Transcendent TV & Media

Journalist teaches college class on covering fringe topics, cover-ups, UFOs

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:50:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

How should journalists, the news media and informed citizens handle certain unusual and unconventional topics?

To try to find the answers, internationally-known and award-winning investigative journalist George Knapp will be teaching a journalism course at the College of Southern Nevada beginning in January.

The course, “Reporting from the Twilight Zone," will explore many elements involved in subjects that may be sensitive or secret, complex, strange, and at times, frightening.

Journalism students and professionals as well as the general public are welcome to take the course.

Knapp plans to include examinations of the roles of reporters, editors, news organizations, other media professionals as well as media consumers when it comes to topics such as alleged conspiracies, cover-ups and other unusual areas such as UFOs.

Is there peer pressure in the newsroom? Do elements of government shape coverage of certain topics, conspiracies and cover-ups? Do media owners and advertisers affect reporting on sensitive, unconventional or special topics? Are these kinds of subjects also exploited at times by and in the media? What are the current trends on this kind of journalism?

The class will tackle these and other important questions.

MODERN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

According to the course description, Knapp, students and guests “will examine the techniques and standards of modern investigative journalism as applied to ‘fringe’ topics and will identify key approaches taken by various media to the exploration and/or exploitation of controversial subjects.”

The course description also notes, “Another objective will be to question whether journalism standards for covering ‘fringe’ subjects are (or should be) different from other types of reporting. The course will explore these issues from many different perspectives, and will receive input from professional journalists, academic researchers, scientists, and skeptics.”

“The course will encourage critical thinking skills for both journalists and news consumers in evaluating the quality and accuracy of the news and information we see, and don't see.”

We might also ask: How do journalists cover topics on which there may be a lack of solid facts, yet persuasive sources, indicators or circumstantial evidence? How do citizens draw reasonable conclusions and understanding from a wide range of journalistic reports and other sources and media platforms?

In a Dec. 3 column he wrote for “Las Vegas City Life,” Knapp also noted that the course is being sponsored by Bigelow Aerospace, based in Las Vegas. Knapp pointed out that the company’s founder, Robert “Bob” Bigelow, has “a lifelong interest” in subjects related to unconventional topics such as UFOs. In addition, Bigelow will provide funding for guest speakers and lecturers to contribute to the course, Knapp wrote.

Are these kinds of topics worthy of news coverage or even a college class? Knapp raises this issue in his “Las Vegas City Life” column. Some people may not think so. Knapp says students, media professionals and the public should make up their own minds and maintain a critical and careful perspective.

FRINGE OR FUNDAMENTAL

But are courses and media coverage of certain topics really so unconventional?

Most so-called “fringe” topics actually deal with sociology, psychology, American and world history, anthropology, government, national defense and intelligence matters, various scientific disciplines and even spiritual beliefs.

And what kinds of subjects are we really talking about? Some have been part of the record of human experience throughout history. These might include social or economic manipulations, political assassinations, deceptive “false flag” attacks and secret activities of various kinds.

Other topics delve into the metaphysical such as life after death and afterlife concepts, extrasensory perception (ESP), higher human consciousness, ideas about multiple dimensions, intelligent life elsewhere, UFOs, synchronicity (meaningful “coincidences”) and the nature of a higher intelligence. Are these kinds of subjects “paranormal” or simply normal?

Are some of these topics really “fringe?” Or, are they fundamental and tremendously important for human education, development and even survival? Are they actually very important for American society and the human race as a whole?

For example, are ESP and “remote viewing” really “anomalous cognition” (unusual perception)? Maybe they are really just additional and natural kinds of human perception.

Are all conspiracy theories simply irrational rumors?

Can increased understanding about human history, human behavior, human nature, human potential and the how the Universe (or “multiverse”) works move us forward toward a brighter future?

If these questions are legitimate, then Knapp’s course certainly seems like a very worthwhile endeavor. Knapp, students and participants in the class might even come up with some interesting answers.

New book reports UFO encounters in Appalachia

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings and strange encounters in the Appalachian Mountain region provide fascinating reading in a recently-published book by researcher, journalist and author Kyle Lovern.

Volume 2 of Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters & Unexplained Phenomena continues the exploration that Lovern began in the first volume, published in 2008.

Lovern brings a solid journalistic background to this challenging topic and the complex related factors involved.

He is an award-winning journalist from southern West Virginia with a background in newspaper work as an editor, columnist, reporter and photographer, recognized for his writing and photography. He has also worked in radio.

Recently freelancing for the Charleston Daily Mail, one of the state’s largest newspapers, Lovern also recently received first and third place awards in the 2008 West Virginia Press Association newspaper contest. As a reporter, he has also covered county and state sporting events. For several years he was a popular newspaper columnist in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky.

Lovern is a graduate of Southern West Virginia Community College and Bluefield State College. His work has also been featured in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia magazine, Goldenseal magazine of West Virginia traditional life and Marshall Magazine (Marshall University).

While Volume 1 of Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters & Unexplained Phenomena focused entirely on incidents in his home state of West Virginia, Lovern’s new book also goes outside that state’s borders to examine cases related to the Appalachian region of bordering states such as Virginia and Kentucky.

Lovern brings the objectivity and straightforward writing of an experienced journalist to the topic of unusual phenomena that is so needed in our society today. Like all good journalists, he looks at and tries to document important elements of a journalist’s main targets: the “who, what, when, where, why and how.”

MULTIPLE VIEWPOINTS

As with his earlier book, Volume 2 takes readers through the reports by down-to-Earth average people from different walks of life who have experienced something apparently quite interesting.

In addition, insightful quotes from famous public figures introduce each chapter and provide thought-provoking statements linked to UFOs and other unusual phenomena. Lovern uses quotes from astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edgar Mitchell and Gordon Cooper (Armstrong, an Ohio native, currently lives in Cincinnati, near the western Appalachian region).

Fascinating and sometimes cryptic statements by Sen. Barry Goldwater, Gen. Douglas McArthur and long-time FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover also lead readers into each chapter. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon are also quoted.

Scientists Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, J. Allen Hynek (an official U.S. Air Force UFO investigator with the Dayton, Ohio-based “Project BLUE BOOK”) and Harvard psychiatrist John Mack, M.D., provide similar insights. (Mack became well-known for his research into alleged abductions of humans by non-human beings.)

We even hear from filmmaker Steven Spielberg as we delve into one of Lovern’s chapters.

Each chapter is a detailed account of a particular incident, carefully taken from the statements of eyewitnesses and individuals who directly experienced it, as well as reporting by the news media. In many cases, there were multiple witnesses to the incidents. In some instances, local public safety personnel were involved.

For example, in Chapter 2, a community college psychology professor and his two teenage sons were driving home one evening in 2003 near Morehead, Kentucky, and clearly saw an oval-shaped object or craft in the sky nearby. They also observed “dazzling” bright lights near the object.

Meanwhile, local police were getting calls from local residents of a woman screaming.

Upon arriving home, the college professor and his sons soon were visited by peace officers checking the neighborhood for a possible woman in distress. Soon, approximately 20 public safety, rescue and law enforcement personnel were searching a nearby field where the oval-shaped object had been seen by multiple witnesses.

It’s unknown to the professor and his sons what happened to the UFO. A woman in distress was apparently never located.

DANGERS OF ENCOUNTERS

The potential dangers of encounters with UFOs were part of Lovern’s account of a sad and touching report of a young boy who had apparent close contact with a beam of strange light from an airborne source or craft, and who died of a brain tumor approximately one year later.

The 11-year-old boy’s family had moved from their home state of West Virginia to Detroit, Michigan, and in 1993 they boy and his friend were in the yard during a heavy snowstorm building a snow fort to play in.

Suddenly, an “aircraft” of some kind hovered approximately 50 feet above the boys and two beams of light flashed down on them. One light was reported to be yellow and the other blue, according to the boys’ statements. An adult neighbor and other witnesses also saw the lights.

The boys were quite frightened, and shortly afterward developed an unusual rash all over their bodies, as well as other physical problems. Their emotional reactions to the incident were described as terror and fear.

But much more serious than these outcomes was the subsequent diagnosis of a brain tumor in the boy from West Virginia. He passed on from this medical condition in 1994.

Did the brain tumor have something to do with the UFO? We will probably never know. But, there have been other reports of UFO witnesses developing symptoms similar to radiation poisoning.

In Chapter 13, the potential dangers of close encounters are again noted in the account of three women driving through Kentucky in 1976. They saw an intense red glow about 11 p.m. and later seemed to have experienced “missing time” until 1:25 a.m. They noticed raw skin, blisters and odd marks on their bodies and they were unusually thirsty.

Under hypnosis by a psychologist at a later date, all three women reported similar accounts of being in a hospital-like setting, being examined and experiencing medical-type procedures by small beings appearing like the so-called “Grays.”

Elsewhere in the book, Lovern also notes the public safety considerations of close encounters with UFOs that are addressed in the well-known firefighter manual Fire Officer’s Guide to Disaster Control.

This manual includes a detailed must-read chapter about the history and dangers of UFOs to public safety, including radiation, and the way public safety personnel should prepare and respond.

GROUPS OF WITNESSES

In Chapter 5, we read about the people at a West Virginia high school football game who saw a “large bright round object” moving slowly over nearby terrain in 1973. Witnesses from other locations also observed it. A local newspaper noted that it was the largest crowd in that region to ever have observed a UFO together.

When a local constable who observed the UFO from the football game was asked why he didn’t shoot at it, he replied that it wasn’t breaking any laws as far as he knew.

The 1987 “wave” of UFO sightings in Virginia is reviewed in Chapter 7. UFOs shaped like saucers, arrowheads and cigars were reported by hundreds of witnesses. Radio stations and other media outlets reported on these incidents.

One newspaper reported the case of a group of people in the parking lot of a local restaurant observing a UFO that looked like a Frisbee, with bright red and white lights on it.

