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March 27 Winston Churchill's UFO Cover-Up As Declassified 'X-Files' Show Ex-PM's Fears Over Leaks Daily Express
A journey into UFO history. Joel Day backtracks a bit from saying Great Britain's archives show Churchill's "obsession with UFOs," but does a useful job giving the background to the story. From that same general timeframe, here's Brian Dunning's explanation for World War II's puzzling Foo Fighters. Dunning's conclusions: the usual skeptical suspects caused the wartime lights—celestial objects, airborne clutter, etc.—and there's no reason to suspect these lights were "truly exotic," just "minor mysteries." We march further towards the present with Washtenaw County's The Sun Times News for Investigative Author Marches Beyond Dexter's 1966 Events Deeper into the UFO Enigma. In late March 1966 that and other Michigan areas experienced a series of apparent objects from you-know-where. Raymond Szymanski wrote a book about those episodes and will host a "Hangar 18 UFO Conference" on September 20-22 at an even more famous location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This article covers its speakers and an "Experiencer Session." And David Levine says The Truth is out There—Especially Here. Levine relates his brother's personal 1986 Hudson Valley UFO sighting, and reconstructs the general furor in southeastern New York State in the 1980s and '90s. There's also mention of The Pine Bush [New York] Paranormal Museum, which itself touts the Pine Bush UFO Fair, scheduled this year for June 1st (rain date June 2nd). (WM) Last month, "photos of dragons" began making the online rounds, garnering more than 19 million views. Sepia-toned to look like old photographs, the images were compelling. However, a test by AI detection software Hive found there is a more than 99% chance the photos were in fact AI generated. Meanwhile, a 'Mystery Beast' Strips Bark from Jamaican Farmer's Banana Trees. The actual leaves and fruit were left intact, similar to what happened in another Jamaican town some years ago. No answers are forthcoming and local farmers are just hoping it wasn't caused by an invasive species—or worse. (CM) Peter Robbins Interview The Paracast
In the first of two Paracast podcast interviews, Gene Steinberg and co-host Tim Swartz dialogue with one of the long-time fixtures within the ufological scene. Peter Robbins discusses many of his wide-ranging interests over the decades, including his impressions of mentors and colleagues past and present. Robbins is careful to distinguish between belief- and data-driven ufology, and notes the double-edged sword that is the Internet in spreading both approaches. Additionally, the manner in which discourse has altered since December 2017 and its impact upon "D/disclosure" come in for consideration. The host of the upcoming "Contact in the Desert" also visits Gene and Tim to talk about his festival's truly extensive Tenth Anniversary extravaganza happening May 30th-June 3rd . But the Ron Janix Interview includes much more from Janix' background, about people he's worked with over the years, and how his experiences have shaped and whetted his appetite to learn more. (WM) March 26 City Attorney For Rock Springs Captures Video Of "UFO" Near Green River Cowboy State Daily
Finally, a key government official who actually admits seeing a UFO! Well, turns out the witness is also the MUFON State Director. But Richard Beckwith does that organization proud by explaining his investigative methodology and exactly what a "UFO" is not. Podcaster and paranormal investigator Joshua P. Warren has UAP Filmed Over Vegas and Spirit Mountain. One might ask what the makers of Joshua's remarkable "high-speed camera, filming 1000 frames per second," might say about the results. Across The Pond, an Odd UFO Mystifies Couple in England. Tim Binnall has the video and explains the setting behind it. But all the foregoing's just prelude as UFO Fans Fill Tiny Little Town Of Limoges, France, Amid Rumors Of ET Communication. First problem: Kay Smythe and her source think around 130,000 souls qualifies a location as "Tiny, Little." That's rather more surprising to this reader than Smythe's focus upon what most ufologists would likely regard as a "borderland Contactee festival." But its "promo poster" was gorgeous! (WM) Smiling Without Smiling Coast to Coast
