UFO article and MUFON reaction!
Ian Brockwell
September 27, 2008
In a recent article I mentioned that MUFON were investigating some photos (of the STS-75 tether incident) that had received a special photo process.
Shortly after the article appeared I received an email from the "International Director" of MUFON, James Carrion, asking "Who/what is your source for stating that MUFON is involved with a new photo enhancement technique for analyzing UFO photos as stated in the article.." and "I am not aware of any such technique."
Firstly, I explained that the new photo process belongs to a scientist that is supplying images to me (displayed on my site), not MUFON as mentioned in some forums. I also confirmed the MUFON contact involved in the investigation.
I received a further message from Carrion saying that my article was "misleading" as "this technique is being practiced by a single person who just happens to be a MUFON member but it sounds like MUFON as an organization endorses his methods. That is inaccurate. I would appreciate it if you could clarify that."
My response was "I thought you guys worked as a kind of team, is this not correct?" and asked whether the MUFON member was doing something he shouldn´t and operating outside MUFON rules.
I explained that I was simply presenting information given to me and assumed that a MUFON member would be working for the benefit of the organization. As this seems to be a matter between MUFON and one of their members, I suggested that "Maybe you can discuss this with him directly and clarify the actual position?" I also added that the member "is taking advantage of this new process in the hope that it might help his investigations. Isn't that what you do?"
My article did not suggest that MUFON supported or approved of the project I have been presenting, only that it was being "investigated" by MUFON (or at least one of its investigators), and I confirmed that the people involved in this project would accept the findings of the investigator. I included the following comment in my reply "If you prefer, I can write an article that says MUFON do not want to be associated with this investigation and that you do not approve of one of your members being involved in a technology that may uncover certain UFO mysteries in the future (if not this one, maybe others). Is that what you are asking?"
Carrion´s reply asked why I made the "leap of logic" that the member´s actions represent MUFON as a whole. He added that it is not MUFON´s responsibility to clarify its relationship with their member or whatever methods he is using and said "We are not arguing the validity or the worth of such methods, but simply that MUFON does not endorse these methods as most folks will come to believe when they read your article."
Is Carrion saying that even if this new process is valid and has some worth, MUFON is not going to endorse it? And what does he mean by "as most folks will come to believe when they read your article". Is this some suggestion that I write articles designed to mislead people, or lie to them? And what gives him the right to guess the reactions of my readers or his members. I present information and let the people decide, I don´t tell them what they should do.
I have worked with MUFON members in the past, and I can honestly say that they are a great bunch of people, extremely dedicated to their pursuit of the truth (very professional). But this is true of many sites that report on UFO sightings etc. and I applaud them all for the time and effort they put into this subject. Most, just like me, do this without any financial reward (we don´t ask members to pay $45 a year!)
It is somewhat disappointing that the MUFON site states:
one reason people join MUFON is because they want to be trained and have the opportunity to investigate cases. They want the hands-on, personal experience of interviewing witnesses, collecting information and analysing it themselves, instead of just reading about what others have done." Elaine Douglass, Co-State Director, Utah MUFON.
And when a member does just that, he is told that he "does not represent MUFON as a whole" and Carrion says "We have a standard process for investigation that is outlined in our field investigator manual, a certification process for field investigators and a mentoring program to hone their investigative skills. We have a body of consultants that assist in research. People join MUFON because they want to be part of this process."
You are wrong James, people join MUFON (and organizations like yours) in the hope that this will improve their chances of obtaining the truth, not to be told that they can´t try new methods (valid or not) just because you don´t personally approve. We should be prepared to use as many different methods as possible (as available) in order to achieve our goal. We owe it to ourselves and the rest of the planet. The MUFON "mission" according to their site is "the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity". The process I have been reporting on is "scientific", should it be dismissed just because "MUFON" didn´t come up with the idea?
My final communication from James Carrion suggested that the American Chronicle "has no standards for who writes for them". This publisher (American Chronicle) provides a platform for authors who write on a wide range of topics, many of whom write articles that I don´t agree with personally, but free speech should apply to all. I am extremely thankful for their unbiased approach to providing the news, it´s a pity the Mainstream Media don´t follow this example (who incidentally rarely publish UFO stories). So let´s not criticize those that do.
Carrion concluded by saying "To call yourself a truth seeker is a travesty –a truth spinner is more like it." I will not lower myself to respond in the same manner, but simply invite the readers to take a look at some of my previous articles over the last 12 months (CLICK HERE to view) and let them decide whether I seek the truth or not.
By the way, I have just added a UFO section to my message board and I welcome those who wish to post information on UFO sightings, Aliens etc. And the good news is, there is no membership fee!
To conclude, MUFON are not involved in any of our projects, nor will they be in the future. If their members wish to become involved with us in any way, that is fine, but you do so as an individual and any credit for discoveries will be given to you as an individual.
