By Steve Hammons
Writer Whitley Strieber states in his July 6, 2009, online journal that unconventional extraterrestrial or extra-dimensional "visitors" sometimes are accompanied by humans who have previously passed on.
He writes, "… Anne and I used to have large groups to our cabin in upstate New York, and the visitors would often show up, and, as often, so would the dead."
Strieber also notes, "It is an ordinary part of the close encounter experience for people to see the dead in the company of the grays, and usually they appear to be just as real as any physical being."
"As an example, once there were grays in the living room with a group of about six people, while four others in the basement below were finding themselves having an encounter with a friend who had died in the Mexico City earthquake of 1985," Strieber claims.
"Another time, a woman who'd had a fully conscious close encounter with a gray the night before met her brother, who had been dead for more than twenty years, on the road in front of the house," he says.
ALIENS AND ANGELS
Strieber has often pointed out in his books and other writing that he feels these unconventional visitors have something to do with the human soul. In other words, the visitors move in the very deep levels of human consciousness and existence.
What are the implications of Strieber's thoughts on these concepts and how are they related to our current understanding and knowledge?
In many of his books, such as the widely-read Communion (1987), as well as Majestic (1989), Strieber has made reference to the human soul and how he feels this is part of unconventional contact with mysterious beings from – somewhere.
So, the idea that our friends and loved ones who have passed on might still exist in some other dimension, and that these alleged visitors can access this realm, is fairly consistent with Strieber's past positions.
Current scientific theories about the structure and function of the Universe, including ideas about a multiverse of different dimensions, also seem to have common denominators with Strieber’s views.
We could theorize that what we call "Heaven," the "Afterlife" or many other names, is another dimension of some kind that exists somewhere in the mysterious physics of our Universe or multiverse.
Strieber and others have indicated that they believe some unconventional visitors can move in and out of these dimensions.
Human folklore and spiritual or metaphysical beliefs have also included stories of angels and loved ones who have passed on occasionally moving in and out of our dimension and the Heavenly dimension – and who knows where else?
Included in these perspectives is the belief or theory that angels and loved ones can remain invisible to us while watching over us. They can be very nearby, but seemingly far away. Once in a while, they might manifest themselves in unusual or mysterious ways that allow us to perceive or suspect their presence.
Strieber seems to agree with these ways of looking at the situation.
HEAVEN AND EARTH
So, where is this all heading? Strieber also ventures a guess: "If the grays begin to approach more of us more closely, the first things we are going to notice will be two: 1) We will begin to see beyond the limits of what we now call reality; 2) As a result, we will perceive our dead as becoming part of the physical world."
He seems to be saying that there will be some kind of integration or interface between our more normal everyday consciousness with our deeper consciousness, or soul, and a deeper or different dimension that might blend with our own "reality."
Is Strieber saying that we can expect a merging of Heaven and Earth in some way? It seems so.
This is in the ballpark of some current theories in science. In these views, interesting non-material levels of reality and the Universe exist right alongside of our day to day lives. These other aspects of reality are within us and around us, though challenging to perceive and understand fully.
And, human consciousness is part of this natural system.
Could Strieber be on to something here? Will the day come when, as he says, "We will perceive our dead as becoming part of the physical world?"
And, will we mortal flesh-and-blood humans become more like some kind of spiritual quantum energy when the dimensions of Heaven and Earth are more fully integrated?
If Strieber is correct, these coming changes will be more unique and important than many people contemplate.
You can visit "Whitley’s Journal" to read his entire essay.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Twitter experiment, 'Goats' movie tackle 'remote viewing'
By Steve Hammons
What do a recent Twitter extrasensory perception (ESP) experiment and an upcoming movie starring George Clooney have in common?
Both address the topic of "remote viewing."
Remote viewing refers to a method of using human consciousness to obtain information and understanding about situations, places, things and people that are not known to the remote viewer.
Additionally, the remote viewer has no other means to obtain the information about the "target" other than what is perceived via the mind.
However, there could be significant misperceptions about this topic in the Twitter exercise and the movie, titled The Men Who Stare at Goats, based on the book of the same name.
It may be useful to look at the subject of unconventional human perception, as well as the Twitter project and the "Goats" book and movie, to help obtain a more comprehensive view of this subject.
LIMITED EXPERIMENT
The Twitter experiment, conducted in early June 2009, was conducted by psychology professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK in association with New Scientist magazine, a weekly science and technology publication.
Wiseman used more than 7,000 volunteers via Twitter to try to use ESP to determine his location. During the four-day experiment, in each of several exercises, he posted five photographs of locations. Four locations were decoys and one was the actual place where he was located.
According to a subsequent article written by Wiseman, one of his goals was to test "both whether the group as a whole was psychic and whether believers outperformed disbelievers."
Wiseman reportedly has a reputation for debunking phenomena associated with "anomalous cognition," another term referencing unconventional human perception.
Wiseman also asked participants whether they believed in human ESP functioning or did not. Apparently the group was divided into "believers" and "skeptics."
His premise was that if some participants selected the correct target more often than a percentage expected by chance, it would have significance and indicate possible ESP. He also wanted to determine any variation between the believers and the skeptics.
When the project was completed, Wiseman reported that both groups identified the correct targets at a rate no better than random chance guessing. Although believers felt more strongly that they were perceiving the correct targets, this proved to not be the case, Wiseman said.
Some researchers familiar with remote viewing might suggest that certain elements of Wiseman's experiment were problematic.
A significant aspect that stands out is the view that while possibly all humans have perceptual abilities related to intuition, hunches, gut feelings, ESP and anomalous cognition, most people do not have the natural talent, training or skills for statistically successful remote viewing.
As a result, the Twitter experiment may have very little in common with the U.S. military and intelligence programs referred to as Project STARGATE, conducted during the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Identifying individuals with natural skills, then creating effective experimental and operational protocols were key factors involved in the successes of the STARGATE programs.
HOLLYWOOD VERSION
This brings us to George Clooney and the "Goats" book and movie.
The book was written by UK writer Jon Ronson and published in 2004. Ronson claimed to have interviewed credible sources about operations within the U.S. military and intelligence communities that involved remote viewing and other unusual activities.
Related to the book was a three-part TV show in the UK called "Crazy Rulers of the World." The three parts of the show were titled "The Men Who Stare at Goats," "Funny Torture" and "Psychic Footsoldiers."
The new movie is being produced by Smoke House Pictures starring Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Director Grant Heslov and Clooney formed Smoke House Pictures in 2006. The script was written by Peter Straughan and the film is planned for release Feb. 18, 2010.
In a June 15 article in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper, retired Army Col. John Alexander, who worked on unconventional military and intelligence projects, offered the view that the Ronson book is "5 percent true and the rest extrapolated beyond belief."
Alexander, a senior fellow for the Joint Special Operations University, was quoted by Sun reporter Joe Schoenmann as equating remote viewing to athletics. "I can run all I want, but I'm never going to break a 4-minute mile. But some will. I see it as there are superstars in every endeavor, from art to athletics to science, and the same is true of remote viewing.”
Other people have compared remote viewing to musical abilities. It takes training, practice and natural talent to be a great musician, though all of us have some measure of musical ability.
Author Ronson has claimed that he had credible and authentic sources for his book, although we don't know to what degree there were exaggerations, misinterpretations, misconceptions or creative fiction on his part or by his sources.