This encounter from 20 years ago out of Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky, is sure to make your blood run cold. An adolescent male accompanying his father on a bow hunting trip encountered a being in the woods that, while not face to face, the boy could "feel" smiling in a most horrific manner. There was also a change in his environment reminiscent of a fae encounter. Next, the Paracast features an interview with Greg Ogles, founder of the Alabama Bigfoot Society. Greg also owns and operates Relic films, a production company with a mandate to uncover the truth about America's myths and legends. With the use of modern technology and the study of ancient Indian cultures Greg attempts to uncover what is real and what is just a story. (CM) Thoughts on Thinking and Writing about UFOs Society for UAP Studies
The writer of the outstanding The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs describes her personal odyssey with the subject and life, and how perhaps Times Have Changed since she wrote that tome. Brenda Denzler also offers thoughtful points about the possible nature of UFOs, the attempts of the recent AARO Report to control the UFO dialogue's focus, and "some interesting questions to be asked." Very important reading. On the other hand, Francesco Dimitri takes a niche religious group to generalize that UFO Belief is a Modern Outlet for Ancient Spiritual Yearnings. Nonetheless, Francesco's perspective is well-presented, not far from that of scholars perceived as "more friendly" to the UFO subject, and worthy of contemplation. More on a facet of UFO-related beliefs in Mark Episkopos' The SR-91 Aurora Mach 5 Spy Plane Was Never Real. Episkopos includes both "pro" and "anti" short videos on the matter, while concluding it's a media leak that would "snowball into a full-fledged urban legend." (WM) March 25 Sean Kirkpatrick talked to Daniel Lavelle, who seems to equate "ufologist" with "UFO fanatic." Of course, Lavelle repeats Kirkpatrick's claims, including about David Grusch's "no shows" at AARO invites to testify. Matt Ford counters with The Pentagon UFO Report: Fact or Failure? Ford tells us Things We Didn't Know that challenge Kirkpatrick's Grusch story, and cast aspersions as to the ethical nature and legality of Kirkpatrick's new employment. For an unexpurgated version of this, plus interviews with other interested parties, Ford's full "Good Trouble Show" has Dr. Garry Nolan & Ross Coulthart Expose Pentagon UFO Report. Nolan minces no words about the problems in the Report, some of the people behind it, or those accepting it at "face-value." Neither does Coulthart, who emphasizes the "constitutional crisis" and says names of the shadowy "legacy program" heads who advised Kirkpatrick will be revealed in due time. Ford then "rants" against the Pentagon, debunkers, and hyper-skeptical groups whose efforts at "information control" include funding bloggers whose tune will match theirs. Thanks to Chris Frantz for the Ford references. NewsNation interviews Republican Glenn Grothman, who with Democrat Robert Garcia and most of the "House UFO Caucus" recently introduced the "Safe Airspace for Americans Act," in We Need to Report UAP without Fear: WI Congressman. Grothman summarizes how H.R.6967 would promote anomalous incident reporting to and investigation by the FAA. (WM) Gunung Padang: Paper Claiming "World's Oldest Pyramid" Retracted The Daily Grail
The Gunung Padang dating controversy has reached a new phase. Greg Taylor explains the recent history of Indonesian Gunung Padang's remote creation claim, the retraction notice for the October 2023 Archaeological Prospection article, and the authors' response. Greg also directs us to more information on the kerfuffle. Declan Gallagher has it that Archaeologists Make Incredible 7,000-Year-Old Discovery at Bottom of Mediterranean. Looks like the enormously-aged canoes sank in a lake that's now part of the Mediterranean. But the discoverers theorize that some of these "oldest boats to ever be found in the Mediterranean region" might once have plied that larger body of water, too. And Gallagher reports more surprises from the find. Easter Island is making headlines for more than its very early writing, as Obsidian Blades with Food Traces Reveal 1st Settlers of Rapa Nui Had Regular Contact with South Americans 1,000 Years Ago. Kristina Killgrove covers the methodology of the researchers in coming to their surprising conclusions, and that there's some skepticism about the "solidity" of the results. Now for a really "tall tale," as Abdul Moeed reports about 10 Foot 'Giant' People Unearthed in Nevada's Lovelock Cave. It's a fascinating historical story at least, per William Shatner. (WM) The world's largest library on paranormal and unexplained phenomena is housed in Sweden in the town of Norrkoping. Described by some as "the most comprehensive archive for materials involving the global history of the