Ocejo and the late Colonel (Ret) Wendelle Stevens about a fascinating USO case that took place in 1979.
“UFO Abduction From Undersea” begins, fittingly enough, with the attempt to define just what an USO is. In an interview I conducted for the book with world-renowned UFO researcher Stanton Friedman, he told me, “There have been a number of reports over the years of objects that do several things. Navy submarines have apparently seen things moving along much faster than they can underwater, without going in or coming out. Others have seen UFOs come down in the water and move around and then take off from the water. And there have been reports of things that just come bursting forth out of the water.”
Lesley Gunter's "Light in the Night"
Lesley's new Grey Matters is available at Tim Binnall's site, and it is a very unnerving story! If the object was a drone -- one of ours -- why the strange physical effects not only on humans but animals? It's bad enough the drones, or, whatever they are, are doing what they do, but that humans would add a "fear factor" element that messes with our physical bodies as well as psychological/emotional -- again, including animals -- that is scary. And, of course, if it isn't human caused, well then, of course, that is also damn unnerving.
More Beams
A semi-new characteristic of UFOs witnesses have been reporting: beams of light shooting down from the craft. The latest reported by Roger Marsh at UFO Digest:
Two objects emitting 'vertical beams of light to ground': A Pennsylvania witness at Erie reported watching two stationary lights in the sky that appeared to be sending vertical beams of light to the ground about 5:15 a.m. on December 6, 2012, according to testimony from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) witness reporting database.I had intended to post links to past articles I wrote on beams at UFO Mystic, but the blog seems to be down at the moment.
Mini MUFON Facebook Rant
Just feeling very grumpy tonight: "Some MUFON folks are such stick in the muds. So fucking SERIOUS. "Science based this..." and "hard evidence that" and... look, kids, UFOs are crazy wild things with no sense and witness accounts vary like mad. So either help the witness and be true to the data or shut the hell up and take that stick out of your bum."
Jesse Ventura's Conspiracy Theory Skinwalker Episode
I was looking forward to this one, the paranormal and overall very strange events at the Utah Skinwalker Ranch being one of my favorite Fortean/UFO stories.
But I was disappointed in the recent Tru TV episode of Conspiracy Theory, hosted by Jesse Ventura. Most glaring: the complete absence of George Knapp or Colm Kelleher, authors of Hunt for the Skinwalker, which brought the exceedingly odd events at that place to the public. It's possible they were invited by the producers but for their own reasons turned them down.
On the other hand, I always have to remember that shows like this are made for the television audience, including those who may not know much, if anything, of UFOs and related conspiracies. So in a general sense, at least the program brought the whole Bigelow MUFON relationship to everyone's attention. That is still a very strange thing: remember, UFO reports are now to be reported to Bigelow-MUFON-'BAASS' [Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies ], not the government. (See directive from the Federal Aviation Administration.)
Conspiracy Theory told us that Bigelow now owns the Skinwalker ranch, and weird goings on are still happening. The theory pushed by the show (including researcher and author Preston Dennett, who made a brief appearance) was that aliens are here, and they're bad -- murdering, murderous bad -- and Bigelow knows it. In fact, the aliens are hanging out at the ranch, and woe to anyone who trespasses, for surely the aliens will kill you dead.
The theory not offered, and that I think is far more likely, is one that combines two elements. One, the area is certainly "haunted" -- not necessarily by ghosts, (though that could be a part of it, who knows,) but by generally weird paranormal stuff. Going back hundreds of years, the area has been known to harbor all kinds of supernatural energies. A vortex, a portal, but something in that area that's been present for a very long time; something that can be safely termed paranormal. UFOs are a part of this anomalous history, as Frank Salisbury's 1974 book The Utah UFO Display. As to the Skinwalker ranch, I think it's a reasonable 'conspiracy theory' to assume the Bigelow cartel is aware of these paranormal (and or alien) energies, and is using their own technology to manipulate these energies. Including any ETs that may be afoot.
Like the areas in Ohio and West Virginia -- Mothman country -- the powers that be, those with money and the power to be as covert as they damn well please use those areas for their own agendas. It's not an either or situation; you know, is Mothman real, are there really ETs in Utah? It's not so simplistic as some want us to believe.
Aside from the killing aliens on the Utah ranch, there is Bigelow's on-going space ship project. Big questions the Conspiracy Theory team were asking about a civilian -- Bigelow-- able to put his space-stations up in space. How is it, they asked, that a private citizen can build and launch these things? Never really answered, but the answer is obvious: money and connections. Thinking that Robert Bigelow is simply a really very rich person with a rocket obsession is naive. However, the why of Bigelow's homes in space was answered: to save us, (well, him and his friends, clearly not any of us) from the evil killing aliens.
Another interesting moment in the program: retired Army Colonel John R. Alexander. He was both creepily coy as well as efficacious, giving no real answers, which of course wasn't unexpected -- his legend in UFO Land is a sinister one.
The most blatant and arrogant element in all this: both Alexander and Bigelow remarked that (paraphrasing) the public doesn't have any particular right to know the truth on UFOs. UFO reports, data, research -- not a given that the public should know, or needs to know. Bigelow and Co. are collecting what they can and keeping it to themselves. That attitude -- that a quasi private citizen with enough money is the winner in UFO Land -- is a heinous one. The fact that MUFON supports this is equally disturbing.
It seems that the past few years, the biggest and most unethical of behaviors and practices (i.e., David Jacobs) continue, even after a period of discussion. But after things die down, they're allowed to continue as before. Jacobs is still out there doing his UFO thing, and plenty are actively supporting and following him. There was a flurry of suspicion and discussion around the Bigelow-BAASS-MUFON alliance, but, they're still doing whatever covert thing or things they're doing. Any criticism or investigation into their cloistered activities won't stop them, but maybe that's not the point. (not so much, anyway.) Simply bringing this to everyone's attention is enough, for now.
UFOs and the Moon: Using Oracles | UFO Digest provides video proof of ufos, alien abduction and the paranormal.
My newest at UFO Digest:UFOs and the Moon: Using Oracles | UFO Digest provides video proof of ufos, alien abduction and the paranormal.
Mechanical Voices, Aliens and Mothman: Shared Source? | MOTHMAN FLUTTERINGS
From a blog post I shared at Mothman Flutterings in 2009, a new comment that is very interesting: Mechanical Voices, Aliens and Mothman. (Note: this was left on my WP blog, where I no longer post. For current Mothman Flutterings posts visit Mothman Flutterings II on blogger.)
LIZARD PEOPLE IN PORTUGAL – An Invasive Mind Scan Carried Out by Reptilians — World Mysteries Blog
(with thanks to @anomalist on Twitter for link.)Ken Bakeman on Reptilian abduction techniques, including orange orbs. LIZARD PEOPLE IN PORTUGAL – An Invasive Mind Scan Carried Out by Reptilians — World Mysteries Blog.