When we look deeper into the scientific rigor of the STARGATE-related programs and evaluate the interesting accuracy of many of the remote viewing operations, it seems probable that Ronson's views and presentation about these activities might be open to question.
The Project STARGATE activities were reportedly shut down in the 1990s because significant success was not demonstrated. However, the scientific committee that evaluated the program for the CIA had differences among themselves as to the reality of remote viewing success.
In addition, some of the most significant evidence of this success was not available to these reviewers because of the sensitive nature of the military and intelligence operations involved. The reviewers did not have the necessary security clearance to see that information.
We can assume that Clooney, Heslov and their Smoke House team are editing and fine-tuning "Goats." What will end up on the cutting room floor and what will we see on the big screen next February? Maybe some qualified remote viewers can tell us.
TRANSCENDENT WARFARE
What can we take away from the recent Twitter experiment and the "Goats" book and movie?
One obvious point is that there is much misinformation in various media about the nature and background of research and activities surrounding human anomalous cognition. This misinformation can take different forms and shapes, either pro- or anti-ESP.
Misrepresentation on these kinds of topics may be intentional, accidental or simply a product of conscious or unconscious bias or belief.
It is a complex issue, full of interesting surprises.
There are many credible and reliable sources of information about these kinds of topics. One of these is a 2001 academic paper researched and written by a Navy SEAL officer as part of studies at the Marine Corps War College, Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia.
The paper, "Unconventional Human Intelligence Support: Transcendent and Asymmetric Warfare Implications of Remote Viewing," took a deep look at the Project STARGATE activities from 1972 through 1995.
The author suggested that learning about human anomalous cognition could be part of a unique way of looking at military, intelligence, geopolitical and other situations, resources and assets. He used the term "transcendent warfare" to describe the utilization of updated perspectives about emerging and leading-edge developments such as remote viewing.
A related idea takes makes that researcher's transcendent warfare concept a component of "hard power," "soft power" and "smart power" by using the phrase "transcendent power." This term, too, reflects the intelligent use of new knowledge and understanding – even about unconventional situations.
While it is highly useful to maintain a healthy skepticism about certain unusual phenomena, it also seems helpful to keep an open mind when we evaluate all evidence and indications about such phenomena.
What do a recent Twitter extrasensory perception (ESP) experiment and an upcoming movie starring George Clooney have in common?
Both address the topic of "remote viewing."
Remote viewing refers to a method of using human consciousness to obtain information and understanding about situations, places, things and people that are not known to the remote viewer.
Additionally, the remote viewer has no other means to obtain the information about the "target" other than what is perceived via the mind.
However, there could be significant misperceptions about this topic in the Twitter exercise and the movie, titled The Men Who Stare at Goats, based on the book of the same name.
It may be useful to look at the subject of unconventional human perception, as well as the Twitter project and the "Goats" book and movie, to help obtain a more comprehensive view of this subject.
LIMITED EXPERIMENT
The Twitter experiment, conducted in early June 2009, was conducted by psychology professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK in association with New Scientist magazine, a weekly science and technology publication.
Wiseman used more than 7,000 volunteers via Twitter to try to use ESP to determine his location. During the four-day experiment, in each of several exercises, he posted five photographs of locations. Four locations were decoys and one was the actual place where he was located.
According to a subsequent article written by Wiseman, one of his goals was to test "both whether the group as a whole was psychic and whether believers outperformed disbelievers."
Wiseman reportedly has a reputation for debunking phenomena associated with "anomalous cognition," another term referencing unconventional human perception.
Wiseman also asked participants whether they believed in human ESP functioning or did not. Apparently the group was divided into "believers" and "skeptics."
His premise was that if some participants selected the correct target more often than a percentage expected by chance, it would have significance and indicate possible ESP. He also wanted to determine any variation between the believers and the skeptics.
When the project was completed, Wiseman reported that both groups identified the correct targets at a rate no better than random chance guessing. Although believers felt more strongly that they were perceiving the correct targets, this proved to not be the case, Wiseman said.
Some researchers familiar with remote viewing might suggest that certain elements of Wiseman's experiment were problematic.
A significant aspect that stands out is the view that while possibly all humans have perceptual abilities related to intuition, hunches, gut feelings, ESP and anomalous cognition, most people do not have the natural talent, training or skills for statistically successful remote viewing.
As a result, the Twitter experiment may have very little in common with the U.S. military and intelligence programs referred to as Project STARGATE, conducted during the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Identifying individuals with natural skills, then creating effective experimental and operational protocols were key factors involved in the successes of the STARGATE programs.
HOLLYWOOD VERSION
This brings us to George Clooney and the "Goats" book and movie.
The book was written by UK writer Jon Ronson and published in 2004. Ronson claimed to have interviewed credible sources about operations within the U.S. military and intelligence communities that involved remote viewing and other unusual activities.
Related to the book was a three-part TV show in the UK called "Crazy Rulers of the World." The three parts of the show were titled "The Men Who Stare at Goats," "Funny Torture" and "Psychic Footsoldiers."
The new movie is being produced by Smoke House Pictures starring Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Director Grant Heslov and Clooney formed Smoke House Pictures in 2006. The script was written by Peter Straughan and the film is planned for release Feb. 18, 2010.
In a June 15 article in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper, retired Army Col. John Alexander, who worked on unconventional military and intelligence projects, offered the view that the Ronson book is "5 percent true and the rest extrapolated beyond belief."
Alexander, a senior fellow for the Joint Special Operations University, was quoted by Sun reporter Joe Schoenmann as equating remote viewing to athletics. "I can run all I want, but I'm never going to break a 4-minute mile. But some will. I see it as there are superstars in every endeavor, from art to athletics to science, and the same is true of remote viewing.”
Other people have compared remote viewing to musical abilities. It takes training, practice and natural talent to be a great musician, though all of us have some measure of musical ability.
Author Ronson has claimed that he had credible and authentic sources for his book, although we don't know to what degree there were exaggerations, misinterpretations, misconceptions or creative fiction on his part or by his sources.
When we look deeper into the scientific rigor of the STARGATE-related programs and evaluate the interesting accuracy of many of the remote viewing operations, it seems probable that Ronson's views and presentation about these activities might be open to question.
The Project STARGATE activities were reportedly shut down in the 1990s because significant success was not demonstrated. However, the scientific committee that evaluated the program for the CIA had differences among themselves as to the reality of remote viewing success.
In addition, some of the most significant evidence of this success was not available to these reviewers because of the sensitive nature of the military and intelligence operations involved. The reviewers did not have the necessary security clearance to see that information.
We can assume that Clooney, Heslov and their Smoke House team are editing and fine-tuning "Goats." What will end up on the cutting room floor and what will we see on the big screen next February? Maybe some qualified remote viewers can tell us.
TRANSCENDENT WARFARE
What can we take away from the recent Twitter experiment and the "Goats" book and movie?
One obvious point is that there is much misinformation in various media about the nature and background of research and activities surrounding human anomalous cognition. This misinformation can take different forms and shapes, either pro- or anti-ESP.
Misrepresentation on these kinds of topics may be intentional, accidental or simply a product of conscious or unconscious bias or belief.
It is a complex issue, full of interesting surprises.
There are many credible and reliable sources of information about these kinds of topics. One of these is a 2001 academic paper researched and written by a Navy SEAL officer as part of studies at the Marine Corps War College, Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia.