UFO phenomenon in the world," the Archives for the Unexplained has underground shelves running for 4.2 kms and is open to the public by appointment only. It's notable that this story appears in phys.org, "a leading web-based science, research and technology news service." Next we look at The Devil’s Knife (1), an unreleased manuscript by a pioneer of the unexplained, John Keel. It's a blend of fact and fiction, as required for submission mens magazines at the time and it appears to be a story that Keel's agent could not sell, but now presented here now for your reading pleasure. John Keel was born March 25, 1930; he would have been 94 today. (CM) March 24 What Makes a Coincidence Meaningful? The New York Times
Hurry and install Bypass Paywalls Clean (Chrome and Firefox) to peruse Peter Coy's contemplation of coincidence. Pete's a big-S Skeptic and he takes aim at the science and math behind coincidence with clarity. Yet Bernard Beitman, cited more than a few times, continues his research into coincidence regardless of nay-sayers. For example, Psychedelics Increase Synchronicity And Telepathy. Somehow opening one's mind, rather than narrowing it as Neil Tyson or Bill Nye would advise, does increase awareness and teasing out details those greyfaces might toss aside for not fitting in with their data. With a little help from Dr. Charles S. Grob, together they make the case for turning on in order to tune in with a fascinationg discussion. On the gripping hand, Rich Reynolds is still with us and may god bless. He suffered A Wasted Day and he can't afford too many. Nor did he get 'wasted', as the kids are wont to say, yet despite remaining stone-cold sober he touched on 'Cosmic Consciousness' and muses upon the revelations our space siblings may yet reveal to humanity should they deign appear. (CS) For all of the good science has given humankind, this marvelous tool is not a panacea to all of our issues nor can it answer every question while remaining true to its purpose. Which brings us to Phillip Goff who argues for the other tools in our academic tool chest, and how philosophy and religion may compliment and remain equal to science. In other news, The Associated Press announces a Five Year Study Finds No Brain Abnormalities In 'Havana Syndrome' Patients. Heh, heh, heh, that's what they want us to think. Right? More seriously, folks, the National Institute of Health's Dr. Leighton Chan appears to debunk these anecdotal claims without dismissing 'em out-of-hand. As for the necessary doubters, read and review the article for yourselves then (politely) submit your questions. Maybe bcc The Anomalist so we have a better idea of how to interpret this data. (CS)
Chie Kelly monopolized tabloid headlines last summer when she revealed her Nessie snaps. Things get weirder when she found more than 50 other photos on her camera from the same day, the same site, and potentially the same monster. Enter Steve Felton and Rhys Darby who took the metadata from those snaps to paint a fuller picture of Ms. Kelly's day by generating a video. Much to Tim Binnall's, may god grant him rest, delight there's something seriously strange happening here. In more mainstream cryptozoology news, Aspen Pflughoeft has the scoop on a 'Dwarf'-Like Mountain Creature Seen Snacking On Plants In Peru and it's a new species. Plus it's hella cute. A bit further north, writes Nicholas Karsen, Southwest Florida Man Captures Image Of Endangered Florida Panther While Hunting Turkeys. Oh we hear you scoff, "Duh it's just a cougar" but when there are a mere 120 extant examples in the Sunshine State, they're nearly as rare as bigfoot. By the way, The Anomalist also caught a sighting of a cougar the other night, with pictures. Your mom. (CS) March 23 Humanity has hurled two gold records with solid hits into the void. Inverse Square Law be damned, one of the multitudinous tunes we've been broadcasting since forever might be overheard. But which one? Dale Maplethorpe has an educated guess but he, or his editor, pull a huge boner in the body of the text. Can you spot it? On the stranger side, some Scientists Theorise That The Earth May Be An Intelligent Entity. Even cooler is this theorisation has been peer-reviewed, take that arXiv, and Sofia Phillips helps break down this provocative new theory running parallel to the hippy-dippy Gaia Hypothesis and intersecting... Milton's Paradise Lost? Hold onto your caps, this is a wild one by the standards of The Anomalist. (CS) Will The Debate About 'Psi' Ever Be Settled? The British Psychological Society