Chapters 10 and 11 tell of the encounters of hunters in northern Virginia in 1965-66 who observed a flat ball-shaped object with a metallic dome for ten minutes, and the Navy Vietnam veteran who, along with forty other men, saw two huge lights near the West Virginia coal strip mine they where they were working.

Chapter 12 recounts a particularly unique case when a CSX train carrying coal through Kentucky collided with three strange flying objects that were hovering just above the track. The metallic silver saucer-shaped objects with multiple lights were 18 to 20 feet long, according to the witnesses.

After the train’s electrical system was disrupted somehow, the automatic brake system kicked in, but it was clear that the train had collided with “something” since significant damage to the locomotives was apparent.

But what became more puzzling was when the engineer was directed by dispatchers to pull the train into an isolated location where unknown men in “weird outfits” began inspecting the train. The train workers were questioned while men in protective suits examined the locomotives.

Men who identified themselves as being associated with U.S. national security reportedly advised the train workers to remain silent about the incident, Lovern reports.

ANCIENT CHEROKEE APPALACHIA

The brief overviews above, describing a few of the book’s chapters, provide a window into the valuable information contained in Volume 2 of Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters & Unexplained Phenomena.

Lovern doesn’t draw any conclusions about where these reported craft or beings come from. Are they simply from another planet? Or, is it a more complex situation involving multiple dimensions, wormholes and portals, or even time travel?

Many of today’s scientists are trying to understand the physics of these possibilities. Psychologists and others are also researching a variety of unconventional phenomena that could be related somehow. We might also wonder if our defense and intelligence services are also taking a good look at these situations.

Lovern respects readers’ ability to look at the information presented and come to their own conclusions ... or to simply digest the accounts and reports without coming to final concrete conclusions.

These may be mysteries that cannot be completely solved.

The chapters and elements in this excellent book provide part of the story of UFO encounters in the Appalachian region, the U.S. and the world over recent decades. But the situation may go back further in time.

The Appalachian region was the ancient homeland of the Cherokee culture and civilization, as well as other tribes, for thousands of years before Scottish, Scots-Irish and other immigrants also settled in the mountain country of Appalachia in the 1700s and 1800s.

Many Indian tribes throughout North America have legends and tales of beings from the stars or from other dimensions in Nature who visited the Indians from time to time.

In a chapter toward the end of his book, Lovern notes the ancient Cherokee legends of the “little people,” known as the "Yunwi Tsunsdi," according to the 1998 book "Cherokee Little People: The Secrets and Mysteries of the Yunwi Tsunsdi" by authors Lynn King Lossiah and Ernie Lossiah.

According to those authors and other sources, the little people are beings sometimes described in ancient Cherokee tales as being spirits or small human-like people, about two feet to four feet tall. According to the legends, these beings may have different types of appearances and may be of three or four different types.

Descriptions of the little people allege that they can be kind and helpful, especially to children, while also playing tricks on people. In addition, they can also be dangerous if a human intrudes on them. They reportedly have the power to confuse the mind of a human.

They have the ability to remain unseen and invisible if they choose and generally avoid being detected by humans. But, according to the ancient tales, at times they will reveal themselves.

Were the “little people” known to the Cherokee related to UFOs, inter-dimensional mysteries or some other unusual phenomena?

To explore these questions, Lovern also includes a creative tale from my fact-based fiction novel “Mission Into Light” when I used the real-life accounts of the Cherokee’s Yunwi Tsundi little people to try illustrate a thought-provoking scenario from long ago in the Appalachian Mountains of the ancient Cherokee.

And, like the Cherokee and other Indian tribes of ancient days, we now seem to be dealing with mysterious forces and beings that visit us from time to time, conducting their activities in discreet and secret ways, while also occasionally revealing themselves.

And when they do reveal themselves, luckily we have researchers and journalists like Lovern to interview witnesses, carefully investigate and document their accounts, put the situation in context and inform the rest of us in effective communications platforms and books like Volume 2 of Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters & Unexplained Phenomena.

Through Lovern’s book, we see not only how unusual phenomena like UFOs might be occurring, but how average people react. The down-to-Earth people Lovern interviewed responded with surprise, curiosity, intelligence and appropriate concern and caution when faced with strange scenarios.

By picking up a copy of this book, we might further prepare ourselves with greater knowledge and understanding about emerging aspects of Nature and the Universe, or “multiverse,” that we are now beginning to more fully comprehend.

Movie ‘2012’ helps us prepare for future

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:43:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

The new blockbuster movie 2012 is exciting and fun … but is it based on anything close to reality?

Could our planet Earth go through changes so fundamental that crustal plates shift and buckle, widespread earthquakes shake and multiple volcanoes explode? NASA says don’t worry about it.

But don’t rule it out, according to some theories.

Thanks to Sony Pictures and director Roland Emmerich, moviegoers get a look at what global geological catastrophe might look like. The movie portrays the disaster as occurring according to some interpretations of the Mayan “Long Count” calendar – in December of 2012.

But several kinds of calamities could strike Earth at anytime, according to some views. These include meteor strikes, man-made nuclear or biological death and destruction, sun-related anomalies, gamma-ray bursts from space or increasingly rapid global climate change.

One view proposes that “Planet X,” an alleged possible “dark star” or “dwarf sun,” could enter our solar system and affect Earth. According to these views, Planet X has an elliptical orbit that is quite different from other planets in our solar system. However, every so many thousands of years it enters our neighborhood of the Milky Way galaxy, causing massive destruction on Earth.

ANCIENT MAP

When John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Woody Harrelson and the rest of the cast of 2012 face impending doom, they and the rest of Earth’s inhabitants experience sudden changes in the Earth’s core and crust.

Apart from Hollywood hype, there are actually theories out there that propose a pattern of periodic upheavals in our planet’s hard outer layer. No, not the slow “plate tectonics” theories we learned about in school. These other views consider the possibility of sudden global shifts of the Earth’s harder outer layer – the whole Earth’s crust shifting and sliding on the semi-liquid inner layers of our planet.

These scenarios have happened in the past and will happen in the future, say some “crustal pole shift” thinkers. They cite research indicating that such an event has happened in recorded human history. It could have even been related to the flood stories in many cultures, including the “Noah’s Ark” story.

But what is the evidence of something like this happening in the past?

One indication, it is said, is an ancient map, the so-called “Piri Re’is” map. It shows the coastline and geographical features of the continent of Antarctica, apparently from a time when it was not covered with ice. The significance of this is that many of the details of the coastline and the topography of the continent were unknown until the U.S. military used ice-penetrating radar during flyovers of Antarctica in the early 1960s.

The information from these flyovers reportedly closely matched the ancient Piri Re’is map, leading some researchers to theorize that there was a time in ancient human history when Antarctica was not covered with ice, and may not have been at Earth’s South Pole.

According to this idea, the continent of Antarctica may be been located at a different latitude, in a more temperate part of the world, before the Earth’s crust shifted the continent to the South Pole where it became covered in ice.

If Earth’s crust suddenly shifted long ago, the old ice-covered poles would have quickly melted, causing floods. The new pole areas, perhaps previously warm and green, quickly froze over.

As noted, one idea for the cause of a global crustal shift is an external gravitational force, such as “Planet X.” Another view is that it is just a periodic phenomena that happens every so many thousands of years.

This hypothesis proposes that as Earth revolves around the Sun over the centuries, the planet gradually tips slightly on its axis. This tipping continues for thousands of years and at some point, the crust slips or shifts in a big way, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunamis, as well as changing the location of continents in relation to the previously-existing equator and poles.

END OF TIME

These theories may or may not have any validity. The idea of “the end of time” or some kind of apocalypse is something that has been around in many generations. It hasn’t happened yet. Of course, that doesn’t mean it won’t.

The current problems of global climate change, overpopulation, advances in technology related to bio-warfare and other human-caused dangers seem to be growing.

Potential natural disasters like the Yellowstone “super volcano” are also a threat that could have global consequences.

But the concept of “the end of time” could also have other meanings – not a time of destruction, but one of transformation. Discoveries in modern physics seem to indicate that we are now learning that space and time are not what we generally think them to be. Time can be altered and experienced in various ways.

It could be that human consciousness might change in ways that are consistent with a change in our perception of, and the realities of time and space. Maybe this might happen in 2012 – or next week. Maybe it is already happening as more people learn about leading-edge and emerging views in physics, psychology and other arts and sciences.

2012 director Emmerich’s previous films such as Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow explored other kinds of global challenges.

In Independence Day, when unfriendly extraterrestrial aliens arrived in huge UFOs (actually they were not “unidentified” for long), humanity faced a serious threat. Is this scenario simply fiction or could such a development occur – or already be occurring?

The Day After Tomorrow put forth the concept that global climate change could alter planetary jet streams and cause sudden and severe cooling of the Earth, instead of warming. We have had various ice ages over the history of this planet. Could we experience another?

According to published reports, Emmerich has said that a TV series is planned based on the movie 2012. In the series, a group of survivors carry on in 2013. Such a TV series seems like a rich platform to explore many possible scenarios about how we might handle various kinds of catastrophes.

This may be a very good idea because despite the assurances from government agencies, scientists, scholars and others, it is usually wise to be prepared for known, suspected and unforeseen dangers and threats.

It might also be useful to believe that ideas like “the end of time” could relate to a new dawn, a new beginning for the human race and planet Earth – filled with peace, progress, prosperity, beauty, discovery and enlightenment.

TV show ‘V’ may reflect real UFOs, ET visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:10:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

The new ABC TV series “V” seems to be drawing a solid audience and may be helping us consider important issues facing our society today.

The original 1983 miniseries was reportedly related to the novel by Sinclair Lewis, “It Can’t Happen Here,” about the Nazis coming to power in Germany.

Yet, what if we look at the more literal context of the show – that extraterrestrial or unusual visitors of some kind have arrived, perhaps quite some time ago, and are among us?

In the original 1983 two-part miniseries, the 1984 three-part miniseries and the TV series that aired from 1984 to 1985, the visitors were portrayed as reptilian evil-doers who wanted to take over the Earth. Their human and friendly appearance was a cover for a more sinister agenda.