About those orbs:
I love a good Reptilian story! And no, I'm not being flip, I really do. What's behind all that, I have no idea. Not having experienced anything related to Reptilians, not for me to say. As to the orbs, "my" orb experience involved an intelligently controlled, or, sentient itself, orange orb. No loud sounds however,though, there was missing time, telepathic communications and terrifying dreams, among other happenings.
Whatever one makes of stories like Bakeman's, it's most definitely a UFO-Fortean's kind of story.
About those orbs:
2. Orbs of bright light, commonly of a orange color.
Orbs, or glowing spheres of different colors, were a feature in several of my encounters with Reptilians. (See here for a partial discussion of this.) These orbs are not by any means limited to use by the Reptilians. Based on what I have witnessed and personally been through over a span of some forty-plus years they are a standard vehicle utilized by a wide range of beings and entities who have commerce with the fauna, including of course humans, living on the terrestrial hardscape. It seems, based on what I’ve been able to determine from my various experiences, that these energetic orbs facilitate a translation back and forth between a physical form and, for lack of better terms, an etherial composition. If it can be summarized, I think that orbs are a means by which consciousness can be concentrated and positioned as desired or needed. In many cases the orbs as seen from outside were either a pearly-white color or, as in a NDE I went through in Germany, the orb was perfectly clear with an astonishing crystal city inside of it. In the case of Reptilians who were instigating malicious abduction events I’ve had situations where a blinding, bright orange orb was positioned directly in front of me, coinciding with the extremely loud siren sound and headache techniques discussed as follows.
I love a good Reptilian story! And no, I'm not being flip, I really do. What's behind all that, I have no idea. Not having experienced anything related to Reptilians, not for me to say. As to the orbs, "my" orb experience involved an intelligently controlled, or, sentient itself, orange orb. No loud sounds however,though, there was missing time, telepathic communications and terrifying dreams, among other happenings.
Whatever one makes of stories like Bakeman's, it's most definitely a UFO-Fortean's kind of story.
Rendlesham UFO Incident: Coast to Coast Tonight
My favorite host, George Knapp subject:Rendlesham UFO Incident.
US Military Enlists Amateurs to Track Space Junk
Maybe I'm too far down the rabbit hole but my first thought when I saw this item was one filled with suspicion, underscored when I saw 'DARPA' in the mix. filled US Military Enlists Amateurs to Track Space Junk
UFO: Triangle object flies over Merlin, Oregon : The Canadian National Newspaper
The Fortean named town of Merlin, where I once read, years ago, about deer roaming the "downtown" streets, and something about Bigfoot, once. Anyway, here's a recent UFO sighting:UFO: Triangle object flies over Merlin, Oregon : The Canadian National Newspaper
Coast to Coast Tonight: ET Contact, Host John B. Wells
Robert Potter, UFO witness several times over, discussing underground bases and much more. My kind of show!ET Contacts - Shows - Coast to Coast AM
The Cycle of No There There: 'UFO enthusiasts admit the truth may not be out there after all'
Labels: academia, Amazing Randi, black helicopters, cockamamie theories, conspiracy, cover-up, disinfo, infrastructure, international ufos, meme
Once again, we see an item on how there's nothing to UFOs. Not from the overt and pathological skeptic crowd, but from the meh realm. UFO enthusiasts admit the truth may not be out there after all - Telegraph
This is not news. Oh, I don't doubt the debunkers and "skeptics" will jump all over this to support their ludicrous opinions on the UFO phenomena. It'll be juicy news for their disingenuous little black hearts.
We've seen this meme many times over the past few years. A few items here and there on how: UFO sightings are down, reports are down, UFO "enthusiasts" have given up, UFO organizations have closed their doors, and so on.
These fluffy little pieces circle around like black helicopters.
Feh.
This is not news. Oh, I don't doubt the debunkers and "skeptics" will jump all over this to support their ludicrous opinions on the UFO phenomena. It'll be juicy news for their disingenuous little black hearts.
We've seen this meme many times over the past few years. A few items here and there on how: UFO sightings are down, reports are down, UFO "enthusiasts" have given up, UFO organizations have closed their doors, and so on.
These fluffy little pieces circle around like black helicopters.
Feh.
Red Pills of the Week — November 3rd | Mysterious Universe
All good, but I particularly liked what RPJ had to say about David Icke. Who is, in so many ways, a giant tool. But let's not be too hasty. RPJ comments:
Yeah, Icke and his outré ideas are easy target. But, I must admit that since the core of his main message is intrinsically gnostic, as a gnostic myself I can certainly entertain the notion that what we perceive as the ‘real world’ is but a very thin outer layer, hidden deeper levels where unknown beings might be lurking.Red Pills of the Week — November 3rd | Mysterious Universe
The Big Study: Trickster Strike!!!
Wonderful little piece on seemingly every day and mundane oddness, and yet...The Big Study: Trickster Strike!!!
I wasn't sure where to post this link, here, Women of Esoterica, Ecto-ville, what? But, as anyone inveigled in UFOs knows, synchronicities as well as missing items and all manner of trickster like events occur often. In Trickster Strike! the person involved is a UFO researcher, which, it seems to me, is not an unrelated component.
KathleenMarden:'Results of Abductee Study' and The Abduction Question
Marden's site: KathleenMardenUFO results of study here. Kathleen Marden is Betty Hill's niece and co-author, with Stanton Friedman, of Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience. I was fortuante enough to see both Friedman and Marden speak at the McMinnville UFO Festival a couple of years ago. (I even was lucky enough to interview Mr. Friedman. Who, I'm sure, thought I was a bit of a ditz, since I was old school and used only a notebook; no tape, recorder, etc. just me and my pen. But he was extremely polite and too much a gentleman and professional to let on.)
I was born in 1954, and so of course found this greatly interesting:
The study contributes important data to be sure. What it all means and how it all gets interpreted; that's to be seen of course.
I've never felt I could be honest and participate in studies like this, because the question is always presented with the assumption the respondent knows they've been abducted. I don't know any such thing. However, at least two episodes of missing time connected to UFO sightings, vivid dreams involving aliens and UFOs, a life time of consciously remembered UFO and alien sightings and interactions, karmic, shared, and parallel UFO related experiences regards my spouse, all point to a huge "We have no flippin' idea what abductions are; if they're literal physical events or what, but it does seem awfully and enormously significant, doesn't it?" question.
Nearly a year ago, Denise Stoner and I met to discuss the commonalities that alien abduction experiencers share. As longtime abduction investigators/researchers, we were aware of certain repeating patterns of information and characteristics. The pertinent literature, the academic social science studies and the works of David Jacobs, PhD, Thomas Bullard, PhD, Yvonne Smith, and the late Budd Hopkins, John Mack, MD, and others had identified several commonalities among abduction experiencers. But we had not been able to locate an academic study that was specific to our particular interests.
I was born in 1954, and so of course found this greatly interesting:
We were interested in identifying possible trends among age groups, partly due to the fact that a significant number of abduction experiencers in the 50+ age group had reported their experiences to us within recent months. Our intuition was correct. 44% of the AE Group participants were born in the 1950’s, although only 20% of the NAE Group was in the same age group. This figure drops dramatically for those born in the 1940’s (18%) and the 1960’s (26%).