Many Americans earnestly believe in psi. Then again, they're Americans. Yet a meta-analysis of 750+ studies investigating psi suggest there something afoot, James Randi and Uri Geller be damned! Now Dr. Steve Taylor has Chris Roe and Chris French discussing the veracity of these studies and such claims and it makes for an engrossing read. French is not the skeptic, nor is Roe the obligatory believer. Rather both have a balanced and nuanced approach to the phenomenon which is refreshing as an ice-cold Pepsi on a hot summer day. In fact their conclusion echoes Charles Fort's admonition, "When we come upon assurances that a mystery has been solved, we go on investigating." (CS) Far less civil, yet quite cunning, was the skeptical movement afoot in the early 20th century. Leading the vanguard were Harry Houdini along with Rose Mackenberg. Who? She's the private detective he employed to investigate self-proclaimed mediums, and Mackenberg was one smart cookie. Follow along with Carolyn Townsend as she celebrates the woman behind the man, doing all the hard work while he reaped the glory, enumerating Rose's accomplishments and astounding feats assisting her infiltrations. (CS) March 22 The 911 discussion furnishes one of the most riveting podcast moments this listener has encountered, bringing back stark memories of that still-incomprehensible day. But Major Harold Skaarup's got interesting opinions—backed up by career experiences—on a variety of matters. Included: some rather heartwarming recollections of Stanton Friedman (whose wife Stella Marilyn's passing we recently noted) and his Fredericton, New Brunswick, Museum display. Host Michael Ryan also teams up with Christine Scott to discuss The Bear Point Incident: Multiple UFOs Seen By 5 Witnesses Near a NORAD Base in Nova Scotia/Maybe The First Case of Missing Time in Canada. Even more, the two groups of witnesses were in different locations, and unknown to each other. Facts about the reporting and how the case was handled leave the listener (and Christine and Michael) wanting more information, which apparently may be on tap. A Ryan blog headlines Robert Hastings Interview: He Talks about Being Abducted, UFOs and What It Is To Be Human. A very thoughtful dialogue. We also note the passing of Tracy Tormé. While Tormé's probably most remembered ufologically for writing/producing the movie Fire in the Sky, Mike Barnes of the The Hollywood Reporter has an excellent recap of the man's life and contributions. See Tracy Tormé, 'Sliders' Co-Creator and 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Writer, Dies at 64. (WM) Cyclists Encounter Ghost on Trail? Coast to Coast
A pair of cyclists in Argentina were taking a ride through a wooded trail at night (which on its own begs the question "Why?") when they encountered a fully dressed woman who was unresponsive to their greeting. The entire incident was captured on helmet cam but we're unclear on why the assumption was ghost instead of woman in need of assistance. For a more bona fide haunting experience, there is the Haunted Island of Java. The list of spooks you could run into includes forest demons, a ghost that suffocates its victims, genies and sprites. And that's just the beginning. Check out Paul Dale Roberts of Sacramento Paranormal Investigations for more. (CM) UAP Reporting and Material Disposition Procedures Released The Black Vault
More excellent work by Douglas Dean Johnson is presented by John Greenewald, complete with Douglas' recognition of a journalist Brandi Vincent tip that started his successful effort, and an extremely useful summary of the procedures' contents. Peter Suciu rather extends our horizons with Forget the Skies, the U.S. Military Is Looking for UFOs Below the Waves. "The number of unexplained incidents at sea is as great as those seen in the sky," Suciu says, reporting on retired Rear Admiral and oceanographer Tim Gallaudet's recent Sol Foundation paper. Even a most-certainly natural 1978 incident with something possibly "far larger than any squid that had ever been encountered" points out that what's beneath the waves holds mysteries. And shapes of "underwater and transmedium UAP are as diverse as their aerial counterparts," says Gallaudet. Gallaudet's paper is at Beneath the Surface: We May Learn More about UAP by Looking in the Ocean. Or we could look northwards, for the four interesting cases of UFOs Reported Through Transport Canada on March 18-19, 2024. But as far as the US Government "'fessing up," Rick Phillips says of UFO "Disclosure" 2024, It's All Over Except For The Al Capone Vault's Ending. Rick says it's the "third cycle or wave" of such "disclosures," and doesn't seem hopeful about a fourth. (WM) Copyright
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