The paper, "Unconventional Human Intelligence Support: Transcendent and Asymmetric Warfare Implications of Remote Viewing," took a deep look at the Project STARGATE activities from 1972 through 1995.
The author suggested that learning about human anomalous cognition could be part of a unique way of looking at military, intelligence, geopolitical and other situations, resources and assets. He used the term "transcendent warfare" to describe the utilization of updated perspectives about emerging and leading-edge developments such as remote viewing.
A related idea takes makes that researcher's transcendent warfare concept a component of "hard power," "soft power" and "smart power" by using the phrase "transcendent power." This term, too, reflects the intelligent use of new knowledge and understanding – even about unconventional situations.
While it is highly useful to maintain a healthy skepticism about certain unusual phenomena, it also seems helpful to keep an open mind when we evaluate all evidence and indications about such phenomena.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
FBI investigates time, mind warp in new TV series 'Flash Forward'
By Steve Hammons
A new TV series at ABC will explore human consciousness, weird physics and the mysteries of time.
"Flash Forward" is based on a 1999 novel by respected Canadian science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer.
Sawyer's novel and the TV series seem to explore fascinating topics that are actually being investigated by serious scientists and researchers.
The series begins on a seemingly average day when every human in the world has a blackout of some kind mixed with altered consciousness for two minutes and 17 seconds.
As a result, there is widespread loss of life, injury and damage.
In addition, during this strange event everyone seems to have had individual visions of their lives on a specific day several months into the future.
It turns out that some physicists were conducting experiments that warped time and human consciousness.
An FBI agent, played by Joseph Fiennes, is one of the people we see having the blackout-premonition flash. Later, he and other FBI agents investigate the phenomena.
FACT-BASED FICTION
Is it just a far-fetched sci-fi plot or is there a basis in current knowledge about a scenario like this?
Extrasensory perception (ESP), anomalous cognition, remote viewing and other phenomena associated with human perception and awareness have been investigated by credible scientists and found to be something other than science fiction.
The physics of time also seems to be a topic that is much more mysterious and uncertain than we generally believe.
When we combine some of the current investigations into unusual human consciousness and research about the nature of time, it becomes evident that "Flash Forward" is not so far-fetched after all.
Elements of U.S. intelligence community and military conducted decades of research and operational activities in Project STARGATE using unusual human consciousness approaches.
In these activities, certain personnel were able to use a specific technique called remote viewing to perceive people, places and things at a distance using only their consciousness.
These kinds of perceptions reportedly were not limited to the here and now, but could reach out into the past and future.
Another aspect of "Flash Forward" that has a basis in theories from psychology and physics is the idea that a common field or common consciousness, at some level, connects us all.
REAL MYSTERIES
There seems to be very rich material for this new series, based on real developments in scientific discovery.
In addition, there appears to be widespread recognition among the public, both nationally and internationally, that things like premonitions, the human sixth sense, anomalous cognition and ESP are actually real phenomena, although we don't quite understand them completely.
This would seem to help provide a solid audience for "Flash Forward," if the writers and actors can convey these concepts in ways that take viewers into a real investigation, like the one FBI agent Fiennes and his fellow actors portray.
When the first episode airs this fall, viewers will have a chance to explore and ponder these kinds of unusual aspects of human consciousness, time and the nature of reality.
In published reports, ABC's Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, executive vice-president of drama development, described the pilot episode this way: "Our FBI agent, played by Joseph Fiennes, appears to be in an FBI chase. You think he has a car crash. He has a flash of all sorts of things and he wakes up on the freeway and subsequently discovers that everybody else in the world has had a blackout that lasted the same amount of time. This resulted in a lot of devastation across the world."
"Everybody talks about their flash and they realize they were all dreaming of the same day – which is a day in the future. You can identify with the different people and have that sense of global import – we're all in it together ..."
Yep, we probably are in it together. But what are we in? What is the true nature of human consciousness, time and the realities around us and within us? These remain evolving and emerging mysteries.
Other "Flash Forward" cast members include Sonya Walger, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Brian O'Byrne, Courtney B. Vance, Christine Woods, Zachary Knighton and Peyton List.
The show's executive producers and writers are David Goyer and Brannon Braga.
ABC Studios has ordered 13 episodes. The series was developed at HBO, but after vigorous bidding with a competitor, ABC obtained the show.
A new TV series at ABC will explore human consciousness, weird physics and the mysteries of time.
"Flash Forward" is based on a 1999 novel by respected Canadian science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer.
Sawyer's novel and the TV series seem to explore fascinating topics that are actually being investigated by serious scientists and researchers.
The series begins on a seemingly average day when every human in the world has a blackout of some kind mixed with altered consciousness for two minutes and 17 seconds.
As a result, there is widespread loss of life, injury and damage.
In addition, during this strange event everyone seems to have had individual visions of their lives on a specific day several months into the future.
It turns out that some physicists were conducting experiments that warped time and human consciousness.
An FBI agent, played by Joseph Fiennes, is one of the people we see having the blackout-premonition flash. Later, he and other FBI agents investigate the phenomena.
FACT-BASED FICTION
Is it just a far-fetched sci-fi plot or is there a basis in current knowledge about a scenario like this?
Extrasensory perception (ESP), anomalous cognition, remote viewing and other phenomena associated with human perception and awareness have been investigated by credible scientists and found to be something other than science fiction.
The physics of time also seems to be a topic that is much more mysterious and uncertain than we generally believe.
When we combine some of the current investigations into unusual human consciousness and research about the nature of time, it becomes evident that "Flash Forward" is not so far-fetched after all.
Elements of U.S. intelligence community and military conducted decades of research and operational activities in Project STARGATE using unusual human consciousness approaches.
In these activities, certain personnel were able to use a specific technique called remote viewing to perceive people, places and things at a distance using only their consciousness.
These kinds of perceptions reportedly were not limited to the here and now, but could reach out into the past and future.
Another aspect of "Flash Forward" that has a basis in theories from psychology and physics is the idea that a common field or common consciousness, at some level, connects us all.
REAL MYSTERIES
There seems to be very rich material for this new series, based on real developments in scientific discovery.
In addition, there appears to be widespread recognition among the public, both nationally and internationally, that things like premonitions, the human sixth sense, anomalous cognition and ESP are actually real phenomena, although we don't quite understand them completely.
This would seem to help provide a solid audience for "Flash Forward," if the writers and actors can convey these concepts in ways that take viewers into a real investigation, like the one FBI agent Fiennes and his fellow actors portray.
When the first episode airs this fall, viewers will have a chance to explore and ponder these kinds of unusual aspects of human consciousness, time and the nature of reality.
In published reports, ABC's Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, executive vice-president of drama development, described the pilot episode this way: "Our FBI agent, played by Joseph Fiennes, appears to be in an FBI chase. You think he has a car crash. He has a flash of all sorts of things and he wakes up on the freeway and subsequently discovers that everybody else in the world has had a blackout that lasted the same amount of time. This resulted in a lot of devastation across the world."
"Everybody talks about their flash and they realize they were all dreaming of the same day – which is a day in the future. You can identify with the different people and have that sense of global import – we're all in it together ..."
Yep, we probably are in it together. But what are we in? What is the true nature of human consciousness, time and the realities around us and within us? These remain evolving and emerging mysteries.