The study contributes important data to be sure. What it all means and how it all gets interpreted; that's to be seen of course.
I've never felt I could be honest and participate in studies like this, because the question is always presented with the assumption the respondent knows they've been abducted. I don't know any such thing. However, at least two episodes of missing time connected to UFO sightings, vivid dreams involving aliens and UFOs, a life time of consciously remembered UFO and alien sightings and interactions, karmic, shared, and parallel UFO related experiences regards my spouse, all point to a huge "We have no flippin' idea what abductions are; if they're literal physical events or what, but it does seem awfully and enormously significant, doesn't it?" question.
Nick Redfern on Coast to Coast Tonight with host George Knapp
Nick Redfern is tonight's guest on Coast to Coast, with host George Knapp. Now you know it's going to be a great show!They'll be discussing the World's Weirdest Places.
alienviews: Don't...
Alfred Lehmberg's latest, on his blog alien views:
As always, right on Alfred!
alienviews: Don't...: But our contentious skeptibunkies, braying, scorning—mocking flunkies... These will hoot, pronounce soft *phacts*, and from the truth, you bet, detract. All, I think, to keep you working, making babies, crying—hurting... ...Still, they're REAL and would upset the "apple cart" ill *owned*, as yet.
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Yes, we'd have the truth; condone it! We've paid for it in blood. We own it! Were not served, in fact ill-served, to be denied the truths observed. Had we some "truth," we'd, then, build true... avoid those pitfalls as construed, avoid perhaps, the forecast "planned..." ...we'd have FOUNDATION, understand?!
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Sceptic! Don't pretend, at all, concern; you will come to live and learn—at issue is the profiteering you enjoy while proudly sneering!
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Don't think that you provide a service. Don't think that you provide for "calm"—be nervous! Don't pretend that fear's deterred in blandishments you purr—absurd!
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As always, right on Alfred!
On Coast to Coast tonight: James Wasserman, Occult & Spiritual Quest
Occult and Spiritual Quest on Coast to Coast AM: "Author James Wasserman will discuss the importance of the spiritual quest, the power and influence of secret societies, the occult practices of Aleister Crowley, and how awakenings during the 60s and 70s were fueled by the embrace of Eastern religions, and Western Magic."
When It Comes To UFOs, Why Do Debunkers Do That Debunking Thing They Do?
I have it up at UFO Digest:When It Comes To UFOs, Why Do Debunkers Do That Debunking Thing They Do?
Halloween Tarot
A pretty neat deck; the Halloween deck -- I would feel all right using, when the mood strikes. There are some cards I'm not overly crazy about, but others I do like, shown here. I haven't seen the entire deck and of course haven't read with them, but it does seem like fun. One thing I do like is using multiple decks in a reading; something I've been working with lately via the Doreen Virture Healing with Angels course. Here's a multi-deck reading, using the Halloween deck, at Tarotize, from Lisa FLloyd.
C2C Tonight: Forecasting, Tracking and Analyzing Global Trends
Host John B. Wells, on Coast to Coast, with guest Gerald Celente, tonight:Forecasting, Tracking and Analyzing Global Trends | Trends Research Institute
The Absurd Bits
I wrote this in August of 2011 for Tim Binnall's Binnall of America site. I still think these are important points. You can read the whole piece at Binnall, here's an excerpt:Trickster's Realm: "Absurd Bits" in Fortean Phenomena
Reading one of my favorite esoteric Fortean authors Colin Bennett right now: Flying Saucers Over the White House; The Inside Story of Captain Edward J. Ruppelt and His Official U.S. Airforce Investigation of UFOs. I'm only just into it, but, as usual when I read Bennett, there is so much rich, juicy and insightful right on stuff it's exhilarating. It's almost too much, one quick brilliant statement after another. One of the numerous gems is the "psychosocial filter" as Bennett calls it concerning UFO (and, I'll add, paranormal events in general) witness experiences:
Reading one of my favorite esoteric Fortean authors Colin Bennett right now: Flying Saucers Over the White House; The Inside Story of Captain Edward J. Ruppelt and His Official U.S. Airforce Investigation of UFOs. I'm only just into it, but, as usual when I read Bennett, there is so much rich, juicy and insightful right on stuff it's exhilarating. It's almost too much, one quick brilliant statement after another. One of the numerous gems is the "psychosocial filter" as Bennett calls it concerning UFO (and, I'll add, paranormal events in general) witness experiences:
It is an amusing feature of the Western mind that those people who have had a UFO experience of any kind are judged to be people least worthy of analyzing that experience." [Bennett]
The witness is often treated as an afterthought, or even an embarrassment. And all is lost if the witness has things that clogs up that "psychosocial filter":
The courts of "proper" debate rule out any odd, highly individualized, comic, or ludicrous or absurd elements. Here we see the most tragic-comic emblem of mankind's philosophy: get rid of the nutcases and there will be revealed the shining truth. [Bennett: 39]
"Just give us the reptoids" | De Void
I want the reptoid stuff too! Although I think they're living underground in the L.A. sewer system and not on Mars. On Mars, that's a whole different alien thing going on. Billy Cox's comment in the comment section is a good explanation on why it's necessary to post stories like this in UFO Land. Just give us the reptoids | De Void
UFOs, et al: ECETI Ranch UFOs Ignored
UFOs, et al: For seasoned UFO watchers, happenings at the ECETI Ranch in Washington State are nothing new, but we were directed by the Sky Brothers on September 30, 2012 to feature it on this website. Why? Because so much positive out-of-this-world activity happens there and it’s being squelched by the media and drowned out by coverage of grey aliens and the dark side of UFO phenomena.I haven't (yet) been to the ECETI Ranch, but I know people who have been there. Amazing things are seen there, indeed. I can't comment to any direct experience of course. But I find the above statement interesting in terms of dichotomy. Whatever, whoever, aliens are, one thing seems pretty obvious: there's more than one type. And the dark side exists, like it or not. I have known many people involved with UFOs who reject any discussion of this so-called "dark side" of the phenomena. I don't deny anyone's experience, or interpretation, but I find it frustrating when I come across such naive responses.
It is fascinating what's happening at the ranch, and, the fact that government agencies are involved, various news media have been out there and yet, the MSM continues to ignore the events happening there. On the other hand, shouldn't be too surprised. And while the general culture indulges in the negative, regardless of topic, it's our human failing. Ignoring it exists is also a failing. Somewhere there's a balance. That can only happen when we're completely honest to what's going on; good, bad, indifferent.
UFO Magazine - UFO Magazine Blog - From Jahel to Dulce: The Fascinating Life of Cherry�Hinkle
Adam Gorightly has a good piece over at the UFO Magazine blog. It's an interview with UFO researcher Cherry Hinkle, who's been looking into UFOs for a very long time. Hinkle is both a researcher and a contactee. UFO Magazine - UFO Magazine Blog - From Jahel to Dulce: The Fascinating Life of Cherry Hinkle.