The new 2009 series, a “reimagining” of the 1983 TV miniseries, portrays a similar scenario.

What if there is some truth to a development like this? What if extraterrestrial or other kinds of visitors might arrive on Earth, or already have? Are they hostile? Are they friendly? Are there more than one kind? What might be their goals here? What activities are they conducting?

GOVERNMENT EFFORTS

In the new show, Elizabeth Mitchell plays FBI agent Erica Evans. Each week, she and her allies discover more about the visitors.

Does our real-life FBI take an interest in this topic? According to some UFO research, J. Edgar Hoover definitely had an interest and FBI agents have been involved in these kinds of investigations over the years. Hoover reportedly complained that he was cut out of the loop by other U.S. military and intelligence organizations on this subject.

The Air Force’s “Project Bluebook,” based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, investigated UFO sightings for many years. But some researchers claim that his project was a cover story for other research and activities regarding real UFOs and unusual visitors.

Some researchers say that a group of military and scientific officials called “Majestic” was formed in the late 1940s to investigate and handle an alleged real and serious UFO and visitor situation.

When audiences watch the “V” TV series, many viewers probably reflect on some of these reports and accounts of actual government interest in UFOs and alleged extraterrestrial visitation.

We might also wonder if this TV show, and many other movies, TV programs, books and related communications efforts are simply entertainment or something more.

GET READY

According to some researchers, efforts to prepare, orient and acclimate the American people and people around the world on this subject have been going on for decades.

Through carefully-crafted efforts by psychological operations experts to creative endeavors in the entertainment community, we may have been exposed to a wide array of orientation materials to get us ready to deal with surprising or even troubling situations in this area.

Are we ready? Are we prepared?

The impacts of such a situation could be mental, emotional, spiritual, social, governmental, military, economic, scientific, technological and maybe even biological. There could be many important, complex and sensitive aspects to such a scenario that would need to be handled carefully and safely.

If something like this was really going on, who are the good guys and bad guys? Who can we trust? What is the end game?

These are the same questions and developments playing out in the TV show “V.”

We also see these kinds of elements in apparently increasing numbers of movies, books and other information platforms. Surf your TV channels, scan the movie section of your newspaper or check out the internet or local bookstore and you will find a significant number and variety of materials addressing these subjects.

If there is any truth to the reports and tales about UFOs and unconventional visitors to Earth, we might want to watch “V” with a perspective that helps us prepare for the possibility that this TV show might reflect reality more closely than many people now realize.

'Goats' movie helps us stare at human mind

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:52:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

The new fact-based fiction movie The Men Who Stare at Goats deals with more than meets the eye. Or at least, we see some subjects touched on in quick and sometimes subtle ways that might trigger more thought.

In other scenes, certain topics are dealt with at length or even hit viewers between the eyes with a cinematic sledgehammer.

Incredibly funny parts of the movie are juxtaposed with the troubling, tragic and frightening.

Besides looking at the concepts of the First Earth Battalion and its real-life outside-the-box leader Army Lt. Col. Jim Channon (played by Jeff Bridges), we also get a glimpse at the Vietnam War years and post-Vietnam U.S. Army. These were dark and difficult times in the military and in America.

Yet, the 1960s and ´70s also brought forth the "human potential movement" which included a variety of touchy-feely human encounter activities, experimentation with mind-altering substances, a renewed interest in planet Earth and the natural environment, as well as the value of peace and human love.

From the troubled years after the Vietnam War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, moviegoers are asked to consider some basic questions about human beings, the U.S. government and military, and even the forces of good versus "the dark side."

THE HUMAN MIND

The movie, and the book upon which it is based, bring together various subjects in ways that give us the opportunity to reflect further about the larger, deeper and more complex aspects of the real-life material.

For example, the research and operational activities of Project STAR GATE, probably the most widely-known U.S. remote viewing program, was not part of Channon's First Earth Battalion.

However, as indicated by the scene when George Clooney identifies the contents of a small closed box as "a man sitting in a chair," remote viewing did turn out to be a real and valid human skill.

Generally speaking, it is a sub-type of ESP, but conducted according to specific and scientific research and operational protocols.

Remote viewing-type skills are related to what we call intuition, gut feelings, instincts and the sixth sense. We probably all have these abilities and can practice and develop them further.

Some of the Project STAR GATE personnel reportedly had quite excellent results at times.

On a separate topic, in the movie an entire Army outpost in Iraq is slipped a mind-altering substance, LSD, via the food and water. In fact, during Army and CIA research of LSD a couple of decades ago, unwitting troops, intelligence officers and civilians were reportedly given this substance to test its effects.

The dangers of this and other mind-altering substances is clearly demonstrated in one troubling and shocking scene. This danger is real and was an unfortunate result for many people in the '60s, '70s and beyond. In fact, certain mind-altering drugs continue to cause severe health, social and legal problems today.

The often valuable research into human consciousness, from the '60s to the present, has been marred in many cases by excess, ignorance, misuse and dangerous behavior.

Defining, understanding and separating worthwhile and constructive approaches from stupid and destructive behavior continue to be a challenge now.

VICTORY WITHIN REACH

In the movie, we also get glimpses of the positive potential of human beings, our military and our society.

When the Jeff Bridges character has a near-death experience in Vietnam after being shot, we might wonder about the many reports of similar encounters that have been thoroughly researched and documented. And we might wonder what conclusions can be drawn from them.

The reverence for the Earth through various rituals by some of the characters can also be interpreted as a valid perspective that connects humans with Nature – and helps keep our feet on the ground as well as offering benefits to mental and spiritual health.

Mention in the movie of U.S. military humanitarian operations, peace operations, conflict resolution and similar activities might seem whimsical. However, these activities are now considered important parts of American foreign policy and important missions of the U.S. armed forces.

How fitting that the movie portrays some recent activities in Iraq and Afghanistan as being part of "the dark side."

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a funny, thought-provoking and very entertaining movie. It moves along quickly, but not like the rapid-fire pacing of a thriller. It is more like a gentle roller-coaster of humor and tragedy, action and more contemplative moments, with representations of good and evil, light and darkness.

Perhaps most importantly, the movie gives us insight into human nature at its best and worst.

The lessons that can be learned from the film, and the stories upon which it is apparently loosely based, are probably more valuable than we might think.

Human consciousness is now changing and evolving in ways that might result in developments so positive that the goals of people like Col. Channon may finally be within reach.

TV project on CIA remote viewing unit underway

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:43:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Following on the heels of the release of the movie The Men Who Stare at Goats, a new TV project about a CIA "remote viewing" unit is in the works, according to a Nov. 3 article in Variety.

Widespread interest in the topic of remote viewing has grown steadily since information about Project STAR GATE emerged in the 1990s.

Recently, large amounts of documents associated with the project have been declassified and made public, although many remain secret.

The "Goats" movie deals with a wide range of human development methods that were explored in a U.S. Army activity headed by Lt. Col. Jim Channon. Remote viewing-type capabilities and the nature of human consciousness were part of these efforts. Channon served as an advisor for the film.

The Fox project is reportedly being developed with Chernin Entertainment, a TV-based production company associated with 20th Century Fox.

Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope and Lauren Stein will be the executive producers. Len Wiseman will direct. Writer Harris Wilkinson is also involved in the project.

Will they do their research to help ensure that their project is authentic and accurate?

PROJECT STAR GATE

There are many individuals nowadays claiming to be remote viewers or to have knowledge of the U.S. Government's projects in these areas. However, only a relative handful have solid first-hand knowledge and understanding of the programs that later became known as Project STAR GATE.

Although many people may have good abilities in ESP, or "anomalous cognition" as it is sometimes called, remote viewing was a term given to a specific scientifically-run protocol that had been developed and tested during years of research and real intelligence operations.

From the early stages of study at Palo Alto's SRI research center and think tank to sponsorship and management by various branches of the U.S. military and intelligence community, the research into and utilization of enhanced or advanced human perception yielded interesting, if not amazing results.

A former Navy SEAL officer wrote a very useful research paper on remote viewing for his graduate-level studies at the Marine Corps War College. He called remote viewing a good example of what he termed "transcendent warfare" – using leading-edge emerging knowledge to approach conflict in new ways. Transcendent warfare can be related to hard power, soft power and smart power – transcendent power.

Books, movies, TV shows and other communications platforms have explored ESP-related topics in one way or the other for many years.

Yet, the new Fox-Chernin project may have the opportunity to examine the subject more thoroughly in ways that potentially very large audiences will find intriguing and fascinating.

Because human consciousness is something we all have and experience, a TV project dealing with this subject is directly relevant to a wide and deep spectrum of viewers.

In fact, the potential educational value creates a significant synergy with the entertainment elements of such a show.

PART OF NATURE

As wider public awareness of ideas related to remote viewing has evolved in recent years, we now know that this ability and method are directly related to the intuition, instincts, hunches, gut feelings and "sixth sense" many average people have every day.

Scientific theories attempt to explain how we can obtain or access information and understanding of people, places and things outside of our direct five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

A brief explanation might simply emphasize that physicists, psychologists and others have determined that things in this Universe of ours are connected in ways that do not seem logical and that we do not fully understand at this time.

Using these potential connections through our deeper minds as well as our other senses and resources can give us greater information and comprehension.

Ancient humans may have used these non-intellectual abilities more than we do today. Animals and other creatures using their instincts are probably also tapping into "non-local" information in similar ways. There may even be connections to these phenomena deep within our biological beings, our cells and our DNA.

In short, these are very natural and normal aspects of the consciousness of life and of Nature. This is one of the ways Nature works.

So, remote viewing and anomalous cognition are really not so anomalous or unusual after all. Better terms might be alternative cognition or perception, or maybe complementary cognition or perception. Integrative cognition or perception might be another useful concept.

It's a kind of perception that can work with our normal five senses and our intellectual, logical brain. But, Project STAR GATE personnel also discovered that our thinking brain can get in the way of remote viewing and distort perception.