Other "Flash Forward" cast members include Sonya Walger, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Brian O'Byrne, Courtney B. Vance, Christine Woods, Zachary Knighton and Peyton List.
The show's executive producers and writers are David Goyer and Brannon Braga.
ABC Studios has ordered 13 episodes. The series was developed at HBO, but after vigorous bidding with a competitor, ABC obtained the show.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
UFOs, visitors are here – situation mysterious, says author
By Steve Hammons
Well-known author Whitley Strieber’s April 26 entry in the “Whitley’s Journal” section of his Web site provides interesting reading about “disclosure” on UFOs and visitation to Earth by other intelligent beings.
In his entry titled “A New World, If We Can Take It,” Strieber writes that, “the primary directions contact will take are two.”
“First, and most important, it will be between individuals and the visitors, without any institutional barrier such as some NASA or Air Force officials directing our actions or laws restricting or channeling contact.”
“Second, it will involve scientists working publicly on data that can be readily obtained in dozens of different ways, to make sense of contact in terms that are meaningful to us,” Strieber says.
Strieber has a long track record of providing meaningful and valuable perspectives on subjects from global climate change to human consciousness to UFOs and visitation by intelligent beings.
Although he wrote several good novels earlier in his career, his 1987 book Communion thrust him into the public eye more than ever. The book described his apparent contact with intelligent beings who appeared to be extraterrestrial and/or extra-dimensional. Several of his subsequent books continued the exploration of these topics.
Strieber’s under-appreciated 1989 novel Majestic presented an insightful scenario about what may have taken place surrounding the alleged 1947 Roswell incident.
GRASSROOTS CONTACT
What is some of Strieber’s other current thinking on these kinds of unusual subjects? He writes that the apparent “shoot ‘em down” UFO policy of the U.S. government was counterproductive.
Strieber seems to feel that this kind of stance by the U.S. government reflected a blocking of contact between humans and visiting beings.
This apparent governmental position “has blocked our evolutionary path and left us trapped on a planet that is becoming unable to support us and could, more or less at any time, start malfunctioning in ways that could induce a massive dieback of our species,” Strieber writes.
In a hopeful view, he also suggests that we can optimize this kind of contact.
Strieber writes, “Of course there is another chance. But it does not involve our existing authorities and institutions. In fact, it has nothing to do with institutional authority except insofar as it must stand aside in order for contact to proceed.”
He says, “As matters now stand, if there was an admission at the highest levels of the U.S. government similar to that already made by numerous other governments, there will follow an effort to manage information flow by directing the media to NASA, the U.S. Air Force and such quasi-governmental groups as the MUFON leadership. However, these groups probably have little to nothing of any value to offer.”
“The release of the much vaunted ‘secret knowledge’ supposedly in possession of the US government probably doesn't much matter,” he writes.
“It has most likely been obtained, for the most part, by people who lacked any real ability to interact with our visitors, and not only has little value, it might even be tainted by inaccuracies, incorrect conclusions and falsehoods that are designed to make us feel a need to hide behind the authority of the very institutions that would be releasing the supposed 'bombshells,' in an effort to terrify us into preserving them,” says Strieber.
When he says “for the most part,” Strieber might be hinting that he has a bit of faith that some U.S. military, intelligence and scientific personnel may have developed the appropriate insight about the scenario, or at least a constructive perspective.
Strieber appears to favor a more democratic and grassroots approach, suggesting that the academic community, scientists, researchers, journalists, investigators and average people become more involved in the situation.
According to Strieber, “If, in addition to the end of official denial and the constant scrambling of armed aircraft, there comes a properly constituted and new effort to understand by scientists who work outside of the U.S. government – for example, in the academic community – then there will also be a response.”
“The more accurate the conclusions that enter scientific culture, the richer and more complex the visitors' reaction to them will become. Useful understanding will lead to the appearance of more information,” he states.
DOLPHINS AND EXTRATERRESTRIALS
But how do we follow Strieber’s advice? This alleged situation of UFOs and visiting beings does not seem to be widely accepted at this time in the scientific community, the news media, some government circles or the general public.
Or, maybe it is just unclear how accepted some version of this scenario is. It seems to be steadily evolving.
Strieber provides the following guidance: “In reality, the way the visitors function and what happens to people in their proximity suggests that they perceive the world very, very differently from the way we do.”
“For example, when you are face to face with the small gray beings that form such a large part of the presence we see, and figure so extensively in its folklore, there is no sense that you are with people. Rather, it's like being with animals who are much more intelligent than you are. This is because there is absolutely no cultural familiarity at all. None.”
Strieber makes a possibly very useful comparison to humans and dolphins (cetaceans), and our comparative intelligence and consciousness. He notes, “How can officials engage with somebody whose meaning lies beyond a gap far more vast than that between us and, say, dolphins?”
“We haven't the slightest idea what cetaceans may be saying to each other, or even what language means to them, if anything. And our visitors – even those who appear to engage with us verbally – are far, far more different from us than any earthly species.”
For those wishing to explore this aspect, there has been extensive research on dolphins that is well-documented and available on the Web. The work of John C. Lilly, M.D., is especially useful. Interestingly, Lilly investigated not only dolphin consciousness, but human consciousness as well.
Strieber notes that human consciousness, perception and awareness are part of the situation. He might be implying that our thinking logical minds can be combined with our alternative perceptions such as dreaming states, intuition and the human “sixth sense” to understand and deal with such a scenario.
He seems to recognize that government officials are in a difficult situation. There may be no easy answers about what approaches would be best. It is a complex and mysterious dilemma, at least to most people – and apparently including Strieber.
As he and others have pointed out, maybe it is supposed to be a mystery.
However, in his journal entry, Strieber ponders the day when a government official might announce, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have known for some time that a nonhuman intelligence appears to be present here. Beyond that, we have learned little of any value. Our own forces will now stand down, in the hope and expectation that the people and public sector science can learn more, and gain for mankind the value that appears to be available to us."
Well-known author Whitley Strieber’s April 26 entry in the “Whitley’s Journal” section of his Web site provides interesting reading about “disclosure” on UFOs and visitation to Earth by other intelligent beings.
In his entry titled “A New World, If We Can Take It,” Strieber writes that, “the primary directions contact will take are two.”
“First, and most important, it will be between individuals and the visitors, without any institutional barrier such as some NASA or Air Force officials directing our actions or laws restricting or channeling contact.”
“Second, it will involve scientists working publicly on data that can be readily obtained in dozens of different ways, to make sense of contact in terms that are meaningful to us,” Strieber says.
Strieber has a long track record of providing meaningful and valuable perspectives on subjects from global climate change to human consciousness to UFOs and visitation by intelligent beings.
Although he wrote several good novels earlier in his career, his 1987 book Communion thrust him into the public eye more than ever. The book described his apparent contact with intelligent beings who appeared to be extraterrestrial and/or extra-dimensional. Several of his subsequent books continued the exploration of these topics.
Strieber’s under-appreciated 1989 novel Majestic presented an insightful scenario about what may have taken place surrounding the alleged 1947 Roswell incident.
GRASSROOTS CONTACT
What is some of Strieber’s other current thinking on these kinds of unusual subjects? He writes that the apparent “shoot ‘em down” UFO policy of the U.S. government was counterproductive.
Strieber seems to feel that this kind of stance by the U.S. government reflected a blocking of contact between humans and visiting beings.