I have been a contactee since a preschool child. Beings contacted me every two years; no matter if I lived in the United States or elsewhere. At the age of 8, I was reading the works of Madame Helene Blavatsky, and understanding the occult. The unusual and the paranormal was my average day.
By the early 1960’s I had already experienced enough unusual events that I felt confident I would never be unnerved by a strange event. But I was mistaken.
Heyday of Rock on Coast to Coast Tonight
Host John B. Wells, with Leslie West of Mountain, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Jacasady of Jefferson Airpland, and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Heyday of Rock - Shows - Coast to Coast AM Links to artist sites at Coast to Coast.
Ecto-Ville: Alien Vampires and Bigfoot Ghosts
Somewhat related to the post below, in a round about way, on my ghost blog Ecto-ville:Ecto-Ville: Alien Vampires and Bigfoot Ghosts
Glowing Eyed Annunaki
Labels: aliens, animal guides, astral plane, books, Coast to Coast, dreams, Tarot cardsMarshall Klarfeld: The Anunnaki Were Here
Our subconscious does strange things when you're sick, on pain meds, and listen to Coast to Coast in the dark.
Last night's guest on C2C was Marshall Klarfeld author of The Anunnaki Were Here! A fascinating interview. (I bought the Kindle version of the book this morning.) Klarfeld's take on things alien expands the theories of Zecharia Sitchin. Klarfeld's research shows that there are ancient structures all over the planet that have to do with gold mining, which is, "as Ancient Alien Theorists contend" the reason for the Annunaki presence on our planet. Here's a blurb on the book from his site:THE ANUNNAKI WERE HERE, Marshall's new book contains over 95 color pictures introducing his new theory of "washboard gold mining" by the Anunnaki. This book may rank as one of the 10 Most Important Archaeological Finds of the 21st Century.I liked Marshall Klarfeld's approach; open to other, concurrent theories as well, it seems pretty straightforward the Anunnaki were once here, given all the evidence. As he put it, the pieces of the puzzle just fit, in giving support for the idea that the Anunnaki were (and still are) present on the earth.
Glowing Eyed Annunaki
So in my drugged state, while listening to the program, I had the following dream:
Jim and I are in Egypt. It's night, and we're a bit lost. We find ourselves on a large path, like a promenade, by the sea. (A recurring dream symbol for me.) We have to make it to our plane, or some kind of transportation to leave the next day, but in the meantime, we have to find a place to hang out for the night. We're a little worried about having all our papers, and making it to where we have to be the next day in time.
Not many people around here at night. Just the reflections of distant lights onto he dark water. We pass by the back of a large building, like a hotel, but there's no name or anything to tell us what the building is. We assume it's a free, hostel kind of place. There's a large sliding glass door that's unlocked, we go in. A few bean bag chairs, a cot like bed, comfy and clean but sparse. We go in and rest. I find a copy of a UFO book written in the 1940s about ancient astronauts. I am tickled to find a UFO book to take with me; I assume it's for the taking, as many motels have a book exchange. Inside the book there are several passages circled and underlined.
Anubis, god of the underworld
Then we begin to see the Annunaki walking around, outside. They're peering inside our room, they're walking all around. It's a bit scary. They're tall and thin, and have glowing eyes, with no pupils. Their eyes are glowing a light blue. We start to run out of there, grab a few things, then I realize this is actually someone's apartment, and not an open room for weary travelers. There's a large messenger bag that obviously belongs to someone, and a duffel bag. Someone else is traveling along this way. We're trespassing and stealing, but at this point, I don't care. Our safety is the only thing I'm concerned about.
As we're running from the Annunaki , even though they're not a direct threat, not yet anyway, we pass by a few Anubis. They also have glowing eyes, with no pupils. Their eyes emit a brilliant white light.
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| Another eye: Eye of Horus |
There's the impression that these beings are alive and well and everyone knows about them. They only come out at night, and that's why everyone is inside. They're not a direct threat, not exactly, but it's not something you want to be around if you can help it.
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| Deviant Moon Tarot, Patrick Velenza, artist |
A bit unrelated but the first thing that came into my mind when I woke up was this card from the Deviant Moon Tarot deck. This deck has become one of my favorites, and this card has always been a card that draws me. The page is dressed in royal colors and finery, and keeps his lighted, glowing eye on ...? The sword, which cuts through spirit and emotions, getting to the knowledge? Or looking ahead, sword poised, at the ready? The page is youth; eager, wandering, seeking. Traditional meaning for this card includes: energy, passion (that youth), journeys, beginnings, news. Often times a stormy beginning or energy afoot. Often assigned the sign of Taurus -- the bull. Which brings us to the Egyptian Apis bull, representing regeneration.
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| Egyptian Apis, believed to be public domain image |
Basket/Bathtub UFO Dream
Labels: abduction, aliens, astral plane, dreams, Entering the Orb
A recurring dream I had as a young child. Timeframe 1959, early 1960s. Los Angeles, California. I had lots of dreams connected to alien, non-human beings, which included being floated out through walls and doors and placed in a large tree at night. There I'd sit/wait/watch the starry night sky...
One recurring dream motif I remember has me standing outside, at night, on our block. Usually at the corner (near that large tree, that was easily three or four stories tall) which was at the corner. The tree belonged to our neighbor; we were the second house down from the corner. Waiting, outside, at night, sometimes I was with others, usually children. And up in the sky, not much higher than that tree, came the "ship." Sometimes it was a giant basket, like the ones seen with hot air balloons. But no giant balloon; just the basket and something above that, like a dome thing, some kind of machine. Other times, instead of a basket, it was an over sized bathtub. Inside the baskets, or bathtubs, were one or two people, adults, in uniforms.
I had this dream many times. Always the same: at night, alone or sometimes with others, mainly children, in front of, or near, our house. Waiting. Waiting for what I thought of as my friends -- these people in uniforms, in their floating bathtubs or baskets, were always pleased to see us. They took us away on purpose. This was a regular thing.
What that purpose was, I have no idea. That I don't remember.
Mike Bara, Debunkers
Labels: academia, aliens, C2C, chronic skeptic capers, chronic skepticism, cover-up, Edgar Mitchell
UFOs, et al: UNDERWATER HUMANOIDS
I love these kinds of stories:UFOs, et al: UNDERWATER HUMANOIDS
They dove at the strange cubic rock and attempted to pick some cockleshells out of it, but suddenly they all heard a strange voice that sounded straight inside their heads, “Don’t do that! Don’t do
that!” These words were repeated several times. Amazingly the crater had now vanished and the men suddenly saw remarkable ancient ruins, positioned far from the, resembling ancient Greek ruins.
Skeptic Chutzpah/Spam, No Damn Apoloigies, and Ancient Aliens
In March, I made an attempt to "live blog" an episode of Ancient Aliens. Just for fun. Decided it wasn't worth the effort and kind of silly so I doubt I'll do that again with any program. Love the show, just not into the running commentary/live blogging performance art thing. Anyway, a skeptic spammed/left the following link on that post:debunking ancient aliens
I commented that, given his demonstration of chutzpah in leaving his comment in this Blog Queen's realm, (realm of the Pacific Northwest, Lesley Gunter is the Queen of the Southwest) where debunkers and skeptics are not entertained with consideration, I'll post it anyway.