Remote-viewing types of perceiving may kick in more strongly when needed for survival in some kind of dangerous scenario that could involve injury and life or death situations. This is why these abilities seem to come forward in some military combat personnel, intelligence field operatives or assets, peace officers, firefighters and others.

The Fox-Chernin TV project about a CIA remote viewing group has the potential to take viewers into the amazing potential of not only a special aspect of the intelligence community, but also the human potential inside all of us.

Movie ‘The Fourth Kind’ sheds light on UFOs, human beings

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:07:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Are non-human intelligent beings abducting humans? And if so, how and why?

The new movie The Fourth Kind deals with a topic that has become part of the tales, rumors and reports associated with UFOs and theories about visitation to Earth of extraterrestrial, extra-dimensional or other intelligent beings.

In the film, due in theatres Nov. 6, Milla Jovovich stars as a behavioral health professional working with clients who have apparent sleep disorders.

She soon discovers that these individuals are having difficulties because they apparently have experienced something very frightening and troubling – they may have been abducted by non-human beings of some kind, and for unclear purposes.

So-called “alien abductions” have been explored in various books, TV shows and movies. But, is there any truth to this phenomenon?

ABDUCTION IN THE MEDIA

The concept of human abductions by “aliens” appeared on many people’s radar in 1987 and 1988 with the publication of the books Intruders and Missing Time by artist and researcher Budd Hopkins.

Hopkins had become interested in the UFO topic and began to question individuals who, under hypnosis, recalled these strange abduction experiences.

Some critics said hypnosis was an unreliable method to elicit accurate memories and that the people under hypnosis could be inadvertently persuaded to come up with false memories of alien abduction experiences.

However, when highly-respected Harvard School of Medicine psychiatrist John Mack, M.D., began to come to conclusions similar to researchers such as Hopkins, this topic gained credibility. (Mack was also a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, having written a biography of T. E. Lawrence – “Lawrence of Arabia.”)

In the early 1990s, Mack conducted a research study of 200 people who felt they may have had an alien abduction experience. He reportedly initially believed these people must have had some type of mental health problem. However, after interviewing and examining them, he found this not to be case.

Mack also noted that he felt an apparent spiritual or transformational experience on the part of these people was significant.

His subsequent 1999 book, Passport to the Cosmos: Human Transformation and Alien Encounters, remains one of the most respected works on this topic. His book Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens was published in 2007.

Another writer who explored this subject was Whitley Strieber. His book Communion, published in 1987, reported what Strieber claimed were his own abduction experiences. He went on to write several other books dealing with this topic.

The 1993 movie Fire in the Sky also brought the alien abduction issue into widespread public awareness. The film was based on an alleged 1975 experience of Snowflake, Arizona, resident Travis Walton, who claimed he was abducted in front of several fellow workers as they drove through an Arizona national forest after a day of clearing brush.

The 2002 TV mini-series Taken, produced by the Steven Spielberg organization, also further explored the ideas surrounding alleged abductions.

CREDIBLE REPORTS

According to some UFO lore, when elements of the U.S. Government became aware of unusual visitation to Earth during the 1940s, communication was made and liaison between certain officials and the visitors was established.

Many reports in the UFO literature suggest that it did become known that the visitors wished to examine humans – for purposes that are not entirely clear.

Stories and accounts of these abductions often involve people seeing a UFO, while driving for example, then experiencing “missing time” about which they have no memory – at least, no easily-accessible conscious memory. Later, they may experience troubling feelings or memories, along with physical marks or scars.

In other cases, people claim they are abducted from their beds at night. They report the same kinds of experiences as those who say they were taken while awake.

Both adults and children have may have had these experiences, according to the accounts in various UFO literature.

The tales of these very close encounters range from highly questionable to apparently fairly reliable witnesses and researchers. This has also been the case with those who claim to have seen UFOs. While some reports of sightings may not hold water, many other witnesses have been found to be highly credible pilots, military personnel, peace officers and respectable citizens of all kinds.

When moviegoers head out to see The Fourth Kind, there will probably be more discussion about what has been going on with UFOs, unusual visitors and close encounters with humans.

It seems to be a subject worth researching, and there are many reliable and worthwhile sources of information available.

The Fourth Kind may help us understand more about alleged alien visitation and about ourselves.

Google logos, H.G. Wells help public preparedness on UFOs

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:56:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

The Google logo “doodle” on Sept. 21, H.G. Wells’ birthday, showed the three-legged extraterrestrial invaders from Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds, published in 1898.

Recent Google UFO doodles sparked curiosity and motivated amateur sleuths who tried to determine the meanings of the mysterious flying saucers in Google’s logo on Sept. 5 and Sept. 15.

The War of the Worlds was made into movies over the years, including the most recent 2005 version directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins and Dakota Fanning.

One of the most noteworthy outcomes from the book was the Mercury Theatre radio broadcast on CBS based on the novel that aired live on Halloween, Oct. 30, 1938.

Some listeners believed the radio drama script by Orson Welles was a series of real news reports about an invasion of Earth by frightening creatures from Mars and panic swept many communities in the U.S.

WELLS, WELLES AND PROJECT BLUEBOOK

This incident has been cited as an example of mass hysteria that may have affected U.S. authorities investigating real unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and alleged extraterrestrial visitation to, or activities on Earth.

The first head of the U.S. Air Force’s Project Bluebook, Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt, wrote in his 1956 book The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects that "The [U.S. government's] UFO files are full of references to the near mass panic of October 30, 1938, when Orson Welles presented his now famous The War of the Worlds broadcast."

Project Bluebook, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at Dayton, in southwestern Ohio, claimed to be a straightforward investigative effort into UFO sightings. Some researchers allege that the project was actually a cover story of sorts that obscured and assisted other government activities in this area.

Google’s celebration of H.G. Wells’ birthday with a War of the Worlds logo doodle also reminds us of the 1938 radio show and the effects on the social psychology of the U.S. that Halloween night. The fact that the radio broadcast based on The War of the Worlds had such significant impacts on American society seems to make the book and the radio program highly relevant today.

Why? The acclimation and preparedness of the American and international public to the possibility of extraterrestrial contact may be an important goal now.

REACTIONS TO FICTION, FACT

How would Americans and people around the world react to a similar fictitious incident now, if it was misinterpreted as reality? How would we react to a real situation misinterpreted as fiction?

What would our response be to the realization that we truly are being visited by intelligent beings from elsewhere? Many credible researchers indicate that activities on Earth by intelligent beings from elsewhere are a reality.

Therefore, being psychologically and emotionally prepared seems to be important. The safe and steady acclimation of the public to such a possibility may be the best route to take.

We might remember that the first Google UFO logo on Sept. 5 was of a disc- or saucer-shaped craft apparently sending a beam of light or energy down to an “o” in Google. Clicking the logo took users to the Google search for “unexplained phenomenon” and a very large number of many interesting topics.

The Sept. 15 doodle showed a similar UFO over a series of crop circles that was linked to a Google search page for “crop circles.”

Both of these had no apparent direct connection with the works of H.G. Wells, other than the general concept of extraterrestrial visitation and the wide range of possibilities that Wells explored in many of his works.

There are many unexplained phenomena on our planet and in this Universe – or multiverse. Even as we discover explanations for some mysteries, different unexplained situations seem to emerge as physicists, psychologists and researchers of all kinds explore the unknown.

It seems possible that many of these mysteries, discoveries and situations could affect us in ways we may not fully understand at this time. But, by opening our minds to the possibilities, as H.G. Wells did, we can possibly become more prepared for new and unconventional developments.

Google’s new UFO crop circle logo raises questions

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:51:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Google’s customized logo has again sparked curiosity and mystery.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, the Google “doodle” featured a disc-shaped UFO with a beam of light or energy connecting the saucer with the “o” in Google. Today, another flying saucer UFO is hovering over the Google logo in the form of a crop circle.

When visitors click the logo, they are taken to the search for “crop circles.” The previous anomalous logo took users to a search for “unexplained phenomenon.”

Interesting theories and connections related to the Sept. 5 logo quickly surfaced, since Google’s usual logo doodles normally celebrate or note significant cultural events. It wasn’t immediately clear what the UFO meant.

Today’s saucer and crop circle doodle is also somewhat mysterious.

However, a connection seems obvious: Both feature a disc-shaped UFO, and crop circles have long been theorized to be connected with extraterrestrial and/or extra-dimensional visitation and communication.

EARTH CHANGES

Although some crop circles have been created by humans, many truly seem to be unexplained phenomena.

In fact, crop circles played a part in my two novels, Mission Into Light and the sequel Light’s Hand. In Mission Into Light, the main character, Mike Green, is recruited into a small San Diego-based joint military and intelligence research group.

The unit, called the Joint Reconnaissance Study Group (JRSG), is tasked with investigating various interesting and unusual phenomena. Mike was on Team Two of three, three-person teams.

In Mission Into Light, Mike’s Team Two partners were pursing their own assigned intelligence and reconnaissance. Team leader Army Col. Ed Thompson and Army Special Forces Capt. Bill MacNeil were looking into something interesting.

At least it was interesting to them. Crop circles.

MacNeil had seen a TV show about them. He was on the Internet at the office the next day, finding out what he could about the strange phenomena. He found photos and information about the many different crop circle patterns on the Internet and he’d shown Ed quite a few.

Bill had worked on farms as a teenager. The idea that crops could be a focus of some strange, cosmic art and communication was fascinating to him.

Ed was also looking into something else. Something Team One member Navy Commander Dan Wells had talked to him about. The concept of upcoming Earth changes.

Wells had come to him on a Monday morning and told him about Team One’s Air Force Capt. Amy Mella’s dream and the conversations over brunch with her and Green. Dan told Ed about some of the Earth changes theories of geological catastrophe.

At a group meeting, Ed and MacNeil wanted to present the crop circle information and the Earth changes theories in as reasonable a manner as possible. They were confident that their group colleagues had open minds. They had Mac lead off with the crop circle phenomena.

“As you all know, we’ve been looking at the UFO area. We’ve expanded that line of research into the crop circle issue.”