This apparent governmental position “has blocked our evolutionary path and left us trapped on a planet that is becoming unable to support us and could, more or less at any time, start malfunctioning in ways that could induce a massive dieback of our species,” Strieber writes.
In a hopeful view, he also suggests that we can optimize this kind of contact.
Strieber writes, “Of course there is another chance. But it does not involve our existing authorities and institutions. In fact, it has nothing to do with institutional authority except insofar as it must stand aside in order for contact to proceed.”
He says, “As matters now stand, if there was an admission at the highest levels of the U.S. government similar to that already made by numerous other governments, there will follow an effort to manage information flow by directing the media to NASA, the U.S. Air Force and such quasi-governmental groups as the MUFON leadership. However, these groups probably have little to nothing of any value to offer.”
“The release of the much vaunted ‘secret knowledge’ supposedly in possession of the US government probably doesn't much matter,” he writes.
“It has most likely been obtained, for the most part, by people who lacked any real ability to interact with our visitors, and not only has little value, it might even be tainted by inaccuracies, incorrect conclusions and falsehoods that are designed to make us feel a need to hide behind the authority of the very institutions that would be releasing the supposed 'bombshells,' in an effort to terrify us into preserving them,” says Strieber.
When he says “for the most part,” Strieber might be hinting that he has a bit of faith that some U.S. military, intelligence and scientific personnel may have developed the appropriate insight about the scenario, or at least a constructive perspective.
Strieber appears to favor a more democratic and grassroots approach, suggesting that the academic community, scientists, researchers, journalists, investigators and average people become more involved in the situation.
According to Strieber, “If, in addition to the end of official denial and the constant scrambling of armed aircraft, there comes a properly constituted and new effort to understand by scientists who work outside of the U.S. government – for example, in the academic community – then there will also be a response.”
“The more accurate the conclusions that enter scientific culture, the richer and more complex the visitors' reaction to them will become. Useful understanding will lead to the appearance of more information,” he states.
DOLPHINS AND EXTRATERRESTRIALS
But how do we follow Strieber’s advice? This alleged situation of UFOs and visiting beings does not seem to be widely accepted at this time in the scientific community, the news media, some government circles or the general public.
Or, maybe it is just unclear how accepted some version of this scenario is. It seems to be steadily evolving.
Strieber provides the following guidance: “In reality, the way the visitors function and what happens to people in their proximity suggests that they perceive the world very, very differently from the way we do.”
“For example, when you are face to face with the small gray beings that form such a large part of the presence we see, and figure so extensively in its folklore, there is no sense that you are with people. Rather, it's like being with animals who are much more intelligent than you are. This is because there is absolutely no cultural familiarity at all. None.”
Strieber makes a possibly very useful comparison to humans and dolphins (cetaceans), and our comparative intelligence and consciousness. He notes, “How can officials engage with somebody whose meaning lies beyond a gap far more vast than that between us and, say, dolphins?”
“We haven't the slightest idea what cetaceans may be saying to each other, or even what language means to them, if anything. And our visitors – even those who appear to engage with us verbally – are far, far more different from us than any earthly species.”
For those wishing to explore this aspect, there has been extensive research on dolphins that is well-documented and available on the Web. The work of John C. Lilly, M.D., is especially useful. Interestingly, Lilly investigated not only dolphin consciousness, but human consciousness as well.
Strieber notes that human consciousness, perception and awareness are part of the situation. He might be implying that our thinking logical minds can be combined with our alternative perceptions such as dreaming states, intuition and the human “sixth sense” to understand and deal with such a scenario.
He seems to recognize that government officials are in a difficult situation. There may be no easy answers about what approaches would be best. It is a complex and mysterious dilemma, at least to most people – and apparently including Strieber.
As he and others have pointed out, maybe it is supposed to be a mystery.
However, in his journal entry, Strieber ponders the day when a government official might announce, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have known for some time that a nonhuman intelligence appears to be present here. Beyond that, we have learned little of any value. Our own forces will now stand down, in the hope and expectation that the people and public sector science can learn more, and gain for mankind the value that appears to be available to us."
Read Strieber's entire journal entry at UnknownCountry.com.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
New book examines West Virginia UFOs, strange encounters
By Steve Hammons
West Virginia journalist Kyle Lovern brings us a straightforward, down-to-earth and amazing picture of UFO encounters and other mysteries from his home state in his new book Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters.
An award-winning writer born and raised in West Virginia, Lovern uses his professional experience from newspaper and radio work in his interviews with other West Virginians about their unusual UFO sightings and other experiences in the Appalachian Mountain region.
He chronicles sixteen separate incidents in which average people came into contact with UFOs, strange creatures and other mysterious situations.
In some cases, Lovern’s interview subjects told him of events long ago – in their childhoods for some of the people. Other accounts reported more recent incidents.
He points out that he used only the most credible cases from highly-reliable witnesses.
At 98 pages in length, the book gets to the point and reports facts and witness accounts in ways that are convincing and very interesting.
SIGHTING AND ENCOUNTER CASES
Most of the book is structured with chapters focusing on each of the 16 cases, although Lovern includes relevant background material at the beginning and end of the book.
In “Sighting One,” 18-year-old Dave, who would later be drafted for the Vietnam War, spots a large somewhat triangular UFO while hunting in the woods. Years later, he has another surprising encounter and may have experienced “missing time.”
“Sighting Two” tells the story of a couple, Bill and Jane, who see a large cigar-shape object. At the same time, their truck engine and electrical system malfunction mysteriously.
In “Sighting Three,” readers learn about the story of a Walt, a man who was 6 years old in 1952 when a bright multi-colored UFO hovered over his rural home. Although his mother witnessed it too, his father seemed in a daze of some kind and did not respond to the extraordinary event.
The sixteen cases are all unique in various ways.
One is a 1966 too-close sighting of the anomalous creature known as the “Mothman” that was seen by many witnesses in West Virginia in the 1960s.
In another incident, a witness named Mary tells of when she was 16 years old in 1955 and saw several cigar-shaped lights flying at tremendous speed over her home in southern West Virginia.
After reading all of Lovern’s 16 cases, readers will get a good picture of the many unusual sightings and fascinating encounters over the decades experienced by West Virginians from all walks of life.
The author notes that West Virginia is not far from Washington, D.C., to the east, or from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the west in southwestern Ohio where UFO activities have reportedly taken place over the years.
Lovern wonders if these might be factors related to West Virginia sightings.
In a sense, Lovern’s focus on West Virginia can be seen as a microcosm of other parts of the Appalachian Mountain region as well as other unique areas of the U.S. and the world. Ancient legends of UFOs and visitors from elsewhere are found in many cultures around the globe.
Although we think of modern-day UFO sightings as beginning with the “foo fighters” spotted by U.S. air crews during World War II, other research indicates that UFOs were spotted over the U.S. in the 1800s and possibly going back in history for centuries.
MOUNTAIN STATE MYSTERIES
Is there anything else about West Virginia worth looking at when it comes to mysterious phenomena?
The Appalachian Mountain range, sometimes referred to as the Allegheny Mountains, extends approximately 1,500 miles from Alabama north to Newfoundland, Canada.
However, we most often think of the Appalachian region in terms of the southern part of the range, which runs through the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, although portions of the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Georgia.