Speaking of skeptics, my latest Trickster's Realm column is up at Tim Binnall's site: The Prove It Game.
I commented that, given his demonstration of chutzpah in leaving his comment in this Blog Queen's realm, (realm of the Pacific Northwest, Lesley Gunter is the Queen of the Southwest) where debunkers and skeptics are not entertained with consideration, I'll post it anyway.
Speaking of skeptics, my latest Trickster's Realm column is up at Tim Binnall's site: The Prove It Game.
Skeptics and debunkers respond to the passive aggressive use of the word "claims" of Fortean events by flatly commenting "The burden of proof is upon the teller of the tale." Oh bullshit. Go away.
It's that whole moving the goalpost gambit; framing anomalous events within a game context. Games have rules. Therefore, prove you saw a UFO or Bigfoot or that you journeyed to Venus with the space brethren. But it's not a game. Well, it certainly does seem to be a game, actually, but it isn't being played by our rules. Thousands of years of the fantastical have shown us that. So why are some stuck in the belief that the game has rules we understand or that the rules are fair? It's obvious it's their game -- whoever "they" are -- and the rules, if any, are slippery fuckers.
forgetomori A UFO Shark Tale
UFOs are real and that is not up for debate in my world. At the same time, there are many things up there that are mundane and have nothing to do with aliens or shadow government ops, as Forgetomori demonstrates with images of everyday objects: forgetomori A UFO Shark Tale.
Getting 'The Feeling'
Karen Meyers's recent item at UFO Digest resonates with me. In Getting 'The Feeling' Meyers discusses that physical as well as psychological knowing, that awareness, that a UFO is near. Not only near, but calling you, in a sense. Something compels you to look out the window, or go outside and look up. A communication, both visceral and mental. I've had this happen to me on several occasions, and can't explain why it happens. I do know that it's a distinct and real sensation when it does happen.
Alfred Lehmberg's alien views...
Not linking to any post in particular, just a nudge towards Alfred Lehmberg's blog alien views. Visual art and creative, articulate writing on UFOs.
The 'Goalpost' Paradigm
Labels: Amazing Randi, chronic skepticism, CSICOP, Forteana, gonzo approach, High strangeness, infrastructure
“Which way you ought to go depends on where you want to get to...” ~ Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Skeptics, debunkers, and believers alike accuse each other of "moving the goalposts." In the context of how the term is used -- pieces in a game -- it's true. (Skeptibunkies do "move the goal posts" all the time when it comes to anomalous subjects. They assume much: why and how Bigfoot, psychics, UFOs, and so on should behave, without doing any of the research. And if they've done the research, they'd realize one can't assume a thing.)
But let's forget that. Why use a sports or game analogy at all? By using a verbal marker like "goalpost" we're keeping alive the idea that there are rules. Rules that must be followed - goalposts -- and, along with that the idea that, since a game is being played, there are winners and losers. It's a battle, a contest. A competition. It's a preconceived framework, with rules, boundaries, winners, losers. Anything outside of the game is rejected because, of course, it doesn't fit in with this particular game. You don't insert the rules of chess into Monopoly.
As long as we accept this idea of a game, with posts to be moved, or not, we stay stuck. It's not a game! Or, maybe, like Alice, it is a game in the very loosest of meanings.
The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday-but never jam today
It must come sometime to jam today, Alice objected
No it can't said the Queen It's jam every other day. Today isn't any other day, you know” ~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Why do we continue to force the unexplained into an established framework (the "game") when clearly, "it" meaning, the paranormal/Fortean/supernatural, is playing by its own rules? If "it" is playing a game, it's one we don't know how to play. Insisting "it" play by our rules obviously isn't working.
Forget the "goalposts." Forget the game. At least, our game. I think if we stand back and watch for awhile as well as experiment, that would be both refreshing and revealing.
Just in Case, Rule Forty-Two
“Forty-two,” said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm. ~ Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I'll end with this little synchronicity. Earlier this afternoon I finished Minette Walter's The Scold's Bridle. One of the characters, a policeman, references Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Specifically, the idea of the question, the answer and of course, how 42 plays into that. While working on this post, I looked up quotes from Alice in Wonderland, and came across this:
“Rule Forty-two. All persons more than a mile high to leave the court.” ~ Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Mothman Flutterings II
Two new posts at Mothman Flutterings. And please heed my shameless hussy of a self and follow or link to Mothman Flutterings. :)Mothman Flutterings II
Nick Redfern's World of Whatever...: Ufologists: Do NOT Do These Things!
Nick Redfern shares his list of things UFO researchers should not do. I like all of his ideas, including this one:
And you know I love the following!:
4. SAYING THE RIGHT THING TO THE (ALLEGEDLY) INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
No, no, no, no, no!! I've seen it time and time again at UFO conferences. And, no doubt, I'll continue to see it time and time again. It's the ufological equivalent of letting the boss win a game of golf (which nobody should be doing either). Or, as it's also known: seeking out the people in Ufology who you think can best help you advance your career (conference organizers, magazine editors, the leading-lights in the big UFO groups), and saying what you think they will want to hear, and not saying what you really think. Have some dignity! Say what you think about George Adamski, the Men in Black, or Area 51. Not what this or that person thinks! Okay, claiming old George merely took photos of a few lampshades tossed into the air probably won't get you booked at the next Contactee-themed event. But, you have, at least, been honest to yourself. So, when it comes to kissing ass, Ufologist: Don't do it!
And you know I love the following!:
9. BIGFOOT!I agree 100% with every single one of his points! Good for him for saying so.
As someone who has done far more cryptozoological research than UFO research, I often like to bring up the fact that someone has seen Bigfoot race across the road at the same place - and in the same precise time-frame - that someone else saw a UFO land in the woods. One of the reasons I like to bring it up is because it makes many a Ufologist and Cryptozoologist cringe. The reason: it suggests their carefully constructed beliefs might need to be revised. And, neither of these two "ologies" want that! But, why? What's wrong with pointing out that there are a significant number of cases on record where one Fortean puzzle most certainly crosses paths with another? Answer: there's nothing wrong with it! For those fearful of what their peers might think, however, it is a problem. So, they stay weak and silent. I say: Ufologist: Don't do it!
Random notes...
Little postings here and there on my sphere o' blogs: UFO-Mary, Animal Forteana, Octopus Confessional, SkeptiWatch, Mothman Flutterings. I have a new Trickster's Realm column on last night's C2C. The segment with skeptic-debunker Edward, really dismal. What was with Noory's pandering? Anyway, I rant about all that on TR. Not sure when Tim will put it up but should be up Monday. This Sunday I'll be a guest on Strange Frequencies. Yes, I'll admit I'm nervous!
Oh Dear...
Two recent comments here at the Orb that I chose not to publish. So here's my thing on that:
If you leave a comment with a link to your site asking me to link to yours that's spam. Maybe not truly, technically spam and the intentions might be innocent, but it's still spammy, even while being naive.
