Time to Update the Classifications?

Noted researcher J. Allen Hynek, in his 1972 book " The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry," laid out the three classes of "close encounters:"

• Close encounter of the first kind: Someone simply observes a UFO but it leaves no evidence. Hynek acknowledged that many sightings were of the "light" in the sky variety. He divided them into daylight lights and nocturnal lights.
• Close encounter of the second kind: A UFO leaves physical traces it was present, such as burns on the ground or broken branches.
• Close encounter of the third kind: A person makes contact with a UFO or other life form.

Since then, CE 4 - 7 have been toyed with but do not have a strong consensus.

• Close encounters of the fourth kind: A close encounter of the fourth kind is one in which a human is abducted by an extraterrestrial.
• Close encounters of the fifth kind: A close encounter of the fifth kind is one in which there is bilateral contact with an extraterrestrial entity. Many attempt to use intentional thought  (or lights) to instigate contact.
• Close encounters of the sixth kind: A close encounter of the sixth kind entails a UFO or its inhabitants directly causing injury or death. Many feel this should be under the CE-2 classification as such actions would be trace evidence. 
• Close encounters of the seventh kind: A close encounter of the seventh kind is one in which a human and extraterrestrial mate to produce a hybrid being.

CE1-The Kindergarten level of witness sightings. But a basic body of necessary information should be within the capabilities of all witnesses. Time, date, geographic location, direction of movement, shapes, colors, sounds, speed estimates, environmental conditions (raining, foggy, etc.). Witnesses should be encouraged to not let the video or photo say it all but explain the context through the elements mentioned. 

CE2- Trace elements - broken branches, indentations of objects, burn marks, odd residues should be handled with care.  Do not get too close so the area is not contaminated and you are not contaminated as well. Contact law enforcement but also take photos, sketch the scene, collect eyewitness statements, etc. Report to MUFON as well. 

CE3- Making contact involves touching a craft or speaking to an alien lifeform. 

CE4-Again, due to the problems of fear of ridicule and trauma, these are seldom reported and usually with little evidence or witness statement value. 

CE5- Hard to investigate because little data collection is being utilized. Instead, a focus on metaphysical, philosophical or spiritual aspects drive this approach and science and record keeping are not as important. Such experiential events seldom allow room for data collection, testing, and solutions. 

CE6- Hard to investigate due to the probability of such actions being classified or guarded by agencies and groups due to issues of safety and health. 

CE7- Hard to investigate. This would involve the need for DNA, blood, and trace evidence of many types to be studied by scientists from several fields. 

Oklahoma UFO's Featured in Interview

 Oklahoma has decades-long history with UAP sightings (koco.com)

Author and researcher, Marilyn A. Hudson, Stroud, Oklahoma, is seen here showing a drawing done of a witnesses account of seeing something strange in 1969 near Stroud, Lincoln Co., Oklahoma. 

Follow the link to read the story and see the video from OKC KOCO Television. 

The Proof in the Pudding: 1977 to Today

 Television watchers in southern England, November 1977, had their evening news interrupted by a strange broadcast...

Was it a hoax? No one has ever been identified as the source? The content of the message has led many to wonder if it was - real. 

Were we warned---

Here is a link to the audio interruption and the transcript. txfeatures.mb21.co.uk/hannington/spacemessage-offair.mp3

"This is the voice of Vrillon, a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command, speaking to you. 

• For many years you have seen us as lights in the skies. We speak to you now in peace and wisdom as we have done to your brothers and sisters all over this, your planet Earth. 
• We come to warn you of the destiny of your race and your world so that you may communicate to your fellow beings the course you must take to avoid the disaster which threatens your world, and the beings on our worlds around you. This is in order that you may share in the great awakening, as the planet passes into the New Age of Aquarius. 

• The New Age can be a time of great peace and evolution for your race, but only if your rulers are made aware of the evil forces that can overshadow their judgments. Be still now and listen, for your chance may not come again. 
• All your weapons of evil must be removed. The time for conflict is now past and the race of which you are a part may proceed to the higher stages of its evolution if you show yourselves worthy to do this. You have but a short time to learn to live together in peace and goodwill. Small groups all over the planet are learning this, and exist to pass on the light of the dawning New Age to you all. You are free to accept or reject their teachings, but only those who learn to live in peace will pass to the higher realms of spiritual evolution. 
• Hear now the voice of Vrillon, a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command, speaking to you. Be aware also that there are many false prophets and guides at present operating on your world. They will suck your energy from you – the energy you call money and will put it to evil ends and give you worthless dross in return. Your inner divine self will protect you from this.
• You must learn to be sensitive to the voice within that can tell you what is truth, and what is confusion, chaos and untruth. Learn to listen to the voice of truth which is within you and you will lead yourselves onto the path of evolution. 
• This is our message to our dear friends. We have watched you growing for many years as you too have watched our lights in your skies. You know now that we are here, and that there are more beings on and around your Earth than your scientists admit. We are deeply concerned about you and your path towards the light and will do all we can to help you. Have no fear, seek only to know yourselves, and live in harmony with the ways of your planet Earth.
• We here at the Ashtar Galactic Command thank you for your attention. We are now leaving the planes of your existence. May you be blessed by the supreme love and truth of the cosmos."