Spanish explorers in Florida in 1528 encountered a tribe whose name was interpreted as or referred to as the Appalachee, which evolved into the word Appalachia and identified the mountain range to the north.
Many people today think of Appalachia as an economically stressed region known for coal mining and rural mountain life. However, the region has a very rich and ancient history.
West Virginia and the Appalachian region were the homelands of many Native American Indian tribes. Indians who lived West Virginia and the surrounding region include the Shawnee, Mingo and Cherokee. Native Americans had lived there for thousands of years.
Europeans first came to the region primarily in the 1700s and included explorers and settlers of English, Scottish, Scots-Irish – Celtic backgrounds.
In those days, many marriages between these Europeans and Indians occurred. The significant genetic merging of these groups is evident today as many families from the region recall Indian ancestry in the family tree.
The Celtic traditions and Native American Indian cultures both have been a focus of interest by some researchers in regard to unique modes of thinking and awareness, and possibly “anomalous cognition,” a term referring to unique kinds of human perception and experiences.
Lovern’s second book on UFOs and unusual phenomena is due out later this summer. If it is anything like Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters, it is sure to be a level-headed and factual look at situations that we do not fully understand at this time.
By reading Lovern’s books and getting more information from many sources, we can become more aware of unusual things going on around us, and within us.
West Virginia journalist Kyle Lovern brings us a straightforward, down-to-earth and amazing picture of UFO encounters and other mysteries from his home state in his new book Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters.
An award-winning writer born and raised in West Virginia, Lovern uses his professional experience from newspaper and radio work in his interviews with other West Virginians about their unusual UFO sightings and other experiences in the Appalachian Mountain region.
He chronicles sixteen separate incidents in which average people came into contact with UFOs, strange creatures and other mysterious situations.
In some cases, Lovern’s interview subjects told him of events long ago – in their childhoods for some of the people. Other accounts reported more recent incidents.
He points out that he used only the most credible cases from highly-reliable witnesses.
At 98 pages in length, the book gets to the point and reports facts and witness accounts in ways that are convincing and very interesting.
SIGHTING AND ENCOUNTER CASES
Most of the book is structured with chapters focusing on each of the 16 cases, although Lovern includes relevant background material at the beginning and end of the book.
In “Sighting One,” 18-year-old Dave, who would later be drafted for the Vietnam War, spots a large somewhat triangular UFO while hunting in the woods. Years later, he has another surprising encounter and may have experienced “missing time.”
“Sighting Two” tells the story of a couple, Bill and Jane, who see a large cigar-shape object. At the same time, their truck engine and electrical system malfunction mysteriously.
In “Sighting Three,” readers learn about the story of a Walt, a man who was 6 years old in 1952 when a bright multi-colored UFO hovered over his rural home. Although his mother witnessed it too, his father seemed in a daze of some kind and did not respond to the extraordinary event.
The sixteen cases are all unique in various ways.
One is a 1966 too-close sighting of the anomalous creature known as the “Mothman” that was seen by many witnesses in West Virginia in the 1960s.
In another incident, a witness named Mary tells of when she was 16 years old in 1955 and saw several cigar-shaped lights flying at tremendous speed over her home in southern West Virginia.
After reading all of Lovern’s 16 cases, readers will get a good picture of the many unusual sightings and fascinating encounters over the decades experienced by West Virginians from all walks of life.
The author notes that West Virginia is not far from Washington, D.C., to the east, or from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the west in southwestern Ohio where UFO activities have reportedly taken place over the years.
Lovern wonders if these might be factors related to West Virginia sightings.
In a sense, Lovern’s focus on West Virginia can be seen as a microcosm of other parts of the Appalachian Mountain region as well as other unique areas of the U.S. and the world. Ancient legends of UFOs and visitors from elsewhere are found in many cultures around the globe.
Although we think of modern-day UFO sightings as beginning with the “foo fighters” spotted by U.S. air crews during World War II, other research indicates that UFOs were spotted over the U.S. in the 1800s and possibly going back in history for centuries.
MOUNTAIN STATE MYSTERIES
Is there anything else about West Virginia worth looking at when it comes to mysterious phenomena?
The Appalachian Mountain range, sometimes referred to as the Allegheny Mountains, extends approximately 1,500 miles from Alabama north to Newfoundland, Canada.
However, we most often think of the Appalachian region in terms of the southern part of the range, which runs through the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, although portions of the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Georgia.
Spanish explorers in Florida in 1528 encountered a tribe whose name was interpreted as or referred to as the Appalachee, which evolved into the word Appalachia and identified the mountain range to the north.
Many people today think of Appalachia as an economically stressed region known for coal mining and rural mountain life. However, the region has a very rich and ancient history.
West Virginia and the Appalachian region were the homelands of many Native American Indian tribes. Indians who lived West Virginia and the surrounding region include the Shawnee, Mingo and Cherokee. Native Americans had lived there for thousands of years.
Europeans first came to the region primarily in the 1700s and included explorers and settlers of English, Scottish, Scots-Irish – Celtic backgrounds.
In those days, many marriages between these Europeans and Indians occurred. The significant genetic merging of these groups is evident today as many families from the region recall Indian ancestry in the family tree.
The Celtic traditions and Native American Indian cultures both have been a focus of interest by some researchers in regard to unique modes of thinking and awareness, and possibly “anomalous cognition,” a term referring to unique kinds of human perception and experiences.
Lovern’s second book on UFOs and unusual phenomena is due out later this summer. If it is anything like Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters, it is sure to be a level-headed and factual look at situations that we do not fully understand at this time.
By reading Lovern’s books and getting more information from many sources, we can become more aware of unusual things going on around us, and within us.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Former astronaut says Roswell UFO crash true
By Steve Hammons
According to a CNN report April 20, 2009, former astronaut Edgar Mitchell told an audience at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., that the basic story of a 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico, is true.
Mitchell was an astronaut on the Apollo 14 mission to the moon in 1971 and he spoke at the National Press Club after the fifth annual X-Conference, an event focused on research involving UFOs.
CNN reported that Mitchell told journalists that there is firm knowledge that extraterrestrial life exists and this information is being held back from the general public in the U.S. and internationally.
Mitchell was raised in Roswell and knew many of the townspeople there. He said they confided to him years later about what they knew, although they had been told to keep the information quiet.
In addition, Mitchell said that about 10 years ago a Navy admiral working for the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed to him that a UFO had crashed at Roswell.
Citing the existence of evidence, Mitchell stated, “No, we're not alone.”
ROSWELL AND SECURITY
Mitchell’s statements are not surprising to many researchers and average citizens. Other people might find Mitchell’s comments unsettling because there is also a natural skepticism about claims of UFOs and visitation to Earth by beings from other planets (and/or dimensions).
Claims of this kind coming from a respected and highly-trained person like Mitchell are not easily dismissed.
Information about an alleged crash of a spacecraft piloted by intelligent beings has been around for decades. Books, articles, movies and TV shows have told the story.
However, thinking about the possible reality of such a situation leads to many other questions: What else has happened in the area of UFOs? Have we made contact with other civilizations visiting our planet? Are they friend or foe? Can they help us solve some of the problems of the human race? Why has there been so much secrecy?
In the many accounts and tales about the Roswell incident, it is often noted that in the summer of 1947 the U.S. had just ended a devastating period during World War II. Military secrecy and security had been of the utmost importance during the war.