I am more than happy to support other sites involved in UFO research (I always have) and if you would like a link on our UFO INFORMATION page, just ask (a return link would be nice of course, but not compulsory)
Shortly after the article appeared I received an email from the "International Director" of MUFON, James Carrion, asking "Who/what is your source for stating that MUFON is involved with a new photo enhancement technique for analyzing UFO photos as stated in the article.." and "I am not aware of any such technique."
Firstly, I explained that the new photo process belongs to a scientist that is supplying images to me (displayed on my site), not MUFON as mentioned in some forums. I also confirmed the MUFON contact involved in the investigation.
I received a further message from Carrion saying that my article was "misleading" as "this technique is being practiced by a single person who just happens to be a MUFON member but it sounds like MUFON as an organization endorses his methods. That is inaccurate. I would appreciate it if you could clarify that."My response was "I thought you guys worked as a kind of team, is this not correct?" and asked whether the MUFON member was doing something he shouldn´t and operating outside MUFON rules.
I explained that I was simply presenting information given to me and assumed that a MUFON member would be working for the benefit of the organization. As this seems to be a matter between MUFON and one of their members, I suggested that "Maybe you can discuss this with him directly and clarify the actual position?" I also added that the member "is taking advantage of this new process in the hope that it might help his investigations. Isn't that what you do?"
My article did not suggest that MUFON supported or approved of the project I have been presenting, only that it was being "investigated" by MUFON (or at least one of its investigators), and I confirmed that the people involved in this project would accept the findings of the investigator. I included the following comment in my reply "If you prefer, I can write an article that says MUFON do not want to be associated with this investigation and that you do not approve of one of your members being involved in a technology that may uncover certain UFO mysteries in the future (if not this one, maybe others). Is that what you are asking?"
Carrion´s reply asked why I made the "leap of logic" that the member´s actions represent MUFON as a whole. He added that it is not MUFON´s responsibility to clarify its relationship with their member or whatever methods he is using and said "We are not arguing the validity or the worth of such methods, but simply that MUFON does not endorse these methods as most folks will come to believe when they read your article."
Is Carrion saying that even if this new process is valid and has some worth, MUFON is not going to endorse it? And what does he mean by "as most folks will come to believe when they read your article". Is this some suggestion that I write articles designed to mislead people, or lie to them? And what gives him the right to guess the reactions of my readers or his members. I present information and let the people decide, I don´t tell them what they should do.
I have worked with MUFON members in the past, and I can honestly say that they are a great bunch of people, extremely dedicated to their pursuit of the truth (very professional). But this is true of many sites that report on UFO sightings etc. and I applaud them all for the time and effort they put into this subject. Most, just like me, do this without any financial reward (we don´t ask members to pay $45 a year!)
It is somewhat disappointing that the MUFON site states:
one reason people join MUFON is because they want to be trained and have the opportunity to investigate cases. They want the hands-on, personal experience of interviewing witnesses, collecting information and analysing it themselves, instead of just reading about what others have done." Elaine Douglass, Co-State Director, Utah MUFON.
And when a member does just that, he is told that he "does not represent MUFON as a whole" and Carrion says "We have a standard process for investigation that is outlined in our field investigator manual, a certification process for field investigators and a mentoring program to hone their investigative skills. We have a body of consultants that assist in research. People join MUFON because they want to be part of this process."
You are wrong James, people join MUFON (and organizations like yours) in the hope that this will improve their chances of obtaining the truth, not to be told that they can´t try new methods (valid or not) just because you don´t personally approve. We should be prepared to use as many different methods as possible (as available) in order to achieve our goal. We owe it to ourselves and the rest of the planet. The MUFON "mission" according to their site is "the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity". The process I have been reporting on is "scientific", should it be dismissed just because "MUFON" didn´t come up with the idea?
My final communication from James Carrion suggested that the American Chronicle "has no standards for who writes for them". This publisher (American Chronicle) provides a platform for authors who write on a wide range of topics, many of whom write articles that I don´t agree with personally, but free speech should apply to all. I am extremely thankful for their unbiased approach to providing the news, it´s a pity the Mainstream Media don´t follow this example (who incidentally rarely publish UFO stories). So let´s not criticize those that do.
Carrion concluded by saying "To call yourself a truth seeker is a travesty –a truth spinner is more like it." I will not lower myself to respond in the same manner, but simply invite the readers to take a look at some of my previous articles over the last 12 months (CLICK HERE to view) and let them decide whether I seek the truth or not.
By the way, I have just added a UFO section to my message board and I welcome those who wish to post information on UFO sightings, Aliens etc. And the good news is, there is no membership fee!
To conclude, MUFON are not involved in any of our projects, nor will they be in the future. If their members wish to become involved with us in any way, that is fine, but you do so as an individual and any credit for discoveries will be given to you as an individual.
I am more than happy to support other sites involved in UFO research (I always have) and if you would like a link on our UFO INFORMATION page, just ask (a return link would be nice of course, but not compulsory)
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