He looked around at their faces. He and Thompson got a kick out of stretching their imaginations and watching their minds work as they tried out this new angle on their colleagues.

“You probably have heard about them. Large and often intricate symbols in fields of canola, wheat, and other crops. Clearly a form of communication.”

“Although there’ve been some pranksters and fakes, there are also many crop circles that cannot have been hoaxes. There seems to be mathematical, scientific, and symbolic meaning to the formations. Possible symbolic maps or universal symbols and messages. Maybe something to do with physics. It’s not completely clear.”

“In the apparently legitimate cases, the actual plants have gone through unique changes which have caused them to bend, and not break. And some biological and cellular changes in the plants have been reported by botanists.”

MacNeil reached into a cardboard box he had brought into the room and passed around packets of photos of crop circles, most taken from the air.

“There’s a portfolio of twenty examples for each of you. We can get you a much larger sample if you want. It’s on the Internet and there are some good books of photographs available. A brief report on some of the dynamics of the circles, locations, theories, and the like is attached to the photos. Maybe we can discuss it further after the meeting, if anyone’s interested.”

PARTS OF THE PUZZLE

In the sequel novel, Light’s Hand, crop circles continue to play a role. At a group meeting, the JRSG commanding officer, Air Force Col. Tom O’Brien, leads the discussion.

“Okay, the team leaders will now brief us on where we stand with the ongoing research and where we’re going. Commander Wells, do you have any more to add about the marine mammals and the geologic problems?”

“Lt. Commander Etienne, Capt. Mella and I will continue our work with the Marine Mammal Program with a new emphasis on the Pacific Plate problem, as we’ve said. We’re going cross teams a little, too. MacNeil’s work on crop circles may tie in with Earth geologic changes, so he’s going to be involved in some of our research. That’s about it for Team One.”

It may seem odd for a U.S. military and intelligence group to be researching strange things like UFOs, ESP, crop circles, near-death experiences and similar anomalous phenomena, but the JRSG mission statement spelled it out in some detail.

When Mike Green read it, he felt it was a straightforward document in some ways, yet cryptic and mysterious between the lines. The JRSG had already made a dent in some of the “areas of research” and barely scratched the surface of others, Mike thought.

The first research area was UFOs. Mike, Ed Thompson and Bill MacNeil had witnessed an apparent UFO in the distance during a chopper ride from San Diego to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. At least that’s what the Navy chopper pilot called it ... off the record.

Ed and Bill had also gone to Phoenix after the half the city spotted a huge v-shaped craft gently glide over town one evening. They asked a few questions over at Luke Air Force Base but didn’t come up with anything more than the general public and press knew.

Bill’s research into crop circles also seemed to be probably linked to UFOs.

And when Mike and Bill were sent from Fort Huachuca to Roswell, New Mexico, the trip was suddenly canceled due to a reported ambush to discourage them. Uncle Jack had showed up to take them to a safe house in Phoenix. Why would Roswell be a sensitive issue at this late date? Dozens of books, movies and TV shows had looked at almost every angle of the so-called “Roswell incident” in 1947.

Mike remembered Bill MacNeil’s thoughts about the crop circles he was investigating. And MacNeil’s friends in crypto were coming up with ideas that the crop circles are trying to say something about planetary or physics concepts that might be related to Earth changes.

MORE CIRCLES

As the second novel moves toward the final climax, crop circles play a key role. At the group’s office on San Diego’s Point Loma peninsula, Bill MacNeil was sitting at his PC and was on the Internet. He was looking at a Web site on crop circles.

Something was going on. He needed to advise the CO, Col. O’Brien and his team leader Col. Thompson.

“Sirs. You might want to take a look at this. This Web site is reporting a significant increase in crop circles in the last seventy-two hours. In England, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark. Over here, in Ohio, western Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Down in Mexico too. And a few in Australia and New Zealand.”

O’Brien and Thompson looked at the screen of MacNeil’s PC. MacNeil clicked his computer mouse until there were three maps on the screen. One of Western Europe, one of North America, and one of Australia and New Zealand. The new and previous crop circles were marked. There were dozens and dozens of new circles noted on the maps.

While they were watching, three new circles were forming that very minute in British Columbia, Washington state, and California’s Imperial Valley, which was just east of San Diego County and west of Yuma, Arizona.

What did it mean?

Members of the JRSG quickly find out that a major event is in the making, and the crop circles seemed to be connected to it.

Maybe we should all take a second look at crop circles – what they are, what they mean, what they are trying to say. Google may be helping us recognize this.

‘Integrative perception’ useful in health, media, defense

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:14:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Human perception is related to a broad range of important endeavors in fields like health, media, national defense and many other areas.

New developments in human perception and consciousness have the potential to help us make progress on these and other fronts.

Perception is personal and also social. It affects families, communities, countries and the international community. Our perception and understanding of ourselves are key in the areas noted above, and in many other ways.

We can take a look a few examples to see how human perception affects progress in various activities and areas of interest.

HEALTH, HOLLYWOOD, DEFENSE

In the area of health, when well-known health and wellness expert and author Andrew Weil, M.D., appeared on CNN’s “Larry King Live” show on Sept. 10, he tried to apply his concepts of “integrative medicine” to the current national debate about health care.

Weil is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. He also serves as a professor of medicine and public health.

Another example is the new movie Men Who Stare at Goats, starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. This film takes a look at innovative exploration of human consciousness within the U.S. military.

Although the movie and the book upon which it is based are reportedly slanted toward ridicule, many of these actual military and intelligence programs turned out to be quite valid and valuable. People who see the movie might become curious about these important and leading-edge efforts behind the scenes and explore them further.

As Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently noted, the perception of the U.S. internationally is an area of concern, despite recent progress. “Strategic communication” is directly linked to human perception.

In fact, in a paper for the Marine Corps War College some years ago, a Navy SEAL officer studying there noted that “transcendent warfare” may be a useful concept that optimizes forward-leaning research and activities in human perception and consciousness.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

When Dr. Weil was discussing his views of health with King on CNN, he noted the idea of integrative medicine. The concept of integrative medicine is similar to “alternative medicine” or “complementary medicine.”

Weil believes that leading-edge health and wellness methods can be successfully integrated with conventional Western medicine.

In his discussion with King, he suggested that Americans should take more responsibility for their own health and wellness through healthier eating habits, more exercise and other common-sense approaches.

He stated that the over-reliance, in his view, on high-tech and expensive technological and pharmacological methods to treat health problems is unsustainable and not always particularly successful medically.

Weil seemed to be saying that physicians and health care providers, government officials crafting health care proposals and all of us should consider “integrative” viewpoints and thinking about human health and the administration of health care services.

According to the Web site of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, “Since its inception, the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine has focused its efforts on three domains: education, clinical care, and research—with the primary emphasis on education.” The site notes that the “Defining Principles of Integrative Medicine” include the following:

1) Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process.

2) All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as the body.

3) Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the body's innate healing response.

4) Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible.

5) Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically.

6) Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.

7) Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.

8) Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.

MOVIES, MINDS, INTELLIGENCE

Related to Weil’s views, we might wonder if this integrative perspective or integrative consciousness is applicable in other areas.

Although Weil is now best-known for his work in health, wellness, nutrition and integrative medicine, his 1972 book The Natural Mind focused on human consciousness.

This actually dovetails with the movie Men Who Stare at Goats and the real-life activities by the U.S. defense and intelligence communities regarding human perception.

Discoveries in the last few decades about human perceptual abilities have found that our instincts, intuition, gut feelings, extrasensory perception (ESP) and “sixth sense” appear to be quite real and valid.

A longstanding effort by the U.S. defense and intelligence communities commonly referred to as Project STAR GATE found that humans have the capability to use “anomalous cognition” or unusual perception to gather intelligence. A specific protocol that was developed to do this came to be called “remote viewing.”

As our understanding about human perception and consciousness improves, it may become apparent that anomalous cognition is really not so unusual after all. Like the study of the health concepts of alternative and complementary medicine, the terms “alternative cognition” and “complementary cognition” might be more appropriate.

In fact, taking note of Weil’s perspectives, we might consider the term “integrative cognition” or “integrative perception” to describe using the full range perceptual abilities and capabilities of human consciousness.

This also brings us back to Adm. Mullen’s concerns about important defense challenges in understanding our own internal and external national behavior and how this is perceived overseas.

By examining some of these innovative areas, we can surely make significant progress in many important fields to deal with challenges facing us today.

Google logo UFO linked to real unexplained phenomenon

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:53:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Visitors to Google on Saturday, Sept. 5, were surprised to see a classic disc-shaped flying saucer hovering above the Google logo. A beam of light or energy appears between the craft and the Google logo.

When visitors click on the logo, they are taken to the Google search page for “unexplained phenomenon.”

There seems to be some mystery surrounding the reason for this graphic. Although Google often adds unique art to its logo to celebrate or note certain significant dates, the reason for the disc-shaped craft image is unclear at this time.

It’s true that there have been some interesting stories in the news lately about UFOs other unexplained phenomena, but not really more than usual.

And, unexplained phenomena certainly include a much wider and deeper group of topics than simply theories about UFOs and visitors from elsewhere. At the same time, the connections among various unusual phenomena have also interested some researchers.

Additionally, several kinds of unexplained phenomena actually do have certain explanations, according to some investigators.

MANY UNUSUAL PHENOMENA

Of course, the idea of visitors from other planets, worlds or dimensions is one of the major subjects of interest and speculation. Are the many types of unusual objects, lights and apparent craft seen around the world over many decades (or centuries) related to visiting civilizations?

Are some of them advanced aircraft or spacecraft? Are they ours or theirs, or some combination of the two? What are the methods of propulsion and sources of energy? How and why are they operating in our skies and, reportedly, in our seas?

But UFOs are just one category of interesting anomalous fields of interest.

Other unconventional topics that hold the interest of the public and some scientific researchers include new developments in quantum physics, anti-gravity technologies, teleportation, wormholes and cosmic portals, other dimensions, life after death, the origins of the human race, mysteries of our DNA, human extrasensory perception (ESP) and alternative/complementary cognition, forgotten past Earth civilizations, unusual creatures and many other areas.