Was it real though?

Things to note. The emphasis on the "New Age of Aquarius" was very much part of the nomenclature of Earth at the time. This was a time when "channeling" was emerging and people were connecting with past lives, other beings, and departed relatives.

The metaphysical terms of "vibrations", "planes', and "energy" were also commonplace as the "New Age" bloomed everywhere. The language is stilted and reflects much of the syntax used in the spiritualist movement of the late 1890's.

The focus on an inner divine light is similarly connected to spiritualism and to the early contactee movements (and their connections to known con artists and the like).

The fact it apparently only appeared on British television is another questionable point. Such a "galactic command" would surely have made sure the broadcast reached every culture and in every language?

WHERE TO START: BEST INSTRUCTORY DOCUMENTARIES ON UFO-UAP TOPICS

 I frequently see requests for people looking for places to "learn more" on the
phenomenon referred to as "UFOs" or "UAPs" and they often list titles that are not the best in quality, evidence,  or scientific representation.  

The following are ones I highly recommend based on all of those points. They avoid the "tinfoil hat" brigade and approach the subject with cool, rationale, and evidence-based tactics.

BEST UFO/UAP DOCUMENTATIES

The Phenomenon,  ((2020)/ James Fox Directed. his documentary examines unidentified aerial phenomenon. With testimony from high-ranking government officials, and NASA Astronauts, Senator Harry Reid says it "makes the incredible credible."

UFOs: 50 Years of Denial? (1997), James Fox Directed. This documentary aims to demystify the controversial phenomenon of UFOs and offers explosive information about some of the biggest cover-ups of the last century. From Roswell to Area 51, former government officials, astronauts and military experts offer firsthand accounts of their experiences with the unknown.

I Know What I Saw (2014). James Fox Directed.

Moment of Contact (2022) - / Is an exploration of extraterrestrial encounters centered on a series of events in 1996 when citizens of Varginha, Brazil, reported seeing a UFO crash and one or more strange creatures. James Fox Director.

Out of the Blue (2003).  The definitive investigation on the UFO phenomenon narrated by Peter Coyote.

A Tear in the Sky (2022) – IMDb/ This award-winning documentary A Tear in the Sky takes you on an unprecedented journey into the UFO / UAP phenomenon.

The UFO Phenomena (2021) - It is now beyond doubt that strange, anomalous objects filling our skies and caught on camera are the real deal. Even the Pentagon admits it’s true. These seemingly intelligently controlled craft are operating above the clouds, in our oceans and in our orbit – travelling at hypersonic speeds far beyond any known human technology and completing maneuvers unknown to science. The subject of conspiracy and derision for years, UFOs are now the hottest topic in Washington and the world.  Five-time Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist Ross Coulthart – who has been investigating the phenomena for the past two years – led the 7NEWS Spotlight team across the US, amassing never-before-seen compelling evidence and speaking to the key players behind an event that will change the course of history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm6AL5lA4Zc&t=278s

Historic Early Works

UFO: The True Story…Documentary (1956) - UFO (full title: Unidentified Flying Objects: The True Story of Flying Saucers) is a 1956 American semi-documentary about the development of the UFO phenomenon in the United States. Clips from the documentary have often been used in other UFO documentaries and television episodes related to UFOs.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bGTLtdwPHM

The UFO Mystery (1950) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7EwnG9R6t8&t=3s

It is a Blessing and a Curse: Starlink and UAP Research (2023)

Modern life demands easy, cheap, and reliable internet connectivity. Realities of terrain limitations, company infrastructures, and financial demands have created dead zones. The modern attitude has moved away from being chained to a desk with a computer screen, cpu, and accessories to being mobile and immediate. The STARLINK system has been the solution - involving the launching of at least 12,000 small satellite units to form grids around the globe to support the need for strong, reliable and immediate connectivity.

On the pro side is that it should be more reliable, immediate, accessible and inexpensive.  The negative side is that it will limit the natural resource of the dark sky, weave a web of artificial communication systems around the planet, and have the potential to be the next "coal mines" "oil rigs", "toxic waste", and "wind farm" environmental disasters. Plus, anyone who ever saw the movie "Terminator" with its underlying story of a satellites and AI eliminating humanity....has to get a chill with the running amuck of a grid of satellites and an evolving AI already in existence that lacks any ethical or moral guidelines.

Now, with the increased interest in sky watching to see UAPs the fact that people are not as engaged with real time events as they might be is clearly evident. Lacking the authoritative forces of past generations - (1) a vetted, balanced, and researched newspaper or news source, (2) quality, current, and accessible local library resources and professionals, and (3) a trustworthy, public good focused, government, the results are dismaying.  Information is found via asking friends or group members which often results in the blind leading the blind. Information searching is avoided in favor of disseminated information (I won't read about it - just tell me). Deep complexities are avoided and the demand is for a simple, easy answer that requires no thought, evidence comparison, or hearing opposing views.