Some of the first people to learn about the Roswell crash were Army Air Corps (forerunner of the U.S. Air Force) personnel from the nearby Roswell Army Air Field, including intelligence officers.
Despite an intriguing press release that was issued to the media by the RAAF public information officer about a flying saucer being obtained by base officials, higher command quickly dismissed the story as a case of mistaken identity – the debris found was actually a weather balloon-type device, news reporters were told.
Behind the scenes of such a scenario, it would be logical to consider that the Truman administration, Pentagon and intelligence officials would have been shocked and concerned, both about the incident itself and the psychological, emotional and social ramifications for Americans.
ACCLIMATION THEN AND NOW
Are we any more psychologically prepared today than in 1947? Mitchell seems to think so. And so do many other researchers.
Despite the perceived need for robust security reportedly involved in the Roswell incident and subsequent developments, some researchers say that the American public has slowly and steadily received “acclimation” to get used to the idea of extraterrestrial visitors.
Some of this acclimation has allegedly been through the entertainment media and in fictional form as well as the management of information carefully released in indirect ways to the public.
American kids raised on TV and movies since the 1950s have become used to the idea of extraterrestrials coming to Earth. Of course, a real-life situation takes exciting movie adventures to another level and could naturally cause anxiety.
We humans don’t have a great track record getting along with each other, let alone extraterrestrial beings who might be quite different from ourselves.
In addition to strange visitors, the situation could be quite complex. Our understanding of science and nature, the Universe, spirituality and even the human race itself could be given quite a shock.
If Mitchell is accurate in his statements, then certainly much has been learned since 1947 by people who have been given the task of handling such an important and complex situation. How much information is the public able to understand and accept? Is it good news or bad news, or a mixture of both?
If the Roswell incident was real, as Mitchell claims, what has been going on since that time related to extraterrestrial visitors? Were some of the security measures, scientific research and other activities questionable – either by human officials or visitors?
One thing seems clear, Mitchell has moved the ball forward on acclimation of our society and people internationally about the possibility, or probability, that the human race and Earth are being visited from elsewhere and that we need to prepare ourselves.
According to a CNN report April 20, 2009, former astronaut Edgar Mitchell told an audience at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., that the basic story of a 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico, is true.
Mitchell was an astronaut on the Apollo 14 mission to the moon in 1971 and he spoke at the National Press Club after the fifth annual X-Conference, an event focused on research involving UFOs.
CNN reported that Mitchell told journalists that there is firm knowledge that extraterrestrial life exists and this information is being held back from the general public in the U.S. and internationally.
Mitchell was raised in Roswell and knew many of the townspeople there. He said they confided to him years later about what they knew, although they had been told to keep the information quiet.
In addition, Mitchell said that about 10 years ago a Navy admiral working for the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed to him that a UFO had crashed at Roswell.
Citing the existence of evidence, Mitchell stated, “No, we're not alone.”
ROSWELL AND SECURITY
Mitchell’s statements are not surprising to many researchers and average citizens. Other people might find Mitchell’s comments unsettling because there is also a natural skepticism about claims of UFOs and visitation to Earth by beings from other planets (and/or dimensions).
Claims of this kind coming from a respected and highly-trained person like Mitchell are not easily dismissed.
Information about an alleged crash of a spacecraft piloted by intelligent beings has been around for decades. Books, articles, movies and TV shows have told the story.
However, thinking about the possible reality of such a situation leads to many other questions: What else has happened in the area of UFOs? Have we made contact with other civilizations visiting our planet? Are they friend or foe? Can they help us solve some of the problems of the human race? Why has there been so much secrecy?
In the many accounts and tales about the Roswell incident, it is often noted that in the summer of 1947 the U.S. had just ended a devastating period during World War II. Military secrecy and security had been of the utmost importance during the war.
Some of the first people to learn about the Roswell crash were Army Air Corps (forerunner of the U.S. Air Force) personnel from the nearby Roswell Army Air Field, including intelligence officers.
Despite an intriguing press release that was issued to the media by the RAAF public information officer about a flying saucer being obtained by base officials, higher command quickly dismissed the story as a case of mistaken identity – the debris found was actually a weather balloon-type device, news reporters were told.
Behind the scenes of such a scenario, it would be logical to consider that the Truman administration, Pentagon and intelligence officials would have been shocked and concerned, both about the incident itself and the psychological, emotional and social ramifications for Americans.
ACCLIMATION THEN AND NOW
Are we any more psychologically prepared today than in 1947? Mitchell seems to think so. And so do many other researchers.
Despite the perceived need for robust security reportedly involved in the Roswell incident and subsequent developments, some researchers say that the American public has slowly and steadily received “acclimation” to get used to the idea of extraterrestrial visitors.
Some of this acclimation has allegedly been through the entertainment media and in fictional form as well as the management of information carefully released in indirect ways to the public.
American kids raised on TV and movies since the 1950s have become used to the idea of extraterrestrials coming to Earth. Of course, a real-life situation takes exciting movie adventures to another level and could naturally cause anxiety.
We humans don’t have a great track record getting along with each other, let alone extraterrestrial beings who might be quite different from ourselves.
In addition to strange visitors, the situation could be quite complex. Our understanding of science and nature, the Universe, spirituality and even the human race itself could be given quite a shock.
If Mitchell is accurate in his statements, then certainly much has been learned since 1947 by people who have been given the task of handling such an important and complex situation. How much information is the public able to understand and accept? Is it good news or bad news, or a mixture of both?
If the Roswell incident was real, as Mitchell claims, what has been going on since that time related to extraterrestrial visitors? Were some of the security measures, scientific research and other activities questionable – either by human officials or visitors?
One thing seems clear, Mitchell has moved the ball forward on acclimation of our society and people internationally about the possibility, or probability, that the human race and Earth are being visited from elsewhere and that we need to prepare ourselves.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
PBS launches Native American Indian TV saga 'We Shall Remain' April 13
By Steve Hammons
A five-part TV program on the Public Broadcasting System’s (PBS) “American Experience” series begins Monday, April 13, and will continue on subsequent Mondays through May 11.
The groundbreaking presentation, “We Shall Remain,” looks at American history since the arrival of Europeans from the Native American Indian points of view.
The five segments of the program include: “After the Mayflower” (part one, April 13), “Tecumseh’s Vision” (part two, April 20), “Trail of Tears” (part three, April 27), “Geronimo” (part four, May 4) and “Wounded Knee” (part five, May 11).
The award-winning filmmakers involved include Chris Eyre, Ric Burns, Dustinn Craig, Stanley Nelson and executive producers Mark Samels and Sharon Grimberg, according to the “We Shall Remain” Web site.
The TV series itself is part of a larger effort that includes a nationwide community involvement campaign involving Native American Indian communities, organizations and radio stations.
In addition the overall project involves coordination and outreach with and through public television stations, universities, schools, libraries and museums.
Related activities and events include special screenings, lectures, discussions and conferences. A comprehensive teacher’s guide for social studies curriculum has also been developed.
SEGMENTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY
The “We Shall Remain” Web site provides overviews of the program that briefly describe each show.
In part one, “After the Mayflower,” viewers go back to 1621 when the Wampanoa people in New England made a treaty with the new settlers – the Pilgrims. A few decades later, war erupts between regional Indians and the English.