Google apparently gets a large amount of search requests for these kinds of subjects. Rightly so. These subjects are fascinating and fun to explore and consider. In fact, they might be a big part of our future.

Significant and credible research activities into these kinds of phenomena have resulted in partial explanations or at least reasonable hypotheses about various factors that may be involved. So, in some cases, they are not totally unexplained.

It’s probably a good idea for the general public to stay up-to-speed on these developments because they have the potential to affect each and every one of us.

Google is probably helping with that in several ways.

OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE

By conducting our own research and becoming more educated about unconventional phenomena of many kinds, we probably help prepare ourselves for the future.

Google and many other online platforms can provide useful information, though, as we know, there is much misinformation on the Web too.

If we use common sense and a skeptical and intelligent approach we can probably get a fairly good working knowledge of the state of current research in many of these areas regarding types of unexplained phenomenon.

This kind of public information or “open source intelligence” about unusual mysteries and leading-edge science is widely available online.

It is challenging to separate the false or misleading information from more accurate reports, but it can be done to a significant degree by the average person.

Google and other online platforms allow us to conduct effective research and intelligence-gathering about unconventional and conventional topics of all kinds. These information age technologies are helping move the human race toward new destinies that are sometimes difficult to imagine.

The flying disc on Google’s logo may help to get us thinking and open some minds. It may just be some fun. It may be associated with important thinking, perspectives and realities.

Movies on UFOs, other worlds help public acclimation?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:43:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Recent, current and upcoming movies on stories related to UFOs, off-Earth civilizations and how humans fit into the situation continue to emerge from Hollywood.

A few examples include Aliens in the Attic, a kid-and-family-friendly movie released in July. Planet 51, scheduled to open in November, is an animated film and another one for kids and families.

The dark and introspective District 9 hit theatres in August and seemed to strike a chord with audiences and critics. The Fourth Kind, dealing with abductions of humans, takes the genre to a different level and audiences can check it out beginning this November.

James Cameron’s Avatar, due out in December, is already creating a buzz and promises to be visually exciting and thought-provoking.

And Curmudgeon Films recently obtained the rights to the story of an alleged Area 51 scientist for a movie project tentatively titled S-4: The Incredible True Story of Bob Lazar.

MEDIA AND ACCLIMATION

Are these films and many other creative works helping people prepare psychologically and emotionally for possible significant developments regarding UFOs and encounters with non-human and/or human-related beings from elsewhere?

To explore this question, we do not necessarily need to believe that UFOs and non-human or human-related civilizations are involved here on Earth. However, most people would say this is possible. Some people say it is probable. And others claim that it is a reality – a reality we need to deal with.

For people who are interested, the study of such situations is challenging. There seems to be much speculation and misinformation.

There also appear to be very interesting and well-researched documents, witness testimony and strong circumstantial indications that something along these lines has been going on.

In the mid-1950s, Walt Disney was reportedly approached by the U.S. Air Force and development of a documentary film about visitation of aliens to Earth was allegedly started. However, the plug was pulled on this project.

In subsequent decades, many “fictional” movies and TV shows did emerge that dealt with this topic in various ways. This trend continues now.

People can speculate about if this is an organized acclimation effort to prepare Americans and people around the world for an unconventional situation, or if it is just the creativity, imagination and money-making sense of the movie and TV businesses.

Either way, it is probably true that kids, teens and adults are today more prepared for the possibility or reality of the existence of non-human or human-related extraterrestrials, beings from other dimensions or similar kinds of unconventional scenarios because of movies, TV shows and books on these subjects.

SPECIAL SCENARIOS

Much has been written and discussed about the so-called “Majestic” or “MJ-12” group of experts reportedly formed after the Roswell incident.

Fewer people probably have heard of the alleged U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps “Interplanetary Phenomenon Unit (IPU),” which, it is claimed, may have been active even before the Roswell case, due to previous intelligence about unconventional situations.

Reports of activities like these could indicate that, as part of dealing with a complex scenario, U.S. leaders realized that the American people would need to be informed and prepared in some way that did not cause undue social or other problems.

Indirect methods such as movies, TV programs, books and other creative endeavors would naturally be resources that could accomplish this. The close bonds formed between Hollywood and the defense community during World War II could have been leveraged to deal with this new challenge.

It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Some of the recent and upcoming movies, like those before them, take a good, hard look not only at “aliens,” but also at ourselves – the human race. This seems to be a necessary part of acclimation about how we might interact with or respond to encounters with others.

The scenario of human contact with more advanced civilizations is often compared to the experience of Native American Indians who encountered the technologically more advanced Europeans beginning in the 1500s until the “conquest” of what is now the western U.S. in the late 1800s.

The Native American Indian tribes, cultures and civilizations suffered quite a bit from this interaction. This is an understatement.

Would this happen to our own human cultures in the face of a technologically-superior race from elsewhere? This is a question that has been carefully considered by many researchers.

BE PREPARED

Preparing ourselves for the possibility or reality of contact like this seems to be wise. Being prepared for possible situations of many kinds is usually a good idea. This can enhance safety and the chances for good outcomes.

Movies, TV, books and other kinds of creative activities have an important part to play in these efforts. They help us explore and consider various possibilities. They prepare us psychologically, emotionally and spiritually, as well as forming common perceptions among us that might be helpful.

Of course, there are other unusual and thought-provoking subjects that may be both related, to and somewhat independent of, the topics of UFOs and visitors.

These include leading-edge thoughts and scientific research into teleportation, time travel, anti-gravity methodologies, advanced human perception, life after death and similar kinds of subjects. Plenty of movies and creative works have tackled these topics too, often with great results.

I like to think that my own two novels, Mission Into Light and the sequel Light’s Hand, as well as the subsequent movie screenplay and two TV pilot scripts based on them, help move the ball forward in these areas.

The books tell the story of the “Joint Reconnaissance Study Group,” a San Diego-based U.S. joint-military service and intelligence team of ten women and men who are tasked with conducting special research and operations. The novels bring readers and viewers into the inner workings of this special activities group as they explore different kinds of mysterious phenomena and the connections between them.

My adaptation of the books to a movie screenplay and a one-hour TV pilot, both closely based on the novels, might also spark interest along the way.

A two-hour TV pilot written by two other screenwriters, based more loosely on my novels, is also a good example of using the TV media to entertain and inform. With the help and guidance from a highly-qualified science advisor, we made sure that our concepts were sound.

Maybe one day these projects will make it to the big or small screen. It would be rewarding to think that these works could contribute not only to the body of worthwhile film and TV projects, but also help somewhat in the larger situations we might face.

More progress for commercial spaceflight emerges

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:38:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

A blue-ribbon panel analyzing NASA's future spaceflight options plans to report to the White House this week.

The 10-member group, headed by Norman Augustine, the former chief executive of Lockheed Martin, plans to provide between six and eight options for future directions, according to published reports.

In addition to NASA's own activities, Augustine also reportedly will present options involving manned low-Earth-orbit commercial spaceflight.

Meanwhile, an organization called the Commercial Spaceflight Federation issued a press release this week announcing the formation of the Suborbital Applications Researchers Group (SARG).

SARG is described as a team of "experienced scientists, researchers, and educators dedicated to furthering the research and education potential of suborbital reusable launch vehicles under development by the commercial spaceflight sector."

COMMERICAL SPACEFLIGHT CONFIDENCE

In Augustine's briefing to the White House, he reportedly will put forward options for NASA missions to the moon or even Mars. The future roles of the International Space Station (ISS) will also probably be discussed.

Perhaps the most innovative developments are those that seem to point to increasing progress in the field of commercial space activities both in the near future and longer term.

Several private companies are now developing rockets, spacecraft and orbital habitats.

Augustine stated, "I've developed a great deal more confidence in commercial spaceflight than I would have had at the beginning," according to Space.com.

He also noted, "I've always believed there was a great commercial role in the unmanned arena, but the more I've thought about it, the more I think that applies to the human arena as well."

These statements appear to dovetail with the interests of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation's new SARG team.

According to the Commercial Spaceflight Federation press release, the group plans to "increase awareness of commercial suborbital vehicles in the science and R&D communities, to work with policymakers to ensure that payloads can have easy access to these vehicles, and to further develop ideas for the uses of these vehicles for science, engineering, and education missions."

CHANGING PERCEPTION AND REALITY

Collaboration between NASA and aerospace companies planning commercial space endeavors appears to be increasing.

Joint efforts involving areas such as funding, personnel and technology-sharing seem to be optimizing the activities of both government and private sector programs and projects.

The public, investors and the media may soon being seeing more significant developments that will create a changed perception about the future of space travel. And these changes may happen sooner than many may think.

According to Alan Stern, chairman of Commercial Spaceflight Federation's SARG team, "Because some of these vehicles are approaching first flights in 2010 and 2011, it is crucial to start engaging with the broader scientific community as soon as possible to put payloads and scientists on these vehicles."

Although the common perception, based on the past several decades of space missions, is that only government – particularly NASA and the military – were involved in space operations, the emergence of interest and active programs by several companies promises to remake our views.

Groups like the Commercial Spaceflight Federation may be leading the way in their stated mission "to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry."

New TV series ‘Defying Gravity’ explores space, human beings

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:32:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

When a new TV series blends human behavior, relationships, space travel and a mysterious undisclosed element, will we have a worthwhile show or something less?

Viewers may find out the answer when the ABC TV series “Defying Gravity” begins this Sunday, Aug. 2.

The story takes place in the year 2052 and follows eight astronauts, four women and four men, from five countries, on an eight-year mission to explore our solar system. We also meet their ground crew and other characters.

Although some reviews of the series have made fun of the romantic relationships on the spacecraft Antares, the fact is that human relationships are legitimate and important aspects of the field of space psychology.

In future years, when space missions may involve months and years, human behavior and relationships will continue to play a large role in space travel and activities.