The second post was a negative and sarcastic one-liner about someone's article. If you have something constructive to say: reasons why you don't like something, something to contribute, fine. But a throw away smarmy comment that isn't productive -- I won't publish it. Serves no purpose.
If you leave a comment with a link to your site asking me to link to yours that's spam. Maybe not truly, technically spam and the intentions might be innocent, but it's still spammy, even while being naive.
The second post was a negative and sarcastic one-liner about someone's article. If you have something constructive to say: reasons why you don't like something, something to contribute, fine. But a throw away smarmy comment that isn't productive -- I won't publish it. Serves no purpose.
Marla Pena's Shadow of the Shinigami
Marla Pena's Shadow of the Shinigami
Very interesting article on Tim Binnall's site, by Maria Pena:
Very interesting article on Tim Binnall's site, by Maria Pena:
The first days of my life are somehow related with the UFO phenomenon. My given name, "Marla," comes from an unusual source: A UFO contactee in México. My mom said that, in the 70's, there used to be a very famous contactee who's name was "Maria del Socorro Perez" aka "Marla." This woman allegedly received teachings from the "Hermanos Mayores" ("Elder Siblings" – referring to people from another planet) and, somehow, she found a popular national show on TV (Esta Noche con Manolo Fabregas) to convey the aliens' messages.
Besides conveying these messages, Marla had her own healing methods based in those teachings. She called it "Electronic Medicine" or "Quantum Medicine." She created a healing center and, I suppose that, for awhile, her business was popular and prospered. Her experiences as a contactee resonated with my Mom (who, at the time, believed such a possibility could exist) and she even took us all to the big city of México, D.F. to meet with Marla. The main purpose of that visit was to help one of my cousins (who at the time suffered from epileptic seizures) to get better. Did my cousin get better? I don't know. I don't remember what my mom said at that time. I haven't talked to her about this topic since two blue moons ago. However, I remember my cousin always taking medication so I am going to guess not.
Plans for those flying machines
Found this free e-book for Kindle on Amazon which contains plans for building your own flying machines:
Red Pills of the Week — August 11th | Mysterious Universe
I love the concept of red pill junkie's Red Pills of the Week for Mysterious Universe. Here's the latest, discussing Mars and more:Red Pills of the Week — August 11th | Mysterious Universe
My Whitley Strieber Dream
No idea where this came from! And no idea if my working with my cards (Druid Animal oracle, Angel and Deviant Moon tarot) before going to sleep had anything to do with the dream. Who knows.
I'm in a large school gym/auditorium. It's the 1980s. Whitley Strieber is practicing various tumbling exercises on large blue mats. Some of the mats have cracks or tears in them, and the stuffing is coming out. Sloppy repairs with duct tape have been attempted but the mats are still funky. There's a screen in front of the mats, where Strieber and some of us are watching him -- the screen is behind the scenes kind of thing. We're in rehearsals, waiting for the audience (maybe spectators is a better word since it's a gym) to arrive.
After Whitley does several exercises, which he is proud of -- if nothing else, at least for trying -- we're encouraged and do our own exercises. None of us know, really, how to do any of this, including Whitley Strieber, but we're all trying, and we all want to. We don't care what others think or how it looks. We're doing it, and that's what matters. And throughout all of this it is very clear that these tumbling exercises have everything (in some weird surrealistic dream logic) to do with aliens, UFOs, and especially, particularly, alien abductions.
At one point I say to Whiltey, and the others, after watching Strieber do some pretty difficult moves, "Oh my god, all that happened years before to me!" Meaning, yes, the exercises, but also, and more to the point, the connection between all of us here now (even though it's also 1980 something) and aliens.
Alfred Lehmberg at UFO Magazine: ...Immoderation...
Alfred's latest, and as usual, it's the greatest. UFO Magazine - UFO Magazine Blog - ...Immoderation...
It's interesting one Orrin Hatch (that Senator from Utah?) has a message of *concern* for Utah's parents. If their children want environments that are "clean" and "unpolluted"—"then their drug abuse affliction is apparent"! What says "stunned credulity" but this lack of any conscience. I think it must be obvious; he is, himself, unconscious!
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Yes! If kids are asking questions where the bigots fear to tread, then they're smoking marijuana—"popping pills," or so he said! I suspect if showing conscience is resultant from "as such," then plants like marijuana be encouraged with all trust!
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I bring this up to illustrate an ocean of dementia that's an obstacle to common sense, discouraged... in absentia! Like... Folks who won't see UFOs? I'd want them disabused; that notion's unintelligent, unbrave and mal-enthused. See? I understand the "problem set"! Its "questions" can get hard. Though, oblivious to evidence, ones head's impacted lard...
New links at Orange Orb Review
Lots of new links at my Orange Orb Review. New look as well but not sure I like it.Orange Orb Review
Kay's Blog, Alien Abduction Blog, BetweenTwoLiesBlog, It Doesn't Happen
From the Alien Abduction Blog: This is good. And no doubt some items that will be controversial for some of us, and some we'll disagree with. But it's worth reading and thinking about. Kay's Blog, Alien Abduction Blog, BetweenTwoLiesBlog, It Doesn't Happen
Bannings and Eradications
Was exploring the UFO Casebook site and wandered over to their forum page. Mildly curious if I had once joined in the past I clicked on the log-in link, using what I thought might have been my sign-in --if I had ever signed in. Then tried to click on the "register" -- and saw a message that said "Sorry, but you have been banned from this forum." Moi?
I sign-up for so many things then forget I've done so. There is so much out there; social media sites, forums, etc. So I don't know if it's a glitch on their site in general, and has nothing to do with me, or if, indeed, I have been banned. If the latter, absolutely no idea why.
Speaking of banishment, my new Trickster's Realm column is now at Tim Binnall's site. I discuss a comment; long, rambling and a woeful lack of punctuation, that promises I "will be eradicated." And with that, let's all have a nice day!
I sign-up for so many things then forget I've done so. There is so much out there; social media sites, forums, etc. So I don't know if it's a glitch on their site in general, and has nothing to do with me, or if, indeed, I have been banned. If the latter, absolutely no idea why.
Speaking of banishment, my new Trickster's Realm column is now at Tim Binnall's site. I discuss a comment; long, rambling and a woeful lack of punctuation, that promises I "will be eradicated." And with that, let's all have a nice day!
The UFO Proletariat: CSI Skeptic Robert Sheaffer Doubts the U.S. Government Uses the Media to Debunk UFOs
By way of UFO Chronicles and Robert Hastings:The UFO Proletariat: CSI Skeptic Robert Sheaffer Doubts the U.S. Government Uses the Media to Debunk UFOs
Red Pill Junkie at Intrepid: Sex and UFOs
But really, so much more than that! Read more and follow link at Vintage U.F.O.
An Exercise From The UFO Trail: "Examining the Tainted Well of UFO Land"
Jack Brewer discusses witness reports, UFO researchers, the need for physical evidence, and one's own opinions on what it all means:The UFO Trail: Examining the Tainted Well of UFO Land
I started off writing about UFOs and related topics for a few reasons. I love to write; I've always written. My interest is so intricately interwoven within itself I with personal experiences with UFOs and all the rest of paranormal/supernatural encounters begins, and the narratives of others.