Thus - 

People keep reporting these strange strings of lights in the sky. What are they? Even when they are explained away there is often something that they refuse to accept.

Tracking apps are being reported as not reporting sightings in an area. Not all apps are equal and they might be  overwhelmed by the sheer number of objects being launched. The sats are a money-making component of the companies' broader plans after all.                                                                                                                                              

• As of February 2023, there are over 3,580 Starlink satellites in orbit. 
• Of these, 3,236 are operational. 
• SpaceX has launched over 4,000 Starlink satellites into space. 
• Nearly 12,000 satellites are planned to be deployed, with a possible later extension to 42,000.

More information:

How to Spot SpaceX's 60 New Starlink Satellites in the Night Sky | Space

What was the "LA" in the FBI Memo of 1947?

The days preceding and following what is coyly referred to as "The Roswell Incident" the military (apparently led in part by Schulgen) were covertly investigating the many reports of odd things in the skies. The FBI, because of the real threat of Soviet covert operations, was equally curious. Since no one seemed to know what they were....the curiosity intensified. 

Schulgen, already involved in some top secret work related to some special projects, was selected to follow up on an idea.  The FBI had the "legs" in the form of field investigators and the military did not have a wide scale investigative element capable at the time of the type of vetting required to sort the wheat from the chaff of all those reports. Could perhaps the FBI lend the military a hand?  J. Edgar Hoover and his directors had been burned before through military stonewalling...he was therefore cautious and agreed on specific grounds.

a-memo-FBI-hoover-handwriting-good-above.jpg (1438×1833) (luforu.org)

There is one telling line that has raised questions for decades. 

"For instance in the La case the Army grabbed it and would not let us have it..."

Since a little earlier in the month there had been a deliberate hoax in Shreveport, Louisiana, many assume that is the case referred to by JEH. Although the "La" was a traditional abbreviation for Louisiana in the time, might it be something else? JEH was inconsistent in many of his shortcuts in his notes. For one thing, the FBI did, apparently, get information about the Shreveport "disc" - made as a practical joker there. Similarly, other similar hoaxes had been accessible to them as well from numerous records. 

Could it be that the "La" referred not to a recent case but from nearly six years previously?  The Battle of Los Angeles on 25 February 1942.

The event was classified as "war nerves": that did not say much about the 12,000 air raid wardens, the 37th Coast Artillery Brigade antiaircraft batteries, and the 4th Interceptor Command, as well as local law enforcement and many others. Over 1,430 rounds of antiaircraft shells were expended, including 12 8-pound shells.  Reports from the field by Herald Express newspaper staff indicated they had eyewitnesses among the reporters of shells hitting the "object" directly - but nothing was shot down.  The image below shows the familiar image from the newspaper. Searchlights are focused on the strong light mass in the center. Above it shells are exploding. Darkened, the image highlights the sense of a "something" in the core heart of the beams.

In 1974 under provisions of a FOIA request a 1942 memo came to light. Written by George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, and sent to President Roosevelt on 26 February 1942, there were some fascinating facts...

Unidentified airplanes were "probably" fired upon over Los Angeles (LA), This statement verifies the number of rounds fired and by what Brigade,

As many as "fifteen" of those unidentified (they were not Army or Navy planes) may have been involved flying at various speeds (slow to 200 mph) and altitudes of 9,000 to 10,000 feet.

*No bombs were dropped.

*No causalities among US troops

*No planes were shot down

*No American Army or Navy planes were in action

A note on the speed estimate indicates that the report may have ignored an eyewitness driving near Douglas Aircraft Company near Pasadena and ordered to park and douse his lights by an Air Raid Warden. He observed "bright red spots of lights" low on the horizon to the south - moving in an odd manner. The lights were zig-zagging low to the ground at about 10,000 feet. The witness, Paul T Collins, indicated he could see different batteries firing and the red objects caught in the process - moving in and around the bursting shells at incredible speed. He estimates about "five miles per second."   He noted from the position he and others were, they could not see the "enormous UFO" because it was probably below their horizon, but they did see the fast paced, and mobile, red lights objects.

"Prior to the release of the Marshall memorandum, the Department of Defense state that they had no record of the event."  The contradictions of timelines, descriptions, the insulting classification of serious and trained military and civilians as frightened and trigger-happy causes one to consider that there was a coverup involved.... (See Timothy Good's ABOVE TOP SECRET for more of the early events of the modern era). 

So- was JEH referring to a Louisiana case of a prankster?  Or, was he referring to perhaps some still concealed event of that earlier Battle of Los Angeles?

Interview

Yesterday I was interviewed by an ABC news affiliate in Oklahoma (KOCO) about my UFO books, research, and the stories I uncovered. The setting could not have been better, the "Office of Clark Kent" in the Spirit of America Route 66 Museum in Stroud, Oklahoma. Thanks to Museum owner and director, Steve Brant. 

The modern moment of UFO/UAP activities and study needs the "truth and justice" of America's "favorite alien"....and his alter ego of Clark Kent. As an ex- newspaper stringer....and a small part of a larger disclosure process...I felt right at home.