When we see the characters and their ship in the context of viewing Earth from space, other psychological factors might come to mind involving people who are off-Earth and those of us on the planet. Real-life astronauts have frequently commented that viewing Earth from space is an experience that can give you a whole new perspective. Maybe viewers of “Defying Gravity” can also get a taste of this viewpoint.

And then there is the secret and anomalous aspect to the plot, which we currently know little about. It may have something to do with the astronauts’ deep psychology and consciousness. It may involve something much larger than themselves and their apparent missions.

EXPANDING SPACE TRAVEL

In the early days of manned spaceflight, U.S. and Russian astronauts were typically former military pilots. In subsequent decades, especially during the Space Shuttle years, crews have become increasingly diverse. Now, with “space tourists,” scientists and others heading into Earth orbit in the near future, the human element will probably become more complex.

These human dynamics are key factors in “Defying Gravity.” The astronaut characters are explored as fully human beings, with normal relationships and needs, as well as sometimes difficult histories and life choices. In fact, viewers learn more about the characters through flashbacks that attempt to illuminate their humanity.

Can viewers put themselves in the shoes of these characters? Can we imagine ourselves departing Earth for space and facing the many stressors, joys and unknowns involved?

Before long, we may not need to rely on our imaginations and TV series like “Defying Gravity.” Several private commercial aerospace companies in the U.S. and internationally are developing space planes, orbiting space station “habitats” and similar projects that will allow more people to have the off-Earth experience.

Other countries are also developing more robust space programs and may soon be conducting more of their own manned (and womanned) space activities.

For nations that lack the resources of the major powers, the private commercial companies involved could, someday soon, provide affordable opportunities for scientific research and other space experiences. Companies that want to go into Earth orbit may also soon be able to book flight time in private space planes and habitats.

When we consider the current and evolving realities of space travel, “Defying Gravity” might turn out to be a fun and reasonable dramatic examination of human beings in the unique and challenging environment of space.

HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS

As to the mysterious aspect of the series that is hinted about, we also might wonder if there are elements of real space flight that might be unconventional or anomalous. There are tales and rumors that astronauts have encountered unusual phenomena.

And what about human consciousness in space, and on Earth? Are there interesting factors related to the human mind that are worthy of further exploration too? In this sense, space flight can be both an external and internal journey.

“Defying Gravity” might even delve into alternative human consciousness, or “anomalous cognition,” which refers to using the full range of human perception and awareness. In fact, “complementary cognition” could be a term that better describes fuller human consciousness.

And, who knows, the crew of the Antares might run into any number of interesting and challenging encounters such as UFOs and extraterrestrials, other dimensions, time and space warps or some larger forces that entertain and enlighten viewers.

Based on real science, as well as exotic tales and rumors, the characters in this series could run into almost anything.

Assuming that U.S. space activities may be decades ahead of where we generally think they are, the creators and writers of “Defying Gravity” might not be able to imagine scenarios that are actually reality.

Can the rest of us also wrap our minds around what the possibilities and realities truly could be? “Defying Gravity” could be an opportunity to see how far our human consciousness can expand, while staying rooted in the down-to-Earth fundamentals of human relationships, passion and compassion.

Media coverage improves on emerging discoveries, UFOs

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:22:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Journalists and the news media seem to be taking a closer look at how they cover and report on unconventional scientific topics.

Professional and objective news coverage seems to have improved in recent years when it comes to things like UFOs, human extrasensory perception (ESP), ideas about other dimensions and similar subjects.

In addition, movies, TV and other entertainment media also often explore these kinds of areas, sometimes with mixed results. Still, valuable perspectives often seem to be part of creative projects from Hollywood and elsewhere.

In many cases, journalists and scriptwriters do their homework and conduct fairly thorough research to get a feel for the state of knowledge and understanding about certain topics.

At the same time, some writers may not fully understand the background on some unconventional subjects and may, consciously or inadvertently, misrepresent the situation and put forth an inaccurate picture.

EMERGING VIEWS

Some researchers and observers who take a look at the UFO field have reported that the mainstream news media seems to have been covering that subject with greater objectivity and professionalism. This was especially notable in the 2008 cluster of incidents in the region around Stephenville, Texas.

After local residents contacted their small-town newspaper, a reporter there wrote objective and straightforward news stories. These were picked up and covered by the Associated Press and other national and international news media, also in a mostly responsible and professional way.

CNN’s Larry King has demonstrated professional objectivity and intelligent inquiry about the UFO topic in some of his shows.

Journalists and others in the media appear to be learning more about the scientific investigations into a number of unconventional areas. Sometimes, these investigations are discreet, low-key or even covert and secret.

What about discoveries in “weird physics” which seem to imply that our Universe and the nature of Nature may have interesting and unusual aspects that we may not fully understand? Physicists are finding some fascinating things in certain leading-edge research.

Another example of an unconventional area of study is that of ESP. It has been also called the sixth sense, intuition and anomalous cognition. Additional terms that might be useful are “alternative cognition” or “complementary cognition.”

Thorough research, development and utilization of this kind of human perception and awareness have been conducted by the U.S. defense and intelligence communities.

A notable media portrayal that touched on some of this research is the 2004 book The Men Who Stare at Goats, by UK writer Jon Ronson.

The book is being made into a movie starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Filming has been completed and the movie is currently in post-production editing and development.

Some people familiar with the topics in Ronson’s book say that his representation is incomplete in certain areas. While making fun of, and alerting us to the dangers of certain U.S. military activities, Ronson might also have missed some very important and valuable elements of advanced research that can be helpful.

The movie version, using the same title as the book, is planned for release Feb. 18, 2010, by Smoke House Pictures, a company owned by Clooney and Grant Heslov, who is directing it. Will the movie team add more insight and deeper perspective? We’ll see.

MEDIA RESPONSIBILITY AND REWARD

Whether we are talking about mainstream news journalists, writers, various kinds of “new media” or people in the creative media fields of TV and film, it seems that there continue to be mixed results in the coverage, exploration and portrayals of certain emerging subjects.

As a result, the public is not as fully informed as it could be. Average Americans and people around the world might benefit from greater understanding about the possibilities involved in some leading-edge research.

Every student in a journalism class knows that a topic should be covered by explaining the “who, what, when, where, why, how.” When we get into more vague or complex subjects, such as those involving unconventional phenomena topics, there may be a greater challenge and responsibility for the news media, and also greater reward.

In the entertainment field, this same situation seems to hold true as well. Examining and presenting complicated subjects in a context that works for the book, TV show or movie is not always easy.

Most consumers of media platforms and products probably want a truthful and complete picture of a given topic or combination of topics, even in an entertainment context. Truth seems to have a resonance that draws people to it. So, if attracting an audience is a goal, then including truthful portrayals of situations are a win-win.

In addition, Americans and people internationally may be getting increasingly sophisticated about emerging unconventional topics. People may want more information that is accurate and thorough on these kinds of issues.

There is probably a ready-made audience of human beings across our planet that is waiting for the next news article, book, TV show or movie that will take us a step further along in dealing with fascinating unconventional topics.

Health care reform: DoD's TRICARE a useful model?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:08:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

One model of health care services administration that could be explored in current national discussions on health care reform is the TRICARE program run by the U.S. Department of Defense.

This program serves active-duty military service members and retirees, and their families.

In recent years, because so many Reserve Component (Reserves and National Guard) personnel have been called up for Iraq and Afghanistan, steps were taken to allow some of them to access the TRICARE health services system.

TRICARE is administered in partnership with private companies. Several partner organizations are involved in the diverse aspects of the program. TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) coordinates the program.

The program is similar in some ways to the one designed for federal employees – the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

NUTS AND BOLTS

On the TRICARE Web site, www.tricare.mil, there are rich sources of information about how TRICARE functions, what it provides and other important aspects of this interesting health services program.

The Web site's "press room" section, at www.tricare.mil/pressroom, is one useful doorway to find out more about TRICARE. In the TRICARE "Transparency" section of the Web site, www.tricare.mil/transparency, information is presented in a straightforward manner about TRICARE operations.

Benefit plans in the program include TRICARE Standard, TRICARE Extra, TRICARE Prime, US Family Health Plan and TRICARE Reserve Select. These benefit plans have different structures, similar to other health care insurance models.

The various TRICARE benefit plans are administered across the U.S. in large, multi-state regions. Private companies compete and bid to administer the program in these regions.

TRICARE is truly a joint activity, involving several areas of the Defense Department in cooperation with private companies involved in health care administration.

The program seems to have a reputation for keeping up with trends in administrative efficiencies, customer service and current technologies.

GOOD PROGRAM DESIGN?

The Defense Department's TRICARE health program provides valuable and crucial services for U.S. troops and their families.

Is it perfect? Like any system or organization, there is probably room for improvement. The program has evolved since it replaced the previous system, known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS).

You might say that CHAMPUS morphed into TRICARE.

The health care system approaches for U.S. military personnel have evolved over time. The systems used after World War II and in subsequent decades continued to change.

Now, the TRICARE system – using private health care companies – contracts with nearly every kind of health care provider across the country, creating provider networks linked to the benefit plans they offer and the geographic areas involved.

How can the TRICARE model be explored in current discussions about U.S. health care? Is TRICARE a reasonable platform for the delivery of health care services? What are the pros and cons of the TRICARE model?

These might be good questions for all interested parties.

UFOs, ‘visitors’ linked to soul, afterlife, says author

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:15:00 +0000

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.

(Strieber's July 6 journal entry can be found at UnknownCountry.com.)

Twitter experiment, 'Goats' movie tackle 'remote viewing'

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:39:00 +0000

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 STAR GATE, 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 STAR GATE 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 STAR GATE-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 STAR GATE 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 STAR GATE 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.

FBI investigates time, mind warp in new TV series 'Flash Forward'

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:36:00 +0000

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 STAR GATE 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.

UFOs, visitors are here – situation mysterious, says author

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:51:00 +0000

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."

Read Strieber's entire journal entry at UnknownCountry.com.