In many ways my opinions on UFOs haven't changed, and yet, they have changed. One thing that has only become more firm as I explore the realm of UFOs is this: no one has the answers. No one. Not me, not you, no one. We only have more pieces, more clues, but we do not have the UUTOE -- Unified Ufo Theory of Everything.
I do know that skeptibunkies are morons and I owe them nothing; no explanations, apologies, my time, or anything else. I get to play with them on my terms if and when I want to because I am human which means, at times, I'm a petty and indulgent woman who likes to perversely tweak their snobby little noses.
Idea about what UFOs, aliens, and the whole complex ball of UFOania are just that: ideas, theories,opinions, speculations. Nothing wrong with any of those, at all. Nothing wrong with "just speculating" -- how else are we to get somewhere if we don't allow ourselves to play with possibilities?
I've changed my ideas through the years. I once thought the "ancient astronaut" theory was crazy nonsense. Now I think there is much to it -- much. I used to think the abduction phenomena was a fantasy of the mentally ill kind. Now I think no such thing. I don't think it's a literal event, but then again, I haven't experienced it so I wouldn't dare to tell others what they "really" experienced. I have no idea. But I do think there is something real there, and we need to listen to those who've had these kinds of encounters.
I once dismissed, with an arrogant impatience and religious prejudice, any ideas about what I'll loosely call "demons." But, as John Keel among others suggested, there are forces afoot. Cultures throughout time and land have various names for these. Djinn, demons, what have you. But I am now strongly aligned with that explanation for some of UFO events. I am also very careful to not put any religious interpretation on this. I am not a religious person, or a Christian, but I think this idea of "demons" is the last taboo for UFO researhcers. It's an either or situation right now: either you're a Christian fundie spouting end times dogma mixed in with aliens, or you're a "legitimate" UFO researcher who stays far away from such stuff.
One thing I'm pretty sure of (realizing I could be far off; only my opinion) and that is there are several explanations for what's going on. There are spooks, psy ops, shadow governments playing with our heads. There are actual, literal ETs. There are the gullible believers. There are the hoaxers. There are the demons and elemental and simply, a whole other realm right along side of us. They can see us more clearly and more often than most of us can see them. They, or "it" likes to play tricks on us. (Hence those conflicting stories from multiple witnesses.) It's some of those things at times, it's only one of those things at times.
Brewer wrote:
Jack Brewer writes that he is "not willing to accept" without "conclusive evidence" and that witnesses often have conflicting reports of what happened. That, and witnesses will often unconsciously tell the investigator what they believe the UFO researcher wants to hear. These two facts are often used by not only some UFO investigators to dismiss accounts, but the expected debunkers as well.
Well, the fact that UFO reports (and I include aliens, entities, strange creatures and overall high strangeness within that term: "UFO reports") often do offer contradictory information is a gift, not a determent. Is there a "trickster" effect, as George Hansen, Vallee, Harppur and others have been suggesting for a long time?
My own experiences are an example of this. Both my husband and I have had shared UFO experiences. We also have, at times, conflicting memories of what happened. This fact does not negate the experience! What it does do is offer clues about, not the simplistic explanation that witnesses can't be trusted, but that there are layers to the experience that we need to get through. And most of us arent' getting through. Some of us won't even look, or acknowledge the presence.
As I commented on Brewer's blog, "we are here for the witness, the witness is not here for us."
No it wouldn't. So, since it wouldn't, the question is, why continue? Maybe the journey is the real issue -- the quest is the point -- and not the blind chasing of illusive answers.
I suppose every now and then bloggers should offer a bit of clarification concerning their specific perspectives about ufology.I've actually been thinking about this lately; where is my focus? (Do I, we, need a focus? What does that mean, really?)
I started off writing about UFOs and related topics for a few reasons. I love to write; I've always written. My interest is so intricately interwoven within itself I with personal experiences with UFOs and all the rest of paranormal/supernatural encounters begins, and the narratives of others.
In many ways my opinions on UFOs haven't changed, and yet, they have changed. One thing that has only become more firm as I explore the realm of UFOs is this: no one has the answers. No one. Not me, not you, no one. We only have more pieces, more clues, but we do not have the UUTOE -- Unified Ufo Theory of Everything.
I do know that skeptibunkies are morons and I owe them nothing; no explanations, apologies, my time, or anything else. I get to play with them on my terms if and when I want to because I am human which means, at times, I'm a petty and indulgent woman who likes to perversely tweak their snobby little noses.
Idea about what UFOs, aliens, and the whole complex ball of UFOania are just that: ideas, theories,opinions, speculations. Nothing wrong with any of those, at all. Nothing wrong with "just speculating" -- how else are we to get somewhere if we don't allow ourselves to play with possibilities?
I've changed my ideas through the years. I once thought the "ancient astronaut" theory was crazy nonsense. Now I think there is much to it -- much. I used to think the abduction phenomena was a fantasy of the mentally ill kind. Now I think no such thing. I don't think it's a literal event, but then again, I haven't experienced it so I wouldn't dare to tell others what they "really" experienced. I have no idea. But I do think there is something real there, and we need to listen to those who've had these kinds of encounters.
I once dismissed, with an arrogant impatience and religious prejudice, any ideas about what I'll loosely call "demons." But, as John Keel among others suggested, there are forces afoot. Cultures throughout time and land have various names for these. Djinn, demons, what have you. But I am now strongly aligned with that explanation for some of UFO events. I am also very careful to not put any religious interpretation on this. I am not a religious person, or a Christian, but I think this idea of "demons" is the last taboo for UFO researhcers. It's an either or situation right now: either you're a Christian fundie spouting end times dogma mixed in with aliens, or you're a "legitimate" UFO researcher who stays far away from such stuff.
One thing I'm pretty sure of (realizing I could be far off; only my opinion) and that is there are several explanations for what's going on. There are spooks, psy ops, shadow governments playing with our heads. There are actual, literal ETs. There are the gullible believers. There are the hoaxers. There are the demons and elemental and simply, a whole other realm right along side of us. They can see us more clearly and more often than most of us can see them. They, or "it" likes to play tricks on us. (Hence those conflicting stories from multiple witnesses.) It's some of those things at times, it's only one of those things at times.
Brewer wrote:
"... there are several reasons why the professional research community does not identify witness testimony as particularly relevant or of equal value to other forms of evidence. One of those reasons is as explained above: people conclusively misrepresent what took place a lot of the time. This happens as a result of any number of very common occurrences.
Another reason is because there is often conflicting testimony, and an objective researcher cannot selectively accept certain testimony while disregarding other testimony ('objective' being the key word!). More specifically, conflicting testimonies somewhat cancel out one another, kind of like offsetting penalties in a football game, which puts the researcher back to relying on that which can be independently verified.