Part two, “Tecumseh’s Vision,” covers the Indian leader Tecumseh who helped coordinate a joint resistance involving many tribes against the European invaders in their land.
“Trail of Tears,” part three, takes us to the horrible tragedy experienced by the Cherokee people of the Southeast and Appalachian Mountain region. After adapting to the white man’s ways, including much intermarriage, most Cherokee were forced from their ancestral homeland to western lands.
The fourth segment, “Geronimo,” then shows us the same struggle years later as settlers and the authority of the United States government moved into the American Southwest.
Finally, part five, “Wounded Knee,” brings us to contemporary times and the 1973 incident involving demands of the American Indian Movement for justice.
The “We Shall Remain” Web site calls the project “an unprecedented collaboration between Native and non-Native filmmakers and involves Native advisors and scholars at all levels of the project.”
The program “could not have been made without the extensive involvement of Native people. In addition to the involvement of Native directors, producers and professional actors, the production teams reached out to Native communities to cast dozens of non-professional actors who brought a wealth of knowledge about their cultures to the set,” according the program’s Web site.
COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
The program’s Web site also includes detailed information on the many activities and efforts associated with the TV series itself.
A trailer, information on the cast and crew, feature videos and a photo gallery are available on the site. Lists of, and links to coalitions, groups and supporters who will “plan and sponsor activities that promote understanding of local Native history and contemporary life” can also be found there.
The many planned local events around the country include a featured event at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on April 14. The evening’s activities will feature an advance screening of the “Trail of Tears” segment.
Actor Wes Studi, who appears in the program, and executive producer Sharon Grimberg will be present. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, the Cherokee National Youth Choir and local cast members will also be in attendance.
The activities are hosted by Indian University Scholars Society (IUSS) and sponsors include the NSU Office of Academic Affairs, NSU Center for Tribal Studies and Cherokee Nation.
Other endeavors associated with “We Shall Remain” include educational resources that “incorporate video segments from the five documentaries into social studies resources, offering both viewing and comprehension aids and classroom activities,” according to the program’s online site.
“This resource will inspire and support teachers to integrate Native history and issues into their curricula and encourage them to present Native history as an integral part of American history,” the site explained.
The National Library Initiative involved with the program is a joint effort with the American Library Association (ALA) and “to build awareness of the series among librarians, Native organizations, scholars and writers.”
In addition, “A library event kit developed specifically for public, college, school, and tribal libraries will be distributed to 17,000 public libraries, as well as to all tribal libraries. Features include storytelling days, Native literature reading circles, cross-cultural art projects for youth, discussion forums, guidelines for evaluating media about Native peoples, and an extensive bibliography of book, film and Internet resources,” according to the program’s site.
Exclusive corporate funding for “We Shall Remain” was provided by Liberty Mutual, with major funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Additional Funding was provided by National Endowment for the Humanities, Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, Kalliopeia Foundation, Gretchen Stone Cook Charitable Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Public TV station WGBH in Boston produces the “American Experience” series.
For more information, visit the "We Shall Remain" Web site at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
A five-part TV program on the Public Broadcasting System’s (PBS) “American Experience” series begins Monday, April 13, and will continue on subsequent Mondays through May 11.
The groundbreaking presentation, “We Shall Remain,” looks at American history since the arrival of Europeans from the Native American Indian points of view.
The five segments of the program include: “After the Mayflower” (part one, April 13), “Tecumseh’s Vision” (part two, April 20), “Trail of Tears” (part three, April 27), “Geronimo” (part four, May 4) and “Wounded Knee” (part five, May 11).
The award-winning filmmakers involved include Chris Eyre, Ric Burns, Dustinn Craig, Stanley Nelson and executive producers Mark Samels and Sharon Grimberg, according to the “We Shall Remain” Web site.
The TV series itself is part of a larger effort that includes a nationwide community involvement campaign involving Native American Indian communities, organizations and radio stations.
In addition the overall project involves coordination and outreach with and through public television stations, universities, schools, libraries and museums.
Related activities and events include special screenings, lectures, discussions and conferences. A comprehensive teacher’s guide for social studies curriculum has also been developed.
SEGMENTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY
The “We Shall Remain” Web site provides overviews of the program that briefly describe each show.
In part one, “After the Mayflower,” viewers go back to 1621 when the Wampanoa people in New England made a treaty with the new settlers – the Pilgrims. A few decades later, war erupts between regional Indians and the English.
Part two, “Tecumseh’s Vision,” covers the Indian leader Tecumseh who helped coordinate a joint resistance involving many tribes against the European invaders in their land.
“Trail of Tears,” part three, takes us to the horrible tragedy experienced by the Cherokee people of the Southeast and Appalachian Mountain region. After adapting to the white man’s ways, including much intermarriage, most Cherokee were forced from their ancestral homeland to western lands.
The fourth segment, “Geronimo,” then shows us the same struggle years later as settlers and the authority of the United States government moved into the American Southwest.
Finally, part five, “Wounded Knee,” brings us to contemporary times and the 1973 incident involving demands of the American Indian Movement for justice.
The “We Shall Remain” Web site calls the project “an unprecedented collaboration between Native and non-Native filmmakers and involves Native advisors and scholars at all levels of the project.”
The program “could not have been made without the extensive involvement of Native people. In addition to the involvement of Native directors, producers and professional actors, the production teams reached out to Native communities to cast dozens of non-professional actors who brought a wealth of knowledge about their cultures to the set,” according the program’s Web site.
COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
The program’s Web site also includes detailed information on the many activities and efforts associated with the TV series itself.
A trailer, information on the cast and crew, feature videos and a photo gallery are available on the site. Lists of, and links to coalitions, groups and supporters who will “plan and sponsor activities that promote understanding of local Native history and contemporary life” can also be found there.
The many planned local events around the country include a featured event at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on April 14. The evening’s activities will feature an advance screening of the “Trail of Tears” segment.
Actor Wes Studi, who appears in the program, and executive producer Sharon Grimberg will be present. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, the Cherokee National Youth Choir and local cast members will also be in attendance.
The activities are hosted by Indian University Scholars Society (IUSS) and sponsors include the NSU Office of Academic Affairs, NSU Center for Tribal Studies and Cherokee Nation.
Other endeavors associated with “We Shall Remain” include educational resources that “incorporate video segments from the five documentaries into social studies resources, offering both viewing and comprehension aids and classroom activities,” according to the program’s online site.
“This resource will inspire and support teachers to integrate Native history and issues into their curricula and encourage them to present Native history as an integral part of American history,” the site explained.
The National Library Initiative involved with the program is a joint effort with the American Library Association (ALA) and “to build awareness of the series among librarians, Native organizations, scholars and writers.”
In addition, “A library event kit developed specifically for public, college, school, and tribal libraries will be distributed to 17,000 public libraries, as well as to all tribal libraries. Features include storytelling days, Native literature reading circles, cross-cultural art projects for youth, discussion forums, guidelines for evaluating media about Native peoples, and an extensive bibliography of book, film and Internet resources,” according to the program’s site.
Exclusive corporate funding for “We Shall Remain” was provided by Liberty Mutual, with major funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Additional Funding was provided by National Endowment for the Humanities, Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, Kalliopeia Foundation, Gretchen Stone Cook Charitable Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Public TV station WGBH in Boston produces the “American Experience” series.
For more information, visit the "We Shall Remain" Web site at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
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