New book examines West Virginia UFOs, strange encounters

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:13:00 +0000

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.

Former astronaut says Roswell UFO crash true

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:01:00 +0000

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.

PBS launches Native American Indian TV saga 'We Shall Remain' April 13

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:04:00 +0000

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/

Ancient American Indian legends include mystical woman, UFO visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:28:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

Does current scientific understanding have connections with ancient accounts of mystical and metaphysical phenomena?

When we hear modern scientists discussing parallel dimensions and mysterious discoveries, can we draw any conclusions about traditional legends of the “First Americans,” Native American Indians?

As we read about the stories from the Hopi and other tribes about visitors from the stars, do we wonder if there is an association with modern-day reports of UFOs?

In 2005, NASA helped promote “Sun-Earth Day,” an observation and celebration that happens on or near the spring equinox each year.

As part of this activity, the NASA Web site featured the section “Ancient Observations, Timeless Knowledge” and a sub-section called “Native American Connections.”

MYSTICAL WOMAN, SACRED PIPE

Among the Native American Indian scholars, astronauts and others featured on the site, a brief biographical overview of Joseph Chasing Horse is included.

The NASA site explains that Chasing Horse is a Lakota and “ambassador to the United Nations for the Lakota Sioux Nations, an ordained Sundance chief and a descendant of the great spiritual leader, Crazy Horse.”

The NASA site also notes that, “With expertise in the fields of educational and environmental issues, he has worked with NASA. As a cross cultural consultant he has assisted JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) in developing Lakota Star Knowledge curriculum. He also serves as liaison between NASA and many traditional Indian communities …”

In addition, the NASA site points out that Chasing Horse, “serves as emissary to … the nineteenth caretaker of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe.”

What is the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, and what meaning does it have for us today?

From other online resources, we can learn about the time long past – said to be 2,000 years ago – when a mystical being came to the Lakota. Her name was White Buffalo Calf Woman.

Other Native American Indian tribes reportedly have similar legends of such a being.

According to Chasing Horse, “They say a cloud came down from the sky, and off of the cloud stepped the white buffalo calf. As it rolled onto the earth, the calf stood up and became this beautiful young woman who was carrying the sacred bundle in her hand.”

“She spent four days among our people and taught them about the sacred bundle, the meaning of it.”

“When she was done teaching all our people, she left the way she came. She went out of the circle, and as she was leaving she turned and told our people that she would return one day for the sacred bundle. And she left the sacred bundle, which we still have to this very day,” Chasing Horse said.

“The sacred bundle is known as the White Buffalo Calf pipe because it was brought by the White Buffalo Calf Woman. It is kept in a sacred place … by a man who is known as the keeper of the White Buffalo Calf pipe.”

Chasing Horse tells us, “When White Buffalo Calf Woman promised to return again, she made some prophecies at that time. One of those prophesies was that the birth of a white buffalo calf would be a sign that it would be near the time when she would return again to purify the world. What she meant by that was that she would bring back harmony again and balance, spiritually.”

CONNECTING THE DOTS

As the human race struggles today with many problems and challenges around the world, we might find valuable information in ancient accounts, such as that of the White Buffalo Calf Woman and the sacred pipe.

Here in North America, we have many direct links to the ancient perceptions of Native American Indian peoples. Not only do we have a vast array of historical literature and tribal stories available, but millions of Americans today have Indian ancestry.

In addition to single-tribe full-blood Indians, many people are a mix of two or more tribes. Other Americans have a diverse blend of European and Indian bloodlines. Black and Hispanic Americans also often have Native American Indian DNA within their genetic backgrounds.

In fact, this reality may be not fully understood because many American families do not even remember those long-ago Indian ancestors far back in the family tree.

But, could greater awareness associated with this situation be emerging now? Is the consciousness that people like Joseph Chasing Horse describes rising in America today?

Research into DNA mapping is really just beginning, as are the connections between our DNA, consciousness and even more unconventional theories about human genetics.

Significant scientific discoveries in many fields seem to be pointing toward unusual and surprising developments that make connections between our modern world and ancient understanding. These connections cross different fields of study. They provide a more cohesive picture derived from joint studies and observations.

They may fit in to a new kind of transcendent awareness about Nature and the reality around us and within us.

As we consider the possibilities of emerging new consciousness and understanding, we might wonder about the ancient Lakota reports of the White Buffalo Calf Woman.

Does she represent the qualities of Nature, Earth and the Universe (or “multiverse”) that we are reconnecting with today?

Will she be returning soon? And if so, how?

Visit the NASA Native American Connections site at: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/na/

Book 'Hunt for the Skinwalker' is investigation of the unknown

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hammons) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:34:00 +0000

By Steve Hammons

The non-fiction book Hunt for the Skinwalker, published in 2005, is a fascinating account of a scientific research team's investigation into unusual phenomena at a remote Utah ranch.

Written by research scientist Colm A. Kelleher, Ph.D., and award-winning investigative journalist George Knapp, the book takes readers on an exciting, mysterious and somewhat frightening adventure into the unknown.

The full title is Hunt for the Skinwalker: Science Confronts the Unexplained at a Remote Utah Ranch.

The book begins as a cattle-ranching family is getting settled into their new 480-acre spread in northeastern Utah, where they had moved from New Mexico.

It's a lovely place, perfect for their high-quality registered cattle and a lifestyle living close to the land in a rural setting.

Before long, very unusual things begin to happen. Odd, oversized wolf-like creatures come around the ranch. Stranger still, the animals seem impervious to bullets.

Items from everyday utensils to work tools disappear, only to show up later in different locations.

Cattle are found mutilated consistent with other such cases in the West and Midwest.

Small glowing orbs and larger UFO-like craft hover and zip around the ranch.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

RESEARCH TEAM ARRIVES

Kelleher and a scientific investigative team from a group called the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) arrived at the ranch to conduct extensive research on the strange goings-on. They reported to a NIDS scientific advisory board.

In fact, NIDS eventually buys the ranch from the family, who by that time has had more than enough of the many odd events. The family moves off the ranch and the investigative team moves in.

However, the family also wants to understand what was going on and assists the researchers, giving detailed accounts of what they have observed and experienced.

It doesn't take long for the researchers to learn that odd things had been going on at the ranch for decades or maybe centuries.

The local Ute Indians believed that the ranch was "in the path of the skinwalker," an evil entity. The Utes stayed away from the area on which the ranch was located.

The Utes, as well as Navajo and other tribes use the term "skinwalker" to describe an Indian who has delved into evil witchery and dark magic. In Indian lore, a skinwalker can assume the form of other animals.

Hence, the Utes in the region near the ranch traditionally considered at least some of the bizarre things going on there as the work of a skinwalker.

Tales among the local Utes about strange happenings in the area of the ranch go back at least 15 generations, according to the investigators.

Kelleher and the researchers also noted that the region's Indian tribes have had conflicts and wars over the centuries, as well as with the Spanish and Americans. Black "Buffalo Soldiers" of the U.S. Cavalry were stationed in the area.

INVESTIGATING THE SITUATION

Armed with a variety of high-tech instruments, the researchers set up observation stations, at times peering through night-vision equipment and taking scientific measurements on the environment at the ranch.

They, too, observed and experienced strange and sometimes frightening incidents that they could not explain.

A unique aspect of the odd activities on the ranch was that they did not neatly fit into single categories of unusual phenomena we read about or see on TV. There were multiple kinds of mysterious situations.

The ranch seemed to be some kind of intersection with other dimensions and a site of several different kinds of anomalous activity.

In addition to the lights and UFOs flying around the ranch (sometimes with apparent crew members onboard) there were unidentified creatures like the large wolf-like animal. There also seemed to be creatures present that could not be visually seen.

The many mischievous and trickster-like incidents were apparently harmless, but bizarre and sometimes quite amazing.

Though the ranch family was quite shook up and frightened out of their wits at times, the research team was more objective and actually sought out the unusual events so they could investigate them.

The anomalous activity decreased during the months and years the researchers monitored the ranch, yet there were still intermittent cases of very unusual events that were hard to fathom.

Did the odd phenomena "lay low" somewhat while the researchers were investigating? It seemed so.

Still, there was enough reliable multiple witness testimony to convince the team that many people in the area of the ranch and in the region had experienced truly unusual situations.

Also explored in the book are other locations in the U.S. and around the world that seem to be centers for similar kinds of mysterious events and encounters. Some are in the American Southwest, in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Others are overseas.

MYSTERIES REMAIN

After several years of gathering information in and about the region, interviewing witnesses and local people, staking out the ranch day and night, conducting police-like evidentiary investigations, applying a wide range of scientific measurement equipment and experiencing very strange incidents first hand, Kelleher and the research team seemed to come to some tentative general conclusions.

Among the apparent conclusions: Anomalous events were actually occurring in the ranch area. This situation had been reported for many generations by the Utes and others.

The events were varied and spanned a range of what we think of as ancient and modern mysteries of different kinds.

In addition, something about the physics of the ranch seemed to indicate a kind of traffic between unseen dimensions.

There seemed to be an intelligence or many different intelligences at work.

Indian tribes such as the Utes interpreted and explained the phenomena in their own cultural context. The research team tried to apply modern knowledge and perspectives from a variety of scientific disciplines, while accepting that the Indians' experiences and legends were quite valuable in the investigation.

Was the ranch a site of wormholes that connect different dimensions? Were extraterrestrials somehow able to fly their UFOs into and out of the ranch area more easily? Did wild creatures from other worlds also slip in and out through invisible portals? Did our normal laws of physics cease to completely apply at the ranch?

The researchers could not find enough hard scientific proof to completely answer these questions, though they tried their best to get hard data and evidence.

However, when taken together, the account by Kelleher and Knapp in Hunt for the Skinwalker presents an amazing experience into very strange mysteries.

For scientists, including social scientists, researchers and investigators of all kinds, the information in the book poses intriguing questions and suggests a few startling possible answers.

Readers of all kinds can thoroughly enjoy the fast-paced adventures and thoughtful information in Hunt for the Skinwalker.