Jack Brewer writes that he is "not willing to accept" without "conclusive evidence" and that witnesses often have conflicting reports of what happened. That, and witnesses will often unconsciously tell the investigator what they believe the UFO researcher wants to hear. These two facts are often used by not only some UFO investigators to dismiss accounts, but the expected debunkers as well.
Well, the fact that UFO reports (and I include aliens, entities, strange creatures and overall high strangeness within that term: "UFO reports") often do offer contradictory information is a gift, not a determent. Is there a "trickster" effect, as George Hansen, Vallee, Harppur and others have been suggesting for a long time?
My own experiences are an example of this. Both my husband and I have had shared UFO experiences. We also have, at times, conflicting memories of what happened. This fact does not negate the experience! What it does do is offer clues about, not the simplistic explanation that witnesses can't be trusted, but that there are layers to the experience that we need to get through. And most of us arent' getting through. Some of us won't even look, or acknowledge the presence.
As I commented on Brewer's blog, "we are here for the witness, the witness is not here for us."
No it wouldn't. So, since it wouldn't, the question is, why continue? Maybe the journey is the real issue -- the quest is the point -- and not the blind chasing of illusive answers.
hidden experience: the evolutionary triad
Fantastic blog post from Mike Clelland at hidden experience. It's from December of 2011 but, if you haven't read it, do yourself a favor and do so:hidden experience: the evolutionary triad. The link came to me by way of another very excellent blog,Robbie Graham's Silver Screen Saucers. Which, again, if you're unfamiliar with the blog, please be sure you explore over there.
Silver Screen Saucers: Chase Brandon & Roswell: the story continues
Robbie Graham at the very excellent Silver Screen Saucers on Chase Brandon's story. Silver Screen Saucers: Chase Brandon & Roswell: the story continues
UFO Digest: Professional UFO hunters say they won't watch 'Chasing UFOs'
Professional UFO hunters say they won't watch 'Chasing UFOs' by Roger Marsh. From the article, the following quotes:
I've seen three or four episodes, and it seems Erin Ryder is the leader, which is surprising since James Fox is part of the team. If a leader needs to be, why isn't he in charge? Fox, after all, is the only one of the three with any UFO experience, having created two UFO documentries (I Know What I Saw, Out of the Blue.) He was also one of the first to document what was going on in the gulf during the BP oil spill.
UFO-NUKES expert Robert Hastings compared National Geographic Network's new show, "Chasing UFOs", to "Blair Witch Project meets Inspector Clouseau" in a story released this week at the UFO Chronicles web site.And this from James Fox, one of the three hosts/UFO chasers on the show:
“I know how disappointed all of you are. I am too. It’s not the show that was sold to both myself and scientist Ben…[It] does get a bit better further down the road but not a lot.” —James Fox
I've seen three or four episodes, and it seems Erin Ryder is the leader, which is surprising since James Fox is part of the team. If a leader needs to be, why isn't he in charge? Fox, after all, is the only one of the three with any UFO experience, having created two UFO documentries (I Know What I Saw, Out of the Blue.) He was also one of the first to document what was going on in the gulf during the BP oil spill.
The Debris Field: Guest Post, by Shepherd Johnson on Chase Brandon's Roswell Info
(dis info is more like it:) The Debris Field: Guest Post, by Shepherd Johnson
I love this, funny:
Haven't read the book and not sure I'll get around to it. But I have no doubt Johnson is correct. One point Johnson made is that this is the "first time the CIA has overtly expanded into using literature as a propaganda tool." He makes it clear that "overt" is the key word and acknowledges the CIA's history of working with movie studios, etc. to get their disinfo and misinformation out there.
I love this, funny:
I've read 'Cryptos Conundrum', it makes L. Ron Hubbard look like Hemingway, it really is that bad.
Haven't read the book and not sure I'll get around to it. But I have no doubt Johnson is correct. One point Johnson made is that this is the "first time the CIA has overtly expanded into using literature as a propaganda tool." He makes it clear that "overt" is the key word and acknowledges the CIA's history of working with movie studios, etc. to get their disinfo and misinformation out there.
National Geographic’s ‘Chasing UFOs’ Takes on Comic-Con - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers
Oy. I'm done. National Geographic’s ‘Chasing UFOs’ Takes on Comic-Con - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers
The Chasing UFOs investigators are sure to bump into a few like minds at Comic-Con, as a recently published extraterrestrial survey from NGC reported that more than 80 million Americans believe that aliens exist. The survey also found out which caped crusader Americans would call upon in the event of an alien attack. One in five Americans (21 percent) answered that they would most likely call on the Hulk to deal with the havoc. Far fewer, would most trust Batman (12 percent) or Spiderman (8 percent) to step in. Ryder offered her own take on the situation, saying, “If I needed some extra assistance in an alien attack, and I hope I never do, I would have to say that I’d be looking for some strong females to be by my side. Sorry ‘Avengers,’ but I’d take Wonder Woman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Lara Croft any day of the week.”
"Roswell UFO Was Not Of This Earth And There Were ET Cadavers: Ex-CIA Agent Says"
Lee Speigel for Huffington Post:Roswell UFO Was Not Of This Earth And There Were ET Cadavers: Ex-CIA Agent Says.
Chase Brandon, a "... 35-year CIA veteran" comes clean about Roswell. To a point. another person who's come forward to say they saw what they saw. And what they saw was no "...damn weather balloon..." says Brandon.
Brandon might be telling the truth, telling some of the truth, or lying. Disinfo or the real thing? Or a publicity bit for his science fiction book The Cryptos Conundrum?
Brandon makes it clear he honors his contract of secrecy:
We could debate Brandon's motivation; is it a publicity stunt for his book? Or was his book inspired by his Roswell experiences? Are the secrets of Roswell he cannot, and will not, reveal exposed within a literary landscape?
We'll never know, like we'll never know (most likely) the truth about any of it.
Chase Brandon, a "... 35-year CIA veteran" comes clean about Roswell. To a point. another person who's come forward to say they saw what they saw. And what they saw was no "...damn weather balloon..." says Brandon.
Brandon might be telling the truth, telling some of the truth, or lying. Disinfo or the real thing? Or a publicity bit for his science fiction book The Cryptos Conundrum?
Brandon makes it clear he honors his contract of secrecy:
"Nobody tells any of us that we can't say anything about sources, methods, classified information having to do with working for the Central Intelligence Agency," Brandon said. "We all sign a secrecy agreement that says we understand we are forbidden to do that by law, and that is an inherent part of keeping and safeguarding what we do, how we do it, why we do it, out of national security concerns.
"I'm not reluctant to talk about it -- I won't talk about it. I'm telling you there was a box that had stuff in there having to do with Roswell, and I looked through it, and it validated everything I believed in, and that's all I have to say about it. I will go to my grave being mindful of the two hats that I wear: My personal one and the one that will forever reside on my head as a former CIA officer."
We could debate Brandon's motivation; is it a publicity stunt for his book? Or was his book inspired by his Roswell experiences? Are the secrets of Roswell he cannot, and will not, reveal exposed within a literary landscape?
We'll never know, like we'll never know (most likely) the truth about any